The peripheral specialists 8BitDo has launched the Lite SE Bluetooth controller which works with the Nintendo Switch and Android devices and is intended to help limited mobility gamers by placing all the buttons on the front among other changes. The Lite SE will start shipping from today and sells for $34.99 or £29.08.
The Lite SE has a rather touching backstory to it. Parent Andreas Karlsson reached out to 8BitDo about his son Oskar, a gamer who has limited mobility. Modern controllers often use shoulder buttons and this was an issue for Oskar since he has a rare neuromuscular disorder known as Spinal Muscular Atrophy type 2 (SMA 2).
8BitDo took on the request and designed a more accessible pad in the Lite SE. The controller has buttons and joysticks with less resistance and more sensitivity. It's meant to be used either flat on a table or handheld, and trigger and bumper buttons have been replaced with L1, L1, R1, and R2 buttons on the front. That's not all, the L3 and R3 inputs have their own dedicated buttons rather than pushing via the analog sitcks. On the back is an anti-slip mat to prevent it from moving around when used on a flat surface.
The launch video features Oskar Karlsson and tells the story of how Andreas hand-built several custom controllers for his son. After contacting 8BitDo the company collaborated with the Karlssons in developing the Lite SE. "It has been 8BitDo's pleasure to collaborate with Andreas and Oskar and engineer a controller to meet the needs of passionate gamers with limited mobility like Oskar", the company's website says.
In addition to Android and the Nintendo Switch, the Lite SE also works with Raspberry Pi, and has vibration, a motion sensor, and a customisable Turbo function according to its tech specs. It uses Bluetooth and USB-C and has 18 hours of play time on a charge. Those interested can check it out on 8BitDo's page here.