Xbox One Elite controller will be in short supply 'through November,' Microsoft says

The Xbox Elite Wireless Controller, Microsoft's new high-end gamepad for the Xbox One, is sold out pretty much everywhere, and according to the company, that's going to be the case for a while.

Microsoft released the peripheral Oct. 27 alongside Halo 5: Guardians. You may not have expected Xbox One owners to snatch up a $149.99 controller — the console's standard wireless controller retails for $59.99 — but that's exactly what happened. On launch day, with many retailers reporting that they were sold out, Microsoft said in a statement to GamesBeat that it was "thrilled at the amount of interest" in the device and that it "[looked] forward to replenishing inventory in time for the holidays."

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If you're hoping to secure an Xbox Elite controller as a holiday gift, don't expect to be able to do so until after Black Friday. Reached for comment today, a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed to Polygon that the controller is "sold out in many retailers around the world." The rep continued, "We expect more units to arrive at retailers each week but supply may be limited through November."

Of course, if December is the soonest that Microsoft can replenish stock of the Xbox Elite controller, then shoppers may find themselves in a mad dash to buy the gamepads in time for holiday gift giving when the units do return to store shelves.

Microsoft's statement did point out an alternative for people who are looking to pick up an Xbox One console as well as the fancy controller: the Xbox One Elite Bundle. That package includes an Xbox One console with a 1 TB solid-state hybrid drive and an Elite controller. It will be available for $499 starting tomorrow, Nov. 3, at GameStop and the Microsoft Store.

For more on what the Xbox Elite controller can do, press play below for our deep dive into the hardware itself and the customization app that goes along with it.