8BitDo’s new Xbox Elite-style controller sets a high bar for customization
8BitDo’s Ultimate 3E has a refined design, but it shows wear easily. | Image: The Verge It's hard to make an Xbox controller that stands out these days, especially one that's expensive, due to a wealth of great semi-affordable options. Still, 8BitDo's $150 Ultimate 3E is a bold controller that holds its own against other feature-packed options. It's made for Xbox and PC gamers who want a deeper level of…
Key points
- 8BitDo's $150 Ultimate 3E controller offers TMR joysticks, rear paddles, modular buttons and a 1,000Hz polling rate on PC.
- The controller includes a carrying case and wireless charging dock, but 8BitDo does not sell replacement accessories for it.
- The reviewer says the Ultimate 3E is hard to recommend when cheaper alternatives offer similar features.
8BitDo has released the Ultimate 3E, a $150 controller for Xbox and PC that the company positions against Microsoft's Xbox Elite Series 2 and its own $60 Ultimate 2. The controller offers drift-proof TMR joysticks, extra shoulder buttons, rear paddles, motion control support, modular buttons and joysticks, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a 1,000Hz polling rate over a low-latency wireless connection when used with a PC.
It ships with a carrying case and a wireless charging dock that can store the USB dongle. The Verge's review says the modular design provides more customization than many other controllers, including two four-button modules, two directional pads and three extra joysticks.
Build and customization
The review notes that the TMR joystick mechanisms should not wear down, so users would only need to replace joystick tops later. However, 8BitDo does not sell replacement accessories for the Ultimate 3E and has not responded to The Verge about whether it will.
The reviewer found some drawbacks: the clips holding the face button module are very tight and required a plastic toothpick to remove, and swapping joysticks takes considerable force. The triggers feel soft and have more travel than preferred, and the soft touch grips and back collect dust quickly.
It’s as weird of a time to be releasing a new high-end Xbox controller as it is shopping for one.
— The Verge reviewer
Value compared with rivals
The review says the Ultimate 3E is among the most expensive controllers in its category and questions whether 8BitDo offers enough extra features to justify the price. It calls the Xbox Elite Series 2 a poor value by comparison because it uses potentiometer joysticks that are likely to drift.
The reviewer also says owners of the Ultimate 2 do not need to upgrade. A non-modular 8BitDo Ultimate 3 is available for $99, and the GameSir G7 Pro, which the reviewer says has a nearly identical set of features and specs, is $80 at full price.
