Officially-Licensed PDP Rock Candy Wired Controller for Xbox One Released in the U.S.

A Colorful Alternative for Xbox One

PDP has released its line of Rock Candy Wired Controllers for the Xbox One in the United States, expanding the market for third-party peripherals on the console. The gamepads are officially licensed by Microsoft, guaranteeing full compatibility and performance. At launch, the controllers were made available in three distinct neon color options: Aqualime, Blueberry Boom, and Stormin’ Cherry.

The Rock Candy brand is known for its signature transparent polycarbonate shells, which expose the internal circuitry and give the controllers a unique aesthetic. This design philosophy continued with the Xbox One version, offering players a way to personalize their gaming setup with bold colors. These peripherals serve as a vibrant alternative to the standard black or white first-party controllers, appealing to gamers looking for a different style without sacrificing core functionality.

Features and Wired Performance

The PDP Rock Candy controller connects to the Xbox One via a USB cable. A wired connection offers distinct advantages, such as eliminating the need for batteries or charging and removing the potential for wireless interference or input lag. This can be a key consideration for competitive players. The controller includes a generous 8-foot cable, providing enough length for comfortable play in most living room environments. For added safety, the cable incorporates a breakaway feature. This design ensures that if someone trips on the cord, it will detach near the connector without pulling the console off its shelf.

In terms of functionality, the controller includes all the core features expected for the Xbox One. It is equipped with force feedback rumble motors, allowing players to feel tactile vibrations from in-game events like explosions and collisions. PDP also highlighted the controller’s ergonomic design. The analog sticks are concave for improved thumb grip and feature what the company calls SmartTrack technology, which is designed to enhance precision and tracking for smoother gameplay.

Part of a Larger Family

The release of an Xbox One version was a logical expansion for PDP’s successful Rock Candy line. The company had previously established a strong presence in the accessories market with similar colorful, transparent controllers for earlier console generations. Peripherals were made for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii, with the latter including custom-designed versions of the Wii Remote and Nunchuck.

This history of supporting multiple platforms led to speculation at the time of the Xbox One controller’s release. Based on PDP’s past product cycles, it seemed plausible that the company would eventually produce Rock Candy controllers for the other contemporary consoles, the PlayStation 4 and Wii U. No such plans were confirmed at the time, but the brand’s multi-platform strategy made it a reasonable expectation for consumers.