8BitDo Reveals Its New 'Ultimate C' Bluetooth Controller, Compatible With Switch

Strange color choices.

I own an 8BitDo controller (Pro 2), and I love everything about it EXCEPT that it won't wake my Switch, which can be super annoying but is a very momentary grievance. I don't see any reason why I would be rushing out to get another controller, though. I'm not looking to replace what I have, and I can't really think of anything they'd come up with that would change my mind on that. So while I'm sure this is a fantastic product, I don't see any chance of me getting it. I'm not willing to buy an entirely new controller just to avoid the lack of wake functionality with the one I have.

Not bad. But it's too close to the Nintendo Cosmo reveal/launch to buy any more peripherals without knowing they'll transfer over.

Please, 8bitdo... just give us a joycon with that d-pad. How is this not a thing already???

I need hull effect sticks now. The Gullikit King Kong 2 and Nitro Deck spoiled me. And the dpad on the Nitro Deck is just so much better than any other controller I have.

If you've only got a Switch or only care about getting an extra controller for it, that certainly seems like a great price for what they're offering.

That said, though, even though it's double the price, the Ultimate Bluetooth controller is the same thing but works on Switch, PC, Android/iOS and Steam Deck, has Hall Effect sticks, and comes with a charging dock that can also be its own pairing station for Windows. All that is worth the extra $$ in my book.

@Tasuki
I have the 8bitdo sn30 pro for years now. Never any problem, i think with this will be the same.
Also when i dropped my controller and broke my R2 they send me new parts and tips how i could replace it myself, or just send over. (Did it myself)
Maybe i will buy this one too.

@LikelySatan This 8Bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth 2.4 Ghz wireless controller had a fantastic d-pad, hall effect joysticks that clicks, motion gyro control, rumble vibrations, turbo feature, rear back buttons for shortcuts or macro customization, NFC support, and comfortable shoulder and trigger buttons. Works great for Nintendo Switch, PC, Steam Deck, ROG Ally, Atari VCS, Retro Pi, Anbernic RG353 PS, and GPD Win 2.

I wish they would make a controller with a rolling d-pad.

I wanted them to make an M30 with analog sticks and two triggers and easy button mapping. I love the M30 but all these features would make it way easier to use on Switch.

@RainbowGazelle their M30 controller has a rolling Dpad. Assuming you mean Sega style.

@Serpenterror I'll check it out, but I definitely have several great controllers. A great dpad is a big deal...

Hope the face buttons are better than the ultimate that i payed $70 for. They feel very 'XBox', but worse since they have friction if you hit them anywhere but dead center, and are hard to mash fast because of the slow response. Compare to the Pro 2, which has SNES style buttons, which you can tap and mash at high speed.

This is tempting as a replacement for the stock pro controller. I do love everything about 8bitdo except their recent face buttons.

$30!?! Freak, dude, I immediately added this one to my Amazon wishlist.

@HammerKirby Yeah, just like that, but with analogue sticks too. I guess an Xbox controller is the closest modern equivalent.

This is very interesting. Never had any 8bitdo controllers, though. Are they any good?

Can’t find these ones on the Dutch Amazon just yet, but will keep an eye out for sure!

@Trellgoth very good, especially at that price.

Never mind drift, does anyone else suffer with Bluetooth interference with their switch when docked? I have to switch speakers & record deck off when playing Mario Kart or face random direction changes.

I'm gonna guess they removed the hall effect sticks on this?

Please could someone explain what a "non-linear digital trigger" is?

@GraniteFraggle this sometimes happens to me. I find moving the dock a little further from the TV sorts it easily.

'Blue'?! That's grey.

So this is basically a budget version of the Pro 2? Sounds great, because Pro 2 is the best third-party controller I've ever used, and Pro 1 one was good too.

Ok. This looks dang good! And nice price.

I've got a lot of controllers . . . but I'm thinking this may be my next controller.

@Trellgoth

RE: 8BitDo . . .

I've got the 8BitDo SN30 Pro Bluetooth gamepad and it's my favourite controller.

And a couple of 8BitDo GBros. Adapters to use our GameCube and Wii Wired Fight Pad controllers on our Switch.

IMHO 8BitDo makes some great products. 'really enjoying mine.

This seems like a great price for anyone looking for a quality extra controller. I have an ultimate 2.4g and it’s great, it’s my main controller rn

I'm not as huge on these controllers as I used to, I bought 3 of SN30 Pro+ controllers of which one now has a malfunctioning A button which kinda "sticks" which results in double presses (a pain in the ass in RPGs and like) and 1 copy of Pro 2 which just never seemed to work properly, it's always disconnecting and having compability issues.

As long as they do work they're great feeling controllers but I'm slightly iffy of their build quality now.

for the price, im interested. couple questions.

are the sticks for sure non hall effect? i dont think i even have any hall effect sticks and ive had almost no issues, but im not seeing it listed either way.

"non-linear digital triggers" are just normal shoulder buttons, right? like, with little "travel?" god willing?

yep, i want the orange one. cant believe it comes in orange! 👍👍

Ok, now that is the truest Switch pro controller.

@Sequel

"But it's too close to the Nintendo Cosmo reveal/launch"

i googled it and found nothing. tf you talking about?

Very tempting... like with many of their controllers...

@GreenNinja500
If the thumb sticks feel like the ones on Sony's DS5, then we have a winner. In my opinion, they feel too loose on the Nintendo pro controller.

@ErraticGamer But only has 15 hrs of battery vs the Switch versions' 20 hours. Why? I don't know.

@Key19 yeah a wake ability would be great on the Pro 2. Then again - I don't think any third party controller can wake the Switch (as far as I know of)

@NiallMitch14 Power A's wireless controllers can. They may count as first party ish though, since they are allowed to use official Nintendo art.

@Rainbowjames Thanks for the suggestion - I will give that a try. Luckily never suffered from drift but this bluetooth nonsense is a right pain!

colors are making me reach for the antacids

But can it turn on the Switch from sleep mode? Are the joysticks Hall-effect? Also, why hasn't Nintendo ever licensed out or allowed anyone else to make controllers with HDRumble?

@RainbowGazelle Like a NES Max?

@chardir Non-linear means it moves on an axis, like the Playstation L2 and R2 triggers, rather than moving straight up and down (linear) like a standard button. Digital means it only registers "on" and "off" positions, with nothing in between (like all switch L2/R2 buttons).

@ErraticGamer Wish I could use it on PlayStation as well

I probably will be skipping out on this, unfortunately. I already have a Pro Controller and a Pro 2, but this looks pretty cool, especially for the price!

I love 8BitDo’s stuff. The SN30 Pro is like an old friend now.

The only thing that lets the original Ultimate down is that it won’t connect to my non-Switch/Windows gear. That gives the edge to their Pro 2 for me, which links to near as dammit everything I need it to - even my Mac and RPi kit.

@Zequio No, a d-pad like the Sega Mega Drive controllees had.

@-wc- Wait till February

I've been dragging my feet on replacing my busted Pro Controller because I didn't feel like shelling out $60+ dollars, so this is a perfect solution.
Like others have mentioned, my SN30 Pro is wonderful and I trust the quality more than I do an official Nintendo product.

@sForzan This is what I have to settle for. Not the worst d-pad out there but doesn't come close to 8bitdo's.