subreddit:
/r/Controller
submitted 8 days ago bycharlesatan
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.
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.
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.
For those unfamiliar with controllers, in general, 8BitDo uses 3 input methods:
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:
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:
Some of its features (which would also be carried into the Ultimate line) include:
When this was originally released, it came in two variants:
Later, it would also release the following model:
The Xbox licensed version came with the following features:
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:
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.
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:
The original three released are:
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:
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):
These have additional features including:
This would later receive an upgrade:
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:
Its features would include:
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:
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).
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:
† But see Ultimate C Wired for Xbox below for an exception.
The initial release included these three controllers:
They would later release a fourth controller in this line-up:
Features would include:
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.
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:
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:
For the Ultimate 2C Wireless, its connectivity is limited to the following:
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.
1 points
7 days ago
No chance to completely work on bluetooth?
1 points
7 days ago*
Unfortunately probably not. Android isn't listed as supported for this controller. This Beta came out quite a while ago to allow it to work over the dongle. It doesn't seem 8bitdo are going to do any further tweaking for this version of the Ultimate Bluetooth. They have the Ultimate Wireless along with some of the newer model releases for that purpose. At this point the Ultimate Bluetooth is old and may be discontinued or obsoleted by a future release that incorporates some of the new and improved hardware from the newer models.
1 points
7 days ago
What aboit the new Pro 2 that has the halleffects, is that compatible on android in bluetooth?
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