In a redesign of the Ultimate C Series, 8BitDo has released a new option in the ever expanding range of controllers, this one specifically designed to work with the Nintendo Switch: the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Bluetooth Controller.
Available in Blue, Pink and Dark Blue, the colour range has a soft, pastel look that, whilst not to my own tastes, is far from ugly. These aren’t really going to stand out from the crowd or turn any heads but they will look nice on the coffee table and I’m sure that these might appeal to a younger audience.
Following unboxing, I was slightly thrown as, after an initial set-up (which was as easy as plugging in the controller to the Switch dock using the included USB cable) holding the power button didn’t turn on the Switch, something that I’m sure that we would all expect with a wireless controller. Instead, this features a “shake to wake” implementation for powering on your console. When the power light is blinking, giving the controller a little bit of a jiggle around like Tom Cruise in Cocktail will wake the console for use. I’m not quite sure why this would be the case but once you know; you know. It works consistently and it isn’t a problem.
The controller itself feels light but not in a cheap way. Instead it’s light in a way that I appreciate, so that after multiple hours of play, there’s no fatigue or aching wrists. I could happily sit with this all day (and I have done) without any discomfort. The plastic shell features textured grips for those with a slightly sweatier disposition and because this is a textured piece of the controller itself, not an additional stuck on part, there’s no risk of ungluing or peeling away like on some other controllers that I’ve used. Size wise, the controller is probably suited to those with smaller hands or those who are, like myself, cursed with slightly smaller thumbs than average. I’ve found this to be very comfortable even after extended play sessions and it’s become my go to controller for use on PC, which is possible via Bluetooth connection.
8BitDo have installed Hall Effect sticks in the Ultimate 2C rather than traditional analog sticks meaning that stick drift, a common complaint for JoyCon users, is a thing of the past. For those that don’t know, Hall Effect sticks don’t use mechanical means to detect input but instead use magnets and electrical conductors so there are no parts to wear out and cause drift or bad inputs. This makes for a joystick that feels smooth in operation that should last for years to come.
Whilst I’ve been very impressed with the sticks, the D-Pad isn’t really much to write home about. It feels really quite nice in the hand but the actual capture of directional commands feels a little mushy at best, with some games registering inputs that aren’t being pressed at times. It’s no deal-breaker but seems a little bit of a let-down given just how premium the rest of the build feels on this controller.
An added option that I genuinely love are the re-assignable shoulder buttons. Situated to the inside face of the standard shoulder/triggers are two new buttons, L4 and R4. With just a couple of button presses, these can be assigned to be used as any other other face button or even a combination of buttons to allow for a level of customisability and ease of access without having to take a thumb off of the joystick. Press Y to reload? A thing of the past, meaning that you can continue to circle-strafe your foes whilst popping more shells into the chamber easier than ever before. Whilst not a game-changer in this world of Xbox Elite Controllers and the DualSense Edge, it’s one hell of a surprise to see on such an affordable controller and an option that now I’ve had it, I wouldn’t be without.
Digital triggers and super clicky shoulder buttons feel fantastic on the Ultimate 2C. The triggers have a very short throw on them and as such, feel extra responsive even in comparison to the official Nintendo Pro controller, whilst the face buttons feel springy and generally well-built. Battery life has been as per the stated specification with a two hour charge lasting around 14-15 hours in use, so not too shabby at all.
Turbo modes are available to be assigned for each button but I’ve not found too much of a use case for this so far outside of playing Street Fighter, sitting in a corner spamming medium punch over and over as Blanka to troll my 15 year old son. Childish? Yes. Funny? Very. I’m sure that others out there will find a better use case but it’s a nice added extra to have at any (fire) rate.
A feature that I’m surprised to see is the inclusion of motion control so you can throw Cappy in Super Mario Odyssey around with a flick of the wrist or wave around your arm cannon in Metroid Prime. It’s just as responsive as with the official controller and adds to the immersion as much as it ever has.
As good as the controller is, there are some caveats, as there is no HD rumble (although standard rumble is fully featured and works well) and no NFC for those Amiibo users out there. Whilst this may be a deal breaker for some, neither of these would deter me from recommending the Ultimate 2C as your next Switch controller.
For just £24.99, I’d certainly recommend the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C to anyone who either needs a replacement controller that doesn’t break the bank or a controller for a second player for some couch co-op action, especially as we are nearing the final leg of the Nintendo Switch’s life cycle and have no guarantees as to which peripherals may or may not be supported in future.
This is a really great alternative controller to the Switch Pro controller, as the budget price certainly doesn’t mean a budget controller. Does it have all of the bells and whistles of the official Nintendo option? No, but at this price point it’s damn hard to complain. Hall effect sticks are buttery smooth, all buttons feel super responsive, it’s ergonomic in the hand, it has loads of customisability and did I mention it’s only £25?