8BitDo Is Launching An Xbox Pro 2 Controller Soon

8BitDo recently launched it’s Pro 2 line of 3rd-party controllers, and they’ve been pretty well received by users. These controllers have their own unique aesthetic and feel, and they work with a wide range of devices from the Nintendo Switch to PC. Now, thanks to The Verge, we know that the company is making a Pro 2 controller that can work with Xbox consoles.

The Xbox Pro 2 controller is pretty, and it’s wired

Nowadays, it seems like wired controllers are a thing of the past, but that’s not the case. Wired controllers are still on the market; who can argue with owning a controller you don’t have to charge?

The fact that the 8BitDo Pro 2 controller for Xbox is wired means that you won’t be able to use it for as many platforms. You can use it on PC, but that’s about it. Regardless, the fact that it’s wired means that it’s a little bit cheaper than the wireless variant.

The wireless controllers cost $49.99, but the wired version is $44.99. That’s not a big cut in price, but saving is saving.

These controllers have that unique 8BitDo look

Nowadays, controllers pretty much adopt a similar aesthetic. The Xbox-esque shape seems to be the mold that most companies use, but 8BitDo sticks out because of the odd (yet oddly satisfying) shape of its controllers.

The Pro 2 controller for Xbox almost resembles the controller add-on for the Nintendo Wii with its overall flat face. The A, B, X, and Y buttons jut out pretty far from the face along with the D-pad, while the other buttons lie almost flush.

The Xbox button lies prominently in the top center of the controller with the share, view, and menu buttons right under it. Below them are the joy-sticks which are in the PlayStation controller configuration.

Though this controller is wired, it has a few tricks up its sleeves

Along with the usual contemporary console buttons, there are four additional buttons (two on either side of the joy-sticks, and two on the back of the grips) which can actually be remapped. Confused? Well, while this controller is, indeed, wired, 8BitDo put a Bluetooth chip in it.

It uses this chip to communicate with the company’s proprietary app which is available on iOS and Android. You can use that app to map the functions you want to give the buttons. Honestly, this is a really neat trick, and it makes the $45 price tag make more sense.

Also, if you like to chat in-game, the controller has a 3.5mm headphone jack to pass the audio through. If you’re interested in picking up this controller, it will officially hit the shelves on December 8th. Sure, that’s a while to wait, but it’s just in time for the holidays.