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Game Reviews

Xbox Series S (512GB, Controller Included) Is Back at a Low Price on Amazon Despite Microsoft’s Price Hike

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Happy Silksong Weekend to all who celebrate. If you’re not playing the most anticipated game of the decade right now, I can only imagine it’s because you don’t own any gaming console or PC to play it on. So, here! Let me help you. The Xbox Series S is a wonderful option for an entry-level game system and right now it happens to be on sale. It’s MSRP is $380, but for a limited time, you can grab one for 13% off at just $329.

Now for the elephant in the room… Back when the Xbox Series X and Series S first launched in 2020, the latter of which was priced at just $300. A few months back, Microsoft made and announcement confirming plans to raise the price of its consoles and games. The Xbox Series S went up by $80 to $380. So while this discount brings console down lower than the current list price, this Series S is still $29 more than it had been for five years (ignoring any other discounts over that time). It stinks, but it is what it is.

See at Amazon

All-Digital Gaming Console

This model comes with a controller and hold 512GB. It’s disc-free so you’ll be downloading all your games onto that internal storage or onto an external SSD which you can purchase separately. It may not have 4K gaming, but it can still produce higher than standard HD resolution at 1440p. Plus, it’s got HDR support to ensure that the darks look dark and the bright colors pop. It can handle refresh rates of up to 120FPS so performance is still pretty great.

Like it’s counterpart, the Xbox Series X, this console has a feature called Quick Resume. No longer do you need to worry about finding a save point when you want switch to a different game. You can suspend your gameplay in the background, hop into something else, then return to it later right where you left off. My apologies to any game dev who works on title screens because I only ever see those once.

Quick Resume is possible because of the Xbox Velocity Architecture, which also allows for super-fast load times.

You can enjoy streaming your favorite TV shows and movies right on the Xbox Series S. Download apps like YouTube, Netflix, HBO Max. While your games are locked to 1440p, you can still stream video from Disney+, Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and more in full 4K.

For a limited time, the Xbox Series S is down to just $329.

See at Amazon



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Astro Bot PS5 Controller Returns October, Pre-Order Go Live Soon
Game Reviews

Astro Bot PS5 Controller Returns October, Pre-Order Go Live Soon

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Last year, Sony released a new PS5 Dualsense controller themed around the then-upcoming platformer Astro Bot. The game was a huge hit with critics and fans, as was the controller, which sold out quickly and became hard to find. But now, a slightly tweaked version of the popular gamepad is returning in October with pre-orders later this month.

On September 2, after some teasing in July, PlayStation revealed that the new “Joyful” version of the Astro Bot PS5 controller was officially launching just before Halloween, on October 30. And gamers who missed out on buying an Astro Bot controller last year will have a chance to pre-order the new version on September 12 at 10 a.m. local time via PlayStation’s own online store and “participating retailers.”

Astro Bot returns with a new delightful twist!

The limited edition Astro Bot Joyful DualSense launches October 30. Pre-orders start September 12 at 10am local time at https://t.co/y9oEB5a3CG and participating retailers. pic.twitter.com/TLqJEyEZSt

— PlayStation (@PlayStation) September 2, 2025

This isn’t the same controller that was sold back in 2024 and quickly gobbled up and scalped on eBay for more than twice the price. Well, it’s mostly the same controller. The only real difference is the touchpad. On the OG Astro Bot gamepad, the eyes were open and always watching you play. This time around, the eyes are slightly closed, simulating joy and happiness. It’s a bit less creepy, which is nice.

No price was shared for this new version of the controller, but last time PlayStation sold the Astro Bot Dualsense controller, it was priced at $80. Still, the new Astro Bot pad might cost a bit more. The boring and ugly Last-of-Us-themed Dualsense controller from Sony cost $85 earlier this year.

Whatever it costs, you can expect it to go for much more when resellers inevitably grab up a ton of them and sell them on eBay. Heck, the original Astro Bot Dualsense controller still goes for $110 to $160 sealed on the internet’s ancient auction house. So if you really want a joyful Astro Bot-themed Dualsense controller and you don’t want to pay $200 or whatever, I’d be hanging out at your computer on September 12, ready to pre-order the moment they go live. Good luck with that!





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Wuchang 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller Gets Big Discount At Amazon
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Wuchang 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller Gets Big Discount At Amazon

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The Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Edition of 8BitDo’s flagship Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller looks pretty awesome. It’s important to note that this version of the Ultimate 2 is a 2.4GHz wireless controller for PC and Mac. It also has Android support via Bluetooth. PS5 and Xbox Series X users will not be able to use this controller to play the game–unless you play it via remote play on your PC or Android device.

