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Published October 28, 2026 · Hardware · Story by Jon (@jliquor), written with AI assistancePS5 Prism, Xbox Nano and X25: Which New Controller Is Worth It?
Illustration by GamECLicKs.com, made with AI-assisted design tools.
Three new controllers landed on the calendar this fall, and they could not be more different. Sony just revealed a see-through DualSense line that will not ship until February. Microsoft has a palm-sized $49.99 pad due in November, plus a translucent green anniversary controller that is already out. If you are shopping for yourself or for a gift, the release dates matter as much as the looks. Here is what each one costs, when you can actually get it, and what to buy instead if you need a controller before the holidays.
Sony's Prism Collection: Gorgeous, but It Is a 2027 Purchase
On October 28, PlayStation revealed the Prism Collection: transparent DualSense controllers and matching PS5 console covers in three colors, Flare Orange, Emerald Green and Graphite Gray. Sony describes a clear, high-gloss back with a metallic middle cover.
- Price: $84.99 per controller and $74.99 per console cover (US).
- Pre-orders: November 10 at 7 a.m. Pacific (10 a.m. Eastern) on PlayStation Direct. Controllers are also offered at participating retailers.
- Release: February 4, 2027.
- Covers: sold directly by PlayStation in the US, not through general retail.
Two catches. First, a pre-order placed on November 10 will not be under the tree this year, because nothing ships until February. Second, Sony's announcement does not say which PS5 models the covers fit. The current PS5 and the PS5 Pro use different covers, so wait for the store listing to name your model before you order one. A matching controller and cover together come to $159.98.
Video: official Prism Collection trailer from PlayStation on YouTube.
Xbox Nano Controller: The Cheap, Tiny One
Microsoft announced the Xbox Nano Controller on October 14 at $49.99, with pre-orders open now. Xbox Wire only says November, but Microsoft Store pre-order listings show November 4, as VGC reported. Correction, October 29, 2026: an earlier version said Microsoft had not named a release day. It is the smallest Xbox controller yet, a little over five inches long and 3.5 ounces, but it keeps all 18 standard inputs. It adds a programmable Action Button for screenshots and other shortcuts, a built-in rechargeable battery, and both Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth.
Microsoft has not published battery life, color options or a full compatibility list. That small size is the selling point and the risk: adults with larger hands should try one in a store, or buy from a retailer with an easy return policy. As a second pad for kids or for cloud play on a phone or TV, the price is hard to argue with. Check Xbox Nano listings on Amazon.
Video: official Xbox Nano Controller ad from Xbox on YouTube.
Xbox X25 Special Edition: Out Now, With a Pricey Console to Match
The Xbox Wireless Controller X25 Special Edition, the translucent green pad for Xbox's 25th anniversary, launched October 20 at $79.99, according to Pure Xbox's report on Microsoft's announcement. Of the three controllers here, it is the only one you can buy today.
Its companion, the X25 Limited Edition Xbox Series X, arrives November 13 at $899.99. It includes an X25 controller and a copy of Halo: Campaign Evolved, with pre-orders limited to one per customer. That is $100 more than the standard $799.99 Series X, and the same price as a PS5 Pro. Unless the collector look matters to you, the standard console plus a separate X25 pad costs $879.98, about $20 less, though you would still need to buy the game.
Video: official 25th Anniversary Collection reveal trailer, showing the X25 controller and console, from Xbox on YouTube.
Side by Side
| Controller | Price | Available |
|---|---|---|
| DualSense Prism Collection | $84.99 | Pre-order Nov 10, ships Feb 4, 2027 |
| Xbox Nano Controller | $49.99 | Pre-order now, out Nov 4 |
| Xbox X25 Special Edition | $79.99 | Out now (Oct 20) |
Need a Controller Before the Holidays?
If the goal is a spare pad for the GTA VI launch on November 19 or a gift that arrives on time, buy a standard controller now. On PS5, the DualSense in Midnight Black has the same haptics and adaptive triggers as the Prism pads, without the three-month wait. On Xbox and PC, the Xbox Wireless Controller in Carbon Black is the safe default. Our gaming gear picks cover charging docks, headsets and budget pads too, and our PS5 gift guide has more ideas.
Our take: the X25 pad is the collector buy available today, the Nano is the bargain if the size suits you, and the Prism line is worth a calendar reminder for November 10 rather than a holiday plan. We have not used any of these controllers ourselves; this is a researched buying guide based on the official announcements linked above.
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As an Amazon Associate, GamECLicKs.com earns from qualifying purchases. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, and it helps keep the site running and free. Prices are manufacturer list prices as announced and checked October 28, 2026. Always confirm the final price at checkout.
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