8Bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller Review

8Bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller is a wireless controller with a charging dock that can be connected using a 2.4 GHz dongle and Bluetooth connection. It borrows the design sensibility of the Nintendo Pro Controller and Xbox controller.

Do note that there are two types of 8bitdo Ultimate: one with Bluetooth function and one without. This is the review of the 8bitdo Ultimate with Bluetooth connectivity.

Overall Design of 8Bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller

Overall, I like the feel of this controller, you can feel how ergonomic this controller is and I’ve been able to use this controller for hours without hurting my wrists.

This controller is mainly made of plastic and is also quite a light controller compared to the Xbox Series X controller and the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. 8bitdo Ultimate weighs around 230 grams.

There are no RGB lights but the logo is a light indicator to tell users whether the controller is turned on or trying to pair with your device.

It uses the Nintendo Switch format, so using this controller on Steam or other PC games can be quite confusing as (A and B, Y and X) buttons are switched up, and you need the 8bitdo software to change the mapping. The analog sticks feel good to use and the direction button also feels responsive when pressed. This also comes with back paddle buttons which are premium features on some controllers that are more expensive than 8bitdo Ultimate. It also has player indicators, useful when playing LAN multiplayer on the