A talented artist has recreatedXbox’s most infamous controller in stained glass, providing a unique and nostalgic look into the origins of the video game console brand.Xbox’s Duke controller has a nearly 25-year history that traces back to Microsoft’s first game console, and while players complained about it at the time, this new creation shows there’s still some appreciation for it.
The original Xbox console was released in 2001, and while fans at the time were excited for Nintendo and PlayStation to have a third competitor in the midst ofSega’s exit from the console market, Microsoft’s first controller was maligned for its bulky size, unusually rounded shape, and general unwieldiness. Players weren’t stuck with the Duke for too long, as Xbox released its much more streamlined and conventionally shaped Xbox Controller S in 2002, but the unusual gaming experience provided by the Duke left a lasting impression.
While theDuke controller remake for the Xbox Onewas released in 2018 with a couple of extra shoulder buttons, one artistic Xbox fan has created an even newer version. And while it’s not functional, its aesthetic appeal is turning a lot of heads. Reddit user Cellocalypsedown has faithfully recreated the essence of the Duke in stained glass, capturing details like the controller’s dual thumbsticks, D-pad, six face buttons, and large, central circular feature. It’s missing the Xbox logo, but its unique shape is instantly recognizable to Microsoft fans, some of whom are saying it would look right at home in an Xbox-themed church. One commenter teasingly joked that the artist even managed to recreate the controller in a 1:1 scale, so while players may not have enjoyed using the Duke, plenty are appreciating this new look at its history.
Xbox Duke Controller’s Stained Glass Art Turns Heads
This particular artist has a long history of turning gaming controllers into stained-glass art. The first controller piece shared on theirInstagrampage was posted more than eight years ago and featured aLegend of Zeldacontrollerfor the N64, with a green base and a Triforce logo on its crown. More than a dozen and a half other stained-glass controllers have followed, borrowing designs from the N64, GameCube, and Xbox.
Along with the controllers, this artist’s portfolio includes many other stained-glass creations themed around video games. These include thelegendary bird trio introduced inPokemon’s first generation, Link’s shield fromThe Legend of Zeldafranchise, and Sora’s keyblade fromKingdom Hearts.While video games seem to account for the bulk of this artist’s inspiration, other masterfully made creations include the logos of the universities of Georgia and Tennessee, a recreation of the flying burger painting fromBob’s Burgers, and the anime-style depiction of the boys ofSouth Parkfrom the classic season 8 episode “Good Times with Weapons.”
