8BitDo’s first wireless Xbox controller is a surprise Rare collaboration

8BitDo’s caller wireless Xbox controller.

8BitDo has created its archetypal wireless Xbox controller successful concern with Rare, a crippled workplace acquired by Microsoft. The officially licensed controller features a golden and bluish design, with plentifulness of Easter eggs to observe Rare’s 40th anniversary.

The $89.99 8BitDo Ultimate 3-mode Controller for Xbox — Rare 40th Anniversary Edition (yes, that’s the merchandise name!) tin link to an Xbox console via a 2.4GHz wireless transportation oregon a USB-C cable. The wireless transportation works done a tiny USB dongle and not Microsoft’s autochthonal Xbox Wireless protocol. You tin besides usage Bluetooth to link the controller to mobile devices.

This Rare peculiar variation controller is fundamentally a wireless mentation of 8BitDo’s existing Ultimate three-mode controller. 8BitDo is utilizing the aforesaid hallway effect joysticks and Xbox-style impulse triggers, but determination are besides 2 swappable silicone joystick caps included. One is simply a skull from Sea of Thieves, and the different is simply a jigsaw puzzle portion that Rare fans volition instantly admit from Banjo-Kazooie. The tactile D-pad is made from zinc alloy and matches the controller’s golden aesthetic.

You’ll besides beryllium capable to programme 3 profiles connected this controller, which includes configuring the 2 backmost buttons astatine the rear. All of the customization tin beryllium done utilizing 8BitDo’s Ultimate bundle that lets you remap buttons, set the ranges and centrifugal tensity of triggers, acceptable vibration levels, and customize each instrumentality for much precise control.

As this controller is wireless, it has a 1,000mAh artillery inside, which 8BitDo suggests volition present 20 hours of playtime. The rechargeable artillery takes astir 4 hours to afloat charge, and there’s adjacent an integrated charging dock included successful the container that automatically reconnects the controller erstwhile you region it from the dock.

It’s astonishing to spot Rare, an Xbox crippled studio, crook to 8BitDo to make a 40th day controller alternatively of Microsoft conscionable creating its own. The collaboration comes arsenic Microsoft’s ain customized Xbox Design Lab controller has been connected clasp for months now. You tin inactive plan customized controllers, but Microsoft hasn’t been accepting purchases since past December — with nary motion of erstwhile Xbox Design Lab volition return.

8BitDo’s Rare 40th day Xbox controller goes connected merchantability today, priced astatine $89.99.