8BitDo's Tomb Raider controllers are now available in the US
8BitDo’s Tomb Raider 30th Anniversary controllers have launched in the US, while UK buyers face a November release date.
8BitDo has released its Tomb Raider 30th Anniversary Edition controllers in the US, turning its Lara Croft collaboration from a pre-order into a purchase. The range includes the Ultimate 3 Controller for Xbox and the Pro 3 Bluetooth Gamepad, both styled around Tomb Raider’s 30 years of exploration.1
The Ultimate 3 is the larger, asymmetrical model, while the Pro 3 uses 8BitDo’s symmetrical gamepad layout. The manufacturer’s artwork shows both controllers with a weathered, bronze-toned finish and imagery drawn from Lara Croft’s adventures and the Lost Valley setting.1
8BitDo lists the Ultimate 3 Tomb Raider Edition at $119.99 in the US, while the Pro 3 Tomb Raider Edition costs $79.99. Both are sold through 8BitDo’s online shop, with the company also linking to Amazon purchase pages.123
The UK launch is later. The Ultimate 3 and Pro 3 are available to pre-order through Amazon UK at £94.99 and £74.99 respectively, with both listed for release on November 13.4 That means British buyers can reserve the controllers now, but should not mistake the US availability for a UK release.
The designs are cosmetic editions rather than new hardware platforms. 8BitDo describes the Ultimate 3 as its latest-generation flagship and the Pro 3 as its flagship symmetrical gamepad, but the Tomb Raider branding and finish are the main changes compared with their standard counterparts.123
What this means
The collaboration gives Tomb Raider collectors two distinct controller shapes rather than a single commemorative colourway. The Ultimate 3 is the more Xbox-focused option, while the Pro 3 offers a conventional symmetrical layout and a lower entry price. Availability is currently split by region, so UK shoppers should treat the November date as the relevant one rather than the US release.14
Our opinion
This is a straightforward piece of licensed fan hardware, and the split between two established 8BitDo designs is more useful than a purely decorative shell. The stronger appeal is likely to be the artwork and finish, not a major technical change. For UK buyers, the November release date is the detail worth watching: the controllers are announced and orderable, but they are not yet shipping locally.
1 https://www.8bitdo.com/landing-page-tr30th-anniversary/2 https://shop.8bitdo.com/products/8bitdo-ultimate-3-controller-for-xbox-tr30th3 https://shop.8bitdo.com/products/8bitdo-pro-3-bluetooth-gamepad-tr30th4 https://www.notebookcheck.net/8BitDo-s-Tomb-Raider-edition-controllers-are-now-available-to-buy.1433082.0.html