Xbox is selling two Gears of War: E-Day controllers ahead of the game’s launch. One is a ready-made Limited Edition Xbox Wireless Controller priced at $89.99, and the other is a customizable version built through Xbox Design Lab. Both draw their look from the Locust invasion, and both are timed to arrive just before the game itself.
Quick answer: Pre-order the $89.99 Gears of War: E-Day Limited Edition Xbox Wireless Controller now at Xbox.com, the Microsoft Store, or a participating local retailer. The Xbox Design Lab custom version becomes available to build on September 30.
Where to buy and how much each version costs
There are two ways to own a Gears of War: E-Day controller. The pre-made Limited Edition unit is available to reserve right now, while the Design Lab version opens for building on September 30. Both ship on September 30, one week before the game arrives.
| Version | Price | Where to get it | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limited Edition Xbox Wireless Controller | $89.99 | Xbox.com, Microsoft Store, participating retailers worldwide | Pre-order now; ships September 30, 2026 |
| Xbox Design Lab custom controller | Varies by options chosen | Xbox Design Lab (Xbox.com) | Build tool opens September 30, 2026 |
To reserve the standalone controller directly, use the official Microsoft Store pre-order page, which lists a $89.99 price and free two to three day shipping in the United States.
What the Limited Edition controller looks like
The pre-made controller is styled after the E-holes that tear open across Sera. The front carries 3D molded, laser-etched cracked asphalt with red, glowing cracks that expose the Crimson Omen underneath. It is a Series X|S wireless pad at heart, so the ergonomics and controls are the same as a standard Xbox controller.
The rest of the design leans into the same battle-worn theme:
- Blacked-out ABXY buttons with a transparent red X button
- Matching red triggers and a transparent D-pad
- A dark silver metallic COG tag printed on the battery door for “Never Fight Alone”
- Rubberized, leather-like back and side grips with added texture
On the hardware side, it offers up to 40 hours of battery life, Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth connectivity, a dedicated Share button, remappable buttons through the Xbox Accessories app, and a 3.5mm audio jack. It works with Xbox Series X|S, PC, cloud, and other supported devices.
The Xbox Design Lab custom version
Starting September 30, you can build your own Gears of War: E-Day controller through Xbox Design Lab. The centerpiece is a custom top case featuring artwork from heavy metal illustrator Luke Preece, showing a skull perched on crossed Lancers surrounded by more skulls and battle damage.
From there, you can personalize the controller with metallic triggers and D-pads, rubberized side and back grips, and a custom engraving. Pricing depends on the options you select, so the final cost will differ from the fixed $89.99 Limited Edition unit.
The matching 8BitDo charging dock
Alongside the controllers, there is an officially licensed 8BitDo Ultimate Charging Dock for Xbox Controllers in a Gears of War: E-Day theme. It includes an 8BitDo rechargeable battery pack and works with both Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One wireless controllers.
The dock uses magnetic alignment for drop-and-charge placement and has built-in protection against overcharging and overheating. It is designed as a companion piece to the Limited Edition controller.
Release timing and confirmation
Both controllers ship on September 30, 2026. Gears of War: E-Day itself launches on October 6, 2026 for Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store, and Xbox Game Pass. That means the controllers land about a week before the game.
Once your pre-order goes through, the retailer will show an order confirmation with the September 30 ship date. If you want to see either controller in person before buying, both are on public display at the Xbox booth at gamescom 2026, where the E-Day campaign is also playable for the first time.