Imagine settling in for a weekend of Sea of Thieves raids, only to realize your controller is more yellow submarine than Royal Blue. That’s the exact moment 8BitDo, the indie hardware darling known for its retro-inspired peripherals, decided to leap into Xbox territory—partnering with Microsoft’s venerable studio Rare to mark its 40th anniversary. The result? The 8BitDo Ultimate 3-mode Controller for Xbox: Rare 40th Anniversary Edition, a surprisingly bold, officially licensed offering that blends nostalgia, premium components, and modern versatility into one $89.99 package.

8BitDo first built its reputation by reimagining classic controllers for new platforms, from SNES replicas to Switch Pro-style pads. Rare, on the other hand, has shaped gaming history since Knight Lore debuted in 1985, then soared with Donkey Kong Country, GoldenEye 007, and Banjo-Kazooie. Bringing these two together isn’t just a branding exercise—it’s a conversation between the past and future of play. For collectors and longtime Rare fans, seeing those iconic cobalt blues and sunshine yellows on a modern Xbox pad feels like a winning rare drop.

At first glance, the gold-and-blue scheme—royal blue panels offset by gleaming gold accents—might look purely aesthetic. But look closer, and you’ll spot a Sea of Thieves-skull cap nestled on one joystick and a Banjo-Kazooie puzzle-piece cap on the other. These swappable silicone toppers nod to Rare’s greatest hits, while the zinc-alloy D-pad, plated in gold, adds tactile heft that’s missing from plastic alternatives.

Under the hood, this isn’t just a pretty face. Technically, the controller is the wireless iteration of 8BitDo’s Ultimate three-mode pad. You can plug in via USB-C, pair through Bluetooth with phones or PCs, or use the included 2.4GHz USB dongle for consoles. Note: this isn’t Microsoft’s proprietary Xbox Wireless protocol, so you’ll need that little stick to game wire-free on Series X, S, or One.

Competitive gamers prize macro keys and remapped triggers; 8BitDo delivers with two back-button paddles and three customizable profiles. Its free Ultimate Software lets you reassign every button, tweak stick sensitivity, adjust trigger “tension,” dial vibration strength, and finetune dead zones. Whether you’re lining up headshots in Sea of Thieves or puzzle-solving in Banjo-Kazooie, you’re in full control.

Inside sits a 1,000mAh rechargeable cell rated for up to 20 hours of play—enough to marathon multiple Rare classics back-to-back. When it’s time to recharge, set the controller on its included magnetic dock: it snaps into place automatically, and a full charge takes about four hours. No more rummaging for cables mid-battle.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of all is that Rare turned to 8BitDo instead of Microsoft’s own Xbox Design Lab. Since December, the Design Lab platform has been on pause—no custom orders have been accepted, and there’s been radio silence on when it will return. That gap left enthusiasts hungry for bespoke controllers, and 8BitDo seized the moment, delivering a finely tuned option at a sub-$100 price point.

The 8BitDo Ultimate 3-mode Controller for Xbox: Rare 40th Anniversary Edition isn’t just a collectible—it’s proof that thoughtful collaborations can fill voids big companies sometimes overlook. With nostalgic Easter eggs, robust customization, and multi-platform support, it stands out in a field crowded by both first- and third-party controllers. Whether you’re a die-hard Rare fan or simply looking for a fresh take on Xbox gaming, this unexpected partnership delivers both flair and function—no cheat codes required.