8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller GBAtemp review
Hardware
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It’s been a while since I’ve really mainlined an 8BitDo controller. It’s nothing against 8BitDo; their Ultimate 2.4G controller used to be my go-to for its great form factor and feel, paired with a dock to keep the battery full. Since then I’ve got to cover some great hardware, with controllers from PowerA and Manba really taking the spotlight recently. Checking back in with 8BitDo, I was surprised to see it was actually some of their cheapest controllers getting a lot of attention, and I was pretty excited to check them out for myself.
So here we are: the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C. There’s a lot to like, so let’s get started. The 2C is the latest in 8BitDo’s Ultimate line, ditching the dock and software, as well as the ability to store up to three configuration profiles right on the controller. It’s not all doom and gloom though, and you might be surprised at just how much you’re getting for the frankly remarkable £25 asking price.
Nailing the Basics
Now on hand I have both available models of the 2C, these being the 2.4G model and the Bluetooth model. Outside of the triggers these controllers are both identical in terms of design and larger button feel, which does nicely simplify things for a review like this.
To just get the basics in the open to begin, we have everything you’d expect of a modern controller on show here. On the front we see two analogue sticks, a D-Pad, your four face buttons, start, select, and home, and a couple of bonus buttons with slightly different functionality on the 2.4G and Bluetooth models. On the back we do lose out on the extra grip buttons that were on the original Ultimate controller, but gain an L4 and R4 next to the bumpers and triggers. Each controller is made up of a smooth matte plastic, with the back grips having a slight dotted texture to them. It feels great to hold and is somewhat closer to a Switch Pro controller than an Xbox controller in terms of general ergonomics, though I would say the buttons feel closer to an Xbox controller in their softer bottoming out.
The analogue sticks both feature Hall effect technology for better longevity, and feel smooth to rotate. They’re great sticks in my books, but the real star here is the D-Pad. It is spectacular, hiding a precise and muted tactility behind its classic aesthetic. Each direction feels defined without being too loud and clicky, and my thumb can easily roll from one input to the next. The highest praise I can give it is that it feels like a larger, if slightly shallower, PS Vita D-Pad. It’s become my go-to for playing GBA games in particular, and I feel it’ll hold that role for a good while to come.
Both of the bumpers have a louder and more defined bump to them, being closer to an Xbox controller’s bumpers than the L and R button of a Switch Pro controller. They’re a good size and have a little travel to them after being pressed as to avoid feeling too firm. The triggers you get will depend on the version of the controller you opt for, with the Bluetooth model’s digital triggers having an almost-identical feel to that of the Switch Pro’s, including a similar bottom out feel to the bumpers. You get a little bit of extra movement if you press down hard, but in a way that doesn’t necessarily feel mushy. For the 2.4G model we get Hall effect sensors here as well as in the analogue sticks, with a satisfying travel distance and a firm bottom out. Though I do enjoy a softer bottom out on digital buttons, I personally prefer this rigidity for analogue triggers. This kind of thing is preference though, and there will be some who prefer a slightly mushier cushioned bottom out.
Nestled between the bumpers and triggers we find a set of bonus L4 and R4 buttons. These serve the same purpose as the grip buttons on the original Ultimate Controller, allowing you to map any button to them. This can be done on the controller itself, with the method varying slightly between models. On the 2.4G model we have a dedicated button for this, with you holding the square button, the mappable button, and the button you’re wanting to map. On the Bluetooth model the square button is actually used for screenshots on the Switch, so instead you’re required to hold a mappable button and the button you want to map it to, and then hit the star button. Normally the star button is reserved for enabling rapid fire, and it still does do that here. Though I can understand the desire for separation to simplify usage a touch, it is a shame the square button couldn't just be an extra one available to map.
