The Xbox Nano Controller is the smallest gamepad Xbox has ever made, and it was announced today, Wednesday, October 14. That is why "xbox nano" is climbing on search right now. James Hunter, general manager of Xbox Accessories, introduced it on Xbox Wire as a controller "designed to fit nearly every pocket and budget." Pre-orders opened the same day, and Xbox says it will be available beginning in November.
How small is it
A little over 5 inches long and just 3.5 ounces, which Xbox lists as 99 grams. In the company's words, that is lighter and shorter than most modern smartphones. The official photo above shows the point better than any spec sheet: a white controller sliding straight into a hoodie pocket.
The clever part is what Xbox did not cut. The Nano keeps all 18 standard gameplay inputs in the familiar Xbox layout, so nothing about the controls is stripped down. Anyone who already plays on a full size Xbox controller should be able to pick this up without relearning anything. Xbox pitches it at younger players, smaller hands and anyone who wants a controller they can actually travel with.
What it does
- Rechargeable, built in. The battery is internal and rechargeable. Note the fine print on the official product page: a USB-C (Universal Serial Bus Type-C) cable is required for charging and is sold separately.
- An Action Button you set yourself. A programmable Action Button gives quick access to things like screenshots, gameplay capture and other shortcuts you use often.
- Remap the buttons. Button mapping can be customized in the Xbox Accessories app.
- Two ways to connect. Xbox Wireless links it to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles. Bluetooth covers Windows 10 and 11 personal computers (PCs), tablets, iOS and Android phones, and compatible smart televisions. Xbox keeps a support controller compatibility guide if you want to check a specific device.
What to play on it
Xbox is leaning into games that suit a pocket controller and a shared couch. It points to Minecraft Dungeons II, where up to four heroes can team up in local co-op in the living room or online, and Forza Horizon 6 as the kind of thing you can now take beyond the living room. The product page adds that you can explore games from across four generations of Xbox.
Holiday bundles in the US
Xbox also lined up two partner offers for the holidays. With select Samsung TVs, buyers in the US get an Xbox Nano Controller plus two months of Game Pass Ultimate for new members. The Xbox app runs through the Gaming Hub built into Samsung TVs, so in select regions players can use their monthly cloud playtime on hundreds of Game Pass titles just by pairing the controller. A second US offer with Meta bundles the Nano and the same two month Game Pass Ultimate membership with the purchase of a Meta Quest headset.
Where and when
Availability begins in November in the US, the UK, Canada, Japan, Australia, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, New Zealand and much of Europe and Latin America, with more markets to follow. Xbox notes that pricing and availability vary by country, so check the official store for your region. In the US you can also pre-order the Xbox Nano Controller here.
A pocket controller is a natural stocking stuffer, so it slots right into our tech gifts under 100 list. If small, playful hardware is your thing, see our take on Playdate Season Three, and for the other big pre-order on the calendar, our Ocarina of Time remake guide.
Xbox Wire announcement · Official product page
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