From the linked GameSpot article:
"8BitDo has revealed the successor to its popular Pro 2 Bluetooth Controller. Officially called the Pro 3 Bluetooth Gamepad, the upcoming controller retains the form factor of the Pro 2 while implementing some of the enhanced features found in the Ultimate 2 Bluetooth, such as TMR joysticks and trigger locks. It also has a few entirely new features not found on other 8BitDo controllers, including swappable magnetic face buttons and an extra pair of arcade-inspired ball-top stick caps.
The 8BitDo Pro 3 Bluetooth Gamepad is available to preorder now at Amazon for $70 ahead of its August 12 release. It comes in three retro-themed colors: G Classic, Gray, and a shade of purple that pays homage to the Nintendo GameCube. All three models come with matching charging docks and a set ball-top arcade stick toppers that can be swapped in for the traditional rubberized caps. Out of the box, the Pro 3 is compatible with Switch 2, Switch, PC, Android, Apple devices, and Steam Deck."
Not sure how I feel about this (aside from it being 8bitdo so even understanding what SKU is what is hell).
The swappable buttons remind me a lot of the framework usb c dongle “ports”. In theory it sounds awesome. In practice it sounds like a LOT of engineering work going into something people will touch once when they buy it and never again. Would much rather a bigger focus on repairability so that swapping the buttons isn’t a big deal WITHOUT a magnetic system and special keypuller and so forth.
I also don’t think ANYONE will ever use the “arcade thumbsticks”.
I’m Pretty sure the guillikit Kong 3 had magnetic buttons or mechanical ones similar to this where it was a small switch inside that you could swap out when worn out. That hasn’t seemed to be that big an issue considering its just rubber on circuit board action. I could be wrong but what about this seems less repairable?
It isn’t that the buttons are less repairable.
It is that you get the same swappability AND drastically improved repairability by… making the controllers easier to disassemble to replace parts. Why build an elaborate magnetic swap system when you can just take off the face plate and swap a small piece of plastic?