8BitDo’s First Wireless Xbox Controller Celebrates Rare’s 40th Anniversary

8BitDo’s First Wireless Xbox Controller Celebrates Rare’s 40th Anniversary

8BitDo’s string of exciting accessory releases made in partnership with Xbox continues this week with the reveal of a controller that has been noticeably absent from the manufacturer’s lineup: a wireless controller. The manufacturer’s debut wireless controller for Xbox would be a big development on its own, but this is notable for another reason, too. The controller commemorates the 40th anniversary of Microsoft-owned studio Rare, the Sea of Thieves developer with a back catalog of classics like Donkey Kong Country, GoldenEye 007, Banjo-Kazooie, Conker, and Perfect Dark. The 8BitDo Ultimate 3-Mode Controller: Rare 40th Anniversary Edition is available today for $90.

8BitDo Ultimate 3-Mode Wireless Xbox Controller - Rare 40th Anniversary Edition
8BitDo Ultimate 3-Mode Wireless Xbox Controller – Rare 40th Anniversary Edition

The original Ultimate 3-Mode Controller launched last spring in white and black. A transparent green model matching 8BitDo’s Retro 87 Keyboard and Retro R8 Mouse was added to the lineup in May. The “3-Mode” moniker pertained to the $70 controller’s connectivity options: 2.4GHz Wireless for PC, Bluetooth for mobile, and wired for Xbox. All of those modes still exist on the Rare 40th Anniversary Edition, but it also has 2.4GHz Wireless on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. Implementing Microsoft’s wireless protocol combined with the special-edition theme explains the $20 price jump.

The silicone stick caps are designed to offer better grip/control.
The silicone stick caps are designed to offer better grip/control.

With support for PC, Mac, and mobile, the new controller will likely appeal to big fans of Rare who don’t even own or have a need for a wireless Xbox controller. That said, it’s worth emphasizing that the 3-Mode Controller does not have the latest and greatest tech found in 8BitDo’s flagship Ultimate 2 or upcoming Pro 3 Bluetooth Gamepad (releases August 12).

The Ultimate 2 has four remappable buttons, upgraded TMR sticks, RGB light rings, and adjustable trigger locks, among other improvements. The Ultimate 3-Mode, meanwhile, is essentially the same as the original Ultimate. A great controller, for sure, but not 8BitDo’s best. So PC players will also want to check out the Ultimate 2 for $60. If you also have a Nintendo Switch or Switch 2, the Ultimate 2 Bluetooth is $70.


The Ultimate 3-Mode's form factor is similar to the Xbox Wireless Controller.The Ultimate 3-Mode's form factor is similar to the Xbox Wireless Controller.
The Ultimate 3-Mode’s form factor is similar to the Xbox Wireless Controller.

8BitDo started working with Xbox several years ago, but 2025 has certainly been the biggest year for the partnership. Within the past few weeks, 8BitDo launched a new version of its Ultimate Mobile Controller licensed by Xbox Cloud Gaming as well as a leverless wireless fight stick. The controller cradles your iPhone or Android phone and is a bargain at $50. The All-Button Arcade Controller is the second Xbox-licensed 8BitDo arcade controller for fighting games. The fight sticks can connect wirelessly to Xbox, as can the Lite SE Accessibility Controller and Xbox Media Remote. So while the new 3-Mode is the first regular 8BitDo controller with wireless support on Xbox consoles, the manufacturer does have prior experience with the wireless protocol.

We rounded up a list of 8BitDo accessories licensed by Xbox, note that a number of the products aren’t actually for Xbox. The Retro 87 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard, for instance, is simply part of 8BitDo’s series of retro-inspired gaming keyboards. It’s based on a popular special edition of the original Xbox. It’s a really solid keyboard for the price, but you can actually grab it for just $65 (was $120) at Amazon-owned retailer Woot right now.

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