When Xbox says it wants you to play anywhere, it means it. It might not be an Xbox, but the newly announced Xbox Nano Controller will enable you to play on the go, assuming you’ve also got the hardware handy. It’s a cheaper alternative to Microsoft’s standard controller, which is far from what we’d call cheap at around R1,600.
A (smaller) price to pay
Looking a whole lot like something out of 8BitDo and CRKD‘s catalogue, Xbox reckons the Nano Controller is a great option “for younger players, smaller hands, or anyone seeking something portable for play on the go.” It weighs a measly 99g and stands a little over 12cm tall — featuring all 18 standard gameplay inputs.
The layout is instantly recognisable to anyone rocking a regular or Elite Xbox controller. It’s got an asymmetrical joystick layout and the classic colourful ABXY inputs on the right. Triggers sit ’round the back, likely forcing larger-handed gamers to adopt a sort of claw grip to comfortably use it. It should fit into… any pocket.
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Xbox is playing coy about how long the Nano’s rechargeable battery will last, but its stature suggests it’ll only be a couple of hours. It charges via USB-C, so a quick top-up is rarely out of reach, even on the go. It’ll connect to more than just an Xbox, too. The listing mentions Windows PCs, tablets, phones, and Smart TVs via Bluetooth.
The Xbox Nano Controller is currently up for pre-order and is targeting a 4 November release. South Africans can go ahead and put that date out of their minds, seeing as we’re not on the list of approved regions. Yet. Xbox says that more markets will follow… eventually. It’s priced around R830 ($50), before import fees and tax.
