8BitDo’s Jade Green Ultimate Controller Offers Xbox Nostalgia, With a Catch

The trinity is now available!

Peripheral maestros 8BitDo have further tapped into the rich vein of original Xbox nostalgia, adding a rather fetching Jade Green edition to their line-up of Ultimate 3-Mode controllers. Officially licensed by Xbox, this translucent green gamepad clearly takes its design cues from the popular special-edition console of yesteryear and follows the matching Retro 87 Keyboard and Retro R8 Mouse launched previously.

First appearing in black and white, the Ultimate 3-Mode controller has garnered a respectable following, particularly amongst PC and mobile gamers. This Jade variant, available 15th May as cited by Amazon, retails for $69.99. However, potential buyers should be aware of its slightly peculiar relationship with the console it mimics aesthetically. Despite sporting an Xbox button, the controller only connects to Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One consoles via a wired USB-C connection. Wireless duties are reserved for PC (using a 2.4GHz USB dongle) and Bluetooth connectivity for Mac, iOS, and Android devices – hence the '3-Mode' designation.

Wired for Xbox, Wireless Elsewhere

This wired limitation on Xbox might seem an odd quirk for an officially licensed product clearly aimed at fans of the brand, but it’s a consistent feature across the Ultimate 3-Mode range. Under the attractive jade shell, the controller boasts desirable components, including Hall Effect analogue sticks and impulse triggers, known for their durability and resistance to drift. It also features two remappable back paddles, a 3.5mm audio jack, and offers up to 20 hours of battery life for its wireless modes. Customisation options for button mapping, stick and trigger sensitivity, dead zones, and rumble intensity are handled via the 8BitDo Ultimate Software.

For those prioritising wireless PC play, 8BitDo also offers the Ultimate 2 controller ($59.99). Introduced early last year, it features upgraded TMR electromagnetic analogue sticks, four remappable buttons (two back, two shoulder), and RGB lighting. Nintendo Switch owners, meanwhile, might look towards the Ultimate Bluetooth model for broader compatibility.

Completing the Green Theme

The Jade controller sits alongside the previously released Retro 87 Mechanical Keyboard ($112.78) and Retro R8 Wireless Mouse (approx. $59.99), both sporting the same transparent green finish. These peripherals connect wirelessly via 2.4GHz or Bluetooth to PC, Mac, and Android but, crucially, are not compatible with Xbox consoles at all. One minor niggle noted is that the Jade controller ships with a standard black charging dock, unlike the matching green dock included with the R8 mouse – a slight aesthetic fumble in an otherwise well-coordinated set.

For those smitten by the transparent green, the 8BitDo Ultimate 3-Mode Jade controller presents a well-built, feature-rich option, particularly for PC users who appreciate the Xbox aesthetic and Hall Effect hardware. Just remember that authentic Xbox console play remains strictly a cabled affair.