8BitDo Arcade Controller Pro Cuts App Out of Button Remaps

On June 24, 8BitDo revealed the 8BitDo Arcade Controller Pro with a built-in screen that lets players remap buttons and change settings directly on the fight controller, no phone or PC app required. The timing matters because it lands a little over a year after 8BitDo’s first all-button Arcade Controller, pushing that design further toward players who obsess over input speed and layout control.

The new model keeps the leverless, Hitbox-style layout, replacing a joystick with directional buttons for cleaner movement inputs, according to The Verge. The headline change is the small monochrome display, which can handle button mapping, battery checks, accent lighting tweaks, and settings for simultaneous button presses without opening 8BitDo’s Ultimate Software V2 on another device.

June 24: 8BitDo Arcade Controller Pro puts mapping on the controller itself

The 8BitDo Arcade Controller Pro looks close to the original Arcade Controller, but the workflow changes. Instead of reaching for a phone, PC, or companion app to adjust key settings, players can make changes from the controller’s own screen.

That doesn’t kill the app. Ultimate Software V2 is still supported, which means the screen is more about speed and convenience than replacing the full software layer.

For fighting game players, that matters. Button mapping is not a cosmetic setting. It can change how quickly a player reaches a command, how comfortable a layout feels over long sessions, and whether an accidental input ruins a round.

The controller’s screen is basic, but lets users check modes, battery level, or edit button mapping without reaching for another device.

The Verge also reports that the Pro can adjust how the controller behaves when multiple buttons are pressed at once. That is a niche but important setting for leverless controllers, where simultaneous directional inputs are part of the hardware conversation.

Analysis: The screen is the smartest upgrade here because it attacks friction. The original idea of an all-button controller is precision. Forcing precision-focused players to leave the controller to change settings undercuts that pitch. Putting the controls on the device makes the Pro feel more self-contained.

The 16mm Pro build adds a fifth programmable button and Switch screenshot control

The Pro version gets thinner, too. 8BitDo lists the new design at 16mm, which makes portability part of the sell.

It also adds another programmable button. The Pro now includes five programmable buttons, with the fifth placed on the left side of the controller. The Verge also notes a screenshot button for the Switch.

Here’s the confirmed hardware stack from the announcement details:

The buttons use 8BitDo Core Green low-profile linear mechanical switches, codeveloped with Kailh. Players can hot swap them for alternate switches if they want a different feel.

That switch detail matters more than it sounds. Leverless controllers live or die on button feel, since every movement and attack runs through mechanical inputs. If the switch is too stiff, too light, too loud, or too slow to rebound, the layout advantage starts to fade.

The Pro also ships with five flush-mounted lock caps. These replace the programmable buttons and disable them, which can help prevent accidental presses. For players who don’t want extra buttons active, or who need a cleaner layout for a specific setup, that’s a practical inclusion.

Analysis: 8BitDo is not just adding more controls. It’s giving players more ways to remove controls. That sounds odd, but it fits the product. Competitive-style controllers need customization, yet they also need predictability. A button that can be disabled is less risky than a button that’s always live.

For XOOMAR readers tracking adjacent hardware buying decisions, our separate coverage of the Steam Machine preorder queue and the Samsung 990 Pro SSD deal for PC buyers shows the same practical question from a different angle: timing and configuration often matter as much as raw specs. For 8BitDo, the missing variables are still price and launch timing.

Launch details still hinge on price, availability, and preorder timing

The biggest gap is still commercial. Pricing, availability, and preorder timing for the Arcade Controller Pro have not been confirmed.

That leaves buyers with an obvious comparison. Last year’s model is still listed at $89.99, according to The Verge. The Pro adds the screen, thinner build, fifth programmable button, updated button design, screenshot button, and five lock caps, but 8BitDo has not said what those upgrades will cost.

Battery life is estimated at up to 15 hours over either Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wireless. The source material does not confirm a wired mode for the Pro, nor does it provide a full compatibility list beyond the Switch-related screenshot button and the wireless connection details.

That means platform clarity is the next major decision point. Buyers will want to know exactly how the Pro behaves across PC, Switch, and supported fighting games before treating it as a clear upgrade over the original Arcade Controller.

The practical read is simple: the 8BitDo Arcade Controller Pro fixes a real annoyance by moving common customization controls onto the hardware. But until 8BitDo confirms price, preorder timing, and availability, the upgrade case remains incomplete.

The next thing to watch is whether 8BitDo prices the Pro close enough to the $89.99 original to make the screen feel like an easy upsell, or high enough that players start weighing every added button, cap, and setting shortcut before they buy.

Key Takeaways

• On-device customization makes it faster for players to adjust controls without interrupting practice or matches.
• Leverless controllers are increasingly important for fighting game players focused on speed and input precision.
• Support for simultaneous button press settings gives competitive players more control over how the controller behaves in edge cases.

Originally published on XOOMAR. For more news and analysis, visit XOOMAR.