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8BitDo Debuts Ultimate 3E, a Modular Xbox Controller With Swappable ABXY Buttons

At $149.99, the pro-focused gamepad pushes 8BitDo into the premium tier with a Q2 2026 launch target.

Overview

  • Officially revealed at CES 2026, the Xbox-licensed Ultimate 3E is slated for Q2 2026; preorders have not opened.
  • Two ABXY button modules—silicone membrane or clicky microswitch—swap in by removing the magnetic faceplate.
  • The bundled accessory pack adds a standard D-pad, a micro-switch ABXY module, and one each of tall, dome, and thick-neck joystick options.
  • Performance features include TMR anti-drift sticks, Hall-effect impulse triggers with two stop levels, up to 1000Hz polling on PC, remappable fast bumpers, and PC-only 6-axis motion.
  • Xbox and PC connections run over a low-latency 2.4GHz USB adapter rather than Microsoft’s native wireless, with Bluetooth for Apple and Android, USB wired support, an integrated charging dock, and a rated 18-hour battery; CES attendees can try it on the show floor.