On August 4, Xbox and 8BitDo revealed the new 8BitDo Ultimate 3-mode Wireless Controller to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Rare, the creators of franchises like Sea of Thieves, Killer Instinct, and Banjo-Kazooie. The new 8BitDo Xbox controller comes with a $90 price tag, offering both wired and wireless compatibility for Xbox consoles and Windows PCs, as well as Bluetooth connectivity for mobile devices.
The collaboration between 8BitDo, Microsoft, and Rare came at a tumultuous time for the latter companies. Following a massive round of layoffs in July 2025, which resulted in the cancellation of game projects like Perfect Dark and Everwild, one of Rare’s longest-tenured developers, Gregg Mayles, left the studio. Mayles worked at Rare for 35 of its 40 years, and was the lead director for 1998’s Banjo-Kazooie, considered to be one of the Nintendo 64’s top games.
Xbox Reveals New 8BitDo Controller For Rare’s 40th Anniversary
Despite the recent setbacks, Rare’s 40th Anniversary was commemorated by the launch of a new controller in cooperation with 8BitDo. The Rare 40th Anniversary Edition of the 8BitDo Ultimate 3-Mode Wireless Controller is now available for purchase starting at $89.99 before taxes and shipping fees are applied. The new 8BitDo controller is an officially licensed Xbox third-party peripheral, and comes with impulse triggers and vibration functionality on Xbox consoles and Windows PCs. The Ultimate 3-Mode Wireless Controller also features Hall Effect joysticks and triggers, which are considered more durable and less prone to drifting, along with additional paddles underneath the grips. These paddles can be bound to other buttons using the 8BitDo Ultimate Software X app on PC. The controller’s main frame is blue, with yellow bumpers and triggers, a gold-painted D-Pad, and dark face buttons with yellow letters. Rare’s 40th Anniversary logo is located on the left side grip.
Like other 8BitDo controllers, the Ultimate 3-Mode Wireless Controller comes with a Charging Dock that connects via the included USB-C cable, which has a length of 8.2 ft. The Ultimate 3-Mode Controller also includes a 3.5mm audio jack on the bottom side. Unlike the Xbox Jade Ultimate 3-Mode Wireless Controller previously released by 8BitDo, the 2.4GHz wireless feature of the Rare 40th Anniversary Controller is compatible with Xbox consoles alongside Windows PCs. Alternatively, Xbox and Windows users can use a USB-C cable, and supported Apple and Android devices can connect via Bluetooth.
Along with the Rare 40th Anniversary controller and other physical goodies, the developer will also commemorate the occasion in Sea of Thieves throughout August. Only time will tell how long the new 8BitDo controller for Rare’s anniversary will remain in stock.
- Date Founded
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1985
- Headquarters
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Twycross, United Kingdom
- Parent Company
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Microsoft Studios, Xbox Game Studios
- Known For
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Perfect Dark
