GamerSpeak:
Loving the Duke
I was digging around in the basement at Xbox® the other day and stumbled on (literally—owie!) a box full of the original Xbox controllers, the big daddy known as the Duke. You can't buy these in stores any more, as they were replaced by the smaller Controller S around the time Xbox Live® debuted at the end of 2002.
So, I decided to give the last of the Dukes away to those members of the Xbox community who will truly love and cherish them … or at least not sell them on eBay. Each of these Duke aficionados will receive one in the mail.
Here's why loving the Duke is still so right …
Why? It is THE controller of the truly powerful first generation. The one where Halo® first took its grand steps. Theonly one where there were no stinking buttons way under your thumb.
I go on eBay looking for that controller 'cause it is the one that felt the most comfortable in my hands. The Controller S is nice and cute and all, but it does not look like the battleship that original controller was. It is not the controller that you can beat someone over the head with and still win that deathmatch. And it is not the controller that you would lovingly put to bed knowing the battle was won on Xbox … That's why I want that Duke!!!"
Jazzy NUPE
Fresno , California
And now a haiku about the beloved Duke:
Oh Duke big and black
I want to hold you once more
Please come back to me
I would love it if I could get one of those Dukes. Ever since the dawn of Xbox, I have been faithful to the Duke. I preordered my Xbox months ahead of time, I picked it up from EB on launch day, and since that day, I have been in love with the Duke. To this day, that is the controller that I use to pwn n00bs in Halo® 2. It has been with me through many great battles: triumphing over evil in the original KOTOR, besting the unwieldy Star Wars® Obi-Wan™, beating the Halo single-player campaign, playing endless hours of Unreal Championship on Xbox Live back when it was still in its infancy, and so much more. I only have one other controller for my Xbox, and that's a Duke.
When it was announced that the Duke would be replaced, I was saddened, and when I saw n00bs posting on the forums that the S is superior, I was angered. "How could this be?" I thought. The Duke is perfect. It fits perfectly in my hands, it lets me feel like I'm actually wielding amachine of raw power. I don't know why some prefer the S, but for me, the Duke will always be the one. If you send me one of those few remaining Dukes, I assure you that it will have a very good home.
Admiral Kirk
Holding Duke is like going into battle
with your trusted sidearm, knowing
it will not jam and will fire true.
I definitely think you should give me one of these controllers because I love Xbox! I think I should get this because I have ginormous hands and whenever I want to play my Xbox I need a ginormous controller. I also love collecting collectibles such as this so, I would love for you to give me one of the last controllers. I love reading your blog and I love these giveaways and sign up things you are posting like the E3 thing and the Xbox ambassador thing. I would take care of it well. :)
MIpuppet
Fremont, Michigan
My old trusty Duke died, well just part of it. Maybe all but two buttons, two sticks, and the two back triggers, so I guess I can always jump around in Halo 2 while talking to my teammates. Sometimes they're a bit upset about my kill/death ratio, maybe that "Last of The Dukes" could help me out!
Just kidding but hey. I love the Duke! I want that Duke!
P.S.: Seriously,my big hands miss the fattest controller every time I play Xbox 360™ ;)
ZaaM IT
Portogruaro , Italy
My original Duke is old and busted, and poppa
needs a new Cadillac to cruise around Xbox Live with.
I would love to have that Duke. I've got big hands (you know what they say about guys with big hands* and cannot for the life of me find a Duke controller anymore. The last one I had has woefully been used and abused and cannot work worth a damn. Please Trixie, for the love of all that is good and decent, please send me that Duke. Fun fact: My dearly departed father used to call me "Duke" as a pet name.
Stungib
Honolulu, Hawaii
*They wear big gloves! ;-)
I love the Duke not only because it is the greatest control designed for us gamers with big hands, but because I have many fond memories playing my old Xbox games like Halo and Fuzion Frenzy® that are truly enjoyed at a whole new level with the Duke controller. The design of the Duke is really amazing. I love way that the buttons are like eggs instead of the flatness on the new controllers. It makes it so much easier to tell when you are gliding your hands from one button to the other. I also appreciated the way that the right thumbstick had a smaller thumb cradle than the other thumbstick because it let me control my aim better in first-person shooters.
