This new Xbox controller doesn’t have Deadpool’s thickness, but brings some retro transparent style instead

The Sky Cipher Special Edition is the latest Xbox controller being added to the ever-growing lineup.

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What you need to know

What you need to know

The newest Xbox controller is a bit of a throwback.

Microsoftrevealedthe Xbox Sky Cipher Special Edition on Wednesday, giving players a look at the next piece of hardware available in the ever-growing list of the Xbox controllers. This is no limited,unavailable for purchase Deadpool controller. Instead, the Sky Cipher features a 90s-inspired transparent shell, with metallic blue D-pad and matching triggers, while it’s functionally the same as other Xbox Series X controllers, including the standard share button and other refinements.

The team at Xbox also created a fun animation introducing the controller in the style of the original Xbox boot-up, which you can take a look at below:

The Sky Cipher Special Edition is available for preorder today at $69.99 directly fromMicrosoft, and is expected to ship out to buyers on August 13. This controller will also be rolling out across other retailers in the near future, so if you don’t see it at your preferred store just yet, check back in a few hours.

Xbox introduces more environmentally friendly packaging

Xbox introduces more environmentally friendly packaging

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While that transparent design may be enough to put the Sky Cipher Special Edition in the list of thebest Xbox controllersfor many players, the Xbox team is also using this controller as an opportunity to reduce its environmental impact.

The team claims to have eliminated single-use plastics from the packaging, while also making the overall package 22% smaller and 21% lighter. The user manual has also been removed and replaced with a QR code that players can scan to get a digital heads-up on everything they need to know about their controller.

At a time whenAIusage is causing strain on power grids and creating new environmental threats, it’s nice to see a product team trying to lower the impact it has on our ecosystem.

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Samuel Tolbert is a freelance writer covering gaming news, previews, reviews, interviews and different aspects of the gaming industry, specifically focusing on Xbox and PC gaming on Windows Central. You can find him on Twitter@SamuelTolbert.