Hyperkin "Duke" Controller Review

When the original Xbox Launched, it was a curiosity. Microsoft, previously the powerhouse of the Personal Computer Operating System, was suddenly going to jump into making a console of its own. Of the future promises that Microsoft began its dedication with, few were as talked about than the "Duke", the Xbox controller. Love it or hate it, the "Duke" has made a return with the Hyperkin Duke for Xbox One and Windows 10.

Before we get to the opinions of the Duke, we should discuss why the Duke exists. How  does such a controversial controller like the Duke even exist? Why is it even controversial at all?
When the original Xbox was being designed, it was done by asking gamers what they wanted in a new video game console. "What do you think the best gaming machine would be?" The original Xbox was the result of those gamer opinions. From having an 8GB built-in HDD (enormous at the time) to having Ethernet built in for every console. There isn't any portion of the original Xbox that was made without consideration for the audience that would support it. The "Duke's" design was no different.

With Microsoft trying to take over the living room and place an Xbox in every home, they banked on the idea that gamers would be spending most of their free hours online using their console. Learning from the mistakes of PC gamers, Microsoft was looking to make an ergonomic controller that would feel good in hands and give you less soreness (when you weren't getting wrecked playing Halo with their friends.) In doing so, the design landed on a larger than the current standard controller which left the hands and wrists at comfortable angles, sticks that were placed on the average angle for their demographic, features such as a concave motion stick and convex aiming stick to differentiate the difference between their purposes, and  even including a black and white button on the top for the upcoming use with voice chat (each one designated for either Team Chat or Group Chat believe it or not!)

When it first arrived, there was little in the way of the "Duke". The controller was primarily seen as excellent to those who were jumping in on the Xbox ecosystem. It wasn't a small toy, it felt like a quality chunk of kit and went well with the engine stylings of the system itself. The buttons were unique and interesting with a clear plastic coating over the somewhat familiar lettering, although in a  different order than we grew up with. All was great with the "Duke" as it had affectionately became known as. That was until the attempt to invade eastern shores arose.

The Xbox was created for the Western audience. Those gamers which helped customize the Xbox, they were primarily in the United States. As such, the ergonomics of the US gamer's hands was not the same as Asian audiences, where, like it or not, their hands are often smaller. The size of the controller was a sticking point for some, many trying to blame it as a reason the console wouldn't do well in Japan (though honestly, Japan is a tough sell with few US companies). In an attempt to reach that audience, a new controller, the Type S, was introduced.

The largest change with the Type S was the size. Feeling more in-line with the size of a PS2 and Gamecube controller, it was more familiar to those who are just coming into the console and had come from the Sony ecosystem. Those individuals found the format more accommodating. These individuals didn't care about the ergonomics. They didn't care about the reasons. They cared that they didn't feel awkward with their controller, regardless of if their initial feelings were based off using remarkably uncomfortable controllers that they just got "used to". Bad habits after all are incredibly hard to break.

At this time, the divide between the "Duke" and the Type S was growing, and with the "Duke" no longer being a pack in, fewer and fewer new Xbox owners even knew anything of the "Duke" outside  of the ridiculous and snide comments about it. The "Duke" had become a meme and disappeared from memory. The Xbox 360 introduction a few short years later revolutionized gaming and it was in no small part due to the designs of the Type S.

Fast forward to 2017. After some back and forth on Twitter from Seamus Blackley (ironically the creator of the Xbox AND the guy who pushed for the Type S controller!), the revitalization of the Duke picked up steam. With hundreds of thousands of responses to a twitter post about the Duke from Mr. Blackley, it was clear that time had most assuredly changed some of that bitter and hateful divide between gamers and the lovers of the "Duke" could express themselves again. Microsoft approved the 3rd party controller company Hyperkin to produce the Duke using the molds to produce a mostly accurate representation of the "Duke". Some changes had to happen, some were just for the "lolz" but the Hyperkin "Duke" is here, like an informative blast from the past.

So what is different? Well first, the most noticeable is the LCD screen in the center. When the USB controller with micro-USB connection (firmly secured  in a square peg mind you) is powered on, the LCD display shows the original Xbox boot screen. The original Xbox didn't use a video for this, it was performed procedurally at boot. The team involved recorded one and placed it in this little LCD screen. It will also play when pressed and now acts like your Xbox One jewel button. Another change is the inclusion of 2 small-ish bumpers. The original Xbox didn't have these bumpers, instead having the aforementioned black and white buttons. The bumpers are really out of the way but present to those who would naturally reach for them, just a little off from where you might expect them on an Xbox One. One necessary alteration is actually the omission of the memory card slots. Instead here is a giant mound of plastic with the same contour and ribbing as the original, just covering up the holes.

But there is one more different item here. You, the end user. Your years of advancement into gaming have made you comfortable with a particular controller type. Many young gamers today do not realize that it used to be normal to have to learn a "new controller" every few years. Some of us old enough to have an original PlayStation recall that interesting time in our lives when the DS controller made its way into our lives and we had to get over some of those oddities. (Some of us also remember how they rereleased some games to include Dual Shock support such as Resident Evil.) As a result, you will likely struggle initially with the "Duke". Your muscle memory for the past decade has worked against you. You'll notice the little changes such as the face buttons rotated 45 degrees off what you're used  to. Instead of a classic "+" pattern, they are more like an off kilter rhombus.

Something not discussed in many of the reviews is the tension of the sticks. Modern sticks have a great amount of tension. It used to be that the original Xbox had more tension than standard DS controllers. In contrast however, these will feel remarkably loose. In those days, you fine tuned your skills, not your controller. You will find yourself struggling to learn button placement for games you've been playing for years. You will feel uncomfortable with the idea. To be honest however, we are often uncomfortable with drastic experiences and relish our first. We won't go into the whole human experience and how it shapes us, but it is quite common for you to prefer your first experience over experiences that contrast against it. You will find however that if you attempt to enter new experiences with open arms, you're more likely to find the benefits of trying new things. Approaching the "Duke" for new users requires this concept be taken to heart.

I want to be clear here however, this isn't inherently bad. While we definitely have evolved in some fronts in gaming, the comfort of the Duke in some ways can outweigh the history we have with our modern consoles. Relearning face buttons is a matter of time. The same time you'll enjoy recapturing your old moments with this huge beast of a controller. It leaves your hands comfortable and relaxed and doesn't feel like you're cramped in a box. You will find many of the old habits returning. You are also prone to realize the "game fatigue" that has been present for some is less prevalent.

The quick version is this: The "Duke" is a nice consideration for those of us who had a great romp with an old friend. Yes, we've grown up, and yes there are imperfections in our memories, but you do remember why you loved the "Duke" in the day and if you're willing to work on that friendship again, you'll be able to do so. The learning curve for using the black and white buttons, the loose sticks, and the bumpers, can be a little daunting, but remember that there were people pulling off flawless "GunValkyrie" playthroughs with this thing, so it's much more capable than you realize. And... that LCD screen looks really cool and pulls a few interested stares.

The Hyperkin "Duke" controller retails for $69.99 and is available at Gamestop and the Microsoft Store.