The 8BitDo Pro 3 Bluetooth Gamepad feels like a controller that knows exactly who it is for. It leans heavily into versatility and retro sensibilities while still offering enough modern features to justify its place next to first party pads. Build quality is immediately reassuring, the shell feels solid without being heavy, the buttons have a satisfying resistance, and the overall shape strikes a nice balance between classic PlayStation inspired design and modern ergonomics. This is a controller that remains comfortable during long sessions without trying to reinvent what already works.
Testing on MiSTer FPGA
For this review, the Pro 3 was tested specifically with a MiSTer FPGA setup, using the included 2.4 GHz wireless dongle rather than the built in Bluetooth. Latency felt excellent throughout testing, and input response was consistent across a wide range of cores. With most retro cores on MiSTer, a D-pad centric controller is not just preferred, it is essential, and this is where the Pro 3 immediately proves its value.
D-Pad Performance
The D-pad is the standout feature here. It feels responsive, accurate, and consistent, making it an excellent match for 8-bit and 16-bit systems, arcade cores, and other classic platforms that demand precise directional input. Fast platformers, precision focused action games, and menu heavy titles all felt natural to play, with no mushiness or unreliable diagonals during extended sessions.
This is especially important because 8BitDo does not always get D-pads right. Controllers like the Ultimate and Ultimate 2C are perfectly fine general-purpose gamepads, but their D-pads have been a recurring point of criticism among retro focused players. The Pro 3 is a clear improvement. Directional inputs register cleanly, diagonals are dependable, and the overall feel aligns far more closely with what classic games expect. For MiSTer users, that difference is immediately noticeable in everyday use.
Buttons and General Controls
The face buttons feel solid and responsive, and the swappable ABXY layout is a genuinely useful feature when switching between different platforms and control standards. Moving between Nintendo style layouts and more conventional PC mappings is far less mentally jarring as a result. The analog sticks and triggers are smooth and well made, but on MiSTer they naturally take a back seat, the D-pad is clearly the primary focus and the controller’s biggest strength.
Wireless performance over the 2.4 GHz connection remained stable during testing, with no dropouts or unexpected behavior. Setup on MiSTer was straightforward, with no unusual mapping issues or configuration hurdles.
Docking Station Quirk
One minor quirk did appear when using the controller with MiSTer. While docked and connected, the LED on the charging station continues to blink for reasons that are not entirely clear. Importantly, the controller does charge correctly, so this appears to be a visual or signaling oddity rather than a functional problem. Notably, this blinking behavior does not occur when the controller is connected to a PC, where the dock behaves exactly as expected.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the 8BitDo Pro 3 Bluetooth Gamepad is an easy recommendation for MiSTer users and retro gamera. While 8BitDo does not always hit the mark with directional pads, the Pro 3 delivers where it matters most. Its excellent D-pad, low latency 2.4 GHz performance, solid build quality, and broad compatibility make it one of the stronger retro friendly controllers available right now.
Check out the official 8bitdo page here.
Still thinking about getting this one.
The L4/R4 buttons might be useful for making and loading save states for instance.
The orange colour is cool too.
But I already have the v1 and v2 of this controller though.
the biggest difference is BT vs 2,4Ghz and the improved d-pad