8BitDo has made some of my favorite controllers for PC and Nintendo Switch, with the classic SN30 Pro+ being one of my daily drivers for years now. Now that the Nintendo Switch 2 era finally upon us, I knew I needed a new controller that would work seamlessly between PC, Switch 2, and the Steam Machine down the line. In my eyes, the new 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller is my new favorite third-party controller, and it trades blows with Nintendo’s own Switch 2 Pro Controller in terms of build quality and functionality, barring a few instances. Thanks to 8BitDo, I had the opportunity to check out the Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller ahead of a busy holiday season for eager gaming shoppers.
The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller is what I consider a “flagship” product from 8BitDo for Nintendo fans. The new controller is feature-rich and comes with a charging dock, and with recent updates to 8BitDo Ultimate Software V2, players are given more options at their disposal, including the ability to shake the paired controller to wake the Switch 2 console up. Of course, this is only the beginning of what the controller offers, as it’s one of the most cost-effective competitors to the Switch 2 Pro Controller right now.
8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller Packs Features with Premium Build Quality
Available for $69.99, players get most of the Switch 2 Pro Controller capabilities with the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller, following the aforementioned software update. The controller has a smooth finish with textured grips that feel just right in the hands—no slipping whatsoever. The Hall-effect triggers feel similar to those on the DualSense, but the included Mode Switching toggle lets you switch between linear and non-linear tactile triggers. This can be especially useful when switching between shooters on PC to RPGs and other titles on Switch 2, since the latter doesn’t use analog triggers. Overall, the controller has a tactile and satisfying feel I can get behind.
Similarly to the Switch 2 Pro Controller, there are back buttons (PL and PR) on the backside of the grips that can be remapped via Ultimate Software V2. However, you can’t remap the back buttons within Switch 2’s Quick Menu. The remappable fast bumpers (R4 and L4 buttons) can be configured without software. The back buttons and extra bumpers allow you to leverage macros and give you more control over your own playstyle. I found these extra buttons to be quite useful in games like Battlefield 6, where there are many control and input options to consider on PC.
This is also the first 8BitDo controller to feature TMR (tunneling magnetoresistance) thumbsticks for higher sensitivity, greater precision, improved durability, and less power consumption. The TMR thumbsticks bring an another solution to the stick drift issue, and the thumbsticks themselves feel amazing and smooth to the touch. The RGB Fire Ring around the thumbsticks is a neat bonus for those wanting some extra flair. Gamers can the star button to cycle through the controller’s RGB lighting options, which include an interactive light-tracing mode that will react with your button presses and stick shifts.
Near-Seamless Connectivity
The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller supports wired play via USB-C and wireless via Bluetooth and 2.4G. Nintendo Switch 2 supports all three options, and personally, I prefer using 2.4G wireless for the lowest latency possible. 2.4G is active when the 2.4G switch is toggled on the back of the controller and the adapter is plugged into the connected dock or PC/Switch/Switch 2. However, it’s worth noting that you don’t need to take the adapter out of the dock, since it will be turned on when the dock is plugged into your PC or console.
White lighting can be seen on the included charging dock, which can be connected to PC or your Switch/Switch 2 dock with the included USB-C to A cable. Simply rest the controller in its correct orientation on the charging dock to see the dock light up, signaling that the controller is being charged. The controller will automatically reconnect once removed from the dock.
With the latest Ultimate Software V2 and Switch 2 firmware updates installed, players can use the “shake-and-wake” feature to wake up the console from sleep. It’s a practical feature that works, for the most part. There are times where the controller will take a few seconds to fully reconnect to the console after wake-up, so it’s not as easy and consistent as the Switch 2 Pro Controller.
The new controller also supports six-axis motion controls, or gyro-aiming, along with Turbo functionality and rumble, so you’re still getting a robust feature set. The last few omissions from the controller are a native GameChat button and NFC functionality, but these aren’t necessarily deal breakers for me considering I don’t use amiibo often, and GameChat can accessed from the Home menu at any time.
8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller is Amazing, as Long as You Have Ultimate Software V2
I can fully recommend the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller, despite my few gripes with it. Switching between playing games on Switch 2 and PC is very convenient and simple thanks to the connectivity options, and the overall feel of the controller is comfortable, premium, and satisfying. For those not wanting to pay the high price of the Switch 2 Pro Controller at $89.99 or upwards, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller is really great option at $69.99. You should have a PC or mobile device with 8BitDo Ultimate Software V2 to take full advantage of the controller’s features and enable Switch 2 support, however.
8BitDo’s latest offering should be the foundation for improvements to both controllers and Ultimate Software V2, as I’d like to see future products refine its Switch 2 features and integrate more closely with the system. A potential Ultimate 3 Bluetooth Controller controller that wakes up Switch 2 without software updates would be amazing, for example. In the Switch 2’s launch year, though, it’s hard to beat the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller in the third party department.
You can pick up the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller in black, white, and yellow colorways for $69.99 at the 8BitDo shop and participating retailers.
Disclaimer: 8BitDo provided a product sample of 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller for review purposes.
