I really love some 8BitDo. I found myself coming back to Professional 2 for years, thanks to excellent workmanship. That being said, I was pretty confident that I wouldn’t be hugely disappointed with the latest Ultimate 2C controller, and in that respect, fortunately, I was right.
No, I wasn’t hugely disappointed with 8BitDo. But I was there petite disappointed in one particular thing that sucks about talking about such a versatile, fantastic controller. That thing is the shape, which has stayed the same as the original Ultimate Controller and opted for a thinner design reminiscent of the Switch Pro rather than the bulkier PlayStation or Xbox One consoles.
Admittedly, my reaction to this is almost entirely subjective, but tell that to my God-given hands. They feel what they feel when they hold the controller, and now they have to write what they need to write.
But these somewhat subjective ratings aside, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C is a controller that confuses me because I can’t for the life of me understand how 8BitDo lists this device for only $30. As well as looking far from budget thanks to the variety of attractive pastel colors on offer, it also seems far from a budget-friendly controller and doesn’t function like one.
8BitDo Ultimate 2C Specifications
This is because it not only has Hall effect joysticks, but also Hall effect triggers and 1000 Hz polling over a 2.4 GHz wireless connection. That’s faster polling than most budget controllers, and even some popular ones (the standard Xbox controller has 124Hz polling, of course, because it’s designed for consoles that achieve lower frame rates).
In my tests, I found that this polling rate bore plentiful, tasty fruit. Loading Crab Champions, my little crustacean ducked and dived just as I commanded it with firm clicks of the 8BitDo buttons. The same goes for other, less stern games, of course. It provides 19 hours of gameplay on a single charge in the 2.4G network and 32 hours in Bluetooth mode.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have the opportunity to test Bluetooth because – and here is one disadvantage of the Ultimate 2C – this connection is reserved for Android devices. Don’t ask me why, it seems stupid to me too. This is quite a huge caveat, as I imagine many people will consider a budget controller like this as a travel companion where Bluetooth is king.
However, provided you’re connected via USB-C (Windows) or Bluetooth (Android), you can enjoy a wonderful, clicky experience. One thing I’ve always loved about my 8BitDo Pro 2 is the satisfying clicks of the buttons – I’ve honestly never felt better on a controller. The Ultimate 2C follows suit, although it lags slightly behind the Pro 2 in terms of front ABXY buttons.
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However, on this front, “falls slightly behind the Pro 2” still means it beats out most other controllers. The ABXY Ultimate 2C’s buttons feel much better than those on the Xbox controller, at least on my fingers. The same goes for the shoulder buttons, in this case even compared to the Pro 2. They’re just there. So. Clickable. You also get extra buttons near the shoulders, which is surprisingly simple to avoid accidentally hitting – although I would definitely prefer lower paddles like the Pro 2.
Unfortunately, something has to give and in the case of 8BitDo Ultimate 2C it is the d-pad. This is not badit’s just not great. It’s standard, slightly mushy stuff, and there’s probably some membrane mechanism humming beneath the surface. Again though, not terrible, just standard.
If you don’t mind the Switch Pro-style grips and are elated with Android-only Bluetooth, I can give this controller a very sturdy recommendation.
The reach of the sticks is much more in line with what I’m used to than with some other budget controllers like the GameSir Nova Lite, which I find rolls a little too wide. The Ultimate 2C bars also feature a distinctive, polished Hall effect that you either love or hate (I’ve come to terms with it now) and feature anti-friction rings on the edges.
The triggers are great too, although I couldn’t decide between them and the ones on the standard Xbox controller. Apparently the Ultimate 2C’s triggers are lighter than the original Ultimate, which was a great move by 8BitDo if true, as I found the lightness to be a definite boon.
I was craving the opportunity to take a shot in the game to feel that springy action again, and that’s the sign of a good trigger.
And the color combinations look absolutely gorgeous, don’t you think? This is one controller I’m really proud to have on my pegboard, and I’m not usually into all that colorful crap – for me it’s usually black, white, browns and beiges. But pastel colors I can gel with because they aren’t too flashy and can add a nice touch to an outfit.
Buy if…
✅ You want the highest quality for less: This controller performs much better than its price suggests, thanks to its clickable buttons and Hall effect sensors, and its 2.4G wireless connection is very responsive.
✅ Want to add some elegance to your setup: The different color schemes available in 8BitDo Ultimate 2C can add a bit of energy to your gaming room.
Don’t buy if…
❌ You’re not used to tucking your elbows while playing: The 8BitDo Ultimate 2C feels very similar to the Switch Pro Controller in your hand, and this narrower design may be uncomfortable if you’re not used to keeping your elbows tucked in.
❌ You want Bluetooth to be used on different devices: Unfortunately, this controller only supports connecting to Android devices via Bluetooth.
Either way, that’s where the fun ends, unfortunately – because when the rubber met the road, during some of my extended gaming sessions, my hands weren’t as elated as my eyes. That’s because the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C has a slim Switch Pro-style design that belies its apparent Xbox layout.
Compare the 8BitDo to a more costly Xbox Wireless Controller (or another budget controller like the Nova Lite) and you’ll notice that it’s much less stretched. In practice, this means that your wrists need to be tucked in more and your elbows tucked in more to stay comfortable. This may be fine for some – and it clearly is, as many people love the Switch Pro Controller – but I find it uncomfortable to play this way.
Given the Xbox-style layout that attracted me, I would also have liked the Xbox-style design, with splayed handles and all. But 8BitDo kept these handles retracted, and in gaming sessions longer than an hour, my hands began to complain. Not much, but definitely more than the Xbox controller. I felt comfortable keeping my elbows tucked in, but fuck it, sitting and exploring the rocky expanses of Firewatch.
If you don’t mind the Switch Pro-style grips and are elated with Android-only Bluetooth, I can give this controller a very sturdy recommendation – top marks across the board. However, considering that non-Android Bluetooth is quite common in peripherals these days, and considering that almost everyone finds Xbox controller designs comfortable but not everyone finds Switch Pro controller designs comfortable, I can’t facilitate but think about these two things as detracting from an otherwise excellent and extremely value-friendly product.
