SteelSeries Introduces Console Controller-Sized Stratus XL Game Controller

Monday June 9, 2014 9:20 AM PDT by Kelly Hodgkins
Building on the success of its wireless Stratus controller, SteelSeries today introduced the Stratus XL, a full-sized gaming controller for the iPad, iPhone or iPod touch. Similar to its pocket-sized counterpart, the Stratus XL connects to your iOS device wirelessly through Bluetooth instead of the Lightning port.

stratus-xl-main
The Stratus XL features a larger, console controller-inspired design that provides room for two analog joysticks, a pressure-sensitive directional pad (D-pad), 4 pressure-sensitive action buttons and 4 shoulder buttons that include two trigger buttons.
"We have been working for well over a year now on perfecting the wireless controller experience for iOS devices. We have been incredibly impressed by the way the SteelSeries Stratus has been received by consumers so far and we are looking forward to introducing the Stratus XL to the iOS gaming community – who have been asking for a full-sized controller option," said Tino Soelberg, SteelSeries CTO. "The Stratus XL was designed to meet their demands, delivered with the premium features and top-to-bottom quality expected from SteelSeries."
The Stratus XL will support the same iOS 7 games as the original Stratus including Dead Trigger 2, Asphalt 8: Airborne, Bastion and more. The large format controller will debut later this year at a price that is yet to be announced. Customers can visit the Stratus XL product page and sign up to be notified when the product availability date and pricing are confirmed.

Related Roundups: iPhone 6s, iPod touch, iPad
Tag: SteelSeries
Buyer's Guide: iPhone 8 (Don't Buy), iPod Touch (Caution), iPad (Neutral)
28 comments


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The Phazer
55 months ago

Unfortunately this will be way too expensive due to MiFi licensing.

Apple should just roll in official console controller support without a jailbreak, but I don't see that happening.


Indeed.

Just add the Dual Shock 4 to the whitelist already.
Rating: 3 Votes
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Cougarcat
55 months ago
Unfortunately this will be way too expensive due to MiFi licensing.

Apple should just roll in official console controller support without a jailbreak, but I don't see that happening.
Rating: 3 Votes
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stiligFox
55 months ago
I'm not 100% sure, but I believe that from now on MFi controllers designed for iOS 8 will also automatically work / be required to work with OS X Yosemite -- which would make the controller a whole lot more useful...

(Even though there are plenty of cheaper controllers that already work with OS X, at least this way it would allow one to have a controller for iOS AND OS X)
Rating: 2 Votes
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mikethebigo
55 months ago
Combine this with a new Apple TV with an App Store and the Metal API... and suddenly Apple directly challenges current consoles.
Rating: 2 Votes
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WilliamLondon
55 months ago

Combine this with a new Apple TV with an App Store and the Metal API... and suddenly Apple directly challenges current consoles.


Yep, this is exactly what I think they have in the works. Not that gaming will be their main thrust with any new ATV, they wouldn't want to appear to go head-to-head against the games consoles (and they wouldn't want to), but to be able to offer gaming (iOS) style, but better (on the big screen in your living room, using a physical controller, with better than average iOS device graphics), they'll end up appealing to a huge swath of people who enjoy the casual gaming of iOS and either have a console they never turn on, or won't ever buy a dedicated gaming console. Yep, and can't wait!
Rating: 2 Votes
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Kobayagi
55 months ago
Cool, a Xbox controller design with PS analog stick placement. ^^ Very innovative.
Anyway, like many of these controllers, they'll just be way too expensive compared to a Xbox or PS one, which are undoubtably better.
Rating: 2 Votes
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ikir
55 months ago
Very nice, i think i will buy one but for using mainly with OS X since it can use MFi controllers too.

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Oooooh! I would LOVE that! Would be worth a $100 price tag for me. :D


It already this way since 10.9 you can use any MFi controller.
Rating: 2 Votes
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Sky Blue
55 months ago
Looks good, but will no doubt be around $80 -$100, so no sale.
Rating: 1 Votes
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2457282
55 months ago

Still waiting on lag-free AirPlay or cable to pull the trigger on anything like this. I am hoping iOS 8 makes that possible with peer-to-peer AirPlay, direct to my Apple TV.

Otherwise, I foresee a lot of crouching and squinting to play on a tiny screen.


Agreed, but I would prefer even more if Apple pulled the trigger and allowed us to load games directly onto the Apple TV. That would be the best possible scenario.
Rating: 1 Votes
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GeneralChang
55 months ago
Huh. I might actually buy this. It’ll depend on the price, of course, but I’m impressed by the design. This is exactly what I’ve been waiting for.
Rating: 1 Votes
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