Latest news with #ArcadeController
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.
