Forza Horizon 5 launched late last week to widespread critical acclaim, and it wasn’t just the professionals that liked Playground Games’ brand new open world racer. The AAA software was also purportedly the biggest recorded launch for an Xbox Game Studios title, attracting over 4.5 million players across console, PC and the endlessly convenient xCloud streaming service.
Alongside Forza Horizon 5, Microsoft rolled out a matching limited edition Xbox wireless controller, which retails for a cool $74.99. Having been sent one for review and seeing it in person, I must admit that it’s in an aesthetic category all its own.
Boasting a translucent yellow front shell that showcases the left handle rumble/force feedback motor in full view, the overall scheming immediately calls to mind the quirky color designs of certain classic 90s video game hardware like Nintendo’s Funtastic N64 series or those candy flavored iMacs that were all the rage.
The eye-catching coloring doesn’t end there; there’s also splashes of bright pink and blue sprayed across the controller face like the remnants of so much neon racing powder. There’s even a bit of pink on the visible rumble motor, a nice touch that makes the spinning action really pop through the plastic.
The aforementioned neon hues continue on to influence the face buttons, the triggers (one pink, one blue) and even the analog sticks (also one pink, one blue). Pearlescent accents are present in the directional pad as well as the understated ‘H’ Horizon logo on the back of the gamepad, which make these particular elements shimmer like car paint in the right kind of light.
Probably the most notable change to this specific Xbox controller, and one that makes it rather unique beyond simple looks, are the ‘inspired by a race car steering wheel’ custom rubber grips adorning the handles. These have a great feel and make going back to regular Xbox controllers a bit of a challenge.
I do wish Microsoft would have applied this rather excellent theming and texturing to its Elite Series 2 controller line, not unlike the upcoming Halo Infinite version. As it stands, the Forza Horizon 5 gamepad humbly remains one of Xbox’s vanilla wireless offerings, complete with the usual AA battery power (as in, not rechargeable), ubiquitous share button and non-interchangeable d-pad. No fancy back paddles, either.
That being said, this might be my favorite standard Xbox controller yet released. It’s got in-your-face colors, understated nods to car culture, comfortable dimpled grips and a clear window into the workings of modern force feedback technology. I’d call it a homerun as far as peripherals go.
Now to track down that matching Razer charging stand...
Disclosure: Microsoft provided review product for coverage purposes.
