8BitDo Reveals Tomb Raider 30th Anniversary Ultimate 3 and Pro 3 Controllers

8BitDo is joining Tomb Raider's 30th-anniversary celebrations with two special-edition controllers built around different eras of Lara Croft. The company has revealed Tomb Raider versions of its Ultimate 3 and Pro 3 pads, each using an existing controller as its hardware foundation while adding presentation designed to honor the series' long history.

The two accessories are expected to ship on October 24. The 8BitDo Ultimate 3 Tomb Raider 30th Anniversary Edition carries a listed price of $119.99, while the 8BitDo Pro 3 Tomb Raider 30th Anniversary Edition is listed at $79.99. In both cases, the premium is primarily for the licensed design and included themed extras rather than a new set of core technical features.

Tomb Raider began in 1996, making this a substantial milestone for one of gaming's defining action-adventure series. The anniversary hardware arrives as the franchise looks both backward and forward: it references Lara Croft's original polygonal incarnation, later versions of the character, and the forthcoming Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis. That new game is scheduled for release on February 12, 2027.

Ultimate 3 celebrates Lara Croft across generations

The Tomb Raider Ultimate 3 takes a character-focused approach. Its face is decorated with a spread of dark-gold Lara Croft silhouettes, representing several iterations of the heroine from throughout the series. The redesigned Lara from Legacy of Atlantis occupies a prominent position, while the layout also includes the Survivor-era version of Lara and the unmistakable low-polygon Lara associated with the original game.

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That range gives the controller a broad anniversary feel rather than tying it to a single Tomb Raider release. It is a celebration of how Lara's look has evolved over three decades, from the angular visual style of the mid-1990s to more detailed contemporary interpretations.

Gold is a major part of the finish. The controller includes a zinc-alloy D-pad colored to match the metallic theme, and it is accompanied by a 30th Anniversary charging stand. Together, the dark surface, gold art, and dedicated dock make the Ultimate 3 look more like a display collectible than a conventional color variant.

Underneath that exterior, it remains an Ultimate 3. Its feature set includes TMR sticks, Hall-effect triggers, remappable bumper buttons, remappable back buttons, Bluetooth support, and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity. Players looking only at the hardware specification should note that those features are also available in the standard model. The Tomb Raider edition is priced $10 above the regular Ultimate 3, which is reflected in its $119.99 price point.

Pro 3 draws directly from the original game's Lost Valley

The Tomb Raider Pro 3 heads in a different stylistic direction. Rather than centering a collection of Lara Croft designs, it pays tribute to the Lost Valley, one of the best-known locations from the 1996 Tomb Raider. The area is especially memorable for its dinosaur encounter, including the famous Tyrannosaurus rex battle that left a lasting impression on many players.

8BitDo's Pro 3 edition uses ancient-ruin visual cues to evoke that setting. Its charging stand has a stone-texture print, creating the impression of a plinth displaying a recovered artifact. The controller itself also incorporates a relic-like design approach in its faceplate and related details.

The package includes more than the controller and stand. 8BitDo is supplying interchangeable ball-top joystick caps in a turquoise shade that recalls the color of Lara's original outfit. There is also a set of grips matched to the ancient-artifact look of the faceplate. Those physical additions make the Pro 3 feel more customizable and strengthen the connection to classic Tomb Raider beyond a simple printed logo or character image.

The Pro 3's shape is another fitting part of the tribute. It has a form that recalls the original PlayStation SCPH-1080 controller, making it a natural match for an accessory rooted in a game so closely associated with the first PlayStation era. At the same time, it brings current controller conveniences, including TMR sticks, back buttons, and magnetic ABXY buttons.

Special-edition styling, familiar 8BitDo hardware

Both products follow a familiar formula for collector-focused controller collaborations. Their internals and general capability are based on existing 8BitDo models, while the edition-specific value comes from the visual treatment, the charging stands, and the bespoke included pieces. That means prospective buyers can make a relatively straightforward decision: choose the Ultimate 3 for the Lara-through-the-ages artwork and a more modern controller silhouette, or choose the Pro 3 for a design more deeply rooted in the original game's aesthetic.

The price difference also reflects their respective starting points. The Tomb Raider Pro 3 is $79.99, compared with a $69.99 MSRP for other Pro 3 colorways. The Ultimate 3 Tomb Raider edition costs $119.99, $10 more than a standard Ultimate 3. Neither controller is positioned as a wholesale hardware redesign, but both offer a considerably more elaborate presentation than an ordinary color option.

For Tomb Raider collectors, the stands may be just as important as the pads themselves. Controller docks can often be an afterthought, but here they contribute directly to the display appeal. The Ultimate 3's anniversary-themed stand complements its gold Lara artwork, while the Pro 3's stone-style base makes the controller look intentionally staged as a Lost Valley relic.

A timely anniversary accessory release

The timing puts these controllers well ahead of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, which is not due until February 12, 2027. That leaves fans with a long wait for the next major Lara Croft release, but it also gives the anniversary editions room to function as celebrations of the wider catalog rather than accessories attached to one immediate launch.

There is no shortage of Tomb Raider history for owners to revisit in the meantime. The Ultimate 3's collage-like treatment acknowledges that breadth, connecting Lara's earliest appearance with later reinventions. The Pro 3 is more selective and nostalgic, zeroing in on the mood and imagery of the first game's Lost Valley. Together, they cover two different reasons the franchise has endured: the continued evolution of its lead character and the powerful memories attached to its earliest levels, locations, and encounters.

The controllers are expected to ship on October 24. For buyers deciding between them, the Ultimate 3 is the more overtly character-led anniversary piece, while the Pro 3 appears designed for players who want an accessory that looks as though it emerged from Tomb Raider's original ruins. Both offer modern 8BitDo functionality beneath their themed shells, but their biggest draw is unmistakably the chance to put a piece of Lara Croft history on the desk or in the controller collection.