Add back buttons to your Xbox controller with this nifty gadget

The official Xbox wireless controllers are amazing on their own, but if you want a little more versatility without breaking the bank, the Horizon Vista Strikepack from Collective Minds is a quick and easy way to upgrade your device. The detachable gadget will be available for pre-order on Amazon for $50 ahead of its June 3 launch.

This is a refreshed and updated version of the previous Strikepacks, and the layout of the Horizon Vista model remains the same. You get four programmable rear buttons that can be screwed to the controller via the battery, creating a fairly cohesive look. You can still plug in a USB-C cable for wired gaming and charging, and a dedicated app allows you to tinker with each button extensively. Using the dedicated mobile app, you can set your own combinations and make further fine-tuning, making this quite a versatile device.

Strikepack is pretty cool because it allows you to continue using your existing Xbox controllers, but it’s not the only customizable controller option available. Our top pick is the Xbox Elite Series 2, Microsoft’s top-of-the-range wireless controller that offers amazing customization features and interchangeable components. The more budget-friendly Elite Series 2 Core offers the same premium level without the extra components, so if you go this route, you’ll want to buy a set of rear paddles.

Notable Xbox controllers with built-in customization features

Victrix Pro BFG is another great option, especially if you like fighting games and first-person shooters. It has interchangeable sticks (offset and aligned arrangements), comes with a combat pad module with six microswitch buttons, a replaceable D-pad, stick caps and stick gates. What’s more, a smartphone app allows for even more fine-tuning under the plastic hood.

On the budget side of customizable controllers, 8BitDo has released some solid options: the 8BitDo Ultimate and Pro 2, both retailing for $45. The upcoming release will also feature an 8BitDo controller for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, although this one has a few caveats for console and is perhaps even better suited for PC gamers. While this controller has the high build quality and flexibility of other 8BitDo Ultimate devices, it can only be used in wired mode on Xbox consoles using the included detachable USB-C cable. PC users can sync the controller via 2.4 GHz wireless or Bluetooth, bypassing these console shortcomings.