Amazon is providing limited-time discounts on the superb 8BitDo Pro 3 Bluetooth Gamepad forward of the vacations. For those who’re eligible for the bonus coupon low cost, the GameCube-inspired purple and gray models are on sale for $50.39 and $50.37, respectively. That is the all-time greatest value for the Pro 3. Even the $55 deal on the G Classic model is barely higher than Amazon’s Black Friday deal ($56). The Pro 3 is bundled with an identical charging stand, an additional set of Tremendous Famicom-themed buttons, two units of sticks, a USB-C charging cable, and a USB-C wi-fi receiver that may be saved within the charging dock.
The entire Pro 3 Gamepad offers are shipped straight from Amazon, however every colour is discounted by two sellers (Amazon and 8BitDo) with separate listings. Solely Amazon is providing the additional coupon reductions, however we count on these offers to promote out quick. In case that occurs, the button on the high of this story leads you to an Amazon web page with all the offers on the Pro 3.
The Pro 3 has 2.4GHz Wi-fi and Bluetooth help on Nintendo Change, Change 2, and PC. It is also suitable over Bluetooth on Steam Deck, Apple units, and Android smartphones and tablets. Quite a few enhancements and impactful new options make the Pro 3 a worthwhile improve, together with together with 4 additional remappable buttons, TMR joysticks, set off locks, magnetic face buttons.
All that mentioned, if you happen to’re purchasing on a tighter funds, the Pro 2 remains to be an important controller for Change 1/2, PC, Mac, and cellular units. Amazon has the 8BitDo Pro 2 with Corridor Impact sticks for $38 (was $50).
Amazon additionally has good offers on 8BitDo’s flagship Final 2 Controller. PC gamers can get the 2.4GHz model for $47.59 (was $60) in a number of colours. The limited-edition Honkai: Star Rail Edition with a journey case and extra goodies is $63 (was $70), and the Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Edition is right down to $52 (was $65). Nintendo gamers might want to seize the Ultimate 2 Bluetooth, which is out there for $56 (was $70). These costs match Black Friday offers. Amazon has a number of different limited-time deals on 8BitDo controllers.
Editor’s Observe: Article up to date December 18. Learn our unique 8BitDo Pro 3 evaluation and shopping for information under:
$50.39 (was $70) | For Switch 2, Switch, PC/Mac, Mobile, SteamOS
Here is a rundown of the 8BitDo Pro 3’s specs, elements, and customization options.
8BitDo Pro 3 Specs & Options:
- Out there in: Purple, G Basic, Grey, Orange
- Contains matching charging dock
- Connections & Supported Platforms:
- 2.4GHz Wi-fi: Change 1/2, PC
- Bluetooth: Change 1/2, SteamOS, Apple, Android
- Wired: Change 1/2, PC, Android
- 4 additional remappable buttons:
- 2 again triggers
- 2 microswitch shoulder buttons
- Swappable TMR Joysticks (Tunnel Magnetoresistance)
- Put on-resistant metallic stick rings
- Additional pair of ball-top arcade stick caps
- Change set off kind by flipping switches:
- Corridor Impact Triggers
- Non-linear Microswitch Triggers
- Tactile D-pad
- Textured grips
- Magnetic ABXY face buttons:
- Swap A/B & X/Y for Nintendo or Xbox format
- Additional set of unlabeled face buttons
- Tremendous Famicom-inspired pink, yellow, inexperienced, blue
- Turbo Button
- Profile Button
- Enter mode change: D/S/X
- Twin-motor rumble
- 6-axis Movement Controls
- Battery: 1,000mAh
- Battery life: As much as 20 hours
- Weight: 242.4 grams
- Dimensions: 153.6 x 100.5 x 64.55mm
Customise controls with 8BitDo Final Software program V2:
- Remap inputs
- Create customized profiles
- Calibrate lifeless zones
- Alter stick/set off sensitivity
- Alter rumble depth
- Alter movement management sensitivity
Gallery
I’ve found the Pro 3 to be as big of an upgrade as the Ultimate 2 was compared to its predecessor. The D-pad is noticeably better than the one on the Pro 2, and it’s awesome to have the extra pair of remappable claw buttons on the shoulders and the two trigger modes. Engaging the trigger locks turns R2 and L2 into microswitch buttons that are great for rapid fire or for when you want to map face button actions to the triggers. With six buttons on the shoulders, you can really mix-and-match control schemes to fit your personal preferences. The microswitches used for the back buttons also feel nicer and faster than the ones on the Pro 2.
