Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. News

Xbox to mark 20th anniversary with release of a transparent controller

Add as a preferred source on Google

The Xbox brand is turning 20 this year, and for anyone who feels ancient after having read that, the pain can be eased by a special controller marking the occasion. To celebrate 20 years of Xbox, Microsoft is releasing a special 20th-anniversary wireless Xbox controller, along with a matching stereo headset. Usually, these controllers aren’t anything special, but Microsoft decided to treat Xbox fans by giving both peripherals a transparent finish.

Inspired by our past, designed for your present.

Announcing the 20th Anniversary Special Edition Xbox Wireless Controller and Xbox Stereo Headset: https://t.co/nNq6kj1bcY #Xbox20 pic.twitter.com/ar6kBiRiQG

— Xbox (@Xbox) October 7, 2021

According to a post on the Xbox Wire, both products will be available November 15, the same day the original Xbox was released 20 years ago. The 20th Anniversary Special Edition Xbox Wireless Controller will cost $70, and while that price point indicates that it comes with some special features, it doesn’t. All but visually, it’s a standard wireless Xbox controller. Its body is transparent with a black finish, offering a retro-style view of its guts. Along with Xbox-green grips and a small Xbox 20th Anniversary logo on the bottom right of the body, the controller undoubtedly has a unique look.

Recommended Videos

As an added bonus, anyone who purchases an Xbox 20th anniversary wireless controller will unlock a dynamic theme for their Xbox Series X/S as soon as it’s connected.

While the Xbox 20th anniversary headset isn’t fully transparent, Microsoft still managed to work in a bit of that style. The headset itself also features Xbox’s signature green and black colors, but the plastic rims on the outside of each earcup are translucent in keeping with the theme. Like the controller, the Xbox 20th anniversary headset doesn’t boast any additional bells and whistles and will retail for $70.

Otto Kratky
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Otto Kratky is a freelance writer with many homes. You can find his work at Digital Trends, GameSpot, and Gamepur. If he's…
Valve’s Steam Machine could arrive by June 29 if this fan theory is right
Fans think Valve’s FCC filings reveal the date
Steam Machine Angled Shot

Valve's upcoming Steam Machine was recently confirmed to launch this summer, despite uncertainties surrounding its pricing. The console was originally announced back in November 2025, but the ongoing RAM and SSD shortages threw a spanner in its launch timeline.

While the company has not revealed the specific launch date of the console yet, eager fans have been digging through FCC filings and connecting the dots to predict when the console could land. As per their findings, it could happen on or before June 29.

Read more
BenQ’s ZOWIE is treating gaming gear like sports science, and I love it as an esports fan
BenQ ZOWIE Lab Gaming Mouse Test

I have always been fully on board with the "games as an art form" argument and how esports in many ways is similar to actual sports. From the intense training regime, physical routines, to strict diets, there's a whole team working on keeping pro players performing at their peak. And after visiting BenQ's lab in Taiwan, I saw the real science taking place behind the scenes.

If you play competitive games, a lot of this sounds pretty obvious. Titles like Counter-Strike, Valorant, Apex Legends, and other esports are not casual screen time at the highest level. They are built on reaction speed, hand control, endurance, consistency, communication, and the ability to repeat precise actions under pressure. That is exactly what BenQ's ZOWIE lab treats seriously.

Read more
Resident Evil Veronica revives Code Veronica for a new nightmare in 2027
Capcom’s next Resident Evil remake is the one fans refused to forget
Resident Evil Veronica Trailer

After being requested for years, Capcom is finally bringing one of its Resident Evil titles back to life. Resident Evil Veronica has been announced for a 2027 release, bringing back Resident Evil Code: Veronica--all with modernized gameplay, a reimagined storyline, and of course, next-gen visuals. The game is headed to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam.

Claire Redfield takes the lead again

Read more