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Final 12 months, I purchased the 8BitDo Arcade Stick to be used on Swap and Steam Deck, and it was my first ever arcade stick buy. I ended up loving it, and went down the rabbit gap with modding, taking a look at extra sticks, adapters to make use of sticks on PS5 and Xbox, and extra. Since then, 8BitDo launched a brand new Arcade Stick for Xbox consoles. Whereas I did have the Wingman XB 2 from Brook to make use of any controller or stick on my Xbox Sequence X, I performed an excessive amount of Road fighter 6 and The King of Fighters XV, so I wished a devoted arcade stick for Xbox.
After wanting into arcade sticks for Xbox, I realized that there aren’t too many new ones, however I used to be inquisitive about 8BitDo’s new stick (the 2023 mannequin) for Xbox, and whether or not it made extra sense to purchase that over the Swap model, which is just titled the 8BitDo Arcade Stick. On this characteristic, I’m going to cowl what I like and dislike about each 8BitDo Arcade Stick fashions, which one you can purchase, ease of modding, and much more. Whereas neither of those are formally supported for iOS and Android, that is one thing that can assist Swap, Steam Deck, and even Xbox gamers who wish to play preventing video games and arcade video games. Hopefully 8BitDo could make them suitable like they did with different controllers a short while in the past.
8BitDo Arcade Stick for Swap vs Xbox – options and ports
Earlier than moving into the variations between the 2 arcade sticks, each have related buttons and a stick, nice battery life, a pleasant heft to them whereas resting in your lap, and assist for platform-specific stuff (stick dependent). The 8BitDo Arcade Stick for Swap (8BitDo Arcade Stick henceforth), helps Nintendo Swap, Home windows, and Steam (together with Steam Deck). It has assist for bluetooth, 2.4GHz wi-fi, and wired connections. The 8BitDo Arcade Stick has its personal dongle included in a pleasant conveniently positioned slot within the entrance with its personal cowl, and that’s the place the USB-C port is for charging and wired connection.
The 8BitDo Arcade Stick for Xbox solely helps 2.4GHz wi-fi with its dongle and a wired connection. There is no such thing as a bluetooth assist on this one. The 8BitDo Arcade Stick for Xbox has an open USB-C port which is extra handy than the one included within the Swap stick, and a headphone jack.
The 8BitDo Arcade Stick has macro buttons you may map utilizing 8BitDo’s software program whereas the 8BitDo Arcade Stick for Xbox has the highest proper buttons as left stick and proper stick presses. Each sticks are simple to mod, however the Xbox stick has one large caveat which can or might not matter to you.
8BitDo Arcade Stick for Swap vs Xbox – ease of modding
I used Sanwa buttons I purchased from Arcade Shock on each the 8BitDo Arcade Stick and the 8BitDo Arcade Stick for Xbox. The default buttons are high-quality, however since I used to be moving into utilizing arcade sticks, I figured I’d additionally use this as a studying alternative to see how simple or tough it’s to interchange the inventory elements with prime quality Sanwa buttons and a stick to its personal ball prime. I’d want a devoted article to enter how I modded every little thing, however the video I used (from Briar Rabbit) as a tutorial is price watching for those who’re pondering of modding your 8BitDo Arcade Stick. Each the 8BitDo Arcade Stick and the 8BitDo Arcade Stick for Xbox are very simple to mod relating to the buttons. Every thing is plug and play and the buttons come out. There is no such thing as a soldering required for these.
For changing the stick, issues are a bit extra difficult. On the Xbox aspect, it is advisable both solder or purchase a particular cable that appears to solely be accessible on Etsy proper now from here. OmniArcade, the vendor, has been a reputation I’ve seen really helpful fairly a bit for the assorted arcade stick mods, so I ordered this for my 8BitDo Arcade Stick for Xbox.
On the older 8BitDo Arcade Stick, you may simply seize a cable off Amazon like this one, and use the standard Sanwa sticks. In case you’re inquisitive about whether or not this entire modding affair is required, the reply is not any. In case you simply wish to dip your toes into the world of arcade sticks for Swap, Steam Deck, Home windows, or Xbox, each 8BitDo Arcade Sticks are nice worth for his or her costs all issues thought of.
8BitDo Arcade Stick for Swap vs Xbox – compatibility
The 8BitDo Arcade Stick works on Swap, Steam, and Home windows over bluetooth or wired or 2.4GHz. The 8BitDo Arcade Stick for Xbox solely works on Xbox consoles and Home windows 10 and later. I assumed that for the reason that 8BitDo Arcade Stick for Xbox works on Home windows, it could additionally work on Steam Deck. I used to be mistaken. I spent an hour utilizing completely different USB hubs, dongles, the Brook converter I exploit on Xbox, and extra with no luck. The 8BitDo Arcade Stick for Xbox simply didn’t work on Steam Deck. This has additionally been echoed in reddit posts where people tried and a few even bought a response from 8BitDo assist that this Xbox stick was a collaboration product implying it wouldn’t get assist later. Hopefully Valve can manually add assist for the 8BitDo Arcade Stick for Xbox on Steam Deck sooner or later.
8BitDo Arcade Stick for Swap vs Xbox – worth
The 8BitDo Arcade Stick is priced at $89.99 whereas the 8BitDo Arcade Stick for Xbox is priced at $119.99. The large bump in worth for the latter was possible for the Xbox wi-fi assist and the branding. It’s disappointing although given the downgrade in different areas.
8BitDo Arcade Stick for Swap vs Xbox – which is the perfect funds arcade stick in 2023?
In case you are planning to purchase a stick for Xbox and desire a wi-fi choice, the value improve for the 8BitDo Arcade Stick for Xbox will possible be price it for you. Simply have in mind the caveat about bluetooth assist and fewer compatibility. These may not matter for those who simply need this for Xbox although like I did. If you need a extra versatile arcade stick to higher assist and simpler modding, the 8BitDo Arcade Stick (for Swap) is the way in which to go. It really works with out points on Swap and Steam Deck.
Proper now, except you worth the wi-fi choice on Xbox or headphone jack above every little thing else, there’s no purpose I’d advocate the 8BitDo Arcade Stick for Xbox over the older 8BitDo Arcade Stick mannequin. The latter has extra options, is cheaper, higher modding assist, and even helps extra units. In case you do favor the look of the Xbox stick, that’s one other matter.
Purchase:
Amazon Hyperlink: 8BitDo Arcade Stick
Amazon Hyperlink: 8BitDo Arcade Stick for Xbox
I do know a number of of us within the 8BitDo Arcade Sticks are curious in regards to the variations between each fashions, so I hope this comparability assessment and have helped you out. When you’ve got any questions on particular elements of each sticks or what I used to mod them, let me know within the feedback under. Tell us for those who’d like us to cowl extra {hardware} like this sooner or later as properly.
Disclaimer: TouchArcade might earn a small fee from purchases made utilizing the Amazon affiliate hyperlinks above.
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