- Image of Borderlands 4 Xbox Controller, Courtesy of Xbox, Gearbox, and 2K Games

Borderlands 4 Xbox Controller Is a Collector’s Dream With Real Utility

Originally posted on Total Apex Gaming | By Mollie Dominy | Last updated Sep 14, 2025 1:22 PM ET

Ah, the sacred dance of launch week. Borderlands 4 is finally here, and if you’re anything like me, you’re already eyeing your setup, wondering what needs upgrading before you dive into the wastes of Kairos. And while most of us are content with a fresh install and maybe a celebratory snack, some vault hunters are going full ceremonial—enter the Borderlands 4 Xbox controller.

Yes, it costs more than the game itself. Yes, that’s ridiculous. And yes, I’m still kind of into it.

A Deal That’s Half Loot Drop, Half Ritual Offering

This isn’t some stock Xbox controller with a slapped-on skin. Borderlands isn’t owned by Microsoft or Sony, so there’s no official hardware. But PowerA stepped in with a wireless controller designed specifically for this launch—and if you grab it from Best Buy right now, they’ll toss in a $10 voucher. Not enough to buy the game outright, but enough to pretend you’re gaming the system.

At $99.99, it’s not cheap. But when you stack it against PowerA’s Fusion Pro Wireless (which runs $150), this Borderlands edition starts to look like a pretty solid value. You’re getting four back buttons—rare at this price point—and a build that’s clearly aimed at players who want more than just a pretty faceplate.

Functionality Over Borderlands 4 Flash (Mostly)

Image of Borderlands 4 Xbox Controller, Courtesy of Xbox, Gearbox, and 2K Games

Let’s address the elephant in the loot chest: the design. Borderlands is known for its crunchy textures and chaotic color palette, but this controller plays it surprisingly safe. The Vault Hunters logo is there, tucked on the grip like a secret handshake, but the rest? It’s subdued. If you were hoping for cel-shaded madness, you might be disappointed.

Still, it’s hard to complain when the functionality holds up. You don’t get RGB lighting or twistable thumbsticks like the OPS V3, but you do get solid build quality and those programmable back buttons. For competitive players or anyone who’s tired of thumb gymnastics, that’s a win.

Should You Wait for a Price Drop?

Maybe. Other themed PowerA controllers—Pac-Man, Fortnite—have dipped in price over time. If you’re patient, this one might too. But if you’re the kind of player who treats game launches like sacred events, this controller is the closest thing to a relic.

Final Thought: Is It Worth More Than the Game?

In terms of raw dollars? Technically, yes. But in terms of ritual, collector energy, and the joy of holding something that feels like it belongs to the world you’re about to enter? It’s hard to put a price on that.

So if you’re ready to celebrate Borderlands 4 with something tactile, something extra, something that says “I showed up for this,” then yeah—this controller might just be your loot drop.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Gaming and was syndicated with permission.

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