Review: 8BitDo Ultimate Controller
Already being the owner of both the 8BitDo SN30 Pro+ and 8BitDo Pro 2 controllers, I was very excited when an 8BitDo Ultimate controller arrived here at 60MW Towers for review.
There are three versions of 8BitDo’s Ultimate Controller, the bluetooth version that also has 2.4g connectivity, a separate wireless 2.4g version (no bluetooth…and the version which arrived here) and a wired version, which are all the same in their design and differ only in the way that they connect to your particular system.
Let’s begin with the form factor of the ultimate controller as my SN30 Pro+ and Pro 2 controllers are based on the Playstation DualShock controllers, whereas this is very reminiscent of the Xbox 360 controller in its shape, but with some significant upgrades. So as well as the offset thumbsticks, d-pad, 4 input buttons (labelled and coloured the same as an Xbox controller), left and right triggers and buttons, the rear also features 2 paddle buttons and a custom profile switch button, as well as rumble vibration, USB-C, and a rechargeable battery.
This is a very comfortable controller to use, with the offset thumbsticks always being preferable to me for longer periods of gaming and the rear paddle buttons perfectly placed under my middle fingers and not too sensitive as to activate them accidentally in the middle of a frantic gaming session.
The thumbsticks have just the right amount of resistance for me and snap back into the centre position easily, with the triggers also being the same. The L&R buttons, face buttons and d-pad are not too “clicky” (always a bugbear of mine) and the textured rear of the grips adding some confidence when things get a little too sweaty. The thumbsticks are sensitive too, giving the ability to pick up slight movement and made turning in racing games that bit more intuitive.
The 8BitDo ultimate software also gives you complete control with the ability to customise button mapping, adjust stick & trigger sensitivity, vibration control and create macros with any button combination, and then create controller profiles and switch between them at any time with the custom profile switch….perfect not only for use with different types of games, but also if you have more than one gamer in the house and each prefers a different setup.
Compatible with Windows (Windows 10 and above), Android (9.0 and above), and Raspberry Pi, this controller can be swapped between various gaming configurations and configured just how you want, negating the need for separate controllers for each system.
Slipping the controller into its charging dock, it not only looks aesthetically pleasing, it also houses the wireless dongle to pair with your PC, though you can also link it via the USB cable which then acts as a passthrough, giving you yet another choice of how to use it.
8BitDo controllers have been my favourite for a while now, and the ultimate controller does nothing to change that, with ease of use, compatibility, comfort, reliability and the ability to swap between different gaming systems all combining to create what have been my go to controllers for a good few years now.
Highly recommended.
Review by Dave from a controller kindly supplied by 8BitDo via Freemode by Embracer.
