The new special edition ‘Aqua Shift’ Xbox controller is here to shine up your play sessions

It wasn’t too long ago that Microsoft officially re-launched its Xbox Design Lab service, giving players everywhere the opportunity to customise a gamepad exactly to their liking. However, that doesn’t mean Xbox is slowing down on its own exclusive colourways, as proven by today’s reveal of the Xbox Wireless Controller – Aqua Shift Special Edition. Ever wanted to shimmer it up on Xbox consoles? Well, now you can.

The Aqua Shift Special Edition controller touts a shiny blue tone, which the Xbox News Wire post published earlier today describes as “a surreal, colour-shifting shimmer that you need to see to believe”. This is the first first-party gamepad solution to have such an effect, looking a lot glitzier than other Xbox controller tones like Electric Volt and Daystrike Camo that release a couple months back. Aqua Shift is also the first Special Edition Xbox Series S|X gamepad with rubberised grips, alongside textured triggers and bumpers.

Is this colour-swirling Xbox controller to your gaming tastes? The Aqua Shift special edition gamepad is available for pre-order now stateside, but we’ll be sure to let you know when retailers here in the UK also start listing it. £54.99 has been the standard RRP for every first-party Xbox Series S|X controller up until now, and it’s likely this won’t change now – even with a classy shimmering effect. It also wouldn’t be unusual if we eventually saw this swirling effect come to the official Xbox Design Lab. Good things come to those who wait, we guess.

Until then, if you can’t wait for the Aqua Shift – Special Edition controller to go live, why not treat yourself to any of the other colours? Here’s the best current price for each: