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This is my first foray into the world of 8BitDo accessories, happened upon only as the entire range of classic Xbox retro green accessories caught my eye last year. The full range, which consists of a keyboard, mouse, and controller, makes for quite a collection for fans of the original Xbox, especially as we wait for Xbox to make its own ‘X25’ gear, which I’m sure will be considerably more expensive.
First up on my testing docket was this 8BitDo Ultimate 3-mode Xbox Controller in Jade, and while I’m a bit bummed that not one of those 3 modes includes true wireless for Xbox, this is still a fine piece of kit for PC players (especially if you are also looking at that sexy keyboard and want to match).
8BitDo Ultimate 3-Mode Controller: Price, availability and specs
The 8BitDo Ultimate 3-Mode (Jade Edition) comes in at an MSRP of $69.99 (frequently on sale around $54.99–$59.99 at major retailers like Best Buy).
Here’s what you get under the hood:
- Tri-mode connectivity: 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, and USB-C wired connection
- Compatibility: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10/11, Android, and iOS
- Hall Effect anti-drift sticks & Hall Effect analog triggers
- Membrane ABXY buttons and traditional D-pad
- Two remappable pro back paddle buttons
- 4 integrated rumble motors (impulse trigger rumble + grip vibration)
- Custom Profile Switcher: Holds up to 3 custom configurations via 8BitDo Ultimate Software
- Included charging dock: Houses the 2.4GHz USB receiver
8BitDo Ultimate 3-Mode Controller: What’s good
First off, we have to talk about the obvious aesthetic pull of this controller. As a bonafide millennial, obviously the translucent green hue speaks to me. I gravitate toward translucent tech, as it reminds me of when tech was less boring and more prone to black-and-white combos. Combined with the matching green Xbox guide button, it’s one of the cleanest-looking controllers I’ve put on my desk in a long time. Overall, this controller would make a fantastic pairing with the 8BitDo retro green keyboard and mouse if you want to build out a complete, cohesive PC desktop setup with those lovely Xbox retro colors.
(Image credit: Jennifer Young)
Ergonomically, despite being smaller than what I usually reach for, it feels wonderfully crafted in the hand. I tend to grimace when I see anything outside the standard Xbox controller shape and layout, but this is a little more compact and surprisingly comfortable; your experience may vary if you have huge hands. The general weight and size are a bonus for me, though, as I’ve packed the controller on a couple of hotel trips now for use with my laptop, and even with the charging dock, it takes up so little room.
The build quality feels tight, sturdy, and light, featuring a very subtle textured grip on the back (though a little too subtle for my preference).
(Image credit: Jennifer Young – Windows Central)
The sticks use Hall Effect technology, meaning stick drift shouldn’t be an issue down the line, a massive upgrade over Microsoft’s stock controllers that still refuse to incorporate this.
Connecting it to the official 8BitDo Ultimate Software app directly on your Xbox or PC is also seamless. The app gives you full control to remap the face and rear paddle buttons, fine-tune trigger sensitivity, and adjust stick dead zones with ease, saving up to 3 custom profiles on the fly.
(Image credit: Jennifer Young)
Then there is the charging setup. 8BitDo was ahead of the game when it came to including bundled charging docks with budget controllers, and has been doing it long before other brands. Dropping the pad onto the cradle at the end of a session so it’s fully charged and ready to go for the next day, without messing with external play-and-charge kits or AA batteries, is a convenience feature I never get tired of. I’m always impressed to see it in a sub-$100 controller.
You do also get a code for 1 month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate in the box, though it’s only for new customers (I couldn’t stack it on my existing subscription booo!)
8BitDo Ultimate 3-Mode Controller: What’s bad
I feel like I’ve repeated this same point now on many a third-party controller, but it really grinds my gears when they are advertised as for Xbox, complete with the logo, to be wired only for the console. It often catches me out, and I imagine it would the average consumer too who doesn’t understand the stranglehold that Microsoft keeps on their wireless technology.
This only works via a wired USB-C connection when playing on an Xbox console. The 2.4GHz wireless dongle and Bluetooth modes are strictly reserved for PC, Android, and iOS devices. Having just experienced the true wireless couch freedom of the GameSir T7 Pro on my Xbox, being tethered to my console with a long cable here just means this is a non-starter for me when I’m playing on my console. There are other better options now.
Speaking of that cable… 8BitDo decided to bundle a standard black cable and black charging dock with this edition. When you buy a special translucent Jade controller, having it sit on a plain black dock with a plain black cord hanging out of it does look a little jarring, especially when 8BitDo has made beautifully color-matched accessories for their other special editions; look at the Rare 40th Edition and Lavender Dusk, for example.
On the gameplay front, the controller lacks features that are fast becoming standard at this price point. There are no physical trigger stops, meaning shooter fans can’t shorten their trigger pulls for rapid firing, and like I’ve previously mentioned, the texture on the grips is far too subtle, and I’d prefer a rougher texture, if not rubber.
8BitDo Ultimate 3-Mode Controller: The competition
At $69.99, the Jade 3-mode controller is being squeezed from both sides of the controller price wars, and I’d say for just $20 more you’d get more connectivity (wireless for Xbox) with the following two options…
The GameSir T7 Pro Sugar Whirl costs a little more at $79.99, but you’re also getting the benefit of it working wirelessly with Xbox, the more up-to-date TMR stick tech, and those trigger stops that are missing from the 8BitDo option. It’s an acquired taste when it comes to the design, but its value for money can’t be beat.
For those who bleed green and just have their heart set on the OG Xbox colors, it could well be worth waiting until November for the official Xbox Series X25 controller to be released. However, the price is still unknown, and it will not have the bells and whistles of an included charging dock and Hall Effect sticks.
8BitDo Ultimate 3-Mode Controller: Should you buy it?
You should buy this if …
✅ You want that full retro green PC setup
This will pair stunningly well with the green keyboard and mouse 8BitDo provides, so it will be a no-brainer for collectors
✅ You like more compact hardware
It may be a little smaller than your standard pad, but this makes it great for travel and those with smaller hands.
✅ You want a controller primarily for PC and mobile
If you jump between PC, Steam Deck, or mobile devices, the wireless 2.4GHz dongle and Bluetooth toggles work like a charm.
You should not buy this if …
❌ You want a wireless controller for your Xbox console
IHaving to plug a wire across your living room floor to play on Xbox completely defeats the point of buying a “wireless” pad.
❌ You play competitive shooters or racing games
The lack of physical trigger stops and tactile micro-switch buttons means it’s not built for ultra-fast response times.
As my very first experience with an 8BitDo controller, the Ultimate 3-Mode (Jade Edition) is a bit of a heartbreaker. On one hand, it’s a compact, perfectly formed pad that easily stands out as one of the prettiest third-party controllers on the market. If you are building out a dedicated PC setup alongside 8BitDo’s retro green keyboard and mouse, it’s a match made in heaven.
8BitDo
Ultimate 3-mode controller
The 8BitDo Ultimate 3-Mode (Jade Edition) is a perfectly fine controller, but it certainly isn’t a great one — earning a respectable 3.5 out of 5 stars in my book.
