Xbox Fan Creates Impressive Stained Glass Art of Duke Controller

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A skillful artisan has reimagined Xbox’‘s most notorious controller in the medium of stained glass, offering a distinctive and sentimental glimpse into the roots of the video game console empire. The Duke controller from Xbox carries nearly a 25-year legacy that can be traced to Microsoft’s initial game console, and although gamers criticized it originally, this latest work demonstrates there remains some fondness for it.

Back in 2001, I got my hands on the original Xbox console, and to be honest, I was hyped about the entry of a new competitor amidst Sega’s exit from the console market. However, Microsoft’s first controller, the Duke, wasn’t exactly a hit. It was bulky, had an oddly rounded shape, and frankly, it wasn’t very comfortable to hold. But hey, we didn’t have the sleek Xbox Controller S until 2002, which was a significant improvement in design and ergonomics. Despite its quirks, the gaming experience with the Duke left a lasting impression on me.

As a gaming enthusiast, I recently stumbled upon an extraordinary piece of art that’s been causing quite a stir among Xbox fans. While the official Duke controller remake for the Xbox One came out in 2018 with additional shoulder buttons, a dedicated artist named Cellocalypsedown on Reddit has taken it up a notch with a stunning stained-glass replica.

Though this masterpiece isn’t functional, its aesthetics are simply captivating and drawing plenty of attention. The intricate details, such as the dual thumbsticks, D-pad, six face buttons, and the large central circular feature, perfectly embody the essence of the original Duke controller.

Interestingly enough, it may lack the Xbox logo, but its distinctive shape is undeniably recognizable to Microsoft fans. Some even suggest that this stained glass artifact would fit seamlessly into an Xbox-themed church. One witty commenter humorously pointed out that the artist has managed to recreate the controller in a 1:1 scale – a feat that, while players might not have enjoyed using the Duke, plenty of us are now appreciating as a look back at its history.

Xbox Duke Controller’s Stained Glass Art Turns Heads

This artist has been repurposing gaming controllers into stunning stained-glass art for quite some time now. The very first stained-glass controller they showcased on their Instagram was an N64’s Legend of Zelda controller, with a green base and the Triforce emblem atop it, dating back over eight years. Since then, approximately 15 additional stained-glass controllers have been created, drawing inspiration from designs of the N64, GameCube, and Xbox.

This artist’s collection also features numerous stained-glass artworks based on video games, in addition to controllers. These encompass iconic characters like the bird trio from the initial Pokemon generation, Link’s shield from The Legend of Zelda series, and Sora’s keyblade from Kingdom Hearts. Although video games are a primary source of inspiration for this artist, there are also other exceptional pieces such as the logos of universities Georgia and Tennessee, an interpretation of the flying burger painting from Bob’s Burgers, and a representation of the boys from South Park in their anime style, inspired by season 8 episode “Good Times with Weapons.

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2025-07-27 23:11