The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 is a $70 wireless controller for the Switch 2 that features Hall effect triggers, TMR joysticks, and a dedicated charging dock.
Key facts
- •The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 retails for $70, which is $20 less than the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.
- •The controller includes a charging dock, a 2.4G USB-C dongle, and a spare set of key caps.
- •The device features six shoulder inputs, including two extra bumpers positioned between the traditional triggers.
- •Users can customize lighting, button mapping, and macros via the 8BitDo Ultimate Software V2.
- •The controller's TMR analog sticks are designed to be drift-resistant.
8BitDo has launched the Ultimate 2, a wireless controller designed for the Nintendo Switch 2. Priced at $70, the device offers several features not found on Nintendo's own Pro Controller, including Hall effect triggers, TMR analog sticks, and a bundled charging dock.
By the numbers
Design and Customization Features
The Ultimate 2 is a compact, ergonomic gamepad featuring textured grips and a smooth plastic chassis. It includes two rear buttons and two additional bumpers, labeled L4 and R4, which bring the total number of shoulder inputs to six. The controller also features RGB lighting around the analog sticks, which can be adjusted using a dedicated star button on the face or through 8BitDo's Ultimate Software V2. This software allows users to remap buttons, assign macros, and update firmware.
Performance and Battery Life
The controller supports both 2.4G and Bluetooth connections, with the latter allowing users to wake the console by shaking the device. During testing, the controller maintained consistent performance across several games, including Resident Evil Requiem, Hello Kitty Island Adventure, and Mario Kart World. The battery life remained reliable over multiple days of use, even with vibration and RGB lighting settings at maximum levels.
Comparison with Nintendo Pro Controller
While the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 is priced $20 lower than Nintendo's Switch 2 Pro Controller, it lacks some of the proprietary features found on the first-party model. The Nintendo Pro Controller includes a 3.5mm audio jack and an NFC reader for Amiibos, which are not present on the 8BitDo device. However, the Ultimate 2 provides TMR thumbsticks and Hall effect triggers, which are designed to prevent stick drift and offer lasting precision.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Engadget.