8BitDo’s TMR sticks are smoother and more precise than the already-good Hall Effect sticks found on the Pro 2 and other older models. TMR electromagnetic sticks consume less power, and the tech is supposed to hold up better over time compared to Hall Effect. TMR is often presented as Hall Effect 2.0, as both operate via magnetic sensors, which eliminates the risk of stick drift. For an added layer of durability, 8BitDo’s sticks also have wear-resistant metal rings.
The 8BitDo Pro 3 costs $20 more than the Pro 2, but the $70 price point aligns with the Ultimate 2 Bluetooth, the manufacturer’s flagship controller that supports both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections. The Pro 2, meanwhile, only supported Bluetooth wireless and didn’t come with a charging dock. The new version is the first non-Ultimate controller with a charging dock. A 2.4GHz USB-C dongle is stored in the bottom of the dock. The addition of 2.4GHz Wireless is certainly welcome, as it offers a faster and more stable connection with higher polling rates.
Like the Ultimate 2, the Pro 3 can be viewed as an alternative to the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. Nintendo’s official controller feels nice and even has a pair of again buttons, however there is not any denying that 8BitDo’s pair of premium gamepads are extra versatile because of its suite of bodily modifications and programmable customization choices.
There are a few variations between the Pro 3 and Final 2 Bluetooth. The Final 2 sequence has rings across the sticks with adjustable RGB lighting results. The Pro 3 has an upgraded D-pad with improved tactile suggestions. Apparently, the G Basic version has a sequence of raised ridges–three in every direction–whereas the purple and grey fashions have the acquainted directional arrows as a substitute. I did not check the G Basic, so I can not touch upon any tangible variations, however the D-pad on the purple Pro 3 feels higher to me than the Final 2’s D-pad.
The Pro 3’s coolest new customization possibility is the power to swap face buttons. On the underside of the charging dock there is a storage compartment for the two.4GHz adapter. On the within of the quilt, you will additionally discover the 4 additional face buttons and a small plunger-like instrument used to take away the buttons. It solely takes a second to swap out the complete set of buttons.
Past altering up the look of your controller, you may make a sensible change: Swapping A/B and X/Y to align with the Xbox button format. Contemplating the Xbox button format is commonly considered as the usual on PC, this can be a nice customization function for many who play on PC/Mac, Steam Deck, and cellular. The Pro 3 does not help Xbox consoles, however you should utilize it for Xbox Cloud Gaming. And since you possibly can absolutely remap the controls utilizing 8BitDo’s Final Software program V2, you may even the swap the buttons and alter the controls in order that when a Nintendo recreation prompts you to press Y, you’re nonetheless urgent Y even when it is up high as a substitute.
With the Final 2 sequence, the Bluetooth mannequin will work on all the identical platforms because the Pro 3, but it surely has the Nintendo button format. To get the Xbox format, you’d have to buy the Final 2 with out Bluetooth. This protects you 10 bucks, however the 2.4GHz model of the Ultimate 2 is not suitable with Nintendo consoles. The Final sequence has at all times had a separate 2.4GHz mannequin for PC gamers and a barely costlier mannequin that provides Bluetooth and Change help. There’s nothing flawed with that launch mannequin, particularly for many who aren’t excited by Nintendo consoles. Nevertheless it’s cool that 8BitDo created a built-in answer for many who have points with Nintendo’s management format on different platforms.
Gallery
The ball-top stick caps really feel extra like a throw-in bonus versus a function 8BitDo expects to turn out to be a preferred different to traditional sticks. The producer mentioned they designed the caps “purely for enjoyable.” After attempting them out, I truly suppose they’re fairly cool for brief spurts, however the spherical form naturally is not the perfect from an ergonomics perspective. Your thumbs would in all probability begin to damage if you happen to used them constantly like conventional joysticks. I additionally experimented by putting the controller on my desk and holding the stick like a (tiny) arcade stick whereas enjoying Galaga. Once more, not as unhealthy as I anticipated, however the ball-top sticks actually are extra of a novelty than a sensible different for the superb conventional stick caps.
With 8BitDo’s Final Software program V2 app, you possibly can modify stick, set off, and movement management sensitivities, create lifeless zones, modify rumble depth, and remap inputs. As much as three distinctive management configurations will be saved on to the controller, and you may cycle by way of them on the fly by urgent the profile button.
8BitDo Wi-fi Controllers for Change 2
The Pro 3 and Final 2 Bluetooth aren’t the one 8BitDo wi-fi controllers suitable with Nintendo Change 2. We have rounded up a listing under: