Mobapad Chitu2 HD Switch 2 Controller GBAtemp review
Hardware
Product Information:
Having recently reviewed the Huben2, I was initially at odds as to what the Mobapad Chitu2 could do that the Huben2 couldn't. Right off the bat, the Huben2 is visually more akin to the original Xbox series controller, with mods, whereas the Chitu2 is styled a little more along the lines of the Nintendo pro controllers, and technically, where the Huben2 has BT/Wired or 2.4 GHz modes with a dongle, the Chitu2 only comes with Bluetooth or wired connections.
Given that this model is primarily a Switch/Switch 2 controller, and with connectivity for PC, Android, iOS, and macOS, the Chitu2 not having 2.4 GHz is certainly not a deal breaker, at least for myself. Nintendo Switch and mobile gamers at least, will have plenty of reasons to pick this controller up, not least of which are the ergonomics and anthropometrics that make this pad so comfortable.
Unassuming Packaging, Stunning Detail & Precision Within the Chitu2 Itself
The Chitu2 comes, as most Chinese controllers tend to, in very cheap-looking packaging. There is nothing about this that screams quality per say, however, once you delve within the lackluster cardboard exterior you'll be met with a rather nice peripheral that packs a lot of features at a relatively decent price point.
The Chitu2 comes with the typical asymmetrical layout you have come to know and love from the Nintendo Switch pro controllers, as well as the four front face buttons, plus, minus, screenshot and home buttons, and a d-pad tucked in under the left stick. This d-pad can be hot-swapped out to the 8-way faceted rocker, which, in my opinion, elevates it beyond its surface value. This d-pad is also composed of four micro switches, which prevent any false diagonal input, so the level of control is incredibly refined.
The four main buttons employ mouse-like switches that click satisfyingly and never skip a beat. The two-shot molded buttons are proud and prominent, with a smooth effect that you would think will become slippery in use, yet they do not. Every button is well placed and falls under the thumb perfectly. I played a lot of The Legend of Zelda: Age of Imprisonment with this controller, and with all the inputs and combinations, this controller certainly held up well.
The sticks are TMR (Tunnel Magnetoresistance) glide sticks with liquid silicon rubber tracks and precision circular rings that honestly wowed me the first time I spun the sticks around on the controller. The "buttery" smoothness is not marketing jargon; it legitimately feels so smooth and so precise that it's difficult to believe that this controller is just $49.99 at the moment. There is no sound, no unwanted resistance or scraping, and everything feels, for want of a better word, buttery smooth!
The shoulder buttons are also extremely well placed, with 0.7mm micro-switches with zero dead zone that sound like mouse clicks on the ZL and ZR buttons, whereas the shoulder-mounted L and R buttons are deadly silent. Amusingly, the Mobapad site lists them as a "Tactile switch with no sound and no lagency.", and I can only hope that "lagency" is a portmanteau of "lag" and "latency", which is actually quite fitting given their fantastic response and feel.
Around the back, we have two programmable buttons, a three-way switch for mode select (Bluetooth/off/Nintendo Switch mode), and a curious charging connector. The four metallic dots are designed for use with the optional charging dock, a great idea, but it does cost more to own. Otherwise, you can simply plug the controller into any USB-C cable and charge it from a console or laptop, etc, as you wish.
Great-looking, Great-Feeling, Great-Performing!
The glossy aesthetic across the facade of the Chitu2 is nice and alluring, but it is somewhat of a fingerprint trap. It looks high quality, and it feels high quality, but I had to give it a spring clean several times throughout a week of playing a variety of games with it.
The handles have a nice tactile texture on the rear, and it prevents your hands from slipping off if you get overly clammy when playing. I should note that the sticks and shoulder buttons also have textured edges for maximum grip and precision.
The programmable buttons on the rear can be set up with macros, and with a maximum of 80 steps and up to 20 seconds between each step, you can build some insane automation using the accompanying companion app. These presets are accessed with the "M" button on the controller, which also doubles as the "C" or voice chat button for the NS2. My only issue with this, again, is that there is no option for a web or PC version of this application, so you have to set it up using the Android or iOS app.
The controller itself weighs in at just 252 grams and is around 14.6 cm x 10 cm x 6.6 cm in volume. This means that it's a nice, familiar size to get accustomed to, and it's not too heavy either. I played a lot of emulated games on my phone as well as Switch and NS2 games, and never once did I feel wrist fatigue or complain about thumb aggravation throughout. As a Nintendo Switch owner, I loved the Pro controller, and the main reason for this was that the NS1's Joy-Cons felt obscenely small in my hands, so I had to resort to purchasing the Pro controller. The Switch 2, by comparison, rectified the scale issues I had and felt much better, so I mainly use the Joy-Con 2s in a grip.
This controller has converted me from wanting to ever purchase the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller, because its has all the functions I could ever want, the NFC for my Amiibo collection, the gyro aiming for BOTW and TOTK and the additional mechanical precision, customisation and macros.
Bluetooth & Wired, no 2.4 GHz Connectivity
As third-party peripherals go, this one is a belter. Not only is it a brilliant controller for Nintendo Switch and, more importantly, Nintendo Switch 2, but it works effortlessly and flawlessly on my iPhone 17 Pro Max, my Bluetooth-enabled PC and retro gaming devices as well as any Android devices, including my Fire TV Stick!
Personally, it's no issue that the Chitu2 doesn't come with 2.4 GHz connectivity, when Bluetooth or wired modes will suffice. Some will argue that the 2.4 GHz offers lower latency or better stability, but in all my time playing with the controller, I didn't notice anything that would suggest that this pad could be any better at providing the experience it did. I had countless flawless play sessions, with no notable lag, and no notable input issues or missed clicks; it held up astonishingly well.
The Chitu2 is a definite recommendation from me, especially if you don't want to stump up the £74.99 for the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller, though my only gripe would, again, be the battery life Mobapad builds into these devices. If they could up the 1000 mAh batteries to match the NS2 Pro's 40 hours of play time, then these offerings would trump the official pad by quite a margin.
Verdict
- Buttery smooth sticks and an interchangeable d-pad.
- Mouse click buttons are awesome throughout.
- NFC and gyro functions for NS1 and NS2.
- Broad compatibility.
- 15-20 hour battery life is barely half of the 40 hr dominance of the Switch 2 Pro controller.
- Dongle and dock sold separately.
