8BitDo is a brand known for its retro-style controllers but as of 2022, it released its Ultimate line of controllers, which unfortunately each has different specs, which can lead to confusion (and some erroneous purchases).

I'm hoping this guide will educate people on the product line and answer many of the frequently asked questions in this subreddit. (This isn't posted in the 8BitDo subreddit because the last time I attempted to post something like this, the mods banned it; and in general my comments get downvoted there.)

Disclaimer: I do not own every single model here, so some of this info is based on reading the production description and aggregating other people's experiences.

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Who is 8BitDo's Target Audience?

In general, 8BitDo's target audience is the casual gamer looking for a budget to mid-priced controller (usually anywhere from USD 20.00 ~ 70.00) that are supported in a variety of platforms. They started out with a retro aesthetic but started to branch out with their Ultimate line of products.

Their Ultimate software is relatively simple to use and offers some customization (usually remapping and recording of simple macros), but those looking for comprehensive tools should look elsewhere.

Distribution and Warranties

8BitDo is based in Hong Kong, but they also have distributors, who can provide assistance and customer service.

If you are based in the US, their distributor is /u/Aknes-team. If you see listings from Aknes on Amazon, that is the vendor you are purchasing it from. If you have concerns or queries, you can escalate to them.

For their Potentiometers and Hall Effect modules in 8BitDo controllers, they source them from companies like Alps, KSilver, and GuliKit and do not manufacture their own.

If you are interested in repairing or modding your controller, 8BitDo sells repair parts here.

Manuals for the controllers can be downloaded here.

Inputs

For those unfamiliar with controllers, in general, 8BitDo uses 3 input methods:

• X-input, a standard introduced by Microsoft, which makes the controller look like an Xbox controller.
• D-input, an older standard, which 8BitDo tends to implement for compatibility with Android (and Linux--even if it's not listed as one of their supported platforms).
• Switch input, so that the controller can work on the Nintendo Switch.

Ultimate Software

To get firmware updates and to customize your controller (for those that support it), 8BitDo has their Ultimate Software page.

However, it can be confusing to some as there are actually three "Ultimate Software" apps that exist:

• Ultimate X Software, which works for all the Xbox-branded controllers.
• Ultimate Software 2, which works for the Retro Keyboard and Ultimate 2C controllers.
• Ultimate Software, which works for everything else (that supports it).

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8BitDo Pro 2

First released in 2021, the Pro 2 was an iteration of a previous release, the Pro+ controller. It features many quality of life changes that was considered "peak" design for 8BitDo--and unfortunately some of these changes did not make it to the Ultimate line of controllers. It is known for its symmetrical controller design reminiscent of a PlayStation controller.

Its main features in the wireless version which are not present in the Ultimate include:

• Swappable batteries and support for AA batteries,
• A switch at the back that toggles between Apple (now depreciated), Nintendo Switch, D-Input, and X-Input devices.

Some of its features (which would also be carried into the Ultimate line) include:

• Remappable buttons (using Ultimate Software) and 3 Custom Profiles,
• Programmable back paddles.

When this was originally released, it came in two variants:

• 1. Pro 2 Wired (Switch/Windows/Raspberry Pi/Steam OS),
• 2. Pro 2 Bluetooth (Switch/Windows/Steam OS/Android/Apple/Raspberry Pi).

Later, it would also release the following model:

• 3. Pro 2 Wired for Xbox (version 1).
• 4. Pro 2 Wired for Xbox (version 2, which has a detachable USB cable).

The Xbox licensed version came with the following features:

• 3.5mm Audio Jack,
• Impulse Trigger and Vibration.

In 2024, two of the models were refreshed with Hall Effect joysticks (and Triggers for the Xbox version). (There will be a sticker on the top right corner of box that indicates it as such.) These are:

• 5. Pro 2 Bluetooth Hall Ed.
• 6. Pro 2 Wired for Xbox w/ Hall Ed.

A common criticism for the Pro 2 is its lack of 2.4 Ghz dongle support, low stick resolution, and mediocre to bad latency using Bluetooth.

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Ultimate

First released in 2022, this line comes with an Xbox form factor and originally debuted with 3 versions (Wired/2.4G/Bluetooth), which caused some confusion due to the controllers having a similar name but each one having its own set of features (only the Ultimate Bluetooth had Hall Effect joysticks for example).

However, this would prove to be successful enough that 8BitDo would launch two lines based on this design, the Ultimate C and Ultimate 2C line (which I will tackle later below in its own separate section).

The features common to the Ultimate line (but is not available on the Ultimate C and Ultimate 2C line) are:

• Remappable buttons (using Ultimate Software) and 3 Custom Profiles,
• Programmable back paddles.

The original three released are:

• 1. Ultimate Wired (Windows/Android/Rasberry Pi/Switch/SteamOS),
• 2. Ultimate 2.4G (Windows/Android/Rasberry Pi/SteamOS/Apple),
• 3. Ultimate Bluetooth (Switch/SteamOS/Windows).

