8BitDo’s New Switch Arcade Controller Is Flat, Fierce, and Finally Here

If you’ve ever tried pulling off a perfect quarter-circle forward on Joy-Cons, then you already know—fighting games on the Switch need all the help they can get. Enter 8BitDo, the accessory brand with retro charm and modern smarts, now throwing a haymaker of a hardware update with its all-new arcade controller for Nintendo Switch.

Launching this July in North America (and August in Europe), this slick new slab of a controller is ultra-slim, competitively focused, and so pretty you’ll want to display it next to your Amiibo collection. Whether you’re a die-hard Street Fighter 6 player or someone who just likes stylish buttons that go click, this is the stick you’ve been waiting for.

What’s New: A Slim, Serious Fighter’s Dream

Let’s get the first thing out of the way—this thing is thin. Like, “how-is-it-not-bending-under-pressure” thin. At just 1.6cm thick and roughly the size of an A4 sheet of paper, it’s a true travel-friendly arcade controller you can actually toss in your backpack without it looking like you packed a typewriter.

8BitDo calls it “impossibly slim.” We call it “finally, a fight stick that doesn’t need its own suitcase.”

But don’t let the low profile fool you—this controller is built for competitive heat, whether you’re going toe-to-toe in Tekken 8 or just looking to throw down in Smash Bros. with a little more flair.

Pro Features for Casuals and Combo Kings Alike

Here’s the good stuff. The 8BitDo Arcade Controller supports both wireless and wired play, giving you flexibility for couch battles or zero-lag tournament showdowns. A rechargeable battery is included, and connection to the Switch is handled via a wireless USB dongle, which is thoughtfully included in the box.

And for the tech-savvy fighters out there, you’ll be pleased to know it includes:

• SOCD cleaning – to keep simultaneous opposing directions from triggering weird inputs
• Tournament lock – so your fat palm doesn’t pause the match mid-combo
• Dynamic input switching – toggle between Switch (S-Input) and PC (X-Input) modes

So yes, this is a controller that respects your muscle memory and your setup. Whether you’re popping it on your Switch dock or taking it for a spin on Steam, it’s got you covered.

Price and Variants: Pick Your Fighter (With or Without RGB)

The standard edition of the controller is priced at $89.99 / £74.99, and honestly? That’s not bad for a device that screams premium without asking you to pawn your GPU.There’s also an Xbox-branded version priced slightly higher at €99.99 / £84.99. It includes optional RGB lighting for those who want their uppercuts and low kicks bathed in rainbow glory. But unless you’re rocking your own neon-lit battlestation, it’s purely aesthetic. Let’s be real: you’re not going to punch better just because your controller is glowing green. (Though we won’t stop you from trying.)

Shipping Dates and Availability

Mark your calendars, because pre-orders are live now, and units start shipping from:

• July 15th, 2025 in North America
• August 15th, 2025 in Europe

And if 8BitDo’s past track record is any indicator, stock won’t last forever. Their retro-inspired gear tends to sell fast, and this is their most serious arcade offering to date.

Is It Worth It?

If you’re a Switch owner who plays even a little bit of competitive fighting games (or any game that benefits from precise directional input), then yes—this is absolutely worth it. It’s stylish, functional, surprisingly portable, and it’s nice to see a third-party controller that treats the Switch like a serious platform for fighting games. It also looks so good that, even if you only boot it up once a week, it’ll still make your desk look 30% more legit.