8BitDo has officially unveiled the Pro 3 Bluetooth Gamepad, marking it as the successor to their highly acclaimed Pro 2 Bluetooth Controller. This new release maintains the familiar ergonomic design of its predecessor while integrating advanced features previously seen in the Ultimate 2 Bluetooth model, such as TMR joysticks and adaptable trigger locks. The Pro 3 also introduces unique capabilities not found in any other 8BitDo controller, including magnetic face buttons that can be swapped and an additional set of arcade-inspired ball-top stick caps.
The 8BitDo Pro 3 Bluetooth Gamepad is currently available for preorder, priced at $70, before its official launch on August 12. It comes in three nostalgic color options: G Classic, Gray, and a distinctive purple hue reminiscent of the Nintendo GameCube. Each version includes a matching charging dock and the aforementioned swappable ball-top arcade stick toppers, allowing users to customize their controller beyond the standard rubberized caps. The Pro 3 offers broad compatibility right out of the box, supporting Switch 2, Switch, PC, Android, Apple devices, and Steam Deck.
8BitDo Pro 3: Detailed Specifications and Customization
Here’s a comprehensive overview of the 8BitDo Pro 3`s components, features, and customization options:
- Available Colors: Purple, G Classic, Gray
- Includes matching charging dock
- Connections & Supported Platforms:
- 2.4GHz Wireless: Switch 1/2, PC
- Bluetooth: Switch 1/2, SteamOS, Apple, Android
- Wired: Switch 1/2, PC, Android
- 4 extra remappable buttons:
- 2 back triggers
- 2 microswitch shoulder buttons
- Swappable TMR Joysticks (Tunnel Magnetoresistance)
- Wear-resistant metal stick rings
- Extra pair of ball-top arcade stick caps
- Change trigger type by flipping switches:
- Hall Effect Triggers
- Non-linear Microswitch Triggers
- Tactile D-pad
- Textured grips
- Magnetic ABXY face buttons:
- Swap A/B & X/Y for Nintendo or Xbox layout
- Turbo Button
- Profile Button stores 3 custom control layouts
- Input mode switch: D/S/X
- Dual-motor rumble
- 6-axis Motion Controls
- Battery: 1,000mAh
- Battery life: TBA, but likely 20+ hours using Bluetooth
- Weight: 242.4 grams
- Dimensions: 153.6 x 100.5 x 64.55mm
Customize controls with 8BitDo Ultimate Software V2:
- Remap inputs
- Create custom profiles
- Calibrate dead zones
- Adjust stick/trigger sensitivity
- Adjust rumble intensity
- Adjust motion control sensitivity
For gamers who favor PlayStation-style analog stick alignment or frequently play games that benefit from precise D-pad input, the Pro 3 presents itself as a compelling choice. While we await the opportunity to conduct a full review, the Pro 3 is certainly a device to keep an eye on. Currently, the Pro 2 remains a top recommendation for Switch users who prefer this specific control scheme. This mirrors our previous experience with the original Ultimate Controller before the Ultimate 2 series offered a significantly enhanced user experience, suggesting that the Pro 3 will likely deliver notable improvements.
Priced at $70, the 8BitDo Pro 3 is $20 more expensive than its predecessor, the Pro 2. However, this price point aligns it with the Ultimate 2 Bluetooth, which is the manufacturer’s flagship model offering both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity. Unlike the Pro 2, which only supported Bluetooth and lacked a charging dock, the new Pro 3 becomes the first non-Ultimate controller to include a charging dock. A convenient 2.4GHz USB-C dongle is cleverly stored within the dock’s base. Historically, the Pro series has been regarded as the premier alternative for players who prefer PlayStation-style controller layouts over Xbox, and the Pro 3’s specifications further solidify this position.
Much like the Ultimate 2, the Pro 3 can serve as an excellent alternative to the official Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. While Nintendo`s official offering provides a good feel and even includes back buttons, 8BitDo’s premium gamepads offer superior versatility through their range of physical modifications and extensive programmable customization options.