The Ultimate 2 launched earlier this year with an MSRP of $60, so this special-edition model only costs five bucks more than one of the standard variants.

We’ve tested the Ultimate 2 and the Ultimate 2 Bluetooth–which has Switch 2 and Switch support–and it’s better than many controllers that cost two or three times its price.

The Ultimate 2 has TMR electromagnetic analog sticks–smoother and more reliable than Hall Effect sensors–two remappable back buttons, two extra remappable bumpers, trigger locks, and RGB lighting rings.

It also has 6-axis motion controls, rumble, and a turbo button. With 8BitDo’s Ultimate Software V2, you can create three custom profiles to cycle through on the fly, adjust stick and trigger sensitivity, create dead zones, and more.

The Ultimate 2 comes with a matching charging dock. In this case, the character art continues from the controller to the dock, making it a pretty cool display piece.

This isn’t the first official collaboration with a big new release. Last year, 8BitDo collaborated with Game Science on a Black Myth: Wukong Ultimate 2C Controller. The 2C is 8BitDo’s budget PC controller, so this new collaboration is more exciting. That said, 8BitDo’s Wukong-themed controller is still worth checking out, especially since you get the wireless model for only $23.79 (was $35) and the wired edition for $12 right now.

Key Features

  • PC and Mac: 2.4GHz Wireless (USB-C dongle)
  • Android: Bluetooth
  • TMR electromagnetic analog sticks
  • Hall Effect triggers with adjustable stop point
  • 2 remappable back triggers
  • 2 extra remappable shoulder buttons
  • Tactile bumpers
  • RGB lighting rings
  • 1,000Hz polling rate for 2.4GHz and wired
  • 6-axis motion controls
  • Rumble
  • Turbo button
  • 1,000mAh battery
  • Includes matching USB-C charging dock

Customize with 8BitDo Ultimate Software V2

  • Remap inputs
  • Set up three custom profiles
  • Set up dead zones
  • Adjust motion control sensitivity
  • Adjust stick sensitivity
  • Adjust trigger sensitivity
  • Adjust rumble intensity
  • Adjust lighting effects



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Pro-Style GameCube Controller For Switch 1/2 & PC Is Only $40 This Weekend
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Pro-Style GameCube Controller For Switch 1/2 & PC Is Only $40 This Weekend

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A few of the best GameCube-inspired controllers for Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and PC are on sale for their best prices of the year at Amazon. NYXI’s Warrior and Wizard wireless controllers combine the GameCube form factor with modern features like Hall Effect sticks, remappable back buttons, microswitch triggers, and other customization options. The Warrior Lite Bluetooth Controller released earlier this year with the GameCube’s iconic purple color scheme. Normally $50, you can grab this versatile gamepad for $40, which is the best price yet.

If you also want 2.4GHz Wireless support for original GameCube and Wii hardware–and PC with the included adapter–you can step up to the Warrior for $55 (was $69).

NYXI Warrior Lite Bluetooth Controller for Switch 2, Switch, PC

And after being sold out for most of the year, the NYXI Wizard is back in stock and discounted to $56 (was $70). On the original Switch and Switch OLED, the Wizard can replace your left and right Joy-Con in handheld mode. It’s also a traditional wireless controller for Switch and Switch 2 when both sides are connected to the included bridge. It does not work in handheld mode on Switch 2.

We’ve tested the Warrior Lite, Warrior, and Wizard on Nintendo Switch 2, Switch, and PC. Take an in-depth look at each model below.

$40 (was $50)

Key Features

  • Bluetooth Wireless: Switch 2, Switch, PC, Mobile
  • Hall Effect sticks and triggers
  • Modern trigger and bumper design
  • Adjustable trigger locks
  • Two remappable back buttons
  • Swappable back button module
  • Swappable sticks and gates
  • Microswitch face buttons
  • 8-way microswitch D-pad
  • 6-axis gyroscope for motion controls
  • Adjustable dual-rumble motors
  • Turbo function
  • Up to 5 hours of battery life

The Warrior Lite replicates the general shape, layout, and color scheme of the original GameCube controller. It’s a bit chunkier and wider than the real thing, so it doesn’t have the same exact form factor, but it adds several compelling features that make it a versatile option for GameCube games on Switch Online as well as modern Nintendo games.

