Review: 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller - Ultimate? No, But 'Decent' Doesn't Have The Same Ring

[ad_1] <img srcset="https://images.nintendolife.com/f7b1cf58cf8e2/8bitdo-ultimate-2-wireless-review.450x.jpg 450w, https://images.nintendolife.com/f7b1cf58cf8e2/8bitdo-ultimate-2-wireless-review.900x.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 799px) 450px, (min-width: 800px)" src="https://images.nintendolife.com/f7b1cf58cf8e2/8bitdo-ultimate-2-wireless-review.900x.jpg" width="900" height="507" alt="8BitDo Ultimate 2 wireless review"/> Picture: PJ O'Reilly / Nintendo Life We have been placing a procession of 8BitDo controllers by the overview course of since Change 2 launched. I've lined their glorious Professional 3 controller, while Ollie has been all around the new Arcade Stick for Change + Change 2 and the Final 2C, which is the budget-friendly model of what I am having a look at as we speak - the 8BitDo Final 2.

Firstly, for anybody who does not gel with the form of the Professional 3 controller, what you have obtained right here is one which fits these pretty, tender, Xbox-controller-shaped paws you have developed over time. I do know for some this could be a dealbreaker, particularly with how the thumbsticks sit horizontally aligned on the Professional 3, so if that has been holding you again, this can be the pad you are after. Issues below the hood aren't displaying a number of distinction in any other case.

Certainly, my primary optimistic speaking factors stay a lot the identical as with the Professional 3. 8BitDo has put a number of emphasis on having the most recent tech in its gear not too long ago, and right here we as soon as once more get all the massive 2025 buzzwords from the thrilling world of controllers. TMR sticks make the lower — a characteristic which nonetheless normally sees the price of a controller rocket — and they're a pleasure, providing you with the smoothest sticks round with all of that fancy magnetic magic that goes into making them free from the bane of stick-drift.

Photographs: PJ O'Reilly / Nintendo Life For the triggers, we're taking a look at snazzy Corridor Impact magnetic jobs, too. So you have obtained all the standard included with regard to sticks and triggers, precisely the identical as with the Professional 3, which makes for a stable core. The d-pad sticks to the identical fashion because the Professional 3, too, chunky and responsive and sitting out properly because it clicks by all of its enter factors.

Sticking with similarities between this and different 8BitDo merchandise, the primary disadvantage is, after all, that these controllers haven't got the flexibility to wake the Change 2 up. There have been some rumblings that they are engaged on an answer, and the pad obtained an replace to make it suitable with Change 2, so that is one thing we might see down the road, as some producers have already managed it. Nevertheless, for now, I really feel like I am capping overview scores for pads that make me stroll to my console to an 8 out of 10. Not out of laziness, you perceive; it is a operate that merely ought to be there.

If you may make peace with this — in the event you can someway work across the ache of turning the console on "manual-style" — properly, there is not actually far more for me to comply with up with by way of negatives. If I needed to get choosy, NFC assist is not there (one thing that does not curiosity me in any respect, however it'll do some), and I really feel as if the additional programmable 'L4' and 'R4' shoulder buttons up high make the pad a tiny little bit clicky and fewer stable in type than it might be.

It does not really feel unhealthy in any respect. In reality, it feels very similar to the official Professional Controller 2 from Nintendo, and even beats it out in having good grippy textures on the again of the pad, however they will often really feel a bit free compared to the remainder of the inputs. You do get a complete of 4 programmable buttons out of this, thoughts, with two paddles on the grips, so all in all, a really minor challenge.

Photographs: PJ O'Reilly / Nintendo Life The Corridor Impact triggers might be switched between common and macro-switch modes and there is some snazzy RGB lighting within the somewhat sadly named "RGB Hearth Rings" across the bases of the sticks. I am not an enormous RGB man, as laborious as it could be to imagine, however these are effective in my view - they offer off a warming glow and might be switched on and off and cycled by colors and modes by way of the 8BitDo software program obtainable from their website.

Now, talking of this software program, you could replace the controller, must you decide one up, with a view to have it work on Change 2, so concentrate on this and know that you're going to want a laptop computer or whatnot to attach for a small obtain. As soon as within the 8BitDo app, it's also possible to then set your lighting to no matter color you need, change it off, have it comply with and alter colors to your contact, and so forth.

Photographs: PJ O'Reilly / Nintendo Life This controller additionally comes with a giant brutalist charging dock, which I've to say I kinda love. Identical to the Professional 3's base, right here you discover your all-important USB-C receiver tucked away in a compartment, and the dock has the identical slick little bar of sunshine operating alongside its underside, which is a stunning element in a darkened room.

Earlier than I wrap up, and with regard to battery life, I drained my controller in about 14 hours, and I imagine I might have gotten a bit extra out of it if I had turned off the RGB. So, phrase of warning, it is not the perfect battery on the market, and people lights make it ever-so-slightly worse.

Photographs: PJ O'Reilly / Nintendo Life In any other case, by way of specs and value level ($59.99 / £49.99), options, consolation and design, it is all gravy, even when the finances 2C wins within the worth division. Sure, it might be simpler to replace, there is a tiny little little bit of clickiness out of the 'L4' and 'R4' buttons, and the battery is weaker than I might like, however total that is nonetheless a premium-feeling pad, stuffed filled with the most recent wizardry, at an inexpensive value in comparison with some opponents.

Appears and looks like a premium piece of equipment TMR sticks and Corridor Impact triggers make the lower 4 mappable buttons and customisable RGB rings Grippy rear surfacing is a pleasant contact I really like the fashion of the dock

Battery is a contact weak, particularly with RGB lights on No NFC Help Cannot wake the console No headphone jack

Good 7 / 10

Please notice that some exterior hyperlinks on this web page are affiliate hyperlinks, which implies in the event you click on them and make a purchase order we might obtain a small proportion of the sale. Please learn our FTC Disclosure for extra data.

The 8BitDo Final 2 is already on the market and available for purchase, obtainable in Black, White, Purple, or Inexperienced. There are financial savings to be made by searching round in the meanwhile, thoughts!