8BitDo Unveils Paper Thin Xbox Arcade Controller With All-Button Layout and Pro-Level Precision

Stick fighters, it might be time to retire your joystick. 8BitDo has just pulled back the curtain on their newest piece of arcade-inspired wizardry: a “paper thin” all-button arcade controller designed specifically for Xbox consoles and Windows PCs. And yes—it looks as cool as it sounds.

Launching on July 15th, this ultra-sleek beast is here to offer tournament-grade precision in a form factor so slim, it makes your Xbox controller look like a loaf of bread. Whether you’re a casual brawler or a frame-data-reading combo machine, this pad might just be your new main.

What Makes It Different?

Forget the joystick. This thing is rocking a pure all-button layout, meaning every direction—up, down, left, and right—is mapped to its own dedicated button. It’s the same style that’s increasingly popular among pro fighters who want faster, cleaner, more accurate input execution.

And 8BitDo isn’t just hopping on the bandwagon—they’re launching straight into top-tier territory with:

• Kailh Wizard low-profile mechanical switches
• Hot-swappable PCB for custom switches
• RGB lighting (because combos look better when the controller glows)
• 2 programmable quick-mapping buttons
• SOCD cleaning + tournament lock
• 3.5mm audio jack with volume control
• 8BitDo Ultimate Software support for advanced mapping

In other words, it’s built for speed, accuracy, and a level of customization your opponent definitely won’t be ready for.

“Paper Thin” Means Seriously Thin

8BitDo’s marketing calls it “paper thin,” and for once, the hype isn’t far off. At just 1.6cm thick, the controller is nearly as slim as a modern tablet and roughly the same footprint as an A4 sheet of paper. If you’ve ever lugged around a traditional fight stick, you’ll know this is a big deal. It’s so portable that you could slide it into a laptop sleeve and still have space for snacks. And in case you’re wondering: yes, you can use it wirelessly via 2.4Ghz dongle or plug in via USB for zero-lag tournament play.

All-Button Layout

For the uninitiated, all-button arcade controllers aren’t just a gimmick. They’re becoming a serious option for competitive players, particularly in games like Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, and Mortal Kombat 1. Instead of relying on a joystick that requires more motion (and wrist strain), the button layout allows ultra-fast directional inputs, especially for charge moves and diagonal combos. Plus, features like Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Directions (SOCD) cleaning help prevent conflicting inputs—basically giving you legal cheats for input clarity. Add a tournament lock, and you won’t be pausing the match mid-combo by accident either.

Xbox Compatibility, But Not Just Xbox

As the name suggests, this version is built with Xbox in mind, and it supports:

• Xbox Series X|S
• Xbox One
• Windows PC

That means whether you’re jumping into ranked on Street Fighter or labbing combos in Killer Instinct, you’re covered. And with 8BitDo’s Ultimate Software, you can fully customize layouts, remap buttons, and tweak sensitivity settings to match your fighting style—no matter how chaotic it is.

Price and Preorder Details

The Xbox version of 8BitDo’s new arcade controller is priced at $99.99 USD. That may sound like a lot for a controller with no stick, but considering the build quality, pro features, and mechanical internals, it actually lands in the sweet spot for serious players. Pre-orders are live now through major retailers and 8BitDo’s own website. And given how quickly their accessories tend to sell out (cough Ultimate Controllers cough), you might want to secure yours before the FGC crowd storms the gates.