Beyond offering conventional bumpers and triggers, the Warrior Lite has two remappable back buttons. The right and left back buttons have a one-piece panel design that can be removed and switched with an alternate panel inside the box. The main difference between the two styles of back buttons is that one of them is textured and slightly raised for increased tactile feedback.

The Warrior Lite is equipped with anti-drift Hall Effect sticks. The right stick mimics the GameCube’s yellow C-stick, but you can swap it out for a yellow stick with a more conventional, larger grip. Similarly, you can switch between octagonal stick gates inspired by the GameCube controller and regular stick gates with a circular range of motion.

Face buttons, the 8-way D-pad, and shoulder bumpers are actuated by microswitches, giving them a mouse-click feel. Like the sticks, the triggers are activated with Hall Effect sensors, and can be set at two different stopping points with the locking switches on the back. Other core features include built-in, adjustable rumble and 6-axis motion controls.

The main downside here is battery life, as the Lite version has a smaller battery that only runs for up to five hours on a full charge. Like many Bluetooth controllers for Switch 2 and Switch, you can use the Warrior Lite on PC, mobile, Steam Deck, and other devices.

$55 (was $69) | Adds support for original GameCube hardware

Key Features:

  • Bluetooth Wireless: Switch 2, Switch, PC, Mobile
  • 2.4GHz Wireless: GameCube, Wii, PC
  • Available in Purple, Orange, Black
  • Hall Effect sticks and triggers
  • Modern trigger and bumper design
  • Adjustable trigger locks
  • Two remappable back buttons
  • Swappable back button module
  • Swappable sticks and gates
  • Microswitch face buttons
  • 8-way microswitch D-pad
  • 6-axis gyroscope for motion controls
  • Adjustable dual-rumble motors
  • Turbo function
  • Up to 10 hours of battery life

NYXI released the original Warrior controller last year. The Warrior has the added benefit of working as a wireless controller on actual GameCube and Wii hardware. The included 2.4GHz receiver plugs into the GameCube’s controller port and can also be used on PC with the included USB adapter. The Warrior also has a larger battery that can run for up to 10 hours between charges, which is a nice perk.

While the Warrior Lite is only available in purple, the original Warrior has purple, black, and orange color options. All three are eligible for Amazon’s discount.

$56 (was $70) | Switch 2 – Docked Only / Switch – Handheld & Docked

Key Features

  • Replaces Joy-Cons in handheld mode on Switch & Switch OLED
  • Bluetooth Wireless: Switch 2, Switch, PC, Mobile
  • Available in Purple, Black, Silver, Orange
  • Hall Effect sticks
  • Mechanical triggers and bumpers
  • Two remappable back buttons
  • Octagonal and round stick gates
  • Illuminated ABXY buttons
  • 4-way D-pad
  • 6-axis gyroscope for motion controls
  • Adjustable dual-rumble motors
  • Turbo function
  • 6-8 hours of battery life

The NYXI Wizard works on Nintendo Switch 2, but you can only use it for docked or tabletop modes. On the original Switch and Switch OLED, the Wizard can replace your Joy-Con in handheld mode. The left and right sides detach from the center bridge and connect to the console via sliding mechanisms. The Switch 2 uses a magnetic connection method for the updated Joy-Con 2 controllers, which makes the Wizard incompatible with Nintendo’s new console for portable play.

If you’re picking up one of NYXI’s GameCube-style controllers specifically for Nintendo Switch 2, most players should opt for the Warrior or Warrior Lite. But if you still use both consoles, the Wizard is potentially the more intriguing option. There are a few differences between the Warrior and Wizard controllers, though.

The Wizard has slimmer, mechanical triggers and bumpers. Unlike the Warrior, it doesn’t have dual trigger modes; all four shoulder buttons are activated via microswitches. These feel great, but you can’t switch to the traditional trigger pull action like you can on the Warrior. The two built-in, textured back buttons are located in natural spots and feel great.

The ABXY face button labels have customizable lighting effects, which is a cool addition, though the buttons and the 4-way D-pad ditch the microswitches for traditional membranes.

Regardless of which base color you choose, the Wizard comes with one gray and one yellow Hall Effect stick. Round and Octagonal stick gates are included inside the box, but if you want the smaller C-sticks, you’ll need to buy a thumbstick kit from NYXI for $10–unless you have one of the Warrior controllers, as they use the same sticks and gates.

Other features include 6-axis motion controls, adjustable rumble, and turbo buttons on each side. Battery life falls between the Warrior and Warrior Lite.

