A High-End Tribute to an Icon
Over the years we’ve used a lot of Xbox controllers. From the standard pads bundled with consoles, to premium offerings like the Elite range and a whole variety of third-party alternatives, there’s no shortage of options for players looking to upgrade their gaming setup.
But every so often a controller comes along that genuinely feels like it belongs near the top of the accessories pile. The NACON Revolution X Unlimited Anniversary Edition is one such device. Not only does it deliver the same high-end performance we previously praised in the original standard Revolution X Unlimited, but it now arrives wrapped in a design that pays tribute to one of the most iconic consoles in Xbox history, one of our favourite of all consoles – the Xbox 360.
That nostalgic touch works surprisingly well here in 2026, as Xbox gamers the globe over look to celebrate twenty years of that icon.
The Aesthetic of an Era
If you’ve seen the standard Revolution X Unlimited before, you’ll recognise this one immediately. NACON haven’t reinvented things, and that’s absolutely the right call. But instead, the Anniversary Edition takes the same hardware and gives it a striking visual makeover inspired by the white, grey and green aesthetic that defined the Xbox 360 era. For many, those are colours that still, to this day, sum up the Xbox vibe. Newer Xbox gamers really don’t know what they missed…
For us oldies, it’s a look that instantly sparks memories of booting up classics like Halo 3: ODST, Gears of War, BioShock, and the days of the blade dashboard; how we sometimes still wish for the simplicity of that UI design. The colour scheme stands out nicely against the usual sea of black gaming peripherals too.
Yet underneath that retro shell remains something that is very much a modern premium controller. You should read our review of the original Revolution X Unlimited Controller if you want full details.
Modern Premium Hardware
Pick up the Revolution X Unlimited Anniversary Edition and the first thing you’ll notice is how substantial it feels. At around 325 grams, this is a fairly hefty controller, but the weight adds a reassuring sense of quality rather than feeling cumbersome.
Grip is one of the pad’s strongest traits. NACON have used textured surfaces across the arms and rear, providing a near rubber-like feel that keeps the controller secure during long gaming sessions. Even during some of the most intense play sessions, slippage simply isn’t an issue. And it feels really nice to hold too.
The front layout sticks closely to the usual, traditional Xbox design principles that we are all used to, but improves on several areas. The slightly oversized face buttons feel excellent to press, thanks in part to Omron micro-switch technology, delivering crisp, responsive inputs that feel especially satisfying in fast-paced titles.
Meanwhile, the Hall Effect thumbsticks ensure smooth movement and pretty much eliminate the risk of stick drift going forward. Anyone who has been in the market for a new premium controller in recent times, will welcome such an inclusion.
And whilst it might sound odd to get excited about a D-pad, NACON have done an exceptional job here; the circular disc pad offers precise directional input with a tactile click that feels just right. It’s not quite as good as the disc we have used recently on the GameSir G7 Pro Tri-Mode, but it ain’t far off. Seeing as we’ve been flipping and flopping between that controller and this Anniversary Edition over recent weeks, tells all you need to know.
Six Programmable Buttons
Moving further around the controller reveals more thoughtful design choices. The bumpers are smooth yet responsive, while the triggers come complete with textured surfaces and rumble support that aids immersion.
NACON also allow players to adjust trigger behaviour instantly, on the fly via push-to-slide stop-switches, which can be particularly useful in those shooters where quicker trigger responses can make a real difference.
And then there are the programmable buttons. The Revolution X Unlimited doesn’t just add a couple of extra inputs – it adds six. Two sit near the triggers and are easy to hit with the tips of your index fingers, two more are found exactly where your middle fingers rest, and another pair are present near the lower grip area. It may feel excessive at first, and we’ve definitely hit those buttons on occasion without wanting to, but if you’re one of those players who enjoy deep customisation, the flexibility will be appreciated. Even those who prefer a more standard, default button press, should be interested in these additional buttons that are included.
The Integrated LCD Command Screen
Of course, customisation has always been one of NACON’s biggest strengths in recent years, but the Anniversary Edition of the Revolution X Unlimited certainly continues that trend.
Further, user profiles can be switched directly on the controller, allowing players to tailor layouts for different games. There’s also the integrated LCD command screen, which sits proudly in the centre of the pad, visually smacked with more Xbox 360 blade-like feels. This lets you manage settings, profiles, check information and tweak certain configurations including your audio, without needing to open software mid-session. It’s a little confusing initially, but once you’ve had this pad in your hands for a few hours, it all very much becomes second nature.
The Revolution X App
For deeper adjustments, if you really really need to amend things some more, NACON’s Revolution X companion App on the Xbox Store opens up an extensive range of options, from response curves to audio settings, to trigger adjustments and lighting effects and more. It’s a pretty neat App that is straightforward enough to use. And yes, the controller itself has a well placed 3.5mm audio port and on-controller mic mute button for ease. In short, if you like fine-tuning your controller experience, this pad gives you plenty to play with.
Weights, Sticks, and Charging Docks
Out of the box, and as you’d expect from a premium controller, NACON include a range of extras alongside the controller itself. A hard-shell carry case keeps everything secure when travelling, while alternative thumbsticks and D-pad options allow further personalisation. And if you feel this is not weighty enough in its default configuration, you can even remove the – admittedly tight – grip panels and slot in some additional weights. You’ll find those of 10g, 14g or 16g ready to go, depending on how heavy you prefer your controller to be.
For us, one of the most exciting of inclusions is that the Revolution X Unlimited Anniversary Edition supports both wireless and wired play, connecting via a dedicated USB dongle for low-latency performance, on both Xbox and PC.
A similarly-coloured charging dock is included as well, providing a convenient resting place when the controller isn’t in use. And it’s easy to charge too – line the controller up with the dock’s pins and it begins charging automatically, making it easy to keep the battery topped up between sessions. That USB-A dongle that covers the wireless capabilities slots nicely inside the dock too, with just a single cable connecting that to your console.
Talking power and battery life, and that sits around ten hours of play, which may not be industry-leading, but is reasonable enough. If you’re playing for more than ten hours straight, you really should be considering stepping away from the controller for at least five minutes, chucking the pad on that dock in the process…
A Nostalgic Masterpiece for Modern Gamers
So, strip away the nostalgic design and the Revolution X Unlimited Anniversary Edition Controller remains exactly what the original controller was. This is easily one of the most impressive premium Xbox controllers currently available on the market. The build quality is excellent, the inputs feel incredibly responsive, and the sheer amount of customisation available is near unmatched. The NACON Revolution X Unlimited should already be a controller that is on your wishlist, and the new Anniversary Edition, with that Xbox 360-inspired design simply adds personality.
We don’t think you should be buying this if you are already gaming with the Revolution X Unlimited in your hands, for the Anniversary Edition doesn’t reinvent the controller, but if you are in the market for a new pad, this should be considered. NACON have taken an already outstanding piece of hardware and dressed it in a nostalgic tribute to one of Xbox’s most beloved eras; an era in which the likes of LIMBO and Crackdown ruled the world – the Xbox 360 era.
If you happen to have fond memories of the Xbox 360 generation – and honestly, who doesn’t? – the design alone might just seal the deal.
Huge thanks go out to NACON for providing the Revolution X Unlimited Anniversary Edition Controller for review. Pick one up for yourself from NACON direct. Expect to pay around £180.
