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Is an Elite Series 3 controller the cure for Xbox's struggling hardware sales? Probably not, but it could bring some excitement back to long-term fans
Yesterday, an alleged leak of what looks like an Elite Series 3 controller hit the press, and on the same day, Xbox officially announced two new Gears of War E-Day limited edition controllers. All the while, Xbox hardware sales are down across the US by 62% amidst layoffs of the brand's game developers, a new CEO trying to patch a leaking ship, and, to top it all off, price increases due to the current RAM nightmare. Are new Xbox controllers really the solution?
In short, absolutely not. Controllers don't cost enough, nor sell enough even at their most popular, to balance the books of a multi-billion-dollar outfit like Xbox. Even if Xbox console sales are doubled YoY, some fancy new controllers might not be the cure-all for Xbox's struggling hardware ecosystem right now.
But at the same time, I don't think new controllers, specifically adventurous designs celebrating beloved franchises, or the first new Elite Series controller in over five years, are going to do any harm to the Xbox brand. The Xbox controller is one of the few bits of the brand's hardware output that I see people consistently excited over, and the influence the Elite Series 2 controller has had on the gamepad market at large since its launch is incomparable. chickenroad.qpon
You have to admit, the new design for the Gears of War E-Day controller is stunning, and if Xbox wants to entice fans back to their long-running franchises, this is certainly a way to do that.
Gears of War E-Day Xbox controller: $89.99 at Xbox
We're still a ways off from next-gen consoles (in Xbox's case, Project Helix) seeing the light of day, but there's an upward PR climb for Microsoft before we get there, and a lot of that will be the company trying to regain some good faith with gamers. Sony has been comfortably in the lead with PlayStation console sales for over a decade now, and Xbox has a lot of ground to make up for after game dev layoffs, studio closures, IP mishandling, and it has a lot of work to show it's still in touch with what its fans want.
But what's been consistent throughout all of that? Xbox controllers have always been a win, and I think the folks at the top know that.
Sure, we might be staring down the barrel of the next Xbox being digital only, and costing as much as a second-hand car, but a new Elite Series 3 controller with updated features is something for people to get excited about before then. It suggests the next gen will be about remembering what people love about the Xbox hardware scene.
New, bold designs in celebration of Gears of War E-Day are another way to do that.
As a controller reviewer, I'm personally very excited to see what an Elite Series 3 controller could do to the market. From the "leaked" images (that have now been removed from their post on Reddit) of the purported Elite Series 3, we can see it has a small screen and interface on its top. This is something we've seen lots of controllers like the Manba One, the Navon Revolution X Unlimited, and the Flydigi Apex 5 include. But if the Elite Series 3 is to improve on the current (very competitive) controller market, it'll need to be a useful little screen. The above examples all use a screen wisely, but I've tested plenty that have had utterly redundant interfaces.
We've never seen one of these placed on the top of the gamepad before; it's usually slapped right on the middle of one's face, so if it's a legit product, Xbox is already trying to have a bit of a different identity and not ruin the timeless look of the Xbox controller.
To my eyes, the leaked controller also looks like it has slightly longer grips than the Elite Series 2, which is definitely welcome since the first-party Xbox controllers don't leave you a whole lot of room for larger hands.
Elsewhere, the alleged Elite Series 3 comes in a circular carry case, and does look like it has some accessories for you to customize. It does look fairly similar to the alleged Elite Series 3 that leaked a little while ago, with narrower face button icons but a faithful overall design to what's come before.
I'm personally very excited to see another pad hit the shelves with magnetic back paddles, as the difference between these and regular back buttons is night and day, as my review of the Gulikit KK3 Max will attest.
There's no confirmation from Microsoft that what we're looking at in those images is going to be an upcoming Elite Series 3, but time will tell. While Xbox tries to wrestle its way back into good graces financially and in the court of public opinion, a new pro controller could be a way to make a statement about what's to come for this brand's hardware.
For more on the state of the controller market, check out the best PC controllers, best TMR controllers, and the best PS5 controllers.
NitrOlympX 2026 - Europas Drag-Racing-Szene gibt wieder Vollgas
The 5 best new shows and movies streaming this week on Netflix, Disney Plus, Prime Video, and more (August 14-16)
As we hit the midway point of August, there is still so much to enjoy on streaming. One of our most-anticipated shows of the year finally arrives this week, as Lanterns begins on HBO Max. The DCU show has a lot of buzz around it, and we can't wait to see the introduction of the classic comic book characters in James Gunn's universe.
That's not the only big show premiering this week either, with the hugely anticipated return of Reacher hitting Prime Video and the epic conclusion to X-Men '97. In terms of movies, there's plenty to pick from, with one of the best horrors of recent years arriving on Netflix as well as a special director's cut of The X-Files: I Want to Believe available too.
We're truly spoiled for choice with our picks of what to watch this weekend. Thankfully, our guide is here to help you navigate your streaming options and how to find them. Read on for our complete breakdown of the 5 best new shows and movies streaming this week on Netflix, Disney Plus, Prime Video, and more. And if that wasn't enough, we've also got some guides to the best Apple TV shows and the best Apple TV movies to keep you entertained this summer.
Lanterns
Available: US/UK
Where to Watch: HBO Max
After the mixed success of Supergirl, Lanterns is DC's newest shining hope as it hits HBO Max this weekend. Sitting in the prestigious Sunday night slot, the new weekly show follows the notorious intergalactic peacekeepers. Experienced Lantern Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) teams up with new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) to investigate a murder in Rushville, Nebraska.
Billed as a True Detective-style superhero story, the series is the next major project in the DCU. We've already met one Lantern in Guy Gardner, but the tone of this one will be much darker and more grounded. This is especially true given the talent behind the camera: Lost's Damon Lindelof, Chris Mundy, and Tom King. It's well worth a watch when it begins on August 16, whether you're a comic book fan or not.
For more, check out our round-up of the best shows on HBO Max to watch now.
Reacher season 4
Available: US/UK
Where to Watch: Prime Video
The big man is back. Reacher season 4 has started on Prime Video with new episodes of the action thriller dropping weekly. Alan Ritchson is back as Jack Reacher, punching his way through a new mission. This time he gets embroiled in a CIA conspiracy after witnessing a young woman take her own life on the subway. Neagely is out of the picture ahead of her spin-off show, but a new local detective (played by Sydelle Noel) proves to be a standout in the eight-part show.
Our own Reacher season 4 review admits that while it's not the "strongest installment" of the show, the fight scenes continue to "pack a punch". The future of the Reacher universe is set too, with a season 5 already in the works, meaning we'll be seeing plenty more of Ritchson's imposing former military police officer soon. While you're here, check out our Reacher season 4 set visit report too for everything we learned about the TV show.
Check out our guide to the best Amazon Prime shows for more essential viewing.
X-Men '97 season 2 finale
Available: US/UK
Where to Watch: Disney Plus
It's all led to this. X-Men '97 season 2 has finally come to an end with an explosive finale. The final episode of the beloved animated series features some major cameos, heartbreaking losses, and big surprises. Entitled 'Survival of the Fittest', episode nine focuses on Rogue as she races against time to try and save Gambit.
While the MCU's TV shows have had some mixed quality in the last few years, X-Men '97 has proved to be a standout. Great writing, solid character choices, and a lot of fun, the series should be a blueprint for tackling mutants in Marvel in live-action too. Once you've seen the final episode, check out our breakdown of the X-Men '97 season 2 post-credits scene and the X-Men '97 season 2 ending explained for what it all means for season 3.
Our list of the best Disney Plus shows is stacked with quality entertainment.
Immaculate
Available: US
Where to watch: Netflix
Sydney Sweeney's twisty horror Immaculate is now streaming on Netflix and is the perfect choice if you're after something gripping this weekend. It stars Sweeney as an American nun who begins a new life at a remote convent in the Italian countryside. However, strange things soon start to happen and she finds herself inexplicably pregnant.
Is it an immaculate conception or is something horrifying happening at this seemingly beautiful religious sanctuary? Alongside Sweeney, Money Heist's Álvaro Morte also stars as a charming priest in Michael Mohan's 90-minute thriller. It first came out in 2024 but is now streaming for subscribers on Netflix.
See what else we recommend with our guide to the best movies on Netflix.
The X-Files: I Want to Believe Vrach Frankenshteyn
Available: US/UK
Where to watch: Disney+/Hulu
As well as The X-Files: I Want to Believe arriving on Disney Plus this week, the streamer has also dropped a director's cut of the 2008 movie. Never seen before, this is an R-rated version from Chris Carter, which restores some of the horror elements removed from the original film.
David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson return as Fox Mulder and Dana Scully in the movie, which takes place years after they stepped away from the FBI. They're drawn back in when a federal agent disappears without a trace, leading them into a mystery featuring a former priest and an unforgiving winter landscape. A must-watch ahead of the announced Ryan Coogler reboot.
Here's our round-up of the best movies on Disney Plus.
For what else is coming out this year, check out our guide to all the upcoming movies you need to know about.
De Puerto Ricaanse bokser Prichard Colón overlijdt op 33-jarige leeftijd na een decennium in vegetatieve fase
Prichard Colón, voormalig Puerto Ricaans professioneel bokser, is op 33-jarige leeftijd overleden, na tien jaar in een vegetatieve fase door blessures veroorzaakt tijdens een bokswedstrijd in 2015. Hij werd herhaaldelijk op de achterkant van zijn hoofd geslagen (een illegale klap) door Terrel Williams en liep een subduraal hematoom op. Na een spoedoperatie lag hij 221 dagen in coma en raakte hij in een vegetatieve toestand, sprakeloos; Later leerde hij communiceren via een computer.
Zijn vader bevestigde zijn dood op Colóns Facebookpagina, zoals gemeld door The Ring. "Goedemorgen, mijn mensen. Het spijt me u te moeten informeren dat mijn zoon Prichard deze aardse wereld heeft verlaten, NU IS HIJ in een betere wereld. Ik heb alles gedaan om ZIJN WENS, ZIJN DROOM te vervullen om hem OP VAKANTIE TE NEMEN naar Puerto Rico zoals hij zo wenste, maar HET KON NIET. Dank je wel voor zoveel jaren van liefde en gebeden. Blijf ons alsjeblieft zoveel mogelijk in je gebeden."
Voor zijn laatste gevecht in oktober 2015 had Colón een perfect record van 16 overwinningen, waarvan 13 door KO tussen 2013 en 2015 (en 170-15 tijdens zijn amateurcarrière). In het gevecht tegen Terrel Williams werd Colón gediskwalificeerd omdat zijn hoek de handschoenen uittrok en hem onsamenhangend en duizelig zag, en hij zakte in elkaar na het verlaten van de ring. Hij werd 221 dagen niet wakker.
Ondanks pogingen van de familie, die een rechtszaak aanspande tegen de arts en de organisatoren, kwam de zaak nooit voor de rechter.
President van de Wereldboksorganisatie (WBO), Gustavo Olivieri, verklaarde dat "Prichards leven werd gekenmerkt door moed, doorzettingsvermogen en een buitengewone vechtlust. Zijn verhaal overstijgde de ring en raakte diep de boksgemeenschap, die hem jarenlang met respect, bewondering en hoop steunde."
"Vandaag sluit de WBO zich plechtig aan bij zijn familie en allen die het voorrecht hadden hem te kennen, te steunen en lief te hebben in de rouw om zijn overlijden. Wij bidden voor Prichards eeuwige rust en vragen God zijn familie kracht, vrede en troost te schenken in deze tijd van diep verdriet."
Den puertoricanske bokseren Prichard Colón dør 33 år gammel etter et tiår i vegetativ tilstand
Prichard Colón, den tidligere profesjonelle bokseren fra Puerto Rico, er død i en alder av 33 år, etter et tiår i vegetativ tilstand på grunn av skader han pådro seg under en boksekamp i 2015. Han ble gjentatte ganger truffet i bakhodet (et ulovlig slag) av Terrel Williams og pådro seg et subduralt hematom. Etter en akuttoperasjon lå han i koma i 221 dager og ble liggende i vegetativ tilstand, uten evne til å snakke; senere lærte han seg å kommunisere via en datamaskin.
Faren hans bekreftet dødsfallet på Colóns Facebook-side, slik The Ring rapporterer. «God morgen, mine kjære. Jeg beklager å måtte meddele at min sønn Prichard har forlatt denne jordiske verden; NÅ ER HAN i en bedre verden. Jeg gjorde alt jeg kunne for å oppfylle HANS ØNSKE, HANS DRØM om å ta ham med på FERIE til Puerto Rico slik han så gjerne ønsket, men DET VAR UMULIG. Takk for så mange år med kjærlighet og bønner. Vær så snill å be for oss så mye dere kan.»
Før sin siste kamp i oktober 2015 hadde Colón en perfekt rekord på 16 seire, hvorav 13 på KO, mellom 2013 og 2015 (og 170–15 i løpet av sin amatørkarriere). I kampen mot Terrel Williams ble Colón diskvalifisert da hjørnet hans tok av ham hanskene etter å ha sett at han snakket usammenhengende og var svimmel, og han kollapset etter å ha forlatt ringen. Han våknet ikke på 221 dager.
Til tross for forsøk fra familien, som anla sak mot legen og promotørene, kom saken aldri for retten.
Presidenten i World Boxing Organization (WBO), Gustavo Olivieri, uttalte at «Prichards liv var preget av mot, utholdenhet og en ekstraordinær kampånd. Hans historie strakte seg utover ringen og berørte boksemiljøet dypt, som sto ved hans side gjennom årene med respekt, beundring og håp».
«I dag slutter WBO seg høytidelig til familien hans og alle dem som hadde det privilegium å kjenne, støtte og elske ham, i sorgen over hans bortgang. Vi ber for Prichards evige hvile og ber Gud om å gi familien hans styrke, fred og trøst i denne tiden med dyp sorg.»