8BitDo has launched a brand new model of its wireless Pro controller that was final up to date in 2021. Lots of 8BitDo’s current controller releases, together with the Ultimate 2, characteristic an asymmetrical joystick format like Nintendo and Microsoft use. However the new Pro 3 mirrors the design of the PlayStation DualSense controller, with side-by-side sticks that are actually upgraded with drift-resistant TMR technology. The Professional 3 can be 8BitDo’s first controller that permits you to simply swap the association of its ABXY buttons.
The 8BitDo Professional 2 launched at $49.99 4 years in the past, however the brand new Professional 3 is debuting with a slightly steeper $69.99 price. 8BitDo has additionally switched to utilizing a 1,000mAh rechargeable battery for the Professional 3, and whereas the corporate says it presents as much as 20 hours of gameplay on a full cost, it’s not detachable. The Professional 3 features a handy charging dock that doubles as storage for its 2.4GHz dongle. When the controller dies, it could nonetheless be used whereas linked to a console by way of USB, and it’ll cost whilst you play.
The Professional 3 is on the market for preorder beginning in the present day and formally will likely be on sale on August twelfth. There are three colour choices, every of which matches totally different retro consoles: grey (PlayStation), G traditional (Recreation Boy), and purple (GameCube).
The Professional 3’s design is almost equivalent to the Professional 2, however it’s gained a couple of additional buttons. It carries ahead the Professional 2’s again buttons whereas introducing an extra set of smaller shoulder buttons. Its triggers additionally use Corridor impact sensors for improved accuracy and sturdiness, whereas newly added switches allow you to select an extended set off for racing video games or a shorter one for sooner response occasions in FPS titles.
Compatibility consists of assist for Home windows, Android, each Swap consoles (with waking capabilities), SteamOS (you possibly can shake the controller to wake the OLED Steam Deck), and Apple’s {hardware}, with Bluetooth, USB, or wi-fi 2.4GHz connectivity.
Out of the field, the Professional 3 makes use of the Xbox’s button format, however you possibly can swap the A and B buttons to match Nintendo Swap controllers, or rearrange all of them to no matter format you favor. The Professional 3 works with 8BitDo’s Final Software program V2 in an effort to remap the format, and the controller can retailer and swap between three totally different customized profiles.
Though the ergonomics are questionable, 8BitDo can be together with a pair of arcade-style ball-top caps that may be connected to the Professional 3’s joysticks.