The new 8BitDo Pro 3 gamepad is open for pre-order now
The Pro 3 gamepad will be compatible with the recently released Nintendo Switch 2 as well as the original Switch. It will also work with Windows PC, SteamOS, Apple and Android devices and has both Bluetooth and wired USB connection options. The controller's feature set includes TMR joysticks and triggers that can operate with Hall effect or in non-linear micro-switch mode. It also sports extra bumpers, two Pro paddle buttons for the back of the device and swappable magnetic ABXY buttons. The gamepad comes with a charging dock and a pair of ball-top joystick caps for that more arcade feel. On the aesthetic front, this retro-style controller is available in purple, gray, or white models.
We're big fans of the peripheral brand's previous generation 8BitDo Pro 2 , so having a refreshed version with some improvements on the joysticks and triggers is a worth a look.
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Tom's Guide
5 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
8BitDo debuts swappable buttons on the updated Pro 3 controller
After dropping the Ultimate 2 update earlier this year, 8BitDo just released a new version of its Pro controller in the Pro 3 that could be a contender for our list of best controllers. Unlike the the Ultimate 2, the Pro models feature symmetrical joystick layouts like the PlayStation DualSense. What differentiates the Pro 3 from its predecessors is the upgraded drift-resistant TMR (Tunnel Magneto Resistance) technology, which involves quantum tunneling and ferromagnets to produce precise levels of accuracy and reduce stick drift. The big noticeable difference will be the swappable ABXY buttons, the first time such an option has been available on an 8BitDo controller. Now you can move the buttons around to reflect more of a Switch or Xbox layout. Available for pre-order: 8BitDo's updated Pro 3 controller is the first from the peripheral maker to feature swappable ABXY buttons plus arcade-style ball-top cappers for the joysticks. It can connect to your PC, Xbox, Switch, Apple or Android device and features a 1,000 mAh battery that promises 20 hours of gameplay. Additionally, there's a 1,000 mAh rechargeable battery which 8BitDo says will get up to 20 hours of gameplay on a full charge, but this battery is not removable. The controller can still be used via USB if the battery dies. The Pro 3 looks much like the Pro 2 but it has gained a couple of new buttons including a pair of smaller shoulder buttons. Alongside the buttons there will be a pair of arcade-style ball-top caps for the joysticks. The updates do come with a price increase. When the Pro 2 launched in 2021 it cost $49.99, but the new Pro 3s will set you back $69.99. The controllers come with a charging dock that also has a storage niche for its 2.4GHz dongle. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. The 8BitDo Pro 3 will launch on August 12, 2025, but you can pre-order it now. It comes in three color options meant to match some now "retro" consoles: gray (PlayStation), classic (Game Boy), and purple (GameCube). The Pro 3 is compatible with Android, SteamOS, the Nintendo Switch and the Switch 2, as well as Apple devices. It supports Bluetooth, USB and wireless 2.4GHz connectivity. If you're not ready to buy a new controller for your Switch or Switch 2, you could also try the $20 8BitDo USB wireless adapter 2 that can connect a massive of list of controllers to your PC or console. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Engadget
9 hours ago
- Engadget
The new 8BitDo Pro 3 gamepad is open for pre-order now
With so many different handheld gaming devices entering the market, having a flexible gamepad that works with many different hardware platforms can be a valuable addition to your gear collection. A promising new option arrived today with the pre-order announcement of the 8BitDo Pro 3 . This controller retails for $70 and is due to start shipping on August 12. The Pro 3 gamepad will be compatible with the recently released Nintendo Switch 2 as well as the original Switch. It will also work with Windows PC, SteamOS, Apple and Android devices and has both Bluetooth and wired USB connection options. The controller's feature set includes TMR joysticks and triggers that can operate with Hall effect or in non-linear micro-switch mode. It also sports extra bumpers, two Pro paddle buttons for the back of the device and swappable magnetic ABXY buttons. The gamepad comes with a charging dock and a pair of ball-top joystick caps for that more arcade feel. On the aesthetic front, this retro-style controller is available in purple, gray, or white models. We're big fans of the peripheral brand's previous generation 8BitDo Pro 2 , so having a refreshed version with some improvements on the joysticks and triggers is a worth a look.
The Verge
13 hours ago
- The Verge
The Pro 3 is 8BitDo's first controller with swappable buttons
8BitDo has released a new version of its wireless Pro controller that was last updated in 2021. Many of 8BitDo's recent controller releases, including the Ultimate 2, feature an asymmetrical joystick layout like Nintendo and Microsoft use. But the new Pro 3 mirrors the design of the PlayStation DualSense controller, with side-by-side sticks that are now upgraded with drift-resistant TMR technology. The Pro 3 is also 8BitDo's first controller that lets you easily swap the arrangement of its ABXY buttons. The 8BitDo Pro 2 launched at $49.99 four years ago, but the new Pro 3 is debuting with a slightly steeper $69.99 price. 8BitDo has also switched to using a 1,000mAh rechargeable battery for the Pro 3, and while the company says it offers up to 20 hours of gameplay on a full charge, it's not removable. The Pro 3 includes a convenient charging dock that doubles as storage for its 2.4GHz dongle. When the controller dies, it can still be used while connected to a console via USB, and it will charge while you play. The Pro 3 is available for preorder starting today and officially will be on sale on August 12th. There are three color options, each of which matches different retro consoles: gray (PlayStation), G classic (Game Boy), and purple (GameCube). The Pro 3's design is nearly identical to the Pro 2, but it's gained a few extra buttons. It carries forward the Pro 2's back buttons while introducing an additional set of smaller shoulder buttons. Its triggers also use Hall effect sensors for improved accuracy and durability, while newly added switches let you choose a longer trigger for racing games or a shorter one for faster reaction times in FPS titles. Compatibility includes support for Windows, Android, both Switch consoles (with waking capabilities), SteamOS (you can shake the controller to wake the OLED Steam Deck), and Apple's hardware, with Bluetooth, USB, or wireless 2.4GHz connectivity. Out of the box, the Pro 3 uses the Xbox's button layout, but you can swap the A and B buttons to match Nintendo Switch controllers, or rearrange them all to whatever layout you prefer. The Pro 3 works with 8BitDo's Ultimate Software V2 so that you can remap the layout, and the controller can store and switch between three different custom profiles. Although the ergonomics are questionable, 8BitDo is also including a pair of arcade-style ball-top caps that can be attached to the Pro 3's joysticks.
