The Pro 3 is 8BitDo’s first controller with swappable buttons

You tin region and rearrange the Pro 3’s buttons to an Xbox oregon Switch layout. | Image: 8BitDo

8BitDo has released a caller mentation of its wireless Pro controller that was past updated successful 2021. Many of 8BitDo’s caller controller releases, including the Ultimate 2, diagnostic an asymmetrical joystick layout similar Nintendo and Microsoft use. But the new Pro 3 mirrors the plan of the PlayStation DualSense controller, with side-by-side sticks that are present upgraded with drift-resistant TMR technology. The Pro 3 is besides 8BitDo’s archetypal controller that lets you easy swap the statement of its ABXY buttons.

The 8BitDo Pro 2 launched astatine $49.99 4 years ago, but the caller Pro 3 is debuting with a slightly steeper $69.99 price. 8BitDo has besides switched to utilizing a 1,000mAh rechargeable artillery for the Pro 3, and portion the institution says it offers up to 20 hours of gameplay connected a afloat charge, it’s not removable. The Pro 3 includes a convenient charging dock that doubles arsenic retention for its 2.4GHz dongle. When the controller dies, it tin inactive beryllium utilized portion connected to a console via USB, and it volition complaint portion you play.

The Pro 3 is disposable for preorder starting contiguous and officially volition beryllium connected merchantability connected August 12th. There are 3 colour options, each of which matches antithetic retro consoles: grey (PlayStation), G classical (Game Boy), and purple (GameCube).

The Pro 3’s plan is astir identical to the Pro 2, but it’s gained a fewer other buttons. It carries guardant the Pro 2’s backmost buttons portion introducing an further acceptable of smaller enarthrosis buttons. Its triggers besides usage Hall effect sensors for improved accuracy and durability, portion recently added switches fto you take a longer trigger for racing games oregon a shorter 1 for faster absorption times successful FPS titles.

Compatibility includes enactment for Windows, Android, some Switch consoles (with waking capabilities), SteamOS (you tin shingle the controller to aftermath the OLED Steam Deck), and Apple’s hardware with Bluetooth, USB, oregon wireless 2.4GHz connectivity.

Out of the box, the Pro 3 uses the Xbox’s fastener layout, but you tin swap the A and B buttons to lucifer Nintendo Switch controllers, oregon rearrange them each to immoderate layout you prefer. The Pro 3 works with 8BitDo’s Ultimate Software V2 truthful that you tin remap the layout, and the controller tin store and power betwixt 3 antithetic customized profiles.

Although the ergonomics are questionable, 8BitDo is besides including a brace of arcade-style ball-top caps that tin beryllium attached to the Pro 3’s joysticks.