It’s worth noting that NYXI recently launched the Wizard 2. Just like the Wizard, the second-gen model works in handheld mode on Switch and Switch OLED. If you buy it for Switch 2, it will only work in TV mode. The Wizard 2 has upgraded TMR joysticks, dual trigger modes, and microswitch face buttons. Essentially, NYXI implemented some of the features found in its Warrior controllers, which are newer than the original Wizard. The Wizard 2 retails for $90 and hasn’t received any discounts yet.

NYXI Wizard in handheld mode on original Switch.

More GameCube Controllers for Switch 2 & Switch

From a customization perspective, the Warrior series is the most impressive GameCube-style controller we’ve tried, but there are other GameCube controllers for Switch 2 that offer a more authentic experience. As mentioned, Nintendo’s wireless GameCube controller for Switch 2 is as close to the original as you’ll find. It feels almost exactly like the original, just without the cable and with a few extra small buttons on the top: C button for GameChat, home/menu buttons, and a small ZL button to make up for the fact the GameCube controller only had one shoulder button. But while this is best option for GameCube games on Switch Online, the aforementioned tiny ZL button makes it less than ideal for modern games.

Unfortunately, the price of the official Nintendo Switch Online GameCube controller recently increased to $70.

Officially licensed GameCube-style controllers from PowerA and Hori add Nintendo-inspired designs and have modernized shoulder and trigger layouts. The form factor of these controllers is closer to the original GameCube controller, as they have slimmer profiles compared to the NYXI Warrior. PowerA also recently raised the price of its GameCube-style controller to $70.

Looking for a conventional Switch 2 or PC controller? Check out the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 and brand-new 8BitDo Pro 3 Wireless Controllers, both of which are discounted at Amazon this weekend.



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8BitDo Pro 3 Controller For Switch 2 Gets First Price Cut, But It Won't Be Available For Long
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8BitDo Pro 3 Controller For Switch 2 Gets First Price Cut, But It Won’t Be Available For Long

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8BitDo’s newest Nintendo and PC controller is on sale for the first time during Labor Day weekend. The 8BitDo Pro 3 Ultimate Bluetooth Gamepad for Switch 2, Switch, and PC is discounted to $63 (was $70) until September 1. Make sure to click the coupon box next to the price; the $7 discount will be applied at checkout. The Pro 3 just launched August 12 and already feels like a bargain at full price, so it’s possible the controller will sell out before the coupon expires. It’s worth noting that the Pro 3 sold out at full price during launch week.

The caveat to this deal is that only the Gray and G Classic editions of the 8BitDo Pro 3 are eligible for the 10% coupon. The GameCube-inspired purple edition–the most popular of the three colors–is still selling for the full $70. Amazon also has great deals on the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 and Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controllers. PC players can get the Ultimate 2 Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Edition for $50 (was $65), and the Ultimate 2 Bluetooth is down to $60 (was $70).

Editor’s Note: Article updated August 29. Read our original 8BitDo Pro 3 review and buying guide below:

$63 (was $70) | For Switch 2, Switch, PC/Mac, Mobile, SteamOS

Here’s a rundown of the 8BitDo Pro 3’s specs, components, and customization features.

8BitDo Pro 3 Specs & Features:

  • Available in: 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
  • Extra set of unlabeled face buttons
    • Super Famicom-inspired red, yellow, green, blue
  • Turbo Button
  • Profile Button
  • Input mode switch: D/S/X
  • Dual-motor rumble
  • 6-axis Motion Controls
  • Battery: 1,000mAh
  • Battery life: Up to 20 hours
  • 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

8BitDo Pro 3: G Classic / Gray / Purple

Gallery

I’ve found the Pro 3 to be as big of an upgrade as the Ultimate 2 was compared to its predecessor. The D-pad is noticeably better than the one on the Pro 2, and it’s awesome to have the extra pair of remappable claw buttons on the shoulders and the two trigger modes. Engaging the trigger locks turns R2 and L2 into microswitch buttons that are great for rapid fire or for when you want to map face button actions to the triggers. With six buttons on the shoulders, you can really mix-and-match control schemes to fit your personal preferences. The microswitches used for the back buttons also feel nicer and faster than the ones on the Pro 2.

8BitDo’s TMR sticks are smoother and more precise than the already-good Hall Effect sticks found on the Pro 2 and other older models. TMR electromagnetic sticks consume less power, and the tech is supposed to hold up better over time compared to Hall Effect. TMR is often presented as Hall Effect 2.0, as both operate via magnetic sensors, which eliminates the risk of stick drift. For an added layer of durability, 8BitDo’s sticks also have wear-resistant metal rings.

