SteelSeries Introduces Stratus XL Full-Sized Game Controller for iOS

SteelSeries today announced the Stratus XL, a full-sized console-like gaming controller for iPhone, IPod Touch and iPad devices. The controller uses bluetooth to connect to your iOS device to bring a unique gaming experience.

The controller features a console-style layout with a pressure sensitive D-Pad, 4 action buttons, dual analog sticks and 4 other shoulder buttons.

“We have been working for well over a year now on perfecting the wireless controller experience for iOS devices. We have been incredibly impressed by the way the SteelSeries Stratus has been received by consumers so far and we are looking forward to introducing the Stratus XL to the iOS gaming community – who have been asking for a full-sized controller option,” said Tino Soelberg, SteelSeries CTO. “The Stratus XL was designed to meet their demands, delivered with the premium features and top-to-bottom quality expected from SteelSeries.”

The Stratus XL Wireless Gaming Controller features a console-style layout with a pressure-sensitive directional pad (D-pad), 4 pressure-sensitive action buttons along with a total of 4 shoulder buttons – 2 pressure-sensitive top shoulder buttons and 2 analog trigger bottom shoulder buttons. In addition to dual analog sticks, Stratus XL includes a dedicated pairing button to connect to iOS devices via Bluetooth and a convenient on/off switch to save on power. The Stratus XL will deliver an estimated 40 hours of gameplay with two standard AA batteries; a battery life indicator is located on the underside of the device.

Similar to the Stratus, the highly-rated wireless iOS controller that launched earlier this year at CES, the new controller features red LED indicator lights found in the middle of the controller that displays the number of controllers or players connected during multi-player gameplay – allowing up to 4 controllers to connect to a single device.

The controller does require iOS 7 and is compatible with same games the original Stratus controller supported like GTA: San Andreas, Minigore 2, Asphalt 8, NBA 2K14 and much more.

The Stratus XL gaming controller will be available later this year on the SteelSeries website, and at other select retailers. No word on pricing yet.


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