Xbox Adaptive Controller

The Xbox Adaptive Controller is a first-party adaptive controller released by Microsoft on September 4, 2018. It was designed primarily for players with limited mobility and was Microsoft's first piece of hardware developed through an inclusive-design approach involving consultation with gamers with disabilities.^[1][2]

Design

The Xbox Adaptive Controller has two large programmable buttons on its top surface.^[3] It has nineteen 3.5mm jack inputs along its back, which accept external switches, buttons, joysticks, and other accessories. It also has two USB 2.0 ports for external inputs. It has an internal lithium-ion battery charged via USB-C.^[4]

Connectivity

The Xbox Adaptive Controller connects to Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S consoles using Xbox Wireless. It connects to Windows PCs using Bluetooth or USB. It uses a USB-C cable for charging.^[4]

Consoles supported

Native

• Xbox One
• Xbox Series X and Series S
• Windows PC

Adapter-mediated

• Original Xbox (requires Brook Wingman XB2)^[5]
• Xbox 360 (requires Brook Wingman XB2)
• PlayStation 3 (requires Brook Wingman XE2)^[6]
• PlayStation 4 (requires Brook Wingman XE2)
• Nintendo Switch (requires Brook Wingman XE2)
• Nintendo Switch 2 (requires Brook Wingman XE2)

Related Pages

• List of Adaptive controllers
• Original Xbox adaptive controllers
• Xbox 360 adaptive controllers
• Xbox One adaptive controllers
• Xbox Series X and Series S adaptive controllers

References

1. Xbox Adaptive Controller available today at Microsoft Stores - Microsoft Accessibility Blog, September 4, 2018. "The Xbox Adaptive Controller is now available for purchase at Microsoft Stores and GameStop Online for $99.99. It is the first-of-its-kind." Archived on 2021-01-24. Live version
2. Plugged In - Microsoft Story Labs. Documents the controller as Microsoft's first piece of hardware developed through an inclusive-design approach. Archived on 2026-07-27. Live version
3. Accessible Gaming with the Xbox Adaptive Controller - Xbox Wire, May 17, 2018. "It has two large buttons built in. These buttons can also be reprogrammed." Archived on 2024-10-15. Live version
4. Xbox Adaptive Controller - Xbox Official Product Page. "Nineteen 3.5mm ports and two USB 2.0 ports for external inputs." Also documents Xbox Wireless for Xbox consoles and Bluetooth or USB for Windows PCs. Archived on 2020-02-22. Live version
5. Wingman XB2 - Brook Gaming. Compatibility list includes the Microsoft Xbox Adaptive Controller. Product page states support for Xbox 360 and original Xbox consoles. Archived on 2023-11-12. Live version
6. Wingman XE2 - Brook Gaming. "Supports PS4/PS3/NS2/NS/PC consoles." Compatibility list includes the Microsoft Xbox Adaptive Controller under the Microsoft brand. Archived on 2024-12-22. Live version