Known for making some of the best third-party game controllers you can buy, including options for Xbox, 8BitDo is once again inspired by Microsoft with a new compact gamepad designed to accommodate gamers with limited mobility that moves almost every features on dedicated buttons.
In 2018, Microsoft unveiled its Xbox Adaptive Controller, which bears no resemblance to the drivers included with the company’s consoles. The XAC was more reminiscent of an arcade-style controller, but instead of joysticks, it featured a pair of oversized pads, a more traditional D-pad, and 19 3.5mm input jacks that allowed you to connect and connect a wide variety of accessories. used as button entries. Although decades passed after the arrival of the first home consoles for companies to make games more inclusive, Microsoft’s XAC was a welcome innovation, and although at $ 100 ($ 139) it was not considerably more expensive than a standard Xbox gamepad, 8BitDo has more affordable solution en route.
This new controller was originally created to help a young player named Oskar Karlsson who has a rare neuromuscular disorder called spinal muscular atrophy type 2. Oskar’s father, Andreas, contacted 8BitDo directly with the request, and the couple helped the company test several prototypes over the past year before finalizing the new 8BitDo Lite SE.
The most obvious difference between the Lite SE and the other 8BitDo controllers and gamepads is that almost all of the functionality has been replicated using individual buttons on the face of the controller. This includes the D-pad, shoulder and trigger buttons, as well as the L3 and R3 buttons (which are traditionally activated by pressing analog sticks). The Lite SE still includes a couple of analog joysticks, but along with the buttons, they’ve become easier to press with less stamina and more sensitivity.
Pressing the buttons while holding a controller can also sometimes be a big challenge for some gamers, so as with Microsoft’s Xbox Adaptive Controller, the 8BitDo Lite SE features a flat bottom with a non-slip rubber grip (which seems to be removable optionally), which allows it to be placed and used on a flat surface without the controller sliding when the action is intense.
The 8BitDo Lite SE accessible driver is officially available for pre-order on the company’s website starting today for $ 35 ($ 49), with shipping starting next July 15th. While the Lite SE is only compatible with the Nintendo Switch and Android-powered devices, it’s still affordable, and it’s now the cheapest 8BitDo driver you can get that has a couple of analog joysticks.