Though it's certainly nice to have them, I do feel the positioning of these mappable buttons is a downgrade in terms of larger usability, being out of the way to the point of not really serving a purpose when mapped to other buttons on the controller. I'm a big fan of grip buttons because they allow you to avoid a claw grip, mapping your run button to the grip to still have easy access to the right analogue stick for camera movement. You just can't do that here.
In terms of battery life 8BitDo advertise slightly different numbers for each model, with it diversifying further based on whether you're using the 2.4G model with its dongle or in Bluetooth mode. According to the spec sheet you can expect something close to:
- 2.4G with dongle: 19 hours
- 2.4G with Bluetooth: 32 hours
- Bluetooth: 15 hours
It is curious to see such a discrepancy in reported battery life, especially with both models featuring the same 480mAh battery. I assume the gyro on the Bluetooth model is eating up some power, but being half of the 2.4G model in Bluetooth mode did surprise me. During my time with these controllers I've used them each for at least ten hours without needing to charge, which is something of a baseline for what I would consider reasonable nowadays. Clearly they did have more in them to give though.
Clearing Up Confusion
With how similar these two controllers are you might be wondering exactly what differentiates them, and while I’ve touched on a few areas, I thought it would be a good idea to just put everything on the table here.
The 2.4G model comes with a USB dongle that works with Windows and polls at a higher 1000Hz. On the back you get a mode switch to put it into a secondary Bluetooth mode that’s advertised to work with Android, and I can confirm it does. Where this Bluetooth mode is particularly interesting to me is in the fact that the controller becomes a generic DirectInput pad, where most notably the additional L4 and R4 buttons are read as their own buttons. This is a big deal, even if it doesn’t seem like it on paper. These buttons actually being usable means we have a fantastic and affordable option for emulation, where you can map them to whatever hotkey you want. It’s great for a speed toggle, quick saving and loading, you name it. I had no issues using them in mGBA on Windows, and I would honestly consider it a huge selling point for the controller alone. You can still use the controller with PC games in this mode if setup with SteamInput, making the Bluetooth mode a really compelling option, even on the 2.4G model. You obviously lose out on Switch compatibility and a usable screenshot button, but I do feel this is the more flexible option, with the out of the way nature of the L4 and R4 buttons actually being a positive if used as emulation hotkeys. As mentioned before, you do also see Hall effect analogue triggers here too, and an Xbox face button layout.
An official Switch Pro Controller... At least according to the Switch.
The Bluetooth model by contrast is a little less interesting. We get a Nintendo face button layout paired with digital triggers. A minor aesthetic note is that you gain the four connection indicator lights that you find on Joy Cons and Pro Controllers, but the real draw is going to be the gyro. That, paired with the fact the controller is detected as an official Nintendo pad by Windows and the Switch itself. This is something you see in a lot of third party controllers that aren’t officially licensed, and it’s actually a huge plus, giving you access to first party input remapping on the Switch, and simple setup for emulators that support gyro controls. I’ve had issues with some PowerA controllers on both Citra and Yuzu but the 2C Bluetooth just worked after connecting, and you can’t ask for much more than that. Especially at this price point.
A Controller Worth Your Time
I won’t beat around the bush with this one, the Ultimate 2C is an utterly fantastic offering for the £25 asking price. For what you’re getting and how well it’s executed, they could have frankly gotten away with charging a good chunk more. With Hall effect sticks, one of my favourite D-Pads, and a generally premium finish, these are controllers worth checking out. Of the two my recommendation would lean towards the 2.4G model for the ability to use its L4 and R4 as standalone buttons in emulators, but both look great, feel great, and generally are great.
Verdict
- Hall effect sticks (+triggers on the 2.4G model!)
- Great tactile D-Pad
- Overall premium finish
- Additional buttons usable by themselves on the 2.4G model in Bluetooth mode
- Insane value at £25
- Square button feels wasted on the 2.4G model
- L4 and R4 are too out of the way to really find much use outside of emulation hotkeys on the 2.4G model in Bluetooth mode
