Recently, Playstation announced the existence of a new controller that they had been painstakingly deg during Gamescon: the DualSense Edge. With its announcement, numerous discussions brewed online about the device's performance and estimated price, begging the question if such expensive devices are worth their price.
Companies that have noticed this have dedicated years to manufacturing devices that cater to every audience, some having a focus on detail and design or the speed at which a player can react to situations with it. But of course, with these upgrades, one can expect the price of these controllers to be higher than the average.
Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 ($150-$180)
Highly customizable internally and externally, the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 can be modified to every gamer's personal preference. Each button on the device can be remapped to do a different task, such as mapping one of the four paddles on the back of the controller to record gameplay or take screenshots. The face and joysticks of the controllers can be easily removed and swapped with custom designs or sturdier sticks.
The general price for this piece of hardware is about $155-$180 on several websites and can be purchased from multiple retailers, including one of the best gaming consoles of all time, the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 also makes for a great gamepad for PC gaming.
Scuff Instinct Pro Controller ($230)
The Scuff Instinct Pro Controller can be customized in any way, with its main purpose being to serve professional players who can make the adjustments necessary to earn that extra edge over their opponents. The rotors can even be removed to reduce the weight of the controller itself.
While it can be considered one of the best gaming controllers of all time, its price can be daunting. Unfortunately, this controller can not be recharged either as it requires AA batteries to operate. It can be purchased on both Amazon and the GameStop online store.
PS5 HexGaming Customizable Rival Controller ($280)
The HexGaming Customizable Rival Controller is one such controller with its sellers bolstering it as an unparalleled controller that provides both stylish looks and superior practicality. A major point they make of the device is its accessibility in which the device could be customized. Over 15 remappable buttons, 2 paddles, improved triggers, and over six different joysticks.
Being a high-end pro controller, one can expect their price to be on the especially costly side. The maker's website list such a controller at a starting price of $280, with a controller possessing fewer features also available for only $200.
Orange Nintendo GameCube Controller (~$299)
The Orange Nintendo GameCube Controller is a vintage controller for the vintage GameCube that wasn't quite popular at the time of its release. Even if the console was home to some games that kick-started widespread gaming and even created new genres, such as the forgotten horror games the system housed. The reason collectors found to covet the item is primarily for its distinct and rare orange color.
While the device is priced at around $299, the biggest hurdle for buyers is locating it and not accidentally purchasing a look-alike or replica. A problem that has been prominent these recent years as people have taken it upon themselves to reproduce the orange-colored device and sell them on eBay or Etsy.
Mega Jockey 9000 ($280-$300)
The Mega Jockey 9000 was specifically designed to emulate the experience of piloting a giant mech robot and the design shows it. Unlike a traditional controller, it features many shift sticks, levers, pedals, and buttons. It even has a small red button on the corner of the device covered in a glass case with caution tape all around it.
It's definitely a controller not suited for casual play, as its large frame makes it difficult to handle. But what it loses in practicality it makes up for in immersion. Some vintage collection shops can be found selling the device, but it can also be rarely found on eBay as well. The price for it ranges from ~$280-$300.
Hori Real Arcade Pro V Kai ($300)
Applicable to both PC and Xbox gaming, the Street Fighter series.
This device currently sells for $299.99 on Amazon or second-hand on eBay for a cheaper price. It was released in 2015 and has since then become a useful tool as an accessibility controller for players who are unable to use traditional controllers. Because of this interested buyers may find the device difficult to find with how desired it is.
Official Gold Nintendo Power 100th Issue Nintendo 64 Controller (~$500)
The Power100th Issue Nintendo 64 Controller is a rather unique controller in that it has no real motive for someone to purchase it other than very few of them were made and even fewer still exist in perfect condition. It is coated in silver with an exclusive mark right above the Nintendo brand that is stamped on a black background with the words 'NINTENDO POWER 100' etched onto it.
The price of the device has fluctuated many times. Sometimes it is marked for $500 and other times it is being sold online for somewhere around $2000. It can be found mostly on reselling sites, such as eBay, or sites like Amazon where anyone can list their own items.
Original Friday the 13th Sony DualShock (~$13,000)
Both in the past and present a collaboration between a movie and gaming console is and was extremely rare. This collaboration between the Friday the 13th series and PlayStation was a bundle that included the killer's iconic mask along with the prized controller which was decorated with the same white-yellow color scheme and red slashes. The grimy look it held was a point of attraction as it represented the dirt-filled ledger the killer had.
Not much information about the controller remains, in fact, anything that is found is scarce in detail. But other than the intricate design there was another aspect that captured people's attention today, that point being the price of the device. Even if someone were able to track the device down, their biggest hurdle would be contending against the estimated $13000 price.
Xbox 360 Gold Faceplate (~$36,000)
While many replicas of the shell exist today and are sold for an extremely low price, the original gold-plated Xbox 360 controller still holds up as one of the rarest gaming controllers ever. Even if it isn't actually coated in gold. Though the positive of that is that it can still be used as well as regular 360 controllers.
Xbox released the controller during a period where turning a product into something resembling gold was a trend. It was an early age of gaming where the aesthetic dictated many people's purchases. And now it is priced at ~$36,000 and can only be purchased second-hand.
Solid Gold Xbox Controller (~$87,500)
A solid gold Xbox Series X controller is about as practical as most people think it would be, meaning it's almost unusable as a gaming controller. Thankfully such an item is not available for people to purchase and is instead more like a ion project by one adventurous YouTuber. 18-karat gold covering the entirety of something that is supposed to be handled for long periods of time is a sure-fire way to make the 's arms and hands sore thanks to its aggrieves weight.
Created by popular YouTube content creator, Linus Sebastian, also known as Linus Tech Tips, the solid gold controller was featured in one of his videos. In the video, the YouTuber goes in-depth about the construction of the device and explains the mechanics and how they work even when coated in gold. It is a personal project, therefore it cannot be purchased.
This article contains links