The 8BitDo Pro 3 costs $20 more than the Pro 2, but the $70 price point aligns with the Ultimate 2 Bluetooth, the manufacturer’s flagship controller that supports both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections. The Pro 2, meanwhile, only supported Bluetooth wireless and didn’t come with a charging dock. The new version is the first non-Ultimate controller with a charging dock. A 2.4GHz USB-C dongle is stored in the bottom of the dock. The addition of 2.4GHz Wireless is certainly welcome, as it offers a faster and more stable connection with higher polling rates.

Like the Ultimate 2, the Pro 3 can be viewed as an alternative to the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. Nintendo’s official controller feels great and even has a pair of back buttons, but there’s no denying that 8BitDo’s pair of premium gamepads are more versatile thanks to its suite of physical modifications and programmable customization options.

8BitDo Pro 3 has magnetic ABXY buttons

There are a couple of differences between the Pro 3 and Ultimate 2 Bluetooth. The Ultimate 2 series has rings around the sticks with adjustable RGB lighting effects. The Pro 3 has an upgraded D-pad with improved tactile feedback. Interestingly, the G Classic edition has a series of raised ridges–three in each direction–whereas the purple and gray models have the familiar directional arrows instead. I didn’t test the G Classic, so I can’t comment on any tangible differences, but the D-pad on the purple Pro 3 feels better to me than the Ultimate 2’s D-pad.

The Pro 3’s coolest new customization option is the ability to swap face buttons. On the bottom of the charging dock there’s a storage compartment for the 2.4GHz adapter. On the inside of the cover, you’ll also find the four extra face buttons and a small plunger-like tool used to remove the buttons. It only takes a second to swap out the full set of buttons.

Beyond changing up the look of your controller, you can make a practical change: Swapping A/B and X/Y to align with the Xbox button layout. Considering the Xbox button layout is often viewed as the standard on PC, this is a great customization feature for those who play on PC/Mac, Steam Deck, and mobile. The Pro 3 doesn’t support Xbox consoles, but you can use it for Xbox Cloud Gaming. And since you can fully remap the controls using 8BitDo’s Ultimate Software V2, you could even the swap the buttons and alter the controls so that when a Nintendo game prompts you to press Y, you are still pressing Y even if it’s up top instead.

With the Ultimate 2 series, the Bluetooth model will work on all of the same platforms as the Pro 3, but it has the Nintendo button layout. To get the Xbox layout, you’d need to purchase the Ultimate 2 without Bluetooth. This saves you 10 bucks, but the 2.4GHz model of the Ultimate 2 isn’t compatible with Nintendo consoles. The Ultimate series has always had a separate 2.4GHz model for PC players and a slightly more expensive model that adds Bluetooth and Switch support. There’s nothing wrong with that release model, especially for those who aren’t interested in Nintendo consoles. But it’s cool that 8BitDo created a built-in solution for those who have issues with Nintendo’s control layout on other platforms.

The ball-top stick caps match each controller’s theme.

Gallery

The ball-top stick caps feel more like a throw-in bonus as opposed to a feature 8BitDo expects to become a popular alternative to conventional sticks. The manufacturer said they designed the caps “purely for fun.” After trying them out, I actually think they are pretty cool for short spurts, but the spherical shape naturally isn’t the best from an ergonomics perspective. Your thumbs would probably start to hurt if you used them continuously like traditional joysticks. I also experimented by placing the controller on my desk and holding the stick like a (tiny) arcade stick while playing Galaga. Again, not as bad as I expected, but the ball-top sticks really are more of a novelty than a practical alternative for the very good traditional stick caps.

With 8BitDo’s Ultimate Software V2 app, you can adjust stick, trigger, and motion control sensitivities, create dead zones, modify rumble intensity, and remap inputs. Up to three unique control configurations can be saved directly to the controller, and you can cycle through them on the fly by pressing the profile button. I haven’t experienced any issues mapping

8BitDo is having a big year

8BitDo Pro 3 | 8BitDo Ultimate 2

The Pro 3 is just the latest major addition to 8BitDo’s impressive accessory lineup in 2025. As mentioned, the Ultimate 2 and Ultimate 2 Bluetooth both launched earlier this year. Before that, 8BitDo kicked off the year by introducing a transparent green mechanical keyboard and mouse that are officially licensed by Xbox. The Retro R8 Mouse was 8BitDo’s first 2.4GHz gaming mouse, and an alternative NES-inspired model followed a few months later.

