Nostalgic gamers have a reason to rejoice, as later this year—accompanying backwards compatibility for Microsoft’s original Xbox—the controller that accompanied the 2001 system release will be resurrected. Known to users as “the duke” the ungainly controller gained notoriety, and in some cases infamy, for its bulky, awkward form.
Game peripheral maker Hyperkin has announced plans to release an updated version of the hefty controller, though no date has been set for its debut. Hyperkin’s replica will boast a few updates to the original design, though reports promise that it will still feature the same uncomfortable size and shape. The large Xbox logo in the center of the pad will be replaced by an LCD screen, and it will come equipped with a nine-foot detachable cable.
The controller, which gained a kind of cult standing after the release of a more manageable model in 2002, is likely to have some fans thrilled at its return. The updated version will be compatible with Xbox One and Windows 10, but apart from those and the other aforementioned updates, it will be an almost exact replica of the original design—even down to color scheme.
Hyperkin has not released any information on pricing yet, but it looks set to be a limited release item. Any gamers looking to get nostalgic should keep a sharp eye out for more details.
H/T Eurogamer