8BitDo’s Xbox-Style Ultimate Controller Goes Wireless, But Not For the Xbox

With the power to closely customise the efficiency and performance of its numerous buttons and sticks, the 8BitDo Pro 2 stays one among our favourite third-party controllers. One of our few complaints is the controller’s symmetrical side-by-side joystick structure, which 8BitDo is lastly addressing with a brand new model of its Xbox Ultimate wired controller that additionally lastly goes wi-fi.

The 8BitDo Pro 2 appears kind of like a closely up to date and augmented model of the Super Nintendo’s basic gamepads, which is becoming, as a result of whereas it’s appropriate with Windows, macOS, and Android units, it solely performs good with the Nintendo Switch on the subject of consoles. That makes its use of side-by-side analog joysticks a bit complicated, as a result of Nintendo has been utilizing an asymmetrical joystick structure for the reason that GameCube WaveBird, and continues to apply it to its Joy-Cons and Pro Controller. Sure, the Wii U Pro Controller makes use of a symmetrical structure, however the stick placement on the 8BitDo Pro 2 is extra like a Dualshock’s than that controller’s.

To lastly handle that stick placement subject, 8BitDo has up to date its Ultimate Wired Controller for the Xbox Series S & X, first introduced again in March, with a extra generic design (that’s nonetheless paying homage to the Xbox controller and the Nintendo Pro controller) and each Bluetooth and a couple of.4GHz wi-fi connectivity. It’s now merely referred to as the 8BitDo Ultimate Controller, and might be accessible in three variations that cater to just about every little thing besides, satirically, the Xbox (and Playstation).

8BitDo Ultimate Controller + Charging Dock With Wireless Bluetooth Switch Compatibility

At $70, that is the most costly of the three new 8BitDo Ultimate Controllers, however continues to be the one most players ought to get, because it contains each Bluetooth for connecting to units just like the Nintendo Switch, in addition to a 2.4GHz wi-fi connection for connecting to PCs with much less lag. It comes in black or white.

It presents all the identical options and performance of 8BitDo’s wired Xbox controller and the wi-fi Pro 2, together with compatibility with particular software program and apps for configuring the controller, the power to retailer and simply swap between three totally different configuration profiles, and an additional pair of re-mappable paddle buttons on the again. Unlike the Pro 2, the 8BitDo Ultimate Controller’s rechargeable battery isn’t detachable, however is now simpler to maintain charged with a bundled dock that additionally features a compartment for storing an included 2.4GHz USB adapter.

8BitDo Ultimate Controller + Charging Dock With Wireless 2.4GHz PC Compatibility

A barely cheaper choice at $50, this model of the 8BitDo Ultimate Controller skips the Bluetooth for two.4GHz solely, however retains the remainder of the programmable performance, plus the charging dock that features a place to retailer the included 2.4GHz USB adapter. It’s additionally accessible in black or white, in addition to a delicate pink colorway.

8BitDo Ultimate Controller With Wired Switch and PC Compatibility

You can save your self a tidy sum of cash with the $35 wired model of the brand new 8BitDo Ultimate Controller, which is appropriate with the Switch, Windows PCs, Android cell units, and even the Raspberry Pi, though it solely works with 8BitDo’s Ultimate Software for configuring its {hardware} by means of the Windows 10 app. There’s no dock included as there’s no batteries that want a cost, and colours are restricted to black or white.

All three 8BitDo Ultimate Controllers can be found for pre-order proper now by means of Amazon: the Bluetooth one, the 2.4GHz one, and the wired one, with transport anticipated on October 28. They received’t substitute the wi-fi 8BitDo Pro 2 controller, nonetheless, as that controller’s side-by-side joystick structure will nonetheless attraction to some players.