What's more fun than playing some of your favourite games on the Switch? If your answer is something along the lines of 'struggling to hold the controller', then you're in luck, as 8BitDo has finally come around to producing a follow up to their dinky Zero controller in the form of the imaginatively-titled Zero 2. Unlike the first in the line, this one is compatible with the Nintendo Switch, as well as the usual contenders of Mac, Windows, Android, and Linux. Can this micro controller earn a deserved place in your big drawer full of pads?
Well, let's get one thing out of the way first; this thing is almost offensively small. It's not only smaller than a single Joy-Con on its side, but it's also considerably lighter, weighing just 20g. You may look at the images in this review and think it's 'very small', but suffice to say, before we got our hands on it we were far from prepared for just how small it really is, and unsurprisingly, this means using it can be a bit of an issue – but we'll explain why later on.
The SNES-like range of buttons are all present and accounted for; a D-pad, A B X and Y face buttons, Start and Select (or + and -), and two shoulder buttons in the form of L and R. For most 2D sidescrollers this is all you really need, and whilst the omission of a Home Button among other useful buttons is disappointing, there are some clever baked-in workarounds.
By pressing down on the D-Pad and Select simultaneously, you'll be taken back to the Home Menu. Moreover, if you're playing SNES or NES games, you'll be lamenting the lack of a ZL and ZR button, as by pressing both of these a menu is brought up that is pretty much essential to the experience. Well, they've thought of that as well, and you can produce this input by simply pressing Start and Select at the same time. These are really lovely little inclusions that help provide more functionality to what is otherwise a fairly simple controller, but without cluttering what little space is remaining. Top marks.
So how does it actually feel to use? It should come as no surprise that the size of the controller is a bit of a hurdle, to say the least; we found several instances where we couldn't maintain our grip on it properly despite our best efforts, and whilst that is in part due to the massive meat gauntlets some of us were born with, we're not sure there are many people (beyond the very young) who will actually find this a comfortable controller to use for any length of time.
Size aside, the Zero 2 is actually very functional; the buttons all feel very strong and responsive, the D-pad is tip-top, and the build quality feels very good for something so small. The only slight downer is the L and R buttons, which are both a bit too resistive for our liking, meaning you have to press a lot more firmly than we'd expect to get a response out of them. There is a certain degree of fun to be had from the sheer ludicrousness of using the Zero 2; we can't say for certain whether this can be a long-term novelty or not, but we suspect it could be a fun thing to whip out on roof parties.
And that's not even beginning to mention the portability aspect of this controller. We can't think of many applications where having a pad this small and portable would be all that more practical to carry around than the two Joy-Con that are already attached to your console, but if you think there's merit in it then we're not going to argue with you; perhaps four-player local gaming sessions with two Joy-Con and two Zero 2 pads are what you're looking for?
As a final little bonus, we should also mention that despite being a purely digital input, the D-pad does not, in fact, behave like one – rather, it emulates the left analogue stick. This may seem trivial at first but this opens up the library of compatible games enormously, even going so far as to make Super Smash Bros. Ultimate surprisingly playable (with the right control settings).
In short, the 8BitDo Zero 2 is a novelty, but it's a fun one. Considering how silly the whole concept is, the device is actually very robust and well-manufactured. With the right care, we can easily see this thing lasting for years and years. It wears its impracticality on its sleeves – and that at least is very laudable – but whether or not it makes sense to fork out the money for one is a decision you'll have to make for yourself.
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Comments 30
And people say joy-con are small.
Ah yes zero two my favorite waifu
This would be cool for multiplayer but, I dont have friends to play with
Just here to applaud the sub heading
I had the first version of this, it works better than you'd expect for say a NES game because you can just roll your thumb back and forth over A/B.
With the Pro Controller on sale for $55 right now (Amazon US), wonder if any of these 3rd party controllers can compete . . . even the ones that will make you feel like a giant (LOL!)
The start select trick works on all controllers for switch in the NES and SNES apps.
Pretty damn useless. You can play tetris and NES and SNES games, awesome.
@Gravitron "despite being a purely digital input, the D-pad does not, in fact, behave like one – rather, it emulates the left analogue stick. This may seem trivial at first but this opens up the library of compatible games"
So while it doesn't change the fact it's a hard sell, this is not one of the reasons why.
It's the same size as the Zero I have had for years now. Not really interesting or unique. Like at all. They should've made it even smaller.
@Monkeido sorry must've glossed over that paragraph. Ya still pretty useless unless you have a very small child that can comprehend video ganes
Oh that's great to know the dpad behaves like a stick, that was my main question about this.
There is only a handful of things that you could do with this since it is so basic.
Would've been nice if 8Bitdo didn't ghost us on some of the promised features (rumble, motion controls). I would've bought a Zero 1 if they were transparent on the 2's features or release window, but now I think I'm going to boycott the company for that, plus the fact they initially planned a 2018 (eighteen) holiday release and never updated the future products page until they surprise dropped the pre-orders for the Zero 2 shortly before its release this month, which at that point, the Zero 1 had already been discontinued.
I'm getting one of each for both of my kids. I especially like that the screenshot and home buttons are gone. We can finally play together without one of them taking 1000s of pictures, or sending us back to the home screen over and over
I've had hit and miss experiences with 8bitdo dpads. Luckily, the SN30 Pro + is great. I don't see much use in the Zero model, unless you need a cheap alternative to a sideways joycon for multiplayer. I would much rather 8bitdo make some interesting joycon alternatives.
I only see a Game Boy micro with no screen and two more face buttons. pretty neat for Hocotatians and Koppaites.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a Giant
@bluedogrulez Even the 8bitdo SF30 Pro (SNES Controller) does have a WAY better D-Pad than every "original" Nintendo Pro Controller So i might think - yes. I love the pro controller, but the d-pad is the worst ever built ... i am so happy that they've done a better job with the switch lite's d-pad.
Great! Now Barbie can host a gaming competition!
I love it i actually want one
@eRaz0r you must be kidding. The lite has the worst D pad ever.
@jobvd at least it's way better than the dpad from the pro controller, which is THE WORST of the WORST ;D
@NotoriousWhiz hahaha I thought it was only my family that had this problem! So many random screenshots of Mario Kart and New Super Mario!
Ah yes, the perfect gift for the B I G G O R O N S in your life.
@eRaz0r but it is not. The pro can handle diagonals and hadokens.
Finally, a controller for Donald Trump.
Told you all before.. Nintendo is mainly aiming at children. That's why you get those little controls when you buy their system... look at gamecube d-pad.. which person would be using it with fighting games? Forcing people to buy their Pro controller so you can get a decent D-pad, which should be there already, and 3DS and NDS.. look at those little tiny buttons. All for children. Switch aint that different. I also loved Nintendo when I was a kid in 80s and played the NES. But 36 years later... i realise it was always aimed for children. So if you want bigger controls you really need to look for ps4 or xbox. With that said. no hating here, just pointing the obvious
They should have made a pair of joycons with similar design instead. I hope to see joycons without analog sticks one day.
@Alucard83
I'm a grown up lady and had no trouble with the DS,/3DS buttons. I have a wonky, painful right thumb from too much button mashing on the NES controller. Luckily I'm left handed.
You keep telling us, though. Just don't assume that what's obvious to you is a truth.
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