The Xbox One Night Ops Camo Wireless Controller is Not as Stealthy as You Might Think, A Review

As we're all aware, er'body playing video games now-a-days and you couldn't find a new Xbox One or PS4 controller at any nearby store for the longest time, even though we should all stay the heck home during this pandemic.

We Take Wireless Controllers for Granted

Some good news: console controller stock seems to have returned to shops n' stores! They have at least in Far North Dallas, the luxurious region of Dallas that I live (I know it's luxurious because there is a tea shop next to my home). So, I went out and bought the Night Ops Camo Xbox One wireless controller.

This makes me one happy Chappie because, ya'll, I've been gaming on a Duke controller since January. The humongous wired controller works and is a heavy as cast iron, but it's as comfortable to hold as a cactus and nowhere as pretty to look at. You can read my review on that beast here. The Night Ops Xbox One wireless controller is as light as they come even with the wireless tech, rumble triggers, headset jack, and textured grips. It also looks pree' cool, especially next to my cat.

Mmhmm, very stylish. Check out the monochromatic buttons with the color dots in the middle, the metallic brown paint apps, and how the Xbox logo changes from black to glowy when turned on. 

Microsoft will even tell you that the back of this controller is textured but you wouldn't know that when holding the thing. The bumps are so tiny that they might as well not be there at all.

I had to zoom in 8 times with my phone just to snap this photo, and I use a premium, luxurious Google Pixel 4 with an advanced AI powered hybrid zoom. At least the textures on the triggers and the control sticks can be felt no matter how deep I've been in a bag of popcorn with half-melted M&Ms. 

I enjoy the wireless nature of this controller most of all. It is so, sooo nice not worrying about how to store a wire, or how to replace one, or where to set it up to reduce tripping hazards. This applies to Switch and PS4 controllers as well, but only the Xbox controllers gives you the additional option of going wired if you want to play without batteries. You just supply your own micro-USB cable.

Otherwise, you can use AA batteries or a rechargeable battery pack. Thanks, Microsoft. We like options.

BUT WHO CARES ABOUT THAT

The Night Ops name and the camo pattern tell the real story. This controller is clearly aimed at us FPS dudes looking for a stealthy edge in Call of Duty or Gears. I happily report the Night Ops controller has definitely made me less visible when operating at night. The backlit Xbox button draws no attention in the dark and the camo pattern with subtle shades of grey and gold blend well with my living room. 

You can't even see me at all! 

 

Sneaking to the fridge to eat my partners leftover chicken and waffles has never been easier. Watch out for your cat's eyes, though, they can see in the dark, the truth, and you wiping syrupy chicken crumbs from your bosom hair and will rat you out in a heartbeat. I recommend a full nelson for any feline friends that get too wise.

Do not full Nelson your cat.

Sadly, in Titanfall 2, the only kind of bump that'd give me a competitive edge is very illegal, so I got stomped on by PC players. That's even with playing at night as required by the Night Ops Cano controller. Interesting, Microsoft, could this be false advertising?! 

No, of course not. 

IT IS! Gotcha, Microsoft!

This controller is awesome even if the night ops camo didn't increase my kill-to-death ratio. Its difficult dropping the better part of $100 on a controller, but if you're gonna do that, the $70 Night Ops Camo controller is a decent buy. It won't give you the edge in gaming that you crave, but it does look cool and feel nice in my regular sized hands.

There's lower priced controllers that may make more sense, but what you save in monies you lose in responsive, tactile satisfaction when pushing yer buttons. It's up to you to decide what your needs are. That said, you can find the regular, non-camo, non-bumpy Xbox One wireless Controller for around $50 in-store at Wal-Mart at the the time of this writing.

Fun Facts

• Do not full Nelson your cat. They have very sharp claws and can easily pull a reversal. It's also not a nice thing to do.10s

• The Xbox One controller has had 3 revisions since the console released in 2015. Windows Central has a visually delightful, all encompassing gallery of each one here.

• The rumble triggers are an awesome feature copied by Sony for the PS5 that hardy any video games on Xbox One utilize. In fact, Battlefield 1, Forza Motorsport 7, Horizon 3, and Horizon 4 are the only ones in my decent collection that do. You can read more about them here.