You Can Build Custom Controllers Again With Xbox Design Lab

Controller variants are the oddest sensation in gaming. Passionate players can have a perfectly fine controller at home. Then, all of a sudden, a new color emerges. Drop everything, forget buying a new game, we need that new color. I’m making fun, but I’m absolutely a part of this group. I’ve fallen for one too many Halo variants of the Xbox controller than I’d like to admit. You can now build custom controllers again if you’d rather put your own spin on things thanks to the Xbox Design Lab. This cool build-your-own feature takes some time to ship to you but offers many options. It’s well worth the wait. At the very least, you should try and build a few out for fun. Here’s what you need to know about this cool customization feature.

Build Your Own Custom Controllers with Xbox Design Lab

Image Credit: Xbox Design Lab

The options at the Xbox Design Lab webpage offer countless options. The ability to build a new Series X controller to your liking is a fun opportunity. While we’re not sure where the Series X controller will fall in the overall best gaming controllers of all time, it made some great changes from past Microsoft peripherals. Here’s how the Design Lab works. You enter a program that allows you to change colors and finishes on an Xbox controller. From there, you can order your controller and receive it in as little as 6 weeks.

Xbox provides you with some cool options they’ve built. It’s still way more fun to see what you can come up with. Above, you can see some of the more well thought out approaches. I’ve also seen some people just throw a ton of colors together for a patchwork style controller. The ability to engrave your creation also offers an extra element of customization. Building your own custom controllers with Xbox Design Lab is, at the very least, a fun game to play around with.

Friendly reminder that Series X controllers work with the Xbox One and PC. Honestly, you can utilize the controller on most things that accept universal bluetooth controllers. Obviously, this doesn’t include the PS5 or Switch unless you’re trying to rig something together. I plan on putting some custom controllers together in a future article, but I want to see your work! Build a controller and send it our way in the comments or on social media.

Thanks for reading Comic Years for all things gaming, comics, and pop culture.

Featured Image Credit: Xbox Wire

Taylor is the Gaming Editor of Comic Years and a lifelong fan of video games. He holds two degrees in Political Communication and wrote a Master's Thesis on resistance movements, race, and the exploitation of college athletes. His wife and two Toy Australian Sheppards keep him sane.