Xbox Changes Its ABXY Buttons for the First Time in 20 Years (and Not Everyone Likes It)
A slimmer X, a sleeker Y, an A you might not even recognize. On the new Xbox controller priced at $49, the face buttons have a whole new vibe, and the community isn’t sure whether to cheer or worry.
When Microsoft unveiled the Xbox Nano controller this week, the first thing people noticed was its tempting price and compact size. But then gamers zoomed in on the ABXY buttons and spotted a brand-new typeface—the same one seen in the Elite Controller 3 leak back in early October. Two controllers, one redesign: it’s hard not to see this as the start of a broader overhaul, likely tied to the upcoming Xbox console, Project Helix.
Image credit: Xbox
Xbox Nano: the compact $49 controller lands in November
Geoff Keighley broke the news this week: Microsoft is launching the Xbox Nano controller, a smaller gamepad priced at $49, set to release in November 2026. The goal is clear—offer an affordable entry-level pad, perfect as a second controller or for smaller hands. With Xbox’s recent strategy sending out bold signals, the Nano controller is part of a push to expand the hardware ecosystem without breaking the bank.
the new Xbox Nano controlle
— (@geoffkeighley) date
But beyond the price and the form factor, it’s the design detail that’s got eagle-eyed gamers talking. The Nano’s ABXY buttons sport a totally reimagined typeface—thinner, sharper, more angular. And it’s not just a one-off.
A new button design that has everyone curious
The new lettering on the face buttons is a radical break from what Xbox has used for years. Gone are the chunky, rounded characters from the original Xbox—now it’s all about sleeker lines, shapes that look more like symbols than letters. The result is undeniably modern, but it shatters two decades of visual identity. Among Microsoft’s recent experiments, this one might be the most symbolic yet.
And it’s not just the Nano. Back in early October, the Xbox Elite Controller 3 leak showed off the exact same font on its face buttons. Two different controllers, two very different price points, but the same design language. That’s not the kind of coincidence you just ignore. All signs point to Microsoft prepping a full visual overhaul for its controllers, probably ahead of Project Helix’s launch. Here’s what lines up:
- The Nano controller and Elite 3 both feature the new ABXY typeface
- Project Helix, the next-gen Xbox console, is officially confirmed
- A dedicated handheld could launch alongside the new machine
A split community: progress or step backward?
Social media reactions came in fast, highlighting the dilemma Microsoft faces whenever it tweaks its visual identity. “I can’t quite explain it, but the letters look weak and flimsy,” one gamer summed up. Another chimed in: “Not a fan, they should be bolder.” For some, the new look feels more like a knockoff controller than a premium product.
Others see it differently. “I actually like it. The letters look more like symbols now, though I wish they were thicker,” one player said. Another added, “Honestly? I dig it—it’s clean, stylish, and modern.” The debate goes deeper than just typography: it’s nostalgia versus modernity, a tug-of-war the gaming industry knows all too well, as seen in recent industry leaks that always spark passionate reactions.
If this redesign makes its way to the Project Helix controller, the $49 Nano could be Microsoft’s real-world test run. The company may be gauging public reaction before locking in this new identity for the next generation. We’ll likely get answers at the official console reveal, expected in 2027. Until then, every pixel of that new typeface will be under the microscope.
