Latest news with #8BitDo


The Verge
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Verge
GameSir's $30 Nova 2 Lite controller includes Hall effect sticks and triggers.
It's almost a bit boring when compared to the GameSir's $69.99 Tarantula Pro that can change the layout of its face button labels. But for $29.99, the Nova 2 Lite could be a solid alternative to 8BitDo's Ultimate 2C with Hall effect joysticks and triggers that can be locked to a shorter travel for FPS games. It also includes an extra pair of remappable back buttons and is compatible with the Switch, PCs, iOS, and Android.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Yahoo
Linux Kernel 6.15 Is Adding Support for These Game Controllers
The upcoming Linux kernel release, version 6.15, will be arriving in the next month or so, and I'm already seeing previews of what to expect. One of them is recently merged support for several gaming controllers and laptop touchpads. The merge for kernel 6.15rc-6 patches Linux's xpad driver to add support for Xbox gamepads from several different manufacturers. One of them is the 8BitDo Ultimate 3-mode controller, 8BitDo's Xbox-licensed controller that also works on Windows, Apple, and Android devices. This update will add Linux devices to that list. Here at How-To Geek we recently reviewed the Ultimate 2.4G, cousin to the Ultimate 3. We liked it especially for its Hall Effect joysticks, and the Ultimate 3 seems to just add Xbox branding and official support. So as far as I can tell, that controller's probably going to be a great investment for anyone who likes to game with both an Xbox and a Linux device. Also in the list of newly supported controllers is the HORI Drum controller, a percussion peripheral designed specifically for the rhythm-focused game Taiko no Tatsujin Rhythm Festival. The game isn't native to Linux, but ProtonDB at the time of writing gives it a Gold rating, meaning you should have little or no trouble playing it on a Linux PC or Steam Deck. Two PowerA controllers are joining the Linux gaming world with this patch as well. The Fusion Pro 4 is a low-cost wired gamepad made for the Xbox Series X|S that also incorporates Hall Effect joysticks. Then there's the MOGA XP-Ultra, which PowerA calls "the first licensed wireless controller for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One." Another one is the Hyperkin DuchesS Xbox gamepad, a throwback controller reminiscent of the first-generation Xbox controller. It even has the original Xbox logo on it, thanks to a licensing deal with Microsoft. That'll go perfect with your retro Linux gaming setup running Xemu, the original Xbox emulator. If you have one of these gamepads or are thinking of buying one and want to play with it on a Linux device, you're probably wondering when that'll be possible. The 6.15 Linux kernel update I don't expect to get here until around early June. This patch to xpad is being backported, though, so as long as you're on a stable kernel channel still getting updates, the patch should arrive any day. The addition of more gamepad support is no surprise. There's always something new around the corner for Linux gamers, thanks in part to the Steam Deck and how it's been mainstreaming the Linux desktop experience. More gamepad support means more people can use their favorite controller with a Steam Deck or other Linux-supported handheld, resulting in a wider userbase. In the same merge for 6.15-rc6, you can also find updates patching several other peripherals. Some laptops, for example, are having their Synaptic touchpads' input mode changed from PS/2 to the more modern SMBus communication protocol. The affected laptops include: Dynabook Portege X30L-G Dynabook Portege X30-D TUXEDO InfinityBook Pro 14 v5 Dell Precision M3800 HP Elitebook 850 G1 Kernel 6.15 also includes fixes for the Mad Catz Joytech NEO SE Advanced controller and PDP's official controller for Mirror's Edge. A glitchy "Share" button on some gamepads is being fixed as well. If you happen to own one of those controllers, or one with a share button that wasn't working, you have a lot to look forward to when 6.15 finally drops in a few weeks. Source: Phoronix

