PowerA is hitting budget-friendly prices with slick new colorways of their own, like the recently released pastel range of the $37.99 PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller for Xbox and PC.
When it comes to colorful controller designs, Xbox’s game has been on point for years.
Since the Xbox One generation, Microsoft has released many fun variations of its controllers — including limited editions and the Xbox Design Lab — and this momentum has not slowed with the Xbox Series X / S consoles.
Meanwhile, the third-party range of Xbox controllers is more expansive than ever, and brands.
Announced back in March as a spring collection, these new pastel colors for the Enhanced Wired line include purple camo, lavender swirl, pink lemonade, pastel dream, and cotton candy blue.
With its sleek yellow-to-pink gradient, pink lemonade seemed like the clear winner to me initially, but now having seen and handled all five colors in person, you can officially declare cotton candy blue as the best beauty. Admittedly, it’s a bit more seafoam blueish-greenish than its name indicates, but regardless, it’s a bold yet soft monochromatic hue on this controller.
But all five pastel designs look great overall, with varied uses of gradients, mottled patterns, and/or two-tone contrast on front and back that gives each one a unique signature. Sure, it’s a shame that these controllers are still saddled with outdated Micro USB connections. Still, you’ll share some credit to PowerA for at least opting for a white detachable cable with each one to better complement the light and airy look.
You would still love to see an entirely new version of the Enhanced Wired Controller that upgrades to USB-C and maybe even squeezes in a couple more rear customizable buttons without cluttering things up too much. But gripes aside, there’s a lot to love about the aesthetic of these bright new colorways.
The Enhanced Wired Controller has been our top pick for the best budget Xbox controller you can buy, thanks mainly to its fair price while nailing the essentials for a wired controller. You can’t say these new colors go so far as to make a good thing better, as they’re functionally the same, but they are refreshing enough to make them feel improved.
The PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller is a budgeted wired controller for Xbox and PC that connects thru Micro USB and features two customizable switches on its rear. It’s presented in many diverse colors and licensed designs.
These cool new pastels are now readily obtainable at many retailers, and it won’t be a shock if they start seeing discounts and sales of their own like many others in PowerA’s lineup. They are a small breath of budget-tier fresh air, and they’re a perfect addition to a summer of gaming that’s got new local multiplayer games like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge.
PowerA’s latest wired controller scope for Xbox comes dripping with summer vibes. Likewise, the company’s $37.99 Pastels collection reaches in pastel fades, camo, and single blooms with a giant marshmallow influence.
The front facades are soft satin, lightly textured backs for grip, and glossy accents on the shoulders and bumpers. Here are all the new colorway choices:
- Lavender Swirl: Dark and light lavender swirled
- Cotton Candy Blue: It’s not as bright as cotton candy usually is, but just as sweet
- Pastel Dream: A pastel fade from lavender to aqua, with an off-white marshmallow in the midpoint
- Pink Lemonade: Pink withers to yellow
- Purple Camo: Pleasing pastel purples in a faint camo imprint
You also get all PowerA’s additions to its officially licensed Xbox controllers. Those features include two remappable rear advanced gaming buttons, a volume dial with a one-tap mute, and a two-year limited warranty.
The detachable cable is 10ft long, but it uses micro-USB. Having to deal with a micro-USB cable is a minor annoyance for the affordable $37.99 price tag. PowerA has once again nailed the balance of features and price. These are just the latest in a recent line of releases of pastel-hued controllers.
Microsoft’s official controllers gained pastels through the Xbox Design Lab, OtterBox has a pastel lilac controller shell, 8BitDo has a new pastel pink wired controller, and SCUF has six new pastel colorways for both its Xbox and PS5 controllers.