8BitDo's First Wireless Xbox Controller Is Back In Stock At Amazon (August 14)

8BitDo Ultimate 3-Mode Wireless Controller: Rare 40th Anniversary Edition

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8BitDo's charming officially licensed Xbox controller celebrating Rare's 40th anniversary is back in stock at Amazon as of August 14. Amazon currently expects orders placed today to arrive by the end of the month. The 8BitDo Ultimate 3-Mode Rare 40th Anniversary Edition is the accessory manufacturer's first wireless controller for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, and it's also compatible with PC/Mac and mobile devices. The controller promptly sold out after its reveal earlier this month, and multiple subsequent restocks disappeared fast, too.

The $90 customizable controller comes with a matching charging dock, premium components--including back buttons, Hall Effect sticks, and a metal D-pad--and is presented in a striking blue-and-gold color scheme with symbols and artwork nodding to the Microsoft-owned studio's storied history. Though best known today as the studio behind Sea of Thieves, Rare has a back catalog of classics like Donkey Kong Country, GoldenEye 007, Banjo-Kazooie, Conker, and Perfect Dark.

8BitDo Ultimate 3-Mode Wireless Xbox Controller - Rare 40th Anniversary Edition

The original Ultimate 3-Mode Controller launched last spring in white and black. A transparent green model matching 8BitDo's Retro 87 Keyboard and Retro R8 Mouse was added to the lineup in May. The "3-Mode" moniker pertained to the $70 controller's connectivity options: 2.4GHz Wireless for PC, Bluetooth for mobile, and wired for Xbox. All of those modes still exist on the Rare 40th Anniversary Edition, but it also has 2.4GHz Wireless on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. Implementing Microsoft's wireless protocol combined with the special-edition theme explains the $20 price jump.

8BitDo Ultimate 3-Mode Wireless Controller: Rare 40th Anniversary Edition

$90 | For Xbox, PC, Apple, Android

The Rare 40th Anniversary Edition is arguably the best-looking controller 8BitDo has created--and one of the standout special-edition Xbox controllers in general. It utilizes Rare's longtime colors with a two-tone Royal blue shell accented by yellow-gold joystick rings, face button labels, triggers/bumpers, and two remappable back buttons.

8BitDo used gold-plated zinc alloy to create the tactile D-pad; this is the first metal D-pad in the Ultimate series. Rare's 40th Anniversary logo is on the left handle, while the darker Royal blue silhouettes are Easter Eggs referencing the studio's history.

It comes with a matching charging dock with the studio name on the front center. The 2.4GHz USB receiver is stored in the bottom compartment on the dock. You'll also find a USB-C cable and a pair of silicone stick caps featuring the Sea of Thieves logo on one and a puzzle piece on the other. The jigsaw puzzle piece nods to the collectibles in Rare's classic platformers, Banjo-Kazooie and DKC.

We haven't tested the new edition, so we can't comment on wireless performance on Xbox consoles, but outside of that new feature, this is the same great controller. The Ultimate 3-Mode is built with premium components and has stellar ergonomics. It's a versatile controller thanks to support for numerous devices and built-in customization options.

Check out the key specs for the Rare 40th Anniversary Edition below:

Platform support:
- Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One - 2.4GHz Wireless | Wired
- Windows - 2.4GHz Wireless | Wired
- Apple iOS & macOS - Bluetooth
- Android- Bluetooth
Controls:
- Hall Effect anti-drift sticks
- Hall Effect impulse triggers (Xbox/PC)
- Microswitch bumpers
- Two remappable back triggers
- Tactile metal D-pad (made of zinc alloy)
- ABXY face buttons with gold labels
- Xbox Guide | View | Menu | Star | Profile
- Mic and Input switches
- Textured handles
Accessories:
- Matching charging dock with 2.4GHz receiver
- Rare-themed silicone stick caps
- USB-C to USB-A cable
Profiles: Save up to 3 custom control layouts
Battery: Up to 20 hours | Charge time: 4 hours
Ports: USB-C, 3.5mm audio jack
Vibration: Xbox and PC only
8BitDo Ultimate Software for Xbox, PC, Apple, Android:
- Remap inputs
- Set up custom profiles
- Create dead zones
- Adjust stick sensitivity
- Adjust trigger sensitivity
- Adjust rumble intensity

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The silicone stick caps are designed to offer better grip/control.

With support for PC, Mac, and mobile, the new controller will likely appeal to big fans of Rare who don't even own or have a need for a wireless Xbox controller. That said, it's worth emphasizing that the 3-Mode Controller does not have the latest and greatest tech found in 8BitDo's flagship Ultimate 2 or newly released Pro 3 Bluetooth Gamepad.

The Ultimate 2 has four remappable buttons, upgraded TMR sticks, RGB light rings, and adjustable trigger locks, among other improvements. The Ultimate 3-Mode, meanwhile, is essentially the same as the original Ultimate. A great controller, for sure, but not 8BitDo's best. So PC players will also want to check out the Ultimate 2 for $60. If you also have a Nintendo Switch or Switch 2, the Ultimate 2 Bluetooth is $70.

8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller (Switch 2, Switch, PC, Mac)

$63 (was $70)

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8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller (PC, Apple, SteamOS, Android)

$53 (was $60)

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The Ultimate 3-Mode's form factor is similar to the Xbox Wireless Controller.

8BitDo Xbox-Licensed Gaming Gear

8BitDo started working with Xbox several years ago, but 2025 has certainly been the biggest year for the partnership. Within the past few weeks, 8BitDo launched a new version of its Ultimate Mobile Controller licensed by Xbox Cloud Gaming as well as a leverless wireless fight stick. The controller cradles your iPhone or Android phone and is a bargain at $50. The All-Button Arcade Controller is the second Xbox-licensed 8BitDo arcade controller for fighting games. The fight sticks can connect wirelessly to Xbox, as can the Lite SE Accessibility Controller and Xbox Media Remote. So while the new 3-Mode is the first regular 8BitDo controller with wireless support on Xbox consoles, the manufacturer does have prior experience with the wireless protocol.

We rounded up a list of 8BitDo accessories licensed by Xbox, note that a number of the products aren't actually for Xbox. The Retro 87 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard, for instance, is simply part of 8BitDo's series of retro-inspired gaming keyboards. It's based on a popular special edition of the original Xbox. It's a really solid keyboard for the price, but you can actually grab it for just $65 (was $120) at Amazon-owned retailer Woot right now.