8BitDo’s Xbox Elite-style controller sets a high bar for customization

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 customization and a more refined design than Microsoft’s pricier Xbox Elite Series 2 and 8BitDo’s own $60 Ultimate 2.

Basically every feature I’m looking for in a controller is here, plus some, including drift-proof TMR joysticks, extra shoulder buttons, rear paddles, motion control support, modular buttons and joysticks, a 3.5mm audio jack for chat or private listening, and a 1,000Hz polling rate over a low-latency wireless connection (only when connected to a PC). It includes a carrying case and a wireless charging dock that you can stash the USB dongle within.

8BitDo’s first premium controller competes directly with other big names, like Razer, PowerA, SteelSeries, and rising star GameSir. But the Ultimate 3E is also among the most expensive of the bunch, and I’m not sure the company delivers enough additional features to pull it off.

The Ultimate 3E’s modular design opens up more customization than a lot of other controllers I’ve tried. It includes two four-button modules (one with membrane buttons and another with clickier microswitch buttons), two directional pads, and three extra joysticks. That level of customization and included accessories should hopefully help it age more gracefully than cheaper alternatives.

Its TMR joystick mechanisms shouldn’t wear down, so you’ll only need to be concerned with replacing the joystick tops down the line, and the controller includes several to choose from. However, 8BitDo doesn’t sell replacement accessories for the Ultimate 3E, as it does for many of its other controllers, and it hasn’t responded to The Verge as to whether it ever will.

The Ultimate 3E’s modularity also helps somewhat to make up for the high price tag. 8BitDo’s Pro 3 already lets you swap individual magnetically attaching buttons to accommodate different console layouts. The Ultimate 3E doesn’t offer as much freedom of per-button placement as the Pro 3, likely due to being intended for use with Xbox and PC, but the joy of using its microswitch button module makes up for the limitation. They’re sharp and clicky, although they have a bit more travel than I’d like.

My other complaints are relatively minor. The clips that hold the face button module in place are very tight, and I found myself having to carefully use a plastic toothpick to pop them out. Similarly, swapping out joysticks requires a surprising amount of force, and I had to work up the courage to yank them off the first time. And, even when set to their higher response point, the triggers feel a bit soft and, like the membrane buttons, have more travel than I prefer, although the extra shoulder button can offset that travel distance in some situations. The soft touch grips and back gather dust and gunk pretty quickly, but you can at least clean the joystick tops by removing them.

It’s as weird of a time to be releasing a new high-end Xbox controller as it is shopping for one. Assuming you’re not content with the solid but basic Microsoft model that’s around $50, it seems unwise to commit to spending well over $100 on one given the increased frequency of Xbox Elite Series 3 leaks. What we’ve seen of that, while unofficial, seems interesting: It doesn’t appear to offer the modular customization of the Ultimate 3E, but its screen and knobs might be what some people want in their next controller.

As for how the Ultimate 3E stacks up to other great controllers, Microsoft’s Elite Series 2 is a poor value by comparison. It uses potentiometer joysticks that are likely to drift over time, which to me feels disqualifying given the price point. I don’t think anyone using 8BitDo’s Ultimate 2 should feel the urge to upgrade to the Ultimate 3E. There just aren’t enough differences to make it worthwhile. However, there’s also a non-modular 8BitDo Ultimate 3 for $99, which may end up being a sweet spot for more budget-conscious gamers who don’t need to tinker as much.

For what it’s worth, I’ll be sitting down with the GameSir G7 Pro to play GTA VI. It’s one of my favorite Xbox controllers, and it has a nearly identical set of features and specs to the 8BitDo. Better yet, it’s only $80 at full price and comes in a variety of colors, with swappable faceplates for sale.

Overall, the Ultimate 3E feels similar to use as other Elite-style controllers I’ve tried, and that’s impressive for a company that hasn’t tried to take on pricier competition before. Whether you opt for the cheaper Ultimate 3 with mostly similar specs or the pricier, more customizable Ultimate 3E, 8BitDo’s high-end gamepads make a strong impression, but they’re tough to recommend when there are cheaper alternatives that don’t slack on features.