Tag: Xbox Controller

  • Pre-Order 8BitDo Arcade Controller in UK & Europe – Delayed Arrival

    Pre-Order 8BitDo Arcade Controller in UK & Europe – Delayed Arrival

    Key Takeaways

    1. 8BitDo has launched two new Arcade Controllers for Switch/Windows and Xbox, with pre-orders now available in the UK and Europe.
    2. The Switch/Windows controller is priced at £75.99 in the UK and €89.99 in Europe, while the Xbox variant costs £67.43 or €99.99.
    3. Release dates differ: US customers receive their controllers on July 15, 2025, while UK and European customers must wait until August 15, 2025.
    4. Both controllers feature low-profile mechanical switches, hot-swappable PCBs, and programmable buttons, with the Xbox version having RGB lighting and a longer battery life.
    5. Connectivity options include Bluetooth for the Switch/Windows controller and wireless/USB-C for the Xbox controller.

    Last month, 8BitDo revealed their new Arcade Controller designed for the Switch and Windows, along with another one specifically for Xbox. In North America, pre-orders for these two leverless controllers began right away, but Europe did not see the same timing. Now, the good news is that 8BitDo has confirmed that both controllers can be pre-ordered in the UK and across Europe.

    Pricing and Availability

    The 8BitDo Arcade Controller for Switch and Windows is up for pre-order on Amazon UK for £75.99 and on Amazon.de for €89.99. The Xbox variant can be pre-ordered for £67.43 or €99.99 in Europe. However, there’s a notable difference in release dates; while customers in the US can expect their controllers on July 15, 2025, those in the UK and Europe will need to wait until August 15 to receive theirs.

    Features & Specifications

    Both Arcade Controllers feature a comprehensive arcade layout, equipped with 16 Kailh Wizard low-profile mechanical switches and a hot-swappable PCB. They also include replaceable lock caps, an audio jack, and built-in volume control. However, the Switch and Windows controller boasts four programmable buttons, while the Xbox version only offers two.

    In terms of additional features, the Xbox model is designed with RGB lighting encircling the buttons and includes a 3,000mAh battery that supports up to 40 hours of usage (20 hours with RGB lighting activated). The Switch and Windows variant, on the other hand, does not include RGB lights and has a smaller 1,000mAh battery, providing just 20 hours of battery life.

    Connectivity Options

    The Switch and Windows controller connects via Bluetooth for the Nintendo Switch, and it uses 2.4GHz or USB-C for Windows devices. The Xbox version connects wirelessly or through a USB-C cable to the Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows 10/11 devices.

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  • Scuf Valor Pro Controller: Hall Effect Joysticks & Audio for Xbox/PC

    Scuf Valor Pro Controller: Hall Effect Joysticks & Audio for Xbox/PC

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Scuf Valor Pro is a wired controller for Xbox and PC, priced at $100, making it more affordable than other Scuf options.
    2. It features hall effect joysticks to reduce stick drift and enhance precision, along with dedicated audio controls for game and chat audio.
    3. Customization options include adjustable triggers, customizable rear paddles, and a profile switch for saving settings for up to three games.
    4. The controller has a 1000Hz polling rate available on PC, with plans to roll out this feature soon.
    5. Gamers can choose from 15 color options, including a Smoke variant with a translucent face plate.

    Scuf Valor Pro is the most recent controller designed for Xbox and PC gamers, featuring hall effect technology and special audio controls. Compared to other Scuf controllers for Xbox, this one is a more affordable option, although it’s not exactly a budget controller since brands like GameSir have cheaper alternatives. With a price tag of $100, the Scuf Valor Pro keeps the familiar shape of the standard Xbox Series controller, while adding several extra features and a wide range of colors.

    Wired Connection

    Sadly, this controller is wired and relies on a USB Type-C connection with a lengthy 10-foot cable. The Scuf Valor Pro is equipped with hall effect joysticks, which help to eliminate stick drift problems and improve precision compared to traditional potentiometer-based joysticks. Additionally, it has specific audio controls that manage both game and chat audio levels. Users will find two dials: one for muting the microphone or adjusting the chat/game volume mix, and another for modifying headset volume and muting audio.

    Customization Options

    Among the various features of the Scuf Valor Pro are adjustable triggers, customizable rear paddles, and a profile switch allowing gamers to save settings for up to three different games. Interestingly, the controller boasts a 1000Hz polling rate, but this is only available on PC, with this feature being rolled out soon as mentioned on the brand’s official site.

    Color Variety

    Gamers can choose from 15 unique color options, including a Smoke variant for those who like translucent face plates. Before the Valor Pro, Scuf had released two other officially licensed Xbox controllers: the Instinct and Instinct Pro, which are priced at $170 and $230 respectively. While these do offer wireless connectivity, they do not include hall effect joysticks.

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  • GameSir Supernova: New Wireless Controller with Gyroscope Preview

    GameSir Supernova: New Wireless Controller with Gyroscope Preview

    GameSir has launched several controllers this year, with the X3 Pro priced at $63.99 on Amazon as a substitute for the Backbone One. Recently, the company also unveiled the Cyclone 2 worldwide, and we have provided detailed information about it separately.

    New Launch: Supernova

    The latest offering from GameSir is the Supernova, which at first glance, resembles the Cyclone 2 quite a bit. It features a typical Xbox-style layout and its overall design brings to mind Microsoft’s newer first-party controllers. The Supernova stands out by supporting 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity along with wired and Bluetooth options, using Bluetooth 5.3 for the latter.

    Features and Specifications

    Moreover, the Supernova is equipped with a 1,000 mAh battery and includes a six-axis gyroscope, Hall effect joysticks, and triggers. It also boasts a polling rate of 1 KHz and allows for button remapping, although this does not apply to the Home and M keys on the controller.

    Availability and Pricing

    In addition, GameSir has incorporated customizable RGB lighting strips that sync with the lights on its charging case. As of now, the Supernova is only available in China, where it sells for CNY 199 (approximately $27). However, there is a good possibility that GameSir will release the Supernova in other regions, similar to many of its wireless controllers.

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  • Apple Software Update Adds Wired Xbox Controller Support

    Apple Software Update Adds Wired Xbox Controller Support

    Apple has introduced support for wired Xbox Controllers with the launch of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. This allows users with a wired Xbox Controller to easily play games on their iPhone, iPad, or Mac by just connecting the controller via a cable.

    Native Support for Controllers

    Apple typically integrates built-in support for gaming controllers across its devices. It can sometimes take time for this to happen; for example, the Xbox Elite 2 Controller took a year to gain support. However, while Xbox Wireless Controllers and both wired and wireless PlayStation controllers have had support for a while, wired Xbox Controllers have only just been included.

    Custom USB Protocol Challenge

    The significance of this implementation lies in the fact that Xbox controllers utilize a unique USB protocol known as GIP, in contrast to the USB-HID standard used by other controllers. This means that Apple needed to collaborate with Microsoft/Xbox to enable smooth functionality for these wired controllers.

    Easy Connection Process

    Connecting a wired Xbox Controller is quite simple. If your device has a USB-C port, just use a USB-C to USB-C cable. For older devices like the iPhone 14 that feature a Lightning port, you’ll require a Lightning to USB-C adapter to link the controller’s USB-C cable.

    Even though wired controllers can be a bit cumbersome due to their cables, they do offer the benefit of reduced latency when compared to their wireless counterparts. If you already possess an Xbox Wireless Controller, you can just connect it using a cable. Alternatively, you might consider purchasing a wired Xbox Controller, such as the GameSir T7 wired gaming controller, which is currently listed on Amazon for $27.99.

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