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TCA Sidestick X vs TCA Sidestick Airbus Edition: which do you need?

Short answer

For Xbox, buy TCA Sidestick X (Airbus Edition) or Captain Pack X.

The lookalike TCA Sidestick Airbus Edition (no “X”) is PC-only. It will not work on Xbox Series X|S.

SKU	Xbox	PC	Notes
TCA Sidestick X Airbus Edition	Yes	Yes	Xbox+PC stick; hub ports for TCA Airbus quadrant / supported rudders per Thrustmaster manual
TCA Sidestick Airbus Edition (non-X)	No	Yes	PC-only. Easy wrong buy if packaging looks similar
Captain Pack X	Yes	Yes	Bundle path for Xbox buyers (confirm pack contents on Thrustmaster / retailer listing)

Microsoft’s peripherals table lists “TCA Sidestick” as PC only and “TCA Sidestick X” as PC + Xbox. Match that before you check out.

Find yours: Sidestick X · non-X Sidestick · TCA Quadrant Airbus

How to tell them apart

Use this checklist at the store or on a product page:

Name has an “X” - Sidestick X Airbus Edition (or Captain Pack X) for Xbox. No X usually means PC Airbus Edition.
Xbox / PC selector - Sidestick X has a mode selector for Xbox vs PC. Non-X sticks do not unlock console play.
Xbox labeling / button cues - packaging and the stick itself call out Xbox Series X|S when it is the X SKU.
Microsoft / Thrustmaster tables - if the listing says PC only, it is not the Xbox stick.

They look similar on a shelf. The letter X in the product name is the fastest filter.

Xbox connection basics

Per Thrustmaster’s Sidestick X materials and support KB 1767 (“How to connect and use the TCA Sidestick X Airbus Edition to play on Xbox console”):

Set the Xbox / PC selector to Xbox.
Connect the stick direct USB to the console (follow Thrustmaster’s current steps in KB 1767).
Install / enable as a local Xbox peripheral per the same KB.
Launch MSFS and map in Controls.

Do not daisy-chain through unsupported USB hubs. Re-read KB 1767 before first boot. Steps can change.

Full Xbox context: Xbox flight sim controls.

What plugs into the Sidestick X on Xbox

Sidestick X acts as an ecosystem hub on Xbox: one USB to the console, and supported Thrustmaster add-ons ride through the stick.

From the TCA Sidestick X Airbus Edition user manual:

Type-A USB ports for devices such as the TCA Quadrant Airbus Edition (with or without add-ons) and listed rudders (TPR, TFRP).
On Xbox, devices on those Type-A ports merge with the stick. They may not show as separate Controllers entries the way they do on PC.

Supported devices per Thrustmaster’s Sidestick X manual / KB 1767.

The Airbus quadrant does not plug into the Xbox alone for a documented path. It goes through Sidestick X (or another Thrustmaster Xbox hub path Thrustmaster lists).

Captain Pack X vs buying pieces

Captain Pack X is the Xbox-oriented bundle path Thrustmaster launched with Sidestick X. Use it when you want stick + matching Airbus pieces in one purchase.

Buying pieces:

Start with TCA Sidestick X.
Add TCA Quadrant Airbus Edition if you want thrust levers through the stick’s hub ports.
Add rudders only if they are on Thrustmaster’s Xbox-supported list for Sidestick X (manual / KB).

Do not mix Officer Pack, Captain Pack, and Captain Pack X names. Only the X pack is the Xbox bundle label in this family. Confirm exact included SKUs on Thrustmaster’s current product page or your retailer listing before you buy.

PC players: which stick?

PC only, cheapest Airbus look: non-X TCA Sidestick Airbus Edition is fine.
PC now, Xbox later (or both): buy Sidestick X. It works on PC too, so you do not rebuy the stick when you add a console.

If you already own non-X on PC and want Xbox, you need Sidestick X (or another Xbox-licensed stick). The Hub-style ports on X do not retrofit onto the non-X stick.

Multi-sim

MSFS on Xbox: Sidestick X path only for this family.
MSFS / X-Plane on PC: both X and non-X sticks can work with binding. Treat X-Plane as bind-and-verify, not “plug and forget.”
DCS on PC: possible with binding on PC. Do not claim console DCS for Sidestick X unless Thrustmaster and the game list it.
PS5: do not claim Sidestick X PS5 support unless Thrustmaster lists it. Treat as none.

Each product page shows the maker-sourced status for MSFS 2024, X-Plane 12 and DCS.

FAQ

Does the TCA Sidestick Airbus Edition (non-X) work on Xbox?

No. It is PC-only. You need TCA Sidestick X Airbus Edition (or Captain Pack X).

What does the “X” mean?

In this line, X marks the Xbox + PC SKU (Sidestick X / Captain Pack X), not just “extra.” Non-X Airbus Edition stays on PC.

Does Captain Pack X include the quadrant?

Confirm on the current Thrustmaster Captain Pack X page or retailer listing. Pack contents can vary by region and revision. Do not assume from older Officer / Captain (non-X) packs.

Can the Airbus quadrant plug into the Xbox alone?

No for the documented Xbox path. On Xbox it connects through Sidestick X (devices merge with the stick). Follow the Sidestick X manual and KB 1767.

Does Sidestick X work on PC?

Yes. Set the selector to PC and use it like other Thrustmaster TCA sticks. That is why X is the safer buy if Xbox is even a maybe.

Know it fits before you fly. Check the SKU name for that X, then find yours at a retailer.

Maker sources

Pages behind this guide. Last checked 2026-10-21.