While companies that make consoles tend to put out their own colorful variants of their hardware, it is far less common for them to give customers an option to make something of their own to purchase. Microsoft decided it would move in the direction of tailoring the Xbox experience to the player with the introduction of the Xbox Design Lab.

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With this special tool on the Xbox website, players can customize their own controller with a variety of different combinations. While this is only for the normal version and not for the Xbox Wireless Elite controller, players who just enjoy the setup of an Xbox controller may enjoy the number of options they have to make the device their own.

8 A Solid Variety Of Colors

A colorful combination for a controller in Xbox Design Lab

While players shouldn't expect to make controllers at the level of some custom Xbox consoles, the main aspect of Xbox Design Lab to know about is the fact there are a wide variety of colors to choose from on almost every aspect of the controller.

Luckily, there are about 23 different colors that customers can choose from for the Body, Back, Bumpers, Triggers, D-pad, and Thumbsticks.

The 23 colors include:

  • Carbon Black
  • Storm Gray
  • Ash Gray
  • Robot White
  • Astral Purple
  • Soft Purple
  • Soft Pink
  • Retro Pink
  • Deep Pink
  • Pulse Red
  • Zest Orange
  • Soft Orange
  • Lightning Yellow
  • Electric Volt
  • Velocity Green
  • Soft Green
  • Glacier Blue
  • Dragonfly Blue
  • Mineral Blue
  • Shock Blue
  • Midnight Blue
  • Nocturnal Green
  • Desert Tan

7 Unique Patterns For The Front

XboxDesignLab_PridePattern-1

The body is likely the most important part of the controller design as it will be the color that stands out the most. Luckily, Xbox has provided customers with a set of unique patterns that players can select from that make the custom controller stand out even more than a regular one would.

As of the time of this writing, there are six patterns that players can add for an additional charge.This includes five variations of camouflage that include Arctic Camo, Sandglow Camo, Blaze Camo, Mineral Camo, and Forest Camo. In addition, Microsoft recently revealed a Pride pattern that includes many variations of the different pride flags out there.

6 Players Can Get Rubber Grips

Rubber grips on a custom controller in Xbox Design Labs

While the customization is mostly about the different color schemes that can be created, players will probably want to be as comfortable as possible with using the controller. That is why, for an extra charge, the Xbox Design Lab allows players to add grips to the handles.

There are two options that players can select. One is Rubberized Back Grips where players are likely to rest their fingers. Then there are Rubberized Side Grips which add a grip around the rest of the handle likely to support the rest of the player's hands. Players can select both options to be put on the controller or just one, but the price may vary.

5 Triggers And D-Pad Can Come In Metallic

An Xbox controller with a metallic d-pad and metallic triggers in Xbox Design Lab

While most of the different parts on a customized Xbox controller all have the same amount of color options, there are a couple that get nearly double the number of options. That is because the back triggers and the D-Pad both could get a metallic variant for each color.

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This option is here likely because it brings a different feel to buttons that could be frequently used. The colors don't look vastly different, only looking a bit more shiny thanks to being made out of metal instead of the normal material Xbox controllers are usually made of. Unfortunately, no other parts of the controller have received these options.

4 Other Buttons Come With Few Options

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What could be considered the exact opposite of what the D-Pad and back triggers have, there are some customizable aspects of the Xbox controller that have very few options. This might be partially due to there being important letters and symbols on them that the player needs to see.

The ABXY button combo and the View, Menu, Share combo have both been given very few options for Xbox Design Lab users to choose from. For ABXY, there is:

  • Black on White
  • Gray on White
  • Black on Gray
  • Gray on Black
  • White on Black
  • Colors on Black
  • Black on Colors.

Meanwhile, the View, Menu, and Share set of buttons have even fewer options:

  • Black on White
  • Gray on White
  • Black on Gray
  • Gray on Black
  • White on Black

3 Text Can Be Added To The Bottom Of The Controller

Xbox controller with the words "Game Rant" engraved on the bottom in Xbox Design Lab

Colors are great, but what is the best way to really make a controller personal to the player holding it? There are a few ideas that may come to mind, but the best way is likely just to put a name on the controller. This option is available through Xbox Design Lab.

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For an additional charge, players can add up to 16 characters to an engraved message that will be put on the bottom of the front-facing area. The text color can't be customized, but it will vary depending on what body colors the player chose. No matter what message is put on the bottom, it will likely have a color that stands out.

2 There Are Some Pre-Sets Available

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When players first arrive at the Xbox Design Lab main page, players will have the option to just dive right in with a random template to begin working on the controller. However, Xbox does advertise a few designs that could be used as a starting point for those who are having trouble selecting.

For example, scrolling down may lead to players finding controllers inspired by the release of games such as Crusader Kings 3 and a commemorative design for Destiny 2's DLC The Witch Queen. Scrolling further will lead to more presets that don't have any branding specifically attached but gives customers an early look at how certain colors stand out.

1 Make Sure You Love It Before Ordering

A tan, pink, and blue controller that has "Game On" engraved on the bottom in Xbox Design Lab

Microsoft has made it clear it wants players to have a customizable experience, from Xbox Game Pass to Xbox Design Lab. But they aren't flexible with everything. According to the FAQ on the Xbox Design Lab main page, customers can not change anything about the design after the order is placed. They also can't cancel the order since production begins almost immediately.

The controller can't be returned either since it is custom-made. That said, if the controller does not look like what was ordered, there is a process in place for people to contact the company. In addition, if there are technical issues with the device, customers can also file for a replacement with an online warranty.

To create a custom Xbox controller, players can go to the Xbox Design Lab website.

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