8BitDo Introduces the All-New Arcade Controller Range

[Nomad76]

Game Outlet Europe, an independent distributor of video games and gaming accessories and part of Embracer Freemode, today announced the all-new 8BitDo Arcade Controller range, the ultimate controller for the FGC (fighting game community) and arcade fans worldwide! Expected to ship across Europe in July 2025 and with pre-orders opening today, the 8BitDo Arcade Controller will be available in two variations, an officially licensed Xbox version (compatible with Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Windows PC), and a standard version (compatible with Nintendo Switch and Windows PC).

Perhaps the most advanced Arcade Controller ever made, the new line is built for professionals, competitive gamers and fans of arcade style controllers. Impossibly slim and ideal for tournament travel, the new Arcade Controller is nearly the same size as a sheet of A4 paper measuring as thin as 1.6 cm thick and almost one-third the size of the standard 8BitDo Arcade Stick.



Choose wired for minimum lag and tournament play or go wireless, the choice is yours! Gamers can enjoy a rock solid 2.4G wireless connection via an included adapter which is magnetically stored in the base of the controller or connect a cable for wired play. On the standard version, even more connectivity options are present thanks to Bluetooth for use on Switch. When used in wireless mode, gamers can enjoy between 20 and 40 hours of use thanks to the powerful Li-ion rechargeable battery.

With the Arcade Controller, gamers can experience unmatched accuracy and ultra-fast inputs with an all-button arcade design and precise quad-movement layout, executing combos with greater speed and precision than ever before.



Gamers can customize their controller via the Programmable Buttons, remapping P1 and P2 (Xbox) or P1, P2, P3 and P4 (standard) to fit different gaming postures and scenarios. With such effortless customization, complex fighting combos are performed with ease and precision whatever the game being played. In addition, gamers can disable the Programmable Buttons by replacing them with flat lock caps to avoid accidental presses (four button lock caps included).

Designed for professional play, the Arcade Controller range comes equipped with esports-ready features, including SOCD (Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Directions) cleaning and tournament lock, providing optimal performance during competitive play.



On the standard version, players can make use of the Dynamic Button Layout. When users switch between Switch (S-Input) and PC (X-Input) mode, the Arcade Controller's dynamic button layout changes its visual layout!

A host of clever design features elevate the Arcade Controller yet further. Magnetic Foldable Feet engineered from metal allows users to adjust between two angles for comfort and stability, and the fingerprint-proof Tempered Glass Faceplate is sure to turn heads offering a sleek smudge-resistant appearance. The underside of the Arcade Controller is fitted with a non-slip silicone mat providing secure and stable placement during gameplay.



The Independent Control Panel located on the top left of the Arcade Controller allows for mastery of the extensive feature set. Easily adjust volume and RGB lighting and map your buttons simply with intuitive controls. No complex shortcuts here, enjoy effective operative with just a turn and a click!

Created for customizable modification, the Arcade Controller range features a hot-swappable PCB. Featuring 16 Kailh Wizard low-profile mechanical switches, gamers are free to replace with alternative switches to match their preference should they wish.

Making full use of the powerful 8BitDo Ultimate Software, gamers can enjoy endless customization, affording precise button mapping, RGB lighting modes (Xbox only), SOCD modes, firmware updates and more!

The 8BitDo Arcade Controller range is expected to ship from July 15, 2025, across North America, and from August 15, 2025, across Europe. Pre-orders are open now!

The standard version of the Arcade Controller is expected to retail for €89.99 / £74.99 and the officially licensed Xbox version is expected to retail for €99.99 / £84.99.

The 8BitDo Arcade Controller Xbox and 8BitDo Arcade Controller is available for purchase on Amazon.com. They're also available on Amazon.co.uk.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[BlaezaLite]

Not a bad price for a leverless, not that I would touch one of these hitbox type things with a bargepole. Hope it does well for them.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Um, this is supposed to be an "Arcade Controller"... and there's no joystick... How is this an "Arcade Controller"?!?
Regardless of build quality, the lack of a joystick is an instant deal-breaker..

 

[Gmr_Chick]

Um, this is supposed to be an "Arcade Controller"... and there's no joystick... How is this an "Arcade Controller"?!?
Regardless of build quality, the lack of a joystick is an instant deal-breaker..

