The Reason Why Your Xbox Controller Still Uses AA Batteries
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Microsoft's decision to continue shipping standard Xbox controllers powered by AA batteries—carried over from the Xbox 360 era into the Xbox Series X unveiled at The Game Awards on December 12, 2019—remains a notable outlier in the gaming industry, where rivals Sony and Nintendo transitioned to internal rechargeable batteries years ago. Sony moved directly from wired PlayStation 2 controllers to wireless, rechargeable designs with the PlayStation 3, while Nintendo abandoned replaceable cells with the Wii U in 2012. Microsoft's approach traces back to the Xbox 360, whose premium wireless controllers ran on a pair of AA batteries, a design choice that has persisted through subsequent console generations. The company argues the format offers flexibility, though the gaming community remains divided on the trade-off between convenience and battery longevity. Investors and industry watchers should monitor whether Microsoft's next-generation hardware retains the AA battery design or finally aligns with competitors' rechargeable standards.
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Named in this story
Microsoft (MSFT), Xbox Series X, Sony (SONY), Nintendo
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