The holidays are here (well, almost here…okay, a couple more months)! That means it’s time to do some holiday shopping for your favorite gaming family and friends (you gotta include us in that list)! Usually, first-party pads hog the spotlight, but 8BitDo and Turtle Beach are rolling out new next-gen gamepads/controllers that might just tempt Xbox, PC, and Nintendo fans to switch sides. With the 8BitDo Ultimate 3 Xbox Controller and the Turtle Beach Rematch Switch 2 Controller both officially announced, gamers can look forward to some slick new designs and anti-drift tech that promises to keep your aim true and your thumbs happy.
The 8BitDo Ultimate 3 Controller for Xbox
8BitDo is back with the third round of its Ultimate controller series, this time targeting Xbox and PC players who want a little extra flair with their button-mashing. The Tomb Raider 30th Anniversary Edition leads the lineup, sporting a golden-yellow shell with Lara Croft silhouettes from her many adventures, plus black accents and a matching charging dock. If you prefer your controllers a bit more chill, a Lavender Dusk special edition is also coming.
Inside, the Ultimate 3 next-gen gamepads pack some serious tech. 8BitDo has swapped in TMR (Tunnel Magnetoresistance) joysticks with Force Ring adjustable tension and Hall Effect impulse triggers. These features should finally put an end to the dreaded stick drift that’s haunted gamers for years. You can hop between Xbox, PC, and mobile thanks to tri-mode connectivity. Choose from 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, or good old USB-C. PC players get a bonus with 6-axis gyro aiming and a lightning-fast 1,000Hz polling rate when wired. Both versions come with 8BitDo’s signature wireless charging dock. The Lavender Dusk goes for $99.99, while the Tomb Raider edition will set you back $119.99.
Turtle Beach Rematch Switch 2 Controller
Turtle Beach, on the other hand, is getting ready for whatever Nintendo cooks up next with the Rematch Switch 2 Wireless Controller. It works just fine with your current Switch OLED or Switch Lite, but it’s clearly designed with the upcoming Switch 2 in mind, including the new “C Button” that Nintendo just revealed.
Turtle Beach is going all-in on eye-catching designs, launching the Rematch in a bunch of RGB-lit themes inspired by fan-favorite franchises. There’s a Fortnite Kevin the Cube edition with four lighting modes, and a Minecraft Dungeons II version that changes up its look depending on the angle.There’s also an Animal Crossing K.K. Slider (we’re big fans!) theme for those who prefer their gaming a bit more laid-back. Like 8BitDo, Turtle Beach uses TMR thumbsticks, so you can expect smooth, accurate gameplay and a controller that should last longer. As long as you don’t drop it from a 20-ft height or atomic pile-drive it.
The wireless Rematch promises up to 40 hours of playtime on a single charge, has built-in motion controls. It has two remappable back buttons so you can tweak your setup just how you like it. It skips the usual rumble to keep things light and battery-friendly at just 360 grams. At $69.99, it’s a pretty tempting pick for Nintendo fans who want style without breaking the bank.
With the push for more durable, precise hardware, the 8BitDo Ultimate 3 and Turtle Beach Rematch Switch 2 show that you don’t have to pick between good looks and solid performance anymore. Both next-gen gamepads are up for preorder now, so if your old pad is looking a little worse for wear, it might be time for an upgrade.
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