The TMR (Tunnel Magnetoresistance) joysticks, lauded in the Ultimate 2, are a welcome addition to the Pro series. 8BitDo states that these TMR sticks deliver smoother, more accurate, and more power-efficient performance, and are engineered to be even more durable than the Hall Effect sticks found in older controllers like the Pro 2 and original Ultimate. Similar to Hall Effect technology, TMR sticks utilize magnetic sensors for input detection, which inherently minimizes wear and effectively prevents common stick-drift issues over time.
In addition to the TMR joysticks, the Pro 3 adopts the Ultimate 2’s remappable buttons and trigger adjustment capabilities. It features two remappable back buttons and two supplementary shoulder buttons that utilize microswitches for activation. By flipping switches located on the back of the controller, users can transform the Hall Effect triggers into non-linear microswitch triggers. This modification significantly shortens the pull distance, effectively converting the triggers into highly responsive buttons.
However, there are a few distinctions between the Pro 3 and the Ultimate 2 Bluetooth. The Ultimate 2 series includes adjustable RGB lighting rings around its sticks, a feature absent on the Pro 3. Conversely, the Pro 3 boasts an enhanced D-pad, offering improved tactile feedback. Curiously, the G Classic edition features a distinct design with raised ridges in each direction, whereas the purple and gray models retain the more conventional directional arrow markings.
A significant customization feature of the Pro 3, which will appeal to many players, is its swappable face buttons. The package includes a small tool designed to easily remove the magnetic ABXY buttons. This allows users to reverse the A/B and X/Y button positions to match their preference for either Nintendo’s or Microsoft’s button layouts. Although the Pro 3 does not natively support Xbox consoles, it is fully compatible with Xbox Cloud Gaming and games installed on platforms like Steam Deck, Windows, and various mobile devices. The Xbox button layout, with Y at the top and A at the bottom, is generally considered the standard across most non-Nintendo and non-PlayStation platforms.
With the Ultimate 2 series, users had to choose between a 2.4GHz-only model for the Xbox button layout and a Bluetooth model for Nintendo compatibility. The Ultimate series traditionally offered a distinct 2.4GHz model tailored for PC users, and a slightly more expensive version that added Bluetooth and Switch support. While this approach is perfectly valid, especially for those uninterested in Nintendo consoles, it’s a notable improvement that 8BitDo has now integrated a solution within the Pro 3 for users who prefer the Xbox button layout on other platforms. This even extends to the ability to remap buttons on the Switch after physically changing their positions to match the Xbox layout.
8BitDo states that the inclusion of ball-top stick caps was “made purely for fun,” but we eagerly anticipate testing their practicality. Regardless of their functional utility, they undeniably enhance the aesthetic appeal of the Pro 3 and are thoughtfully color-matched to each controller’s theme. For instance, the retro gray NES/SNES-inspired model comes equipped with a pair of vibrant red ball-top caps, while the GameCube-themed purple edition features distinctive yellow ball-tops.
Through the 8BitDo Ultimate Software V2 application, users gain comprehensive control over their gamepad. This software allows for precise adjustments of stick, trigger, and motion control sensitivities, the creation of custom dead zones, modification of rumble intensity, and complete remapping of inputs. Up to three distinct control configurations can be saved directly to the controller, enabling seamless switching between profiles on the fly with a dedicated profile button.
8BitDo`s Product Innovations in 2025
The Pro 3 represents the latest significant addition to 8BitDo’s impressive lineup of accessories in 2025. Earlier this year, both the Ultimate 2 and Ultimate 2 Bluetooth controllers were released. Prior to that, 8BitDo kicked off the year by introducing a transparent green mechanical keyboard and a mouse, both officially licensed by Xbox. The Retro R8 Mouse marked 8BitDo’s entry into 2.4GHz gaming mice, followed a few months later by an alternative NES-inspired model.
More recently, 8BitDo launched its first dedicated mobile controller specifically designed for iPhone compatibility. This $50 Ultimate Mobile Bluetooth Controller, licensed by Xbox, is capable of securely holding all iPhone models as well as most Android smartphones. Additionally, this week saw the release of a pair of all-button fight pads from 8BitDo, catering to Switch/PC and Xbox/PC users.
Both the 8BitDo Pro 3 and the All-Button Arcade Controller will offer out-of-the-box compatibility with the Nintendo Switch 2. However, for existing 8BitDo controllers like the Ultimate 2 that also support Switch 2, a firmware update will likely be required to ensure proper synchronization with the new console.