Occasionally, I’d enter my living room to find my partner playing computer games using an Xbox controller in her left hand and a mouse in her right. It functioned, but holding only half a gamepad for a joystick and D-pad wasn’t the most optimal setup for her to enjoy World of Warcraft effectively.
In some cases, certain games managed the situation more effectively than others, while some found it challenging to reconcile controller input with a mouse, repeatedly switching back and forth between user interface symbols.
Instead of assuming there might be a superior option that’ll likely require a substantial amount of money, right? Well, perhaps not. We’re accustomed to controllers with price points hovering around $100, but Microsoft appears to have an economical solution at just $30, so I decided to give it a try. Here’s my review of the Xbox Adaptive Controller.
The Xbox Adaptive Joystick is available solely through the Microsoft Store at a price of $29.99 in the U.S. and £24.99 in the U.K. Shipping is free, and if you encounter any problems with your order, Microsoft provides a hassle-free return policy. If you possess a 3D printer, you can obtain free designs for adaptive thumbstick covers, which can be attached to the analog stick to enhance accessibility.
The device functions independently on Xbox consoles and Windows PCs, but for additional features tailored to accessibility, you can combine it with the Xbox Adaptive Controller priced at $99.99. As an alternative, the Xbox Adaptive Joystick is compatible with a standard Xbox wireless controller available from Amazon or other reliable retailers. However, my personal experience solely stems from my fiancée utilizing it in conjunction with a regular PC mouse without requiring either device.
So, why did I buy it?
My partner resides with a condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), more precisely the hypermobile type. This disorder impacts her joint stability and results in persistent discomfort, namely hypermobile EDS (hEDS).
Due to my physical condition, I’ve found that the vast majority of my gaming journey has been confined to consoles, from different generations of Xbox. The controllers on these devices feel more accommodating than keyboards and mice for me. It isn’t that I can’t operate a keyboard and mouse effectively, but pressing down on the W-A-S-D keys for movement strains my finger joints excessively, making it an uncomfortable experience that I usually try to avoid.
For many games compatible with joysticks, including her preferred Xbox controller (Dream Vapor in her favorite color), the setup was sufficient. Even Valve’s Steam Input system ensured compatibility with some games that didn’t originally support it. However, when it came to PC titles that worked optimally with a mouse, especially during gameplay in UI-heavy games like World of Warcraft, she found it less fulfilling compared to using a mouse.
I thought about modifying some controllers resembling others, using custom Windows 11 drivers created by the gaming community, to keep her able to use a mouse with her right hand. However, issues with Bluetooth and other software glitches made that idea impractical. Now, Xbox advertises an alternative solution, but I’m curious about its performance in actual use scenarios.
The Xbox Adaptive Controller appears straightforward in design. Instead of the usual combined directional pad and face buttons, it features an individual analog stick above four distinct face buttons labeled x1 to x4, reminiscent of A, B, X, Y. Unlike a traditional setup, there are only digital shoulder buttons at the back, marked as x5 and x6, offering two bumpers but no pressure-sensitive analog triggers.
In simpler terms, this indicates that there’s limited precision in controlling acceleration and braking while playing driving games with these types of controllers. You can’t customize additional game mechanics that require a gradual press. However, if you’re not using the analog stick for movement, it can still be used for precise inputs. The main advantage of these user-friendly controllers is that they adapt to any use method that makes the gaming experience more comfortable for the player.
As an analyst, I’m sharing my observations about the Xbox Adaptive Joystick. Unlike being wireless, it comes with a 9-foot braided cable that sports a USB-C connector for attachment to various mounts, and a full-sized USB-A on the other end for linking with PCs, laptops, or Xbox consoles. In my living space, this length is ample, allowing for some extra slack. The durable casing gives a sense of its potential longevity, though I’ve only had it for a month so far.
The setup process is simple enough, even without needing the Xbox Accessories App suggested by Microsoft. Interestingly, the Xbox Adaptive Joystick automatically maps the analog stick to conventional right-analog movements, typically used for aiming or camera control, while pressing the stick mimics a left-analog stick press. As for the buttons, the x1 to x4 function as A, B, X, and Y respectively, while the rear x5 and x6 trigger buttons are recognized as LB and LT accordingly.
Absolutely, you have the freedom to modify these inputs as desired by creating a new button profile within the Xbox Accessories App. Then, switch on test mode to check if your Xbox Adaptive Joystick is functioning as expected. However, though you can bypass the app entirely, I advise using it initially just for updating the joystick’s firmware before gameplay. Once everything is set up to your liking, you might not need to open the app again.
The strength of this device lies in its adaptability. You have the ability to designate any of the seven physical buttons as a “shift” key, altering the functionality of other buttons accordingly. To illustrate, if you assign the rear x5 button up as a shift modifier, it would adjust the operation of x1 to x4 in games. Consequently, though it has only 7 physically detected buttons, with some additional setup, the Xbox Adaptive Joystick can function like many more.
In simpler terms, my fiance has found comfort while playing numerous PC games that previously caused discomfort over longer durations due to using a keyboard and mouse.
If game interfaces clash when switching between controller and mouse detection, we opt for Steam Input, which simulates keyboard inputs instead. The game remains oblivious, yet the overall gaming experience becomes more seamless.
Using an Xbox Adaptive Joystick in her left hand, she assigns various keys (some using the shift modifier) for control, leaving her right hand to maneuver a mouse with precision. This adaptive setup gives her the freedom to participate in large World of Warcraft raids without feeling hindered by a limited number of controls.
In a more comfortable gaming experience, the analog stick is preferred over WASD keys, making it generally superior across various games. This upgrade has made a significant impact on her gameplay, surpassing even some high-end Xbox controllers in terms of improvement, and all for just $30. Although I’d appreciate an analog trigger for precise input, it’s a minor trade-off that pales in comparison to the numerous advantages this device offers, which doesn’t diminish its overall positive review. Well done, Xbox!
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2025-06-20 00:39