8BitDo has revealed the successor to its fashionable Pro 2 Bluetooth Controller. Formally known as the Pro 3 Bluetooth Gamepad, the upcoming controller retains the shape issue of the Pro 2 whereas implementing a few of the enhanced options discovered within the Ultimate 2 Bluetooth, akin to TMR joysticks and set off locks. It additionally has a couple of totally new options not discovered on different 8BitDo controllers, together with swappable magnetic face buttons and an additional pair of arcade-inspired ball-top stick caps.
The 8BitDo Pro 3 Bluetooth Gamepad is on the market to preorder now at Amazon for $70 forward of its August 12 launch. It is available in three retro-themed colours: G Classic, Gray, and a shade of purple that pays homage to the Nintendo GameCube. All three fashions include matching charging docks and a set ball-top arcade stick toppers that may be swapped in for the normal rubberized caps. Out of the field, the Pro 3 is appropriate with Swap 2, Swap, PC, Android, Apple units, and Steam Deck.
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Here’s a rundown of the 8BitDo Pro 3’s specs, components, and customization features.
8BitDo Pro 3 Specs & Features:
- Available in: Purple, G Classic, Gray
- Consists of matching charging dock
- Connections & Supported Platforms:
- 2.4GHz Wi-fi: Swap 1/2, PC
- Bluetooth: Swap 1/2, SteamOS, Apple, Android
- Wired: Swap 1/2, PC, Android
- 4 additional remappable buttons:
- 2 again triggers
- 2 microswitch shoulder buttons
- Swappable TMR Joysticks (Tunnel Magnetoresistance)
- Put on-resistant steel 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
- Turbo Button
- Profile Button shops 3 customized management layouts
- Enter mode swap: D/S/X
- Twin-motor rumble
- 6-axis Movement Controls
- Battery: 1,000mAh
- Battery life: TBA, however seemingly 20+ hours utilizing Bluetooth
- 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
- Modify stick/set off sensitivity
- Modify rumble depth
- Modify movement management sensitivity
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In the event you favor PlayStation-style aligned thumbsticks and/or usually play a variety of video games which can be higher suited to D-pad motion controls, the Pro 3 seems to be like a robust choice. As soon as we get our arms on the Pro 3, we’ll replace this text with our expertise. For the time being, the Pro 2 is our prime choose for Swap gamers preferring this management format. Equally, that is how we felt in regards to the original Ultimate Controller earlier than testing the Final 2 sequence, which provides a markedly improved expertise. Briefly, the Pro 3 ought to in all probability be in your radar.
The 8BitDo Pro 3 prices $20 greater than the Pro 2, however the $70 value level aligns with the Final 2 Bluetooth, the producer’s flagship controller that helps each 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections. The Pro 2, in the meantime, solely supported Bluetooth wi-fi and did not include a charging dock. The brand new model is the primary non-Final controller with a charging dock. A 2.4GHz USB-C dongle is saved within the backside of the dock. The Pro sequence has all the time felt like the choice flagship choice for many who favor PlayStation over Xbox management layouts, and the Pro 3’s specs solidify that.
Just like the Final 2, the Pro 3 may be considered as a substitute for the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. Nintendo’s official controller feels nice and even has a pair of again buttons, however there is no denying that 8BitDo’s pair of premium gamepads are extra versatile because of its suite of bodily modifications and programmable customization choices.
The TMR sticks on the Final 2 are superior, so it is thrilling to see the tech added to the Pro sequence. 8BitDo’s TMR sticks are noticeably smoother, extra correct, eat much less energy, and are mentioned to be much more sturdy than the Corridor Impact sticks discovered on the Pro 2, Final, and different older controllers within the assortment. Like Corridor Impact, TMR sticks use magnetic sensors to register actions; this naturally reduces put on and prevents stick-drift points from arising over time.
Together with the TMR sticks, the Pro 3 mirrors the Final 2’s remappable buttons and set off changes. It has two remappable again buttons and two additional shoulder buttons which can be activated by microswitches. In the event you flip the switches on the again, the Corridor Impact triggers change into non-linear microswitch triggers. The latter shortens the pull distance, successfully turning the triggers into speedy buttons.
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. Curiously, the G Traditional 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.
The Pro 3 additionally has a customization choice that might be a giant deal for some gamers: swappable face buttons. Contained in the field, you will discover a small device to take away the magnetic ABXY buttons. You may then reverse A/B and X/Y to suit your choice for Nintendo’s and Microsoft’s button format. Although the Pro 3 would not supply Xbox console assist, you should use it for Xbox Cloud Gaming in addition to for video games you might have put in on Steam Deck, Home windows, cellular units, and so forth. Xbox’s management format, with Y on prime and A on the underside, is usually thought of the default for any platform not made by Nintendo or PlayStation.
With the Final 2 sequence, it’s worthwhile to buy the 2.4GHz-only model to get the Xbox format and the Bluetooth mannequin for Nintendo compatibility. The Final sequence has all the time had a separate 2.4GHz mannequin for PC gamers and a barely costlier mannequin that provides Bluetooth and Swap assist. There’s nothing unsuitable with that launch mannequin, particularly for many who aren’t all for Nintendo consoles. However it’s cool that 8BitDo created a built-in answer for many who have points with Nintendo’s management format on different platforms. You could possibly even remap the buttons after switching their areas to make use of Xbox’s format on Swap.
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In accordance with 8BitDo, the ball-top stick caps have been “made purely for enjoyable,” however we’re trying ahead to checking them out. No matter whether or not they really feel sensible to make use of, they appear fairly cool on the Pro 3 and are themed across the controller’s colour. As an illustration, the retro grey NES/SNES-inspired mannequin comes with a pair of pink ball-top caps. In the event you go for the GameCube-themed purple version, you will get yellow ball-tops.
With 8BitDo’s Final Software program V2 app, you’ll be able to alter stick, set off, and movement management sensitivities, create lifeless zones, modify rumble depth, and remap inputs. As much as three distinctive management configurations may be saved on to the controller, and you’ll cycle by means of them on the fly by urgent the profile button.
8BitDo is having a giant 12 months
The Pro 3 is simply the most recent main addition to 8BitDo’s spectacular accent lineup in 2025. As talked about, the Final 2 and Final 2 Bluetooth each launched earlier this 12 months. Earlier than that, 8BitDo kicked off the 12 months by introducing a transparent green mechanical keyboard and mouse which can be formally licensed by Xbox. The Retro R8 Mouse was 8BitDo’s first 2.4GHz gaming mouse, and another NES-inspired model adopted a couple of months later.
Earlier this month, 8BitDo launched its first devoted cellular controller with iPhone compatibility. The $50 Ultimate Mobile Bluetooth Controller is licensed by Xbox and may maintain all iPhone editions in addition to most Android telephones. And this week, 8BitDo launched a pair of all-button struggle pads for Swap/PC and Xbox/PC.
8BitDo’s Pro 3 and the All-Button Arcade Controller will work with Nintendo Swap 2 out of the field, however in case you purchase the Final 2 or one of many different 8BitDo controllers with Swap 2 assist, you’ll seemingly must replace the controller’s firmware to get it to sync with the console. You may check out the Amazon hub we created for 8BitDo’s Switch 2 controllers. We included a number of of the identical mannequin as a result of 8BitDo controllers usually have a number of retailer pages hosted by completely different respected sellers with Amazon achievement, and the costs can fluctuate from day after day.
If you wish to examine the Pro 3 and Final 2 Bluetooth to Nintendo’s official controller, Amazon finally has the Switch 2 Pro Controller in stock for $84 ($1 under MSRP).