If last week’s pizza-smelling special edition Xbox controller wasn’t up to your standards (or you feel like you aren’t lucky enough to get one), the Stormcloud Vapor might be a more interesting buy for you.
Showcasing an ethereal design of a “dynamic dark navy swirl,” this controller takes inspiration from the intriguing elegance of clouds and stormy vistas, boasting a visual appeal that borders on mesmerizing.
As in nature, where no two clouds are the same, each Stormcloud Vapor controller is a unique manifestation of this design. The artistry doesn’t merely end with the color scheme; it features textured rubberized grips with an intricate blue diamond pattern on the rear casing. This enhancement is not only for aesthetic pleasure but also offers a practical benefit, providing the player with a firm, comfortable grip during the most intense gaming sessions.
What sets this controller apart, beyond its physical form, is the inclusive dynamic background. The controller births animated smoky swirls on your Xbox console the moment you plug it in for the first time. This vivid background, emulating the same blue swirls as seen on the controller, becomes available to the user via a few easy steps: Navigate to “Settings” on the dashboard, proceed to “Personalization” under the “General” tab, and voila! You’ll find the new background waiting to be selected from your list of dynamic backgrounds.
The beauty of the Stormcloud Vapor controller extends beyond its visuals. Microsoft, with its proven track record of crafting robust controllers, has ensured this one is no exception. The structure and comfort, coupled with durable triggers, buttons, a 3.5mm jack for audio, a USB-C port for wired usage, and Bluetooth connectivity for Windows PC compatibility, all carry the unmistakable signature of a Microsoft product.
Set to roll out on August 8, the Stormcloud Vapor controller retails at $69.99 / €69.99 / £64.99. The buzz has already caught on, and pre-orders are flooding in via the Microsoft Store and local retailers.
This year, Microsoft has already launched six new Xbox controller designs, each unique in its presentation. The Stormcloud Vapor controller marks the seventh addition to this vivid roster, that includes the likes of Shock Blue, Pulse Red, Deep Pink, Electric Volt, and Velocity Green.
The year kicked off with the Stellar Shift controller flaunting a blue-purple theme in February, followed by the Velocity Green controller in March. March also brought with it the Red and Blue editions of the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller. As the year rolled into summer, May and June respectively saw the unveiling of the peach and pastel blue-themed Sunkissed Vibes controller, and the limited edition Starfield controller.
From swirling blues to electrifying greens and star-studded blacks, the palette of Xbox controllers has something to cater to every gamer’s fancy. If you’re a collector or someone who enjoys special edition gamepads, the Stormcloud Vapor may well be the latest must-have addition to your collection. If it somehow doesn’t resonate with your tastes, the popular Stellar Shift Xbox controller, currently available at $20 off, might prove to be an appealing alternative.
Surprisingly enough, Microsoft doesn’t take too much about how much its Xbox controllers are selling. We suspect that it’s a lot considering the variety in design that’s available and how it’s widely considered one of the best-designed multi-platform controllers on the market.
