Review: 8BitDo Ultimate 2C, a $30 Controller for the Nintendo Switch 2
Accessory maker 8BitDo's wireless Ultimate 2C gamepad costs $30 and offers Hall effect sticks and haptics. Engadget rates it 8.5 out of 10.
The Ultimate 2C, a wireless controller from gaming accessory maker 8BitDo designed for the Nintendo Switch 2 console, costs just $30. Technology site Engadget rated it 8.5 out of 10 in its review, highlighting the price relative to the features on offer.
What is included
The controller has Hall effect thumbsticks, which the manufacturer backs with a lifetime guarantee against drift (unintended cursor movement), as well as Hall effect triggers, haptic feedback and six-axis motion control. Each shoulder has an extra remappable button between the main bumper and the trigger, which the reviewer finds useful in fast-reaction games.
The body is plastic with textured grips. According to the reviewer, it is light, well balanced and similar in size to Nintendo's Switch 2 Pro Controller. The small buttons in the centre are hard to read at a glance, but can be told apart by touch. The battery lasts 15 hours, and charging over USB-C takes two hours.
Missing features
The controller has no rear buttons and no RGB lighting. It also cannot wake the Switch 2 console, although 8BitDo says it can wake the original Switch. The pricier Ultimate 2 gained that ability through a firmware update.
How it compares
Nintendo's Switch 2 Pro Controller costs $90, comparable third-party gamepads cost around $60, and the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 costs $70. The Ultimate 2C comes in three colours directly from the manufacturer, while a transparent black version is exclusive to Best Buy. The reviewer notes that two Ultimate 2C controllers cost less than one Ultimate 2.