I deserve the Duke controller because my old one is sooo worn out even though I washed my hands every time I touched it and took perfect care of it. I played too much Halo with it and the thumbsticks just wore out. After Halo 2 came out my Duke became so out of shape that I had to use an S controller to keep up with the competition. I would love to have the feeling of holding a Duke controller just to get the feeling of the good old days. After playing with it, I would keep it in a safe place until my kids grow old enough to play whatever comes out after Xbox 360 so that I can show them how much gaming has changed.
ZafierX
That fat-ass controller reminds me of all
the time I spent playing with my friends.
The Duke controller was the most comfortable and well designed controller I have ever held in my hands. I think I must be in the minority when it comes to people loving the Duke. Every aspect of the controller to me was great. Its large meaty size felt convertible in my hands. The black and white buttons were placed within reach of my left forefinger so I didn't have to slide my hand down the controller. The triggers made it feel like I was firing an actual gun, but they also had enough travel to make very precise gas and break pedals. I really miss that the controller, and I think it's a shame that it's only found used after other people have had their grubby hands on it.
I refuse to use the S Controller … to me the Duke was the only real Xbox controller. Please send me one of the last ones. It will go to a good home, and will be forever enshrined above my TV never to be removed from the package.
DustoMan
I'd love a Duke controller! I have big hands and I feel the Controller S just isn't working for me. It's waayy too small. Please! Please! send me a Duke!!! … Both my hands are in need badly! My gaming future depends on it
DrIsKaL
Ontario, Canada
The Duke to many was like the little ugly kitten that no one wanted to give attention to. I on the other hand, welcomed that kitten, fed it, loved it, and gave it a welcome and warm home to live. This is how I view the Duke fatty … and I will take care of it. That and my hands are kinda large.
haulis
I think I deserve the Duke because I miss playing all of my old Xbox games with the Duke, I had to send my old Xbox in to get a new one. I think it would be sweet to play some of the new games with the Duke as well, like Half-Life® 2! Since I can't go to E3 cause I'm not 21 but a legal adult I should get the Duke (j/k j/k … ).
MGS0LID
I really want that Duke. Why, you ask? Because that fat-ass controller reminds me of all the time I spent playing Halo, Kung Fu Chaos™, and whatever sports game we felt like playing with my friends. In fact we actually started using it as a "reward" for whoever got last place in whatever game we played when the skinny controllers came out. That controller meant a lot to me because I sucked at Kung Fu Chaos and Project Gotham Racing®. You may be wondering why I don't just get up and buy the controller off one of my friends. It's because most of them moved away back in 2004 and I haven't seen them since.
Richard
I want one because, recently, my launch Duke bit the big one. I loved it so! It makes me sad that they are extinct. I'd really love to have one.
And now a haiku about the beloved Duke:
Oh Duke big and black
I want to hold you once more
Please come back to me
GrimLX1
Florida
I want that Duke because it's like the Cadillac of console controls. I have big hands, and the S Controller for me is like a small economy car. It gets the job done, but it's not as comfortable as a full-sized automobile with room to stretch out. My original Duke is old and busted, and poppa needs a new Cadillac to cruise around XBL with. My posture is suffering with the S controller!
Phat Man
I won't go into the typical, "I can only play with the Duke" whining. Instead, I'll tell you a little story about Duke and I. Ya see, back in the olden days of Xbox past, Duke served as sheriff of the land. He was a formidable sight in the eyes of the beholder, with quick and responsive reflexes. Duke and I served in many battles together, and he's never abandoned me yet. He's never showed signs of weakness or hesitation. Holding Duke is like going into battle with your trusted sidearm, knowing it will not jam and will fire true.
Now that Duke has retired, I welcome the last of his kin to my home with reverence. No children to drop strange liquids on him. Not even trusted friends are allowed to touch Duke. Duke is still my preferred weapon of choice and as long as my Xbox holds up, you can count on Duke to be right there by my side.
ROBOGriff
