Massive Price Drop on 8BitDo Pro 3 Bluetooth Controller at Amazon

Amazon is rolling out some fantastic limited-time deals on the impressive 8BitDo Pro 3 Bluetooth Gamepad just in time for the holiday season. If you can snag the bonus coupon discount, the GameCube-inspired purple and gray variants are priced at $50.39 and $50.37, respectively, marking the lowest price ever for the Pro 3. Even the G Classic model is available for $55, which is a better deal than Amazon’s previous Black Friday price of $56. The Pro 3 comes with a matching charging stand, an extra set of Super Famicom-themed buttons, two sets of sticks, a USB-C charging cable, and a USB-C wireless receiver that conveniently fits in the charging dock. All Pro 3 Gamepad deals ship directly from Amazon, with each color being discounted by two sellers (Amazon and 8BitDo) through separate listings. While only Amazon is providing the additional coupon discounts, these deals are likely to sell out quickly.

The Pro 3 features 2.4GHz Wireless and Bluetooth compatibility with Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and PC. It also connects via Bluetooth to Steam Deck, Apple devices, and Android smartphones and tablets. With numerous enhancements and impactful new features, the Pro 3 is a significant upgrade, boasting four extra remappable buttons, TMR joysticks, trigger locks, and magnetic face buttons.

If you’re on a tighter budget, the Pro 2 remains a solid choice for Switch 1&2, PC, Mac, and mobile devices, currently available for $38 (down from $50). There are also great deals on 8BitDo’s flagship Ultimate 2 Controller, with the 2.4GHz model priced at $47.59 (was $60) in various colors. The limited-edition Honkai: Star Rail Edition, complete with a travel case and extras, is now $63 (was $70), while the Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Edition is down to $52 (was $65). For Nintendo players, the Ultimate 2 Bluetooth is available for $56 (was $70), matching Black Friday prices.

The Pro 3 feels like a major upgrade compared to the Ultimate 2’s predecessor. The D-pad is noticeably improved, and the addition of extra remappable claw buttons on the shoulders, along with two trigger modes, enhances gameplay. Engaging the trigger locks transforms R2 and L2 into microswitch buttons, perfect for rapid-fire actions or mapping face button functions to the triggers. With six shoulder buttons, you can customize your control schemes to suit your playstyle. The microswitches for the back buttons also provide a snappier feel compared to the Pro 2.

8BitDo’s TMR sticks offer smoother and more precise control than the already excellent Hall Effect sticks found in the Pro 2 and older models. TMR electromagnetic sticks consume less power and are designed to be more durable over time, often referred to as Hall Effect 2.0 due to their magnetic sensor technology, which eliminates stick drift. Additionally, 8BitDo’s sticks feature wear-resistant metal rings for added longevity.

While the Pro 3 is priced $20 higher than the Pro 2, its $70 price point aligns with the Ultimate 2 Bluetooth, the flagship controller that supports both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections. The Pro 2 only offered Bluetooth and lacked a charging dock, making the Pro 3 the first non-Ultimate controller to include one. The 2.4GHz USB-C dongle is conveniently stored in the dock, providing a faster and more stable connection with higher polling rates. Like the Ultimate 2, the Pro 3 serves as a great alternative to the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. While Nintendo’s official controller is solid and includes back buttons, 8BitDo’s premium gamepads offer greater versatility with their physical modifications and programmable options.

There are a few distinctions between the Pro 3 and the Ultimate 2 Bluetooth. The Ultimate 2 series features rings around the sticks with adjustable RGB lighting effects, while the Pro 3 boasts an upgraded D-pad with enhanced tactile feedback. The G Classic edition has raised ridges for directional input, whereas the purple and gray models retain the traditional directional arrows. Although I haven’t tested the G Classic, the D-pad on the purple Pro 3 feels superior to that of the Ultimate 2.

One of the Pro 3’s standout features is the ability to swap face buttons. The charging dock includes a storage compartment for the 2.4GHz adapter, and inside the cover, you’ll find four extra face buttons along with a small tool for easy button removal. Swapping the buttons takes mere seconds, allowing for practical adjustments like aligning the A/B and X/Y buttons with the Xbox layout, which is often preferred for PC gaming. While the Pro 3 isn’t compatible with Xbox consoles, it can be used for Xbox Cloud Gaming. With 8BitDo’s Ultimate Software V2, you can fully remap controls, ensuring that button prompts in Nintendo games correspond correctly, even if the layout differs.

The Ultimate 2 series offers a Bluetooth model compatible with the same platforms as the Pro 3, but it features the Nintendo button layout. To get the Xbox layout, you’d need to opt for the Ultimate 2 without Bluetooth, saving you $10, but this model isn’t compatible with Nintendo consoles. The Ultimate series has always provided separate 2.4GHz models for PC players and a slightly pricier version that includes Bluetooth and Switch support. This approach works well for those not interested in Nintendo consoles, but it’s great that 8BitDo has created a built-in solution for those who prefer the Xbox layout on other platforms.

The ball-top stick caps are more of a fun addition than a serious feature, designed purely for enjoyment. After trying them, I found them to be a cool novelty for short sessions, but their spherical shape isn’t the most ergonomic for extended use. I even experimented with using the controller like a mini arcade stick while playing Galaga, and while it was better than expected, the ball-top sticks are ultimately more of a gimmick than a practical alternative to the excellent traditional stick caps.

With 8BitDo’s Ultimate Software V2 app, you can fine-tune stick, trigger, and motion control sensitivities, create dead zones, adjust rumble intensity, and remap inputs. You can save up to three unique control configurations directly to the controller and switch between them on the fly using the profile button.

The Pro 3 and Ultimate 2 Bluetooth aren’t the only 8BitDo wireless controllers compatible with Nintendo Switch 2. Here’s a quick rundown of the options available:
– 8BitDo Pro 3 Bluetooth Gamepad — $50.39 ($70)
– 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller — $56 ($70)
– 8BitDo Bluetooth Arcade Fight Stick — $81 ($90)
– 8BitDo All-Button Arcade Controller — $77 ($90)
– 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller + Case — $45 ($70)
– 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller — $40 ($60)
– 8BitDo Pro 2 Bluetooth Controller — $38 ($50)
– 8BitDo SN30 Pro Bluetooth Controller — $36 ($45)
– 8BitDo x Genki PocketPro Bluetooth Controller — $45 ($60)
– 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Bluetooth Controller — $24 ($30)
– 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller — $40-$45
– 8BitDo M30 Bluetooth Sega Controller — $24 ($30)
– 8BitDo Lite 2 Bluetooth Controller — $25 ($35)
– 8BitDo Micro Bluetooth Controller — $25