8BitDo's Ultimate 3C+ is a $39.99 wireless gamepad for Windows and Android only, with adjustable TMR sticks and back buttons for $20 less than the Ultimate 2.
It is up for pre-order on Amazon. GamingTrend reports 8BitDo announced it on Oct. 13. Pre-orders are open, and 8BitDo's shop lists an Oct. 30 ship date.
What you get
- Sticks: TMR sticks with adjustable tension, which 8BitDo calls Dual Force Ring, plus a silicone ring under each stick. 8BitDo's page does not say how the tension is changed.
- Triggers: Hall effect triggers that switch between linear and non-linear tactile modes.
- Buttons: an extra pair of remappable bumpers (L4 and R4), two back buttons with a lock switch, and a D-pad.
- Connections: 2.4GHz adapter and USB-C wired on Windows; Bluetooth 5.4 on Android. 8BitDo lists a 1000Hz polling rate on 2.4GHz and wired.
- Adapter: it sticks magnetically to the back of the controller.
- Battery: 8BitDo lists a 500mAh battery, 20 hours on 2.4GHz and 32 hours on Bluetooth.
- Colours: frost white, stealth black and avocado green.
What TMR means
TMR is tunnelling magnetoresistance, a way to read a thumbstick's position with magnets instead of physical contact. SCUF says Hall effect and TMR sticks both use magnets, so they avoid the wear behind drift in ordinary sticks.
SCUF's own claim is that TMR reads finer movements than Hall effect and keeps a familiar feel. That is a maker's claim, not a test result.
Who it is for
- PC players who want the TMR sticks with adjustable tension that 8BitDo describes and back buttons. SCUF says magnetic sticks avoid the wear behind drift.
- Android players using Bluetooth with a phone or tablet.
- Handheld PC owners who dock the device. We have not tried the 3C+ on a Steam Deck, and 8BitDo's page does not list SteamOS.
What is missing
- Consoles. 8BitDo's page lists only Windows 10 (1903) and above and Android 13 and above. It does not say it works with Switch, Xbox or PlayStation, so assume it does not.
- Apple devices. None are listed.
- Bluetooth on Windows. The page lists 2.4GHz and wired for Windows, and Bluetooth for Android.
- Software. The page does not mention a companion app.
Against the 8BitDo range and a rival
Prices read on 8BitDo's shop and GameSir's site at about 00:05 ET on Oct. 14:
- Ultimate 3C+: $39.99. TMR sticks with adjustable tension, Hall effect triggers, two back buttons.
- Ultimate 2C: $29.99. Hall effect sticks and triggers, extra bumpers, no back buttons listed. Windows and Android 9 and above.
- Ultimate 2: $59.99. TMR sticks, two back paddles, a charging dock and 6-axis motion control. Lists SteamOS and Apple platforms too.
- GameSir Nova 2 Lite: $29.99 to $34.99 depending on the option, per GameSir's page. The page describes a mechanical D-pad and customizable triggers; it does not list its stick type or back buttons in the part we could read.
Price gaps, our arithmetic:
- Versus the 2C: the 3C+ costs $10 more.
- Versus the Ultimate 2: the 3C+ costs $20 less.
Over the 2C you pay for TMR sticks, tension adjustment and back buttons. Over the Ultimate 2 you give up the dock, motion control and wider platform support.
Where to buy
- 8BitDo shop: $39.99, ships Oct. 30.
- Amazon (U.S.): $39.99 for pre-order, sold by Amazon, releases Oct. 30 (price read 00:38 ET Oct. 14).
Why it matters
The 3C+ moves two features that usually cost more, TMR sticks and back buttons, at a lower price than the Ultimate 2. The trade-off is reach: it is a Windows and Android controller only, so a console player or a household with Apple devices gets nothing from the saving.
Our call, untested
We have not used the 3C+. On paper it suits a PC or Android player who wants the TMR sticks and back buttons 8BitDo describes, cheaply. The cheaper Ultimate 2C is enough if you do not need those extras. If you want a controller for a console or an Apple device, look elsewhere. If it fits, Amazon has it for pre-order. Wait for reviews to see how the tension adjustment feels.
