8BitDo Is Releasing A Cool Controller Inspired by A Console You Probably Never Played

8BitDo has revealed its next retro-inspired controller, a rebirth of the SNK Neo Geo controller, which the company has been working on for the last three years. Like the source material, 8BitDo’s take on this controller features a compact design, four colorful face buttons, and a remake of the original click-style joystick.

Even better, this controller has SNK’s seal of approval and has been officially licensed by the company. This faithful replica is available to preorder now ahead of its August 15 release date. There’s a standard black edition for $35 and four variants celebrating The King of Fighters ’97 for $40 each: Iori Yagami, Terry Bogard, Kyo Kusanagi, and Mai Shiranui.

There are some modern touches here as well, as you’ll be able to use the 8BitDo Neo Geo CD controller in both wired and wireless configurations. When it’s not tethered to your PC or Neo Geo Mini console, you’ll be able to make use of it on a 2.4g frequency for extremely low latency. There’s a rechargeable lithium-ion battery installed inside of it, turbo function and button layout swapping, new shoulder buttons, and a redesigned classic click-style joystick that has been out of production for many years now.

“All important details have been captured and remade: the clicky feel, sound, and feeling of the original,” 8BitDo said of this component. If you’re a fan of retro gaming, then you’ll know just how well received the SNK Neo Geo controller was during the heyday of that console.

With a lineup of killer fighting games, action titles like Metal Slug, and cult-classic sports games, the SNK NeoGeo controller was perfect for precise control and impactful inputs with its large face buttons. Ergonomically supreme for its era, these controllers were built to last.

8BitDo says that this new generation of controllers was designed from the ground up, and will be available in one of four limited editions as well.