Just last week, 8BitDo launched its first traditional Xbox controller with wireless support. Officially licensed by Microsoft, the Rare 40th Anniversary Edition of 8BitDo’s Ultimate 3-Mode Controller has a stylish blue-and-gold color scheme, a metal D-pad, two back buttons, Hall Effect sticks, and a matching charging dock. Check out our restock guide for more details–the controller has sold out multiple times since launch.

The Rare 40th Anniversary Edition arrived just a few weeks after 8BitDo’s last collaboration with Microsoft: a new version of the Ultimate Mobile Bluetooth Controller that supports iPhone and Android. The $50 Ultimate Mobile Bluetooth Controller is licensed by Xbox and can hold all iPhone editions as well as most Android phones. In mid-July, 8BitDo launched a pair of all-button fight pads for Switch/PC and Xbox/PC.

8BitDo’s Pro 3 and the All-Button Arcade Controller work with Nintendo Switch 2 out of the box, but if you buy the Ultimate 2 or one of the other 8BitDo controllers with Switch 2 support, you may still need to update the controller’s firmware to get it to sync with the console. You can check out the Amazon hub we created for 8BitDo’s Switch 2 controllers. We included multiple of the same model because 8BitDo controllers often have several store pages hosted by different reputable sellers with Amazon fulfillment, and the prices can vary from day to day.

The latest addition to the hub is 8BitDo’s reimagined N64 wireless controller, which was designed in partnership with retro hardware manufacturer Analogue. The 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller is also compatible with Switch, PC, and Switch 2 (with a firmware update).

If you want to compare the Pro 3 and Ultimate 2 Bluetooth to Nintendo’s official controller, Amazon finally has the Switch 2 Pro Controller in stock for $89–one buck below the controller’s new $90 MSRP.



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8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller Review: For Human Hands
Gaming Gear

8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller Review: For Human Hands

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The Nintendo 64 was a fantastic console, home to generation-defining games such as Super Mario 64 and GoldenEye 007. With its four built-in controller ports, it revolutionized multiplayer gaming in front of the TV, and it was the first mainstream console to introduce an analog stick, essential for navigating the burgeoning 3D worlds the medium was starting to deliver.

Unfortunately, the controller it did all that with was an abomination, an unholy three-pronged monstrosity that earned my lifelong disdain. Fast-forward roughly three decades, though, and third-party peripheral maker 8BitDo has improved on the original N64 pad in almost every way with its new 64 Bluetooth Controller.

Nostalgia Upgraded

Photograph: Matt Kamen

8BitDo’s pad is chiefly designed for the Analogue3D, an upcoming field programmable gate array (FPGA) console set to play original N64 cartridges, but it can be paired to practically any Bluetooth-enabled device, from PCs to smartphones to Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 consoles, where it can be used to play the digital N64 game library included for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers.

Aesthetically, traditionalists may lament the lack of the original N64 pad’s pops of color, but they have a sleek elegance to them. Intended to mirror the similarly monochrome Analogue3D, 8BitDo’s efforts match perfectly, while also looking like a fitting companion to Nintendo’s official Switch 2 Pro Controller. Functionally, this takes everything that made Nintendo’s original controller so groundbreaking and repackages it into a modern unit that, crucially, fits into the average human’s two hands. Every input is present and accounted for, accurate down to icons and fonts.

The 64 Bluetooth Controller massively improves the orientation, though. The original Z-Trigger, once on the underside of the official controller’s middle prong, is now two shoulder buttons, sitting where the L2/R2 triggers do on a PlayStation grip, while the analog stick is shunted to the left, comparable to an Xbox controller’s left stick. The result is that every input is within easy reach, eliminating the need to juggle your grip. It also introduces some welcome 21st-century upgrades, like making the thumbstick drift-proof thanks to Hall effect tech, and baking in haptic feedback, eliminating the need for a separate Rumble Pak.

Stick ’Em Up

Photograph: Matt Kamen

The thumbstick is the star, feeling incredibly precise thanks to both Hall effect sensors and retaining the eight-way “gate” at its base, the octagonal notches allowing it to snap satisfyingly into place. Expect effortless combos in 1080° Snowboarding, precise shots in Perfect Dark, and smooth flying in Starfox. The staff of the stick is also wider, shorter, and made of metal, making it feel far sturdier than that of the original pad. While the top of the stick reproduces the trio of raised concentric rings and subtle concave dip for your thumb to rest on, it’s rubberized now, rather than slippery plastic, making for a surer grip.



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