The 8BitDo Pro 3 controller (compensated affiliate link) is the latest revision of one of my favorite game controllers of all time. This version builds on the familiar PlayStation-style shape combined with a Super Nintendo layout, but now comes with a few refinements and a higher-end presentation. You can see it in action in my latest video review.
The controller is priced a bit higher than its predecessor, the Pro 2. The higher price does come with a charging dock that doubles as a wireless receiver when connected to a PC.
The Pro 3 is compatible with the Switch and the Switch 2, as well as Windows, Steam Deck, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Android, Raspberry Pi, and the MiSTer. It does not work with Xbox or PlayStation consoles. There are three color options available: a GameCube-inspired version, a Super Nintendo style, and a Game Boy-themed design. In the hand, the controller feels much like the Pro 2, though it now includes two additional configurable buttons adjacent to the shoulder buttons.
Connectivity options are flexible. It works over Bluetooth, but the bundled 2.4 gigahertz dongle offers a more consistent low-latency experience. In my testing, using a 240 frames per second high-speed camera, button presses over the dongle or USB-C registered in about seven to eight frames, which makes this one of the faster controllers I’ve tried. On the Switch, latency is higher, closer to twenty frames, but that appears to be more a limitation of the console’s Bluetooth hardware.
One clever feature involves the face buttons. Since the layout differs between Nintendo and X-input/Xbox controllers, 8BitDo designed the buttons to be magnetically swappable. A small suction tool included in the dock makes it possible to pop the buttons out and rearrange them to match the correct labeling for the system in use. Extra faceless buttons are also provided for those who prefer a cleaner look.
The thumbsticks have been updated from Hall Effect to TMR sensors which should provide better accuracy and smoothness. In practice, I didn’t notice a major difference, but they felt smooth and accurate in games nonetheless.
The D-pad has also been tweaked, with a subtle tactile click that gives more confidence when pressing without being distracting. I found it handled directional inputs well and did not produce much in the way of errant diagonals in classic 8-bit games.
8BitDo’s Ultimate Software, available on Windows and macOS, opens up more customization. Profiles can be created to remap buttons, adjust stick sensitivity and dead zones, adjust vibration motor intensity and even program macros. The two extra top buttons and the back paddles can be assigned as needed. The software also helps resolve button mapping inconsistencies when switching between Bluetooth and dongle modes.
In actual gameplay, the Pro 3 felt familiar and comfortable. I tried it with No Man’s Sky on PC, Mario Odyssey on the Switch 2, and classic titles on the MiSTer FPGA console hooked up to a CRT television. Across platforms, the controller performed well, with motion controls working properly on the Switch and the D-pad delivering a solid retro experience on the MiSTer. Battery life is estimated at about twenty hours, but keeping the controller on its dock after play sessions largely eliminates concerns about battery longevity.
The Pro 3 doesn’t dramatically change what 8BitDo has been doing with this line, but the refinements to the D-pad, the option to swap buttons, the improved sticks, and the dock integration make it a nice upgrade. It’s a little more expensive than the Pro 2, but for players who already enjoyed that design, this one should feel right at home while adding some nice touches.
Discloure: 8BitDo provided the Pro 3 controllers to the channel free of charge, however they did not review or approve this review before it was pubilshed. No other compenstation was received and all opinions are my own.