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8BitDo Ultimate 2: one-minute review
The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 gaming controller is a pretty straightforward upgrade over the original 8BitDo Ultimate – a pad that continues to feature in our list of the best Nintendo Switch controllers. And while the Ultimate 2 is yet to receive its own Switch-compatible model (it’s just PC and Android for now, sadly), it remains a very competent gamepad that brings several welcome improvements.
Chiefly, the Ultimate 2 now features TMR (tunnelling magnetoresistance, for those curious) thumbsticks. We’ve seen this tech implemented in other fantastic PC controllers such as the GameSir Tarantula Pro, and they’re just as welcome here, offering greater stability and longevity than even Hall effect sticks.
The controller also adds two extra shoulder buttons, making for a total of four remappable buttons (the other two are found on the rear of the pad, like before). You’ll also find a pair of trigger locks back there, letting you quickly swap between analog and digital trigger presses based on your preference.
The last major addition here is RGB lighting rings around each thumbstick. These look nice and can be customized via the 8BitDo Ultimate Software PC companion app. But if you’re playing wirelessly, I would advise against keeping them on, as they’re a pretty major drain on the gamepad’s already average battery life.
8BitDo Ultimate 2 review: price and availability
- $59.99 / £49.99 (around AU$90)
- Cheaper than the 8BitDo Ultimate at retail price
- Available via Amazon
The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 controller is available to buy now from the brand’s Amazon store. It costs $59.99 / £49.99 (around AU$90), which is actually $10 / £10 cheaper than its predecessor. As a result, I can confidently say that if you’re shopping for a new PC controller in the 8BitDo line up, this is the one to go for. You’re saving cash and getting more features to boot.
8BitDo Ultimate 2 review: Specs
|
Price |
$59.99 / £49.99 (around AU$90) |
|
Weight |
8.7oz / 246g |
|
Dimensions |
5.7 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 147 x 103 x 61mm |
|
Compatibility |
PC, Android |
|
Connection type |
Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C) |
|
Battery life |
10-15 hours |
8BitDo Ultimate 2 review: design and features
- Eye-catching RGB lighting
- Additional remappable buttons
- Supports 2.4GHz and Bluetooth wireless connections
As I’ve come to expect from the brand, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 boasts excellent build quality. It feels exceptionally sturdy in the hands, with lightly textured grips allowing the pad to rest firmly.
The TMR thumbsticks now feature metallic shafts, a pleasant upgrade over the original model that not only looks smart but should help the sticks in the longevity department, too. Otherwise, the d-pad, face buttons, and central utility buttons (including Start, Select, Home, etc.) all feel similar to the first Ultimate. That means you can expect very solid materials overall. One nice change is that those central buttons are spaced out much better here than on the Ultimate, where they felt a little cramped together on that pad.
As mentioned above, you’re also getting four remappable buttons, two on the rear, and two nestled up next to the bumpers and triggers. These are labeled ‘L4’ and ‘R4’ on the left and right, respectively, while the rear paddles are labeled as ‘PL’ and ‘PR’. The rear also houses two trigger locks for switching between analog and digital trigger distances, as well as a toggle for swapping between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connections.
If you’re curious as to where the included 2.4GHz dongle is located (it took me a moment to realize this at first), it’s housed within the charging dock that the controller also comes with. Simply flip open the hatch on the bottom and you’ll find it tucked inside. One thing to note here is that the dongle requires a USB-C port for connection, unlike the original Ultimate controller. That’s naturally great for Android devices, but you may want to invest in a USB-C to USB adapter if your gaming PC or laptop lacks the necessary USB-C port.
8BitDo Ultimate 2 review: Performance
- Sublime drift-resistant TMR thumbsticks
- Battery life is hurt compared to the original Ultimate
- Satisfyingly tactile buttons and triggers
The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 has been my go-to controller for the past couple of weeks – and not just for testing purposes. The controller simply feels fantastic during play, largely owing to the buttery smooth TMR thumbsticks and the highly tactile shoulder and face buttons.
Having tested the controller with titles like Lies of P, Elden Ring Nightreign, Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, Tekken 8, and Final Fantasy 14 Online, I find that the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 is well-suited to a broad variety of genres and gaming styles.
One slight dampener, though, is the inclusion of those RGB rings around the thumbsticks. Don’t get me wrong, they look lovely in action, and produce a very pleasing moving light based on the direction you’re pointing the sticks (and respond to button presses, too). It’s snazzy, but the toll it takes on battery life makes them not really worth enabling during wireless play.
I was quite surprised at first when the batteries emptied from full in around 10 hours, with those RGB lights enabled. However, when I played wirelessly with them switched off, I managed to squeeze a more fulsome 15 hours before needing to charge. That’s still not quite class-leading, but by no means terrible. However, given I managed around 20 hours out of the original Ultimate, it’s certainly a downgrade overall.
Lastly, a word on the Ultimate V2 Software app for PC. It’s not much of a looker with a very basic user interface, but it does offer robust customization. Downloadable from 8BitDo’s website, it lets you create up to three individual profiles, which you can swap between via a button press on the gamepad.
You can fully remap every button – including the extra rear and bumper buttons – as well as set button macros, stick and trigger sensitivity, vibration strength, and more. It’s all accompanied by handy diagrams which show you in real time how your changes affect the controller’s performance.
Should I buy the 8BitDo Ultimate 2?
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
8BitDo Ultimate 2 review: Also consider
There’s every chance the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 isn’t quite what you’re after. If so, consider these two similarly priced alternatives.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 |
8BitDo Ultimate 2 |
GameSir Tarantula Pro |
8BitDo Ultimate |
|
Price |
$59.99 / £49.99 (around AU$90) |
$69.99 / £69.99 (around AU$107) |
$69.99 / £59.99 (around AU$107) |
|
Weight |
8.7oz / 246g |
11.5oz / 325g |
8.7oz / 245g |
|
Dimensions |
5.7 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 147 x 103 x 61mm |
6.2 x 3.9 x 2.4in / 157 x 99 x 61mm |
5.7 x 4.2 x 2.5in / 147 x 104 x 62mm |
|
Compatibility |
PC, Android |
PC, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS |
PC, Nintendo Switch |
|
Connection type |
Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C) |
Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C) |
Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C) |
|
Battery life |
10-15 hours |
Around 12 hours |
15-20 hours |
How I tested the 8BitDo Ultimate 2
- Tested for two weeks
- Played a large variety of games across various genres
- Compared directly to the original 8BitDo Ultimate
I tested the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 across a period of two weeks, mainly on my gaming PC. I played titles from a variety of genres, including action games like Lies of P and Elden Ring Nightreign, as well as some of the best fighting games, such as Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6.
I primarily played wirelessly to gauge overall battery life, and made use of either wired play or the included charging dock when it was time to top up (which was fairly frequent given its slightly shorter battery life compared to its older sibling, the 8BitDo Ultimate).
First reviewed June 2025
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