8BitDo’s new Xbox Elite-style controller sets a high bar for customization
8BitDo’s $150 Ultimate 3E is a premium Xbox and PC controller built around extensive customisation, including modular buttons and joystick tops, rear paddles and extra shoulder buttons. Its feature set and refined design make it a strong competitor in a crowded market, though the high price raises questions about whether it offers enough over less expensive rivals.
The controller includes two four-button modules, two directional pads and three additional joystick tops, alongside drift-resistant TMR joysticks, motion controls, a headset jack and a wireless charging dock. It supports 1,000Hz polling over a low-latency wireless connection on PC. The reviewer praises its clicky microswitch buttons and customisation, but notes that swapping parts can be difficult, the grips collect grime, and 8BitDo has not confirmed whether replacement accessories will be sold.
In short
- 8BitDo’s Ultimate 3E costs $150 and targets Xbox and PC gamers.
- Modular controls and TMR joysticks offer extensive customisation.
- Its price and hard-to-swap parts are notable drawbacks.
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The case for
At $150, the Ultimate 3E offers unusually broad customisation, with swappable controls, rear paddles, drift-resistant joysticks and a charging dock in a refined design. For players who value tailoring a controller to different games and appreciate its responsive buttons and low-latency PC connection, the package may justify the premium.
The case against
The price is difficult to justify if the customisation does not translate into a clear advantage over cheaper rivals. Swapping parts can be awkward, the grips may collect grime, and without confirmation that replacement accessories will be available, some of the controller’s long-term flexibility remains uncertain.
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