8BitDo brought the gaming world the arcade appeal in the form of retro-modern controllers. Their first ever Arcade Stick customizable gamepad for PvP game fanatics on Switch and PC, and then later on for the Xbox consoles released on the same day as the Street Fighter VI launch, are the prime examples. Now, the Hong Kong-based peripheral maker has launched the Arcade Controller, which is a hit-box style controller to quench your thirst for fighting games.
This time around, the retro-modern controller comes in two variants – one for Switch and PC gamers, and the other an officially Xbox-licensed peripheral in black and green. The Arcade Controller comes with USB-C wired mode and wireless mode for connection with the Switch. The gamepad is a true hit-box entertainer with no joystick and is perfect for gamers like me who love to have the precision control that directional buttons provide. The makers have kept the profile slim at 1.6 cm, which is just 1mm more than the MacBook Pro.
Designer: 8BitDo
Customization is at the core of this leverless controller with a dynamic dial button that swaps the layout. That means you can toggle the S-input mode for the Switch and PC’s X-input mode, which automatically changes the illuminated labels. If you look closely, the bean-shaped buttons labelled P1 to P4 can be hot-swapped (lie-flat alternatives also available) to your liking. The gamepad arrives as a competitor for the Razer Kitsune, which is more than triple the price of this peripheral. The 8BitDo’s button controller punches way above its weight with an impressive 20-hour wireless battery life for the normal variants, and 40 hours with the lighting off on the Xbox version. When you are on the go or don’t have the wired option handy, this controller can easily edge out two days of gameplay. Toggling between the various connected devices, the volume levels, or a button to prevent accidental touches, is a breeze with the control panel on the top section.
The gamepad has 16 buttons in total, employing Kailh Wizard low-profile mechanical switches. It is primarily designed for fighting titles like Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter that require lightning-fast reaction time to hit the buttons. This gives them a slight advantage against players who choose the joystick controller. That said, the controller won’t be the first option for playing multiplayer FPS games, given the flat plane of buttons for inputting various on-screen moves in a 3D world. Obviously, the wired mode on the Arcade Controller will be preferred by most gamers for its zero latency, compared to the wireless option, which will still have a slight delay.
The Xbox version comes with an adjustable RGB lighting option with a subtle glow underneath the keys. To get the arcade-style minimalist approach going, the other variants don’t come with this option. The Arcade Controller is priced at $90, and the Xbox version costs $100, given its larger battery and the cool RGB lighting. The official release of the controller is slated for July 15, and it can be pre-ordered right now.
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