8BitDo’s joystick-free Arcade Controller Pro opens pre-orders at $119.99
8BitDo’s Arcade Controller Pro, a joystick-free controller aimed at fighting-game players, is available to pre-order for $119.99. It adds refinements intended to support precise play and longer sessions, while costing $30 more than the company’s original Arcade Controller.
The Pro has smaller, more closely spaced buttons and additional programmable buttons. Its 1.47-inch display supports input monitoring, button mapping and RGB lighting adjustments; a magnetic wrist rest contains five alternative button caps. The controller has a 3,000mAh battery that takes four hours to recharge, and is due to start shipping on 30 November in N Edition and White.
In short
- 8BitDo’s Arcade Controller Pro costs $119.99 to pre-order.
- It is due to ship on 30 November.
- The Pro adds a display, more programmable buttons and a 3,000mAh battery.
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The case for
The $119.99 price may be justified for players who value precise, customisable controls and expect to use the controller for long sessions. The closer-spaced buttons, extra programmable inputs, display and alternative caps offer refinements that could make it a worthwhile specialist tool for serious fighting-game play.
The case against
At $30 more than the original, the Pro may be a poor-value upgrade for players who do not need its added controls or customisation. Its specialised joystick-free design, four-hour recharge time and extra features may not outweigh the cost for casual players or those satisfied with a simpler controller.
Explained simply
Fighting games rely on quick, accurate button presses to perform moves and respond to an opponent. Many arcade-style controllers use a joystick alongside buttons; a joystick-free design uses buttons for directional inputs too, which can suit players who prefer that layout.
8BitDo makes controllers and other gaming accessories. Its original Arcade Controller offered this button-based approach, while the Pro adds more programmable buttons and settings that players can adjust on the controller. The differences matter most to people choosing a layout and features for their own play, and the higher price is one factor in comparing the two models.
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Originally published by Engadget as “8BitDo’s latest button-only arcade controller is now up for pre-order”.