Microsoft announces the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller, costs $179.99

At its Xbox E3 Briefing, Microsoft today announced the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2, a rather substantial upgrade over the Elite Controller it announced during E3 in 2015. Some details about the Series 2 controller were leaked in January earlier this year, and it turns out most of that was correct.

Microsoft says the Elite 2 Controller comes with over 30 "new and improved" features. It also comes with a carrying case that has space to put in a dock, letting you charge the controller while it's protected inside the case. It uses a braided USB Type-C cable, and also comes with a set of 6 thumbsticks (2 standard, 2 classic, 1 tall, 1 wide dome), set of 4 paddles (2 medium, 2 mini), set of 2 D-pads (standard and faceted), and a thumbstick-adjustment tool.

Indeed, you can now adjust how much tension the thumbsticks have, as well as being able to adjust the trigger sensitivity.

In addition to all of that, the controller now also comes with the ability to set up to 3 profiles and switch between them on-the-fly. An updated version of the Xbox Accessories app will also let you remap the buttons to perform actions like recording a game clip, taking a screenshot, and more.

The Elite 2 Controller also comes with a built-in rechargeable battery that will last for up to 40 hours on a single charge. Microsoft claims that the bumpers, thumbsticks, and the grip material, were re-engineered for more durability and reliability. Additionally, the controller's firmware will now be able to automatically calibrate the thumbsticks for improved dead zone control.

Just like the updated Xbox One Controller, the new Elite Series 2 Controller now comes equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, aside from Xbox Wireless and USB Type-C.

Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, as it is called, will be available for purchase on November 4, starting with these markets:

Austria, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States.

In the U.S., it will retail for $179.99, and is available for preorder now at the Microsoft Store as well as "most major gaming retailers."