Here’s a cheaper take on Xbox One’s Elite controller

Introducing PowerA’s Fusion

Pining for that sexy Xbox One Elite controller, but can’t come up with the $150 to get it? Or maybe you just can’t justify it. That’s understandable; $150 is a lot of money for a controller, no matter how good it is.

There’s a cheaper alternative coming soon from PowerA. The Fusion Controller for Xbox One has some of the customization of the Elite for a fraction of the price. This runs $50 and releases on September 1.

The Fusion’s features are: six interchangeable sticks (same as the Elite), two “pro gaming buttons” on the back (compared to the Elite’s four paddles), trigger locks (same as the Elite), and dual rumble motors. The Elite also has a set of interchangeable d-pads that the Fusion doesn’t.

Truthfully, it seems as if the Elite controller bests the Fusion in all categories except for price, which it loses handily. We haven’t had a chance to try the Fusion, so we don’t know if it’s a competent controller. But, just based on the product’s specs, it seems like it might be a viable plan B for the cost-conscious consumer.