I guess it's the new thing with these big fighting game controllers. Rather than a traditional joystick for character movement, you use buttons to move. Supposedly doing it this way cuts down on "unwanted" movement and the like, but...yeah, I just find these decks weird. I wonder what percentage of EVO tournament caliber players use this style over the more traditional joystick type.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I guess it's the new thing with these big fighting game controllers. Rather than a traditional joystick for character movement, you use buttons to move. Supposedly doing it this way cuts down on "unwanted" movement and the like, but...yeah, I just find these decks weird. I wonder what percentage of EVO tournament caliber players use this style over the more traditional joystick type.

This must be a recent thing. Not my jam, but then again, I'm not a pro-esports fighting game player.. I want a joystick.

 

[Cheeseball]

Um, this is supposed to be an "Arcade Controller"... and there's no joystick... How is this an "Arcade Controller"?!?
Regardless of build quality, the lack of a joystick is an instant deal-breaker..

Lack of a joystick is non-issue. I'm saying this as a CrossUp (with a wingman for PS5 compatibility) user.

 

[sLowEnd]

Um, this is supposed to be an "Arcade Controller"... and there's no joystick... How is this an "Arcade Controller"?!?
Regardless of build quality, the lack of a joystick is an instant deal-breaker..

It's mostly for fighting games where this type of controller can reduce the chance of wrong directional inputs

I'm not big into fighting games myself, but for the little bit I was playing Guilty Gear, I wished I had a controller like this instead of the crummy pad on my F310. lol
I never could get used to analog stick directional input for fighting games. Something about the feel of it messes with me.

 

[Onasi]

This must be a recent thing. Not my jam, but then again, I'm not a pro-esports fighting game player.. I want a joystick.

Not really recent, they were around for more than a decade now. For a time, they were considered such a big advantage that there were attempts to outright ban them from FG tournaments. Nowadays this waned and people basically play with whatever they want, these guys included. They are technically probably superior to a conventional stick, but that’s hardly a massive thing.

I never could get used to analog stick directional input for fighting games. Something about the feel of it messes with me.

It’s kind of in the name. Analog. FG inputs actually aren’t analog at all, they are strictly digital 8-way. That’s why pretty much anyone who plays those with a traditional gamepad uses the D-pad and not the stick. Same logic for these stick-less/hitbox style controllers - you don’t actually need analog inputs. It’s kind of funny how things went - for years people were convinced that playing FGs on a keyboard is bogus (kind of wrong), but the issue was just the layout and here we are - the arguably “best” input device for fighting games is essentially a purpose built keyboard.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Lack of a joystick is non-issue. I'm saying this as a CrossUp (with a wingman for PS5 compatibility) user.

For you maybe. That's a very niche situation.

It's mostly for fighting games where this type of controller can reduce the chance of wrong directional inputs

I'm not big into fighting games myself, but for the little bit I was playing Guilty Gear, I wished I had a controller like this instead of the crummy pad on my F310. lol
I never could get used to analog stick directional input for fighting games. Something about the feel of it messes with me.

Not really recent, they were around for more than a decade now. For a time, they were considered such a big advantage that there were attempts to outright ban them from FG tournaments. Nowadays this waned and people basically play with whatever they want, these guys included. They are technically probably superior to a conventional stick, but that’s hardly a massive thing.

I would likely have been one of the people supporting the ban, IF I had been into fighting games that much. I came from a time when fighting games were exclusively on joysticks and properly using one was a part of the skill set. Never going to play it the other way. Don't care about the advantage, the joystick is a part of the experience.

 

[Scrizz]

For you maybe. That's a very niche situation.



I would likely have been one of the people supporting the ban, IF I had been into fighting games that much. I came from a time when fighting games were exclusively on joysticks and properly using one was a part of the skill set. Never going to play it the other way. Don't care about the advantage, the joystick is a part of the experience.

You're still free to use a joystick. I don't see the issue. lol

 

[_roman_]

*compatible with windows pc * - very well hidden in the lines.

I never understood why hardware makers like razer and all those others only provide Windows binaries for their hardware.

 

[KrazyT]

This must be a recent thing. Not my jam, but then again, I'm not a pro-esports fighting game player.. I want a joystick.

It's for the nowadays kids !
Come, we're gonna play SFII Arcade style with joysticks !

 

[lexluthermiester]

Come, we're gonna play SFII Arcade style with joysticks !

SFA2, Samurai Showdown, Killer Instinct for me, but hell yes!