REVIEW: Purge Trooper Xbox Controller

During the Triple Force Friday reveal show, we got a pleasant surprise. Controller Gear, makers of several custom-themed Xbox One controllers, would be releasing a Jedi: Fallen Order Purge Trooper Xbox controller and wireless charging stand to coincide with the game’s release. I picked one up and suffice to say I am very happy with my purchase.

Standard Controller, but Noticeably Different

The controller itself is a standard wireless Xbox One controller. It follows the same form factor, and features no special modifications or extra buttons. Apart from the paint job, there’s no physical difference between this controller and the one that came with your Xbox One system. The sales page for the controller claims it features a textured grip, I didn’t really feel a difference. If anything, it is less textured compared to the controller that came with the Project Scorpio edition of the Xbox One X.

You might have expected some extras given the $139.99 price tag, but that cost has more to do with the included charging stand. It also comes with a rechargeable battery pack that works in conjunction with the stand, which actually changes the feel of the controller significantly.

I was impressed by how light the controller felt due to the lack of batteries weighing it down. You wouldn’t think two AA batteries would create such a noticeable difference but after 45 minutes of playtime, I was surprised that my wrists didn’t feel weighed down the way they usually do.

Quality Batteries

The batteries weren’t just impressive for their lack of weight. I also really appreciated the quick-charge feature provided by the stand. In about 45 minutes, my controller went from out of the box to fully charged. They also last a good while, which means you won’t be randomly interrupted during a play session. Exactly how long the batteries last will depend on how much the game you’re playing uses the rumble features.

Speaking of the rumble, I did notice that the noise from the rumble was a bit louder than in my other controllers. It wasn’t annoyingly loud, but it did surprise me the first few times. Even though the marketing materials proclaim that it is made from the same materials as a standard controller, perhaps the shell is thinner? That would also help explain the noticeable weight difference that goes along with the batteries.

A Bit Pricey

A standard controller ranges from $59.99 to $69.99, depending on the design, while charging stands vary wildly in price depending on the manufacturer and whether or not it is “officially licensed.” This charging stand uses the same material and art as the controller itself, creating a seamless design worthy of displaying it on the shelf when not in use. That’s especially nice for collectors and based on the cost that is who is being targeted for this release. 

That target audience is willing to pay a little extra to get their Star Wars stuff, and the price, unfortunately, reflects that. $139.99 is about $10 more than what other matching controller and charging stand combos cost. Some of that could be due to using the Star Wars license, akin to the upcharge you see on LEGO sets. At least it’s only $10?

Limited Availability

The controller is not sold without the charging stand the way the Gears 5 set was, and as a result, it is a bit harder to find. Controller Gear’s store has already sold out, but it remains available both on Amazon and the Microsoft website. How long it will last remains to be seen, so if you’re looking to get one this Christmas season, I’d jump on it quickly.