16 Mind-Blowing Facts You Didn't Know About Xbox

11. 'The Duke' Controller Was Only Replaced For Japanese Markets

Xbox Sonic
Microsoft

Remember the gigantic original Xbox controllers? Although people complained in their droves about its gargantuan form factor suitably only preferable to basketball players and people with hands like shovels, the 'Controller S' - as it became known - was brought in to try and ingratiate the Xbox into the Japanese console market.

As dual analogue stick shooters weren't a familiar or marketable entity over there, the thought process was to provide a smaller controller that was easier to get to grips with (literally), however as Microsoft barely had a foothold in Japan whatsoever, it barely impacted sales.

Gaming Editor
Gaming Editor

WhatCulture's Head of Gaming.