Xbox announces the Nano Controller, its smallest gamepad ever, at $49.99
Microsoft revealed the Xbox Nano Controller, a tiny, portable gamepad with all 18 standard inputs, launching in November in Brazil and other markets.
João Gabriel Trevizane
· Updated
Microsoft announced the Xbox Nano Controller on Wednesday, the smallest gamepad the brand has ever made. The accessory measures just over 5 inches long and weighs around 3.5 ounces, making it lighter and shorter than most modern smartphones.
Despite the tiny footprint, Xbox says the Nano Controller keeps all 18 standard Xbox inputs in the familiar layout. It has a rechargeable battery and connects via Xbox Wireless or Bluetooth, so it works with consoles, phones, tablets, smart TVs, and PCs alike. It also ships with a programmable Action Button meant for quick shortcuts like taking a screenshot or grabbing a gameplay clip.
Pre-orders opened Wednesday at a suggested price of $49.99, though local pricing varies by country. The actual launch is set for November 2026, and the initial market list already includes Brazil alongside the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, France, and Japan, with more countries to follow.
Microsoft also tied the controller to two US holiday bundles: buyers of select Samsung smart TVs get a free Nano Controller plus two months of Game Pass Ultimate, and the same deal applies to new Meta Quest buyers. Both pushes are clearly aimed at getting Xbox Cloud Gaming onto screens that normally have zero controllers sitting in a drawer nearby.
As usage examples, Xbox pointed to Minecraft Dungeons II (up to four players in local or online co-op) and Forza Horizon 6 as games that become easier to play away from the couch, tucked into a pocket or bag.
In practice, this isn't a controller for anyone already attached to an Elite Series 2. The target audience is different: kids, smaller hands, commuters, or anyone who doesn't want to haul a full-size gamepad just for a quick cloud session on their phone. It's a niche product, but a smart one for reinforcing Xbox's play-anywhere pitch.
The timing is worth a second look too: Microsoft is rolling out a $49.99 accessory in the same month it's reorganizing internal teams and trimming costs elsewhere. Read it as a sign that cheap hardware and cloud gaming remain a priority even while the rest of the house is getting restructured.