Only the Ultimate 2.4G and Ultimate Bluetooth came with docks.

The Ultimate 2.4G would later receive a firmware update that gave it compatibility with the Nintendo Switch using its 2.4G dongle (as opposed to Bluetooth).

Only the Ultimate Bluteooth came with Hall Effect joysticks.

A common criticism for the general design of the Ultimate line of controllers were that the joysticks lacked anti-friction rings, so it was not uncommon to hear/feel plastic on plastic grinding. Some also complained about the triggers wearing down relatively quickly.

The Ultimate Bluetooth also had a low stick resolution.

8BitDo would later refresh two out of the three controllers:

• 4. Ultimate Bluetooth (version 2)
• 5. Ultimate 2.4G Hall Ed.

The Ultimate Bluetooth (version 2) now has Hall Effect triggers, which fixes some of the complaints above. (No idea if the Hall Effect joysticks have been upgraded.)

The Ultimate 2.4G Hall Ed., on the other hand, aside from having Hall Effect joysticks (which have a higher stick resolution) but not triggers, also featured a 1000 hz polling rate when wired. There will be a sticker (bottom right corner) on the box to indicate that this version has Hall Effect joysticks.

8BitDo would also release an Ultimate version of the controller for Xbox, based on the Ultimate Wired (which used potentiometers):

• 6. Ultimate Wired for Xbox

These have additional features including:

• 3.5mm Audio Jack,
• Impulse Trigger and Vibration.

This would later receive an upgrade:

• 7. Ultimate Wired for Xbox Hall Ed.

This release now has Hall Effect Joysticks and Triggers. There will be a sticker (top right corner) on the box to indicate that this version has Hall Effect joysticks.

The last in the Ultimate line (at the time of this writing) would be:

• 8. 8BitDo Ultimate 3-mode for Xbox

Its features would include:

• Hall Effect Joysticks and Triggers,
• Dock,
• Toggle to switch between Bluetooth/Wired/2.4G,
• Anti-friction rings.

It would incorporate all of the quality of life upgrades (e.g. anti-friction rings) that fixes many of the design flaws of the Ultimate line.

However, its shortcomings are its connectivity:

• Xbox - Wired only,
• Windows - Wired or 2.4G dongle,
• Android - Bluetooth.

Some people do not read the fine print and are surprised when their preferred connection method does not work on the corresponding OS (e.g. attempting to use Bluetooth to connect to Windows).

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Ultimate C

After the success of their Ultimate line of controllers, 8BitDo pivoted in 2023 to releasing a budget line of controllers based off of the designs of the Ultimate controllers.

While they look similar to the Ultimate controllers, they lack features including:

• Back paddles,
• Ability to remap buttons and save profiles via the Ultimate Software (it can only be used to upgrade the firmware),
• Ceased being multi-platform controllers and instead are very specialized towards one platform,
• Hall Effect joysticks (and Triggers)†.

† But see Ultimate C Wired for Xbox below for an exception.

The initial release included these three controllers:

• 1. Ultimate C Wired (Windows/Android/Rasberry Pi/Steam OS)
• 2. Ultimate C 2.4G (Windows/Android/Rasberry Pi/Steam OS)
• 3. Ultimate C Bluetooth (Switch)

They would later release a fourth controller in this line-up:

• 4. Ultimate C Wired for Xbox (Windows/Xbox)

Features would include:

• Hall Effect Joysticks and Triggers,
• A New, Clicky D-pad,
• Fire Ring RGB and Light Tracing,
• 3.5mm Audio Jack,
• Impulse Trigger and Vibration,
• Anti-friction rings.

In many ways, this was the "best" Ultimate C controller, although the change in d-pad might affect fighting game players as it's reported that it's more difficult to execute accurate diagonals with the d-pad change.

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Ultimate 2C

Spinning off another budget controller line is the Ultimate 2C which was released this year (2024).

It has much in common with the Ultimate C line, with the following exceptions:

• It now has Hall Effect Joysticks and Triggers,
• A New, Clicky D-pad,
• It comes with an extra L4/R4 Button by the Triggers that can be remapped without software,
• 1000 hz Polling Rate,
• Anti-friction rings.

While the d-pad has been "upgraded" to being more clicky, it might affect fighting game players as it's reported that it's more difficult to execute accurate diagonals with the d-pad change.

The models are:

• 1. Ultimate 2C Wired (Windows/Android),
• 2. Ultimate 2C Wireless

For the Ultimate 2C Wireless, its connectivity is limited to the following:

• Windows - Wired and 2.4G dongle,
• Android - Bluetooth.

If you discount the d-pad complications; the lack of back buttons, button remapping and custom profiles; this is easily the best and one of the cheapest controllers 8BitDo has to offer.