Engadget
17-05-2025
- Engadget
8BitDo's all-button Arcade Controller is almost as thin as a MacBook Pro
Forget the joystick and forgo the D-pad. 8BitDo introduced an all-button arcade controller with an ultra-slim profile that's built for competitive fighting games. The company is known for its wide range of affordable handheld controllers, but it's been venturing more into fight pads following its Arcade Stick release. The latest Arcade Controller comes in two versions: a blacked-out variation that's officially licensed by Xbox and a retro-styled counterpart that's compatible with PC and Nintendo Switch. For fighting game fans, the Arcade Controller offers a ton of features to provide a more competitive edge. 8BitDo's newest fight pad has 20 hours of wireless battery life, but also supports a wired mode for better latency performance. For quick adjustments mid-game, the Arcade Controller has a control panel at the top-left that lets you turn up the volume, switch between PC and Switch modes on the standard version, and even activate a tournament lock that prevents accidental misclicks that could distract or disqualify you during high-stakes matches. 8BitDo added four programmable kidney-shaped buttons and lets you hot-swap each button's mechanical switches for extra customization. If you prefer RGB lighting, 8BitDo only included it on the Xbox version. All of these elements are jammed into a controller that's 1.6 cm thick, which is just thicker than a MacBook Pro that measures 1.55 cm. The standard version is up for pre-order on Amazon for $89.99, while the Xbox version is also available for $99.99. 8BitDo said that the first Arcade Controllers will ship across North America starting July 15, while European customers will get theirs starting August 15. It's worth noting that 8BitDo's website previously said that it would halt orders to U.S. customers coming from its warehouse in China, but has since resumed shipping to the U.S., only adding that "shipping fees may vary due to tariffs."


The Verge
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Verge
8BitDo's new all-button arcade controller is just 16mm thick
Four years after the company released its first wireless arcade-style controller, 8BitDo is debuting a new version that's almost one-third as thick as the original. Its new Arcade Controller managed to slim down by ditching the original's joystick and focusing on only buttons in a unique layout. Often referred to as a leverless controller, or Hitbox after the company that helped popularize this style, 8BitDo's includes a dynamic button layout that swaps labels at the turn of a dial. The new 8BitDo Arcade Controller is available for preorder starting today for $89.99 and is expected to officially release on July 15th, 2025. The standard version is compatible with the Nintendo Switch and Windows PCs. 8BitDo also has an additional all-black version with adjustable glowing RGB accents that's designed for the Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows, but it's slightly more expensive at $99.99. However, both are much cheaper than competitors' offerings, including Razer's $300 Kitsune. Leverless controllers may seem counterintuitive to those who've spent their lives gaming with analog joysticks or four-way directional pads, but they're becoming popular among fans of fighting games where lightning-fast reaction times can sometimes be a deciding factor in who wins. Although it seems miniscule, playing with only buttons can eliminate the time it takes to move a joystick until an input is registered by a game, potentially giving a player a competitive advantage. At the same time, trying to aim in a fast-paced FPS game using four buttons will probably put you at a disadvantage, so this controller style isn't for everyone. Measuring in at 16mm thick, 8BitDo's new Arcade Controller connects to the Switch over Bluetooth and to PCs using an included 2.4GHz USB dongle. For minimal latency, it can also connect to either with a USB-C cable. Its 1,000mAh rechargeable battery is enough for up to 20 hours of gameplay when using a wireless connection. The controller's 16 action buttons use Kailh Wizard low-profile mechanical switches out of the box, but you can swap those with alternative switches if you prefer a different feel. Four of the buttons, labeled P1 through P4, are programmable and utilize bean-shaped button caps to differentiate their feel. They can also be swapped out with included lie-flat alternatives, making them even easier to distinguish. A toggle switch flips the controller's button layout between an S-Input mode for the Switch and X-Input mode for PCs, which also swaps the illuminated labels automatically. And as with many of 8BitDo's recent gamepad releases, its new Arcade Controller supports the company's Ultimate Software, which lets you customize the button mappings or make complex macros that can be assigned to its four programmable buttons. The 8BitDo Arcade Controller for Xbox also has a few key differences (besides the all-black finish and glowing RGB accent lighting around 12 of its buttons). There's no Bluetooth connectivity — only 2.4GHz or a USB cable — and the battery is quite a bit larger at 3,000mAh, which bumps wireless playtime to 20 hours with lighting on or 40 with it off. Only P1 and P2 can be reprogrammed. It also doesn't offer the ability to switch the layout of its buttons. Instead, the gamepad's dial controls volume, which will help if you use the included headphone jack for streaming gameplay and chat audio to a wired headset.


The Verge
15-05-2025
- The Verge
Posted May 14, 2025 at 2:42 PM EDT 5 Comments / 5 New A Twitter Andrew Liszewski 8BitDo is teasing something thin. Similar to how Steve Jobs revealed the original MacBook Air in 2008, 8BitDo is teasing new hardware launching on May 16th with an image of a thin device being removed from a paper office envelope. There are no other hints as to what it is, aside from it being 'Made for Pros.' Got any theories?
8BitDo is teasing something thin. Similar to how Steve Jobs revealed the original MacBook Air in 2008, 8BitDo is teasing new hardware launching on May 16th with an image of a thin device being removed from a paper office envelope. There are no other hints as to what it is, aside from it being 'Made for Pros.' Got any theories?