Whereas I as soon as would have advised you that PlayStation controllers had been my favourite, I’ve discovered myself reaching for my 8BitDo controllers increasingly more over time. They’re dependable, snug to carry, and are usually extra inexpensive than what Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo provide. When the Final 3 in Lavender Nightfall was introduced this week, I used to be head over heels immediately, because it combines my favourite colour with the shape issue I’ve grown to like. I am going to have to attend till August for its launch, however preorders are open now. At $100, this might be one of many pricier controllers in my assortment, however I believe it is nicely price it.
This formally licensed controller shouldn’t be solely luminously stunning, however delivers a excessive degree of responsiveness and customization so you’ll be able to convey your finest recreation. The TMR joysticks characteristic 8BitDo’s Drive Ring know-how, which permits customers to regulate them to favor velocity or management (or hit an ideal steadiness of each). If you wish to get much more particular, pop open the 8BitDo Final Software program X on PC, and you’ll tweak all you want.
The physique of the Final 3 has a brand new mould with a wider grip angle, making it much more snug to carry than earlier iterations, however the change is refined, so the controller is not overly giant. The D-pad is disc-style, making diagonal actions simpler. It is geared up with hall-effect impulse triggers with two set off cease choices that may be chosen to suit no matter style of recreation you are enjoying. Along with the bumpers you are used to on most controllers, you get the R4 and L4 buttons on the Final 3, which you’ll be able to configure nonetheless you need for lightning-fast response time.
What’s on the within counts, too: the controller is powered by a 216MHz high-performance processor and includes a 12-bit ADC sampling chip, so you’ll be able to depend on it to be snappy and pleasurable. It additionally has 4 units of vibration motors for when the sport requires a little bit of rumble. As for the wi-fi connection, the controller comes with a USB-C adapter to make sure your playtime is uninterrupted–no hiccups right here.
And whereas there’s nothing flawed with plugging a controller in to cost, the Final 3 provides an opulent additional within the charging dock. Not solely does it match the controller completely, however it has built-in overload safety and international object detection for added safety.
That is the most recent Final 3 controller 8BitDo has introduced since January 2026, when it unveiled the Final 3E Modular Controller at CES. In the event you’re not as obsessive about all issues opalescent and purple as I’m, this can be a greater choose for you, because it is available in black. Nonetheless, the Final 3E is a extra superior controller than the Final 3, being totally modular and comparable with Microsoft’s Elite Collection 2. It can retail for $150 when it opens for preorder on Might 26, so it is also price contemplating which one most closely fits each your wants and your price range.
8BitDo Equipment Licensed By Xbox
- All-Button Arcade Controller (Xbox, PC) — $85 (
$100) - Charging Dock For Xbox Wi-fi Controllers — $20 (
$25) - Twin Charging Dock For Xbox Collection X|S/Xbox One — $25 (
$45) - Lite SE Wi-fi Controller (Xbox, PC) — $45
- Media Distant For Xbox One (Quick) — $20
- Professional 2 Wired Controller (Xbox, PC) — $45
- Retro 18 Mechanical Numpad, Xbox Version — $45
- Retro 87-Key Wi-fi RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard — $102
- Retro R8 Mouse With Charging Dock — $51 (
$60) - Final 3-Mode Controller In White, Jade, and Black (Xbox, Home windows, Cellular) — $50 (
$70) - Final 3-Mode Controller Uncommon fortieth Anniversary Version (Xbox, PC, Android) — $59 (
$90) - Final C Wired Controller (Xbox, PC) — $28 (
$35) - Final Mini Wired Controller (Xbox, Home windows) — $35
- Final Cellular Controller — $42 (
$50) - Wi-fi Arcade Stick For Xbox Collection X|S — $105.58 (
$120)
