8BitDo Pro 3 Controller Features Magnetic Swappable Buttons for Switch & Xbox
▼ Summary
– 8BitDo’s new Pro 3 controller features swappable magnetic face buttons, allowing users to switch between Xbox and Switch layouts, but it doesn’t address PlayStation compatibility.
– The controller updates 8BitDo’s previous wireless Pro model with a symmetrical design inspired by the PlayStation 5’s DualSense, while Xbox-style fans may prefer the Ultimate line.
– It includes advanced TMR sticks for improved durability and Hall effect triggers for customizable travel distance, aiming to eliminate stick drift and enhance precision.
– The Pro 3 offers additional features like back buttons, joystick ball toppers for arcade-style play, and an upgraded 1,000 mAh battery with 20-hour playtime.
– Priced at $70 USD and launching August 12, the Pro 3 comes in three colorways themed after PlayStation, GameBoy, and GameCube consoles.
Gaming controllers continue to evolve, but one persistent annoyance remains, the lack of standardized button layouts across platforms. While major console manufacturers stick to their own configurations, 8BitDo’s latest Pro 3 controller offers a clever workaround with its magnetic swappable face buttons, allowing players to switch between Xbox and Nintendo Switch layouts effortlessly.
The Pro 3’s standout feature is its modular design, letting users pop out and rearrange the A, B, X, and Y buttons to match their preferred console’s layout. While innovative, this approach has limitations, it doesn’t accommodate PlayStation’s distinct symbols, and the small magnetic discs could easily get misplaced. Some might argue that programmable LED buttons or customizable icons would have been a more elegant solution.
Beyond its signature gimmick, the Pro 3 refines the formula of its predecessor with a symmetrical design reminiscent of the PlayStation 5’s DualSense, though Xbox loyalists may still prefer 8BitDo’s Ultimate lineup. Under the hood, the controller packs TMR (Tunneling Magnetoresistance) joysticks, a cutting-edge alternative to Hall effect sensors, promising long-term precision without stick drift. The triggers, however, stick with Hall effect technology, offering adjustable travel distance for genres like first-person shooters.
Additional upgrades include two programmable back buttons, removable joystick toppers for an arcade-style feel, and a larger 1,000 mAh battery delivering up to 20 hours of gameplay. Connectivity options cover Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless via dongle, and USB-C wired mode, with charging supported through a dock or direct cable.
Priced at $70, the Pro 3 arrives on August 12 in three nostalgic color schemes: a PlayStation-inspired gray, a retro GameBoy-themed “G Classic,” and a vibrant purple homage to the GameCube. While not a universal fix for controller confusion, it’s a creative step forward, just keep track of those tiny magnetic buttons.
(Source: PCGAMER)
