A Look at the Officially Licensed PDP Metallics Limited Edition Xbox One Wired Controller

In late October 2015, GameStop revealed a new third-party controller for the Xbox One: the Metallics Limited Edition Wired Controller. Manufactured by accessory maker Performance Designed Products (PDP), the gamepad was officially licensed by Microsoft, ensuring full compatibility with the console. The product listing on GameStop’s website provided the first look at the controller’s distinct finish and detailed its features ahead of a scheduled November release.

Design and Aesthetics

The controller’s primary selling point was its unique look and feel. It featured a satin metallic painted housing, which gave it a subtle sheen that stood out from the standard black plastic of first-party hardware. According to the product description, this finish was paired with a “premium soft touch feeling,” suggesting a matte or rubberized texture designed for enhanced grip and comfort during long gaming sessions. The “Limited Edition” branding implied a special, limited production run, appealing to collectors and players who wanted a more personalized piece of equipment. While its aesthetics were different, the overall physical layout, including button placement, analog sticks, and D-pad, mirrored the official Xbox One controller, ensuring immediate familiarity for users.

Core Features and Haptic Feedback

Beyond its appearance, the PDP Metallics controller integrated several key features that were hallmarks of the Xbox One experience. It included full vibration feedback through its main rumble motors. More significantly, it also supported impulse triggers. This technology, a signature of the Xbox One platform, places secondary rumble motors within the triggers themselves. This allows for more precise and immersive haptic feedback in supported games, such as feeling the anti-lock brakes in a racing game or the distinct recoil of different firearms in a shooter. The inclusion of this feature in a third-party pad was a notable selling point, as it delivered an experience consistent with Microsoft’s own hardware.

Audio Integration and Wired Connectivity

Audio was another major focus for the PDP controller. It came with built-in audio support and integrated audio controls, allowing users to plug a compatible headset directly into the gamepad and adjust volume or mute the microphone without interrupting gameplay. This was a convenient feature that streamlined the process of using a gaming headset. Unlike the standard controller bundled with the console, the PDP Metallics edition was a wired device. It connected to the Xbox One via a detachable eight-foot USB cable. A wired connection offers practical benefits, including the complete elimination of battery charging or replacement. It also provides a stable, interference-free signal with potentially lower input latency, a factor some competitive gamers prioritize. The detachable nature of the cable made storage more convenient and meant that a damaged cable could be replaced without needing a new controller. According to GameStop’s listing, the Metallics Limited Edition controller was set for release on November 19, 2015, exclusively at its stores in North America.