8BitDo Arcade Controller Pro Opens for Pre-Order
8BitDo has opened pre-orders for its Arcade Controller Pro, a leverless arcade controller aimed at serious fighting-game players. The $119.99 device is scheduled to begin shipping on November 30.
Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer
Pre-orders open for 8BitDo's new controller
8BitDo's Arcade Controller Pro is now available for pre-order at $119.99, according to [Engadget](https://www.engadget.com/2296362/8bitdos-latest-button-only-arcade-controller-is-now-up-for-preorder/). The company is positioning the device as a premium arcade controller for players who take fighting games seriously. It is scheduled to start shipping on November 30.
The Pro model follows 8BitDo's first arcade controller designed without a conventional joystick. The company revealed this second leverless controller earlier this year, and the new model now moves from announcement to pre-order availability. Its higher price reflects a set of hardware and customization upgrades over the earlier controller.
A leverless layout for fighting games
Instead of the [typical joystick](https://www.engadget.com/8bitdo-arcade-stick-controller-nintendo-switch-pc-150046976.html) found on many arcade-style gamepads, the Arcade Controller Pro uses buttons for directional inputs. This leverless design is intended to appeal to the fighting-game community, where players may prefer a button-based control layout. 8BitDo has adjusted the physical arrangement to make the Pro more focused than its predecessor.
The new controller uses smaller buttons and places them closer together than the original Arcade Controller. That layout change gives the device a tighter control surface while also allowing 8BitDo to include more programmable buttons. The result is a design that emphasizes access to additional inputs without returning to a traditional joystick arrangement.
Display adds monitoring and customization
A 1.47-inch display is built into the Arcade Controller Pro. 8BitDo says the screen can show input monitoring, giving players a way to view controller inputs while using the device. The display also serves as an interface for adjusting several of the controller's settings.
Through the display, users can customize button mapping and change the controller's RGB lighting. Those controls are part of the Pro's broader emphasis on personalization, allowing players to adjust the device's behavior and appearance rather than relying only on its default configuration. The source material does not specify the number of lighting effects or the full range of mapping options.
Magnetic wrist rest and replacement caps
For longer play sessions, the Arcade Controller Pro includes a wrist rest that attaches magnetically to the bottom of the device. The accessory is designed to provide a place for the player's wrists while using the compact button layout. Because it attaches magnetically, it can also be removed when players prefer to use the controller without it.
The wrist rest has another function: opening it reveals five extra button caps. These replacement caps let users change the feel of the controller's buttons. 8BitDo has not detailed the specific shapes or materials of the included caps in the supplied information, but their inclusion gives owners additional hardware options beyond the buttons installed on the controller.
Larger battery adds to the Pro upgrades
8BitDo has also provided additional battery information for the Arcade Controller Pro. The controller includes a 3,000mAh battery, which is substantially larger than the battery details previously available for the product. The company says the battery can be fully recharged in four hours.
The battery capacity and charging time are among the details that became available after the controller's June launch information. The supplied material does not state how long the controller can operate on a full charge, so its total runtime cannot be determined from the announcement. The four-hour figure refers to a full recharge rather than expected play time.
Higher price and two color options
The Arcade Controller Pro starts at $119.99, making it more expensive than 8BitDo's previous Arcade Controller, which starts at $89.99. The difference places the Pro in a higher-priced position within 8BitDo's arcade-controller lineup, while the smaller buttons, tighter spacing, extra programmable inputs, display, wrist rest and larger battery provide the stated upgrades.
The controller will be offered in two color options: N Edition and White. Customers can pre-order the [Arcade Controller Pro](https://shop.8bitdo.com/products/8bitdo-arcade-controller-pro) through 8BitDo's store ahead of the scheduled November 30 shipping date. The new model is the company's latest attempt to build a button-only arcade controller specifically for fighting-game players.
Sources
- Engadget8BitDo's latest button-only arcade controller is now up for pre-order
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