I can't believe the Elite Series 2 Core is this cheap a month before Black Friday

Oct. 24, 2023



The Elite Series 2 Core just keeps on getting cheaper and cheaper

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We are exactly a month away from Black Friday, and the deals have already started appearing. Despite theMicrosoftElite Series 2 Core seeing a prolonged discount since October’s Prime Day event, it’s dropped in price again at Walmart, bringing it to a quite ridiculous new low.

Down from its MSRP of $129.99 to only$85.17at Walmart, this deal is nothing short of ridiculous. Remember, theElite Series 2 Coreis a lite version of the Elite Series 2, Xbox’s homemade pro controller for Xbox Series X and S. Both versions of the Elite Series 2 also work with PC, making them some of the verybest PC controllerson the market.

The only difference between the two gamepads is that the full-fat Elite Series 2 comes with a box of attachments and extras you can use to customize the controller to your liking. You get different thumbsticks, back paddle options, and more. Usually, that fully fleshed-out version of the Elite Series 2 will set you back $179.99.

Of course, buying the accessories pack separately is an option if you want to get the Elite Series 2 Core first. But with that extra goody bag costing around $50-$60, usually buying the Core version and then the components will end up costing the same price as the full Elite Series 2. Luckily, the complete component pack is only$43.99at Amazonright now.

Making use of these deals, however, you save a small fortune. If you go for the official component pack, you’ll get the entire Elite Series 2 package for just $120 - less than the price the Core model is supposed to cost you on its own.

Microsoft Xbox Elite Series 2 Core controller|$129.99$85.17 at WalmartSave $44.82- One of the best Xbox Series X/S controllers is on sale. We’ve never seen it drop this low before, and it’s been sitting around the $100 mark since the start of October.

Buy it if:

✅ You want one of the best pro controllers going✅ You want absurd battery life

Don’t buy it if:

❌ You won’t make use of pro features

Price Check:Amazon (used) $82

Complete Component Pack for Elite Series 2|$49.99$43.99 at AmazonSave $6- The official component pack for the Elite Series 2 comes with back paddles, thumbstick options, a 4-way D-Pad, a carry case, and a charging stand. We don’t often see the official component pack go on offer, so this isn’t bad at all.

Buy it if:

✅ You want back paddles and thumbstick options✅ You want to take your controller on the go

Don’t buy it if:

❌ You’re happy with no back buttons and attachments

Price check:Best Buy $59.99

But- that’s if you go for theofficialcomponent pack. Thanks to the Elite Series 2 using magnetic slots for its back paddle attachments, you don’t have to go for the pricier official ones. There are cheaper options out there that bring the price way down.

For example, this pack by BSUZUN at Amazon is only$18.99and it gives you everything that the component pack would. Alternatively, if you want a set of red attachments to match the gamepad that’s on offer, this bundle by CometSouth is$29.99.

If you made use of either of those, you’re getting yourself one of the best gamepads ever made, and undoubtedly thebest Xbox Series X controllerfor only $100.

Should you wait until Black Friday?

Should you wait until Black Friday?

Most of the time, we’d recommend waiting untilBlack Friday gaming deals, since that’s when we see the best discounts of the calendar year. While the Elite Series 2 Core could return to this price for Black Friday, I’d be shocked if we saw it dip any lower than this.

In short, I wouldn’t worry about waiting a month to see what kind of stock is available and what discounts are given.Black Friday Xbox deals, and indeed,Black Friday Xbox controller deals, are great, but this is a massive offer on one of the best controllers money can buy.

Who knows why the Elite Series 2 Core has been discounted for the last month or so? Could it be something to do with the newXbox Series X refreshcontroller we learned about thanks to some new FTC leaks?

On the hunt for more early Black Friday deals? Check outBlack Friday gaming PC deals,Black Friday Meta Quest deals, andBlack Friday Nintendo Switch deals.

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One of my earliest memories is playing SuperMario64 and wondering why the controller I held had three grips, but I only had two hands. Ever since I’ve been in love with video games and their technology. After graduating from Edinburgh Napier University with a degree in Journalism, I contributed to the Scottish Games Network and completed an Editorial Internship at Expert Reviews. Over the last decade, I’ve been managing my ownYouTube channelabout my love of games too. These days, I’m one of the resident hardware nerds at GamesRadar+, and I take the lead on our coverage of gaming PCs, VR, controllers, gaming chairs, and content creation gear. Now, I better stop myself here before I get talking about my favourite games like HUNT: Showdown, Dishonored, and Towerfall Ascension.Location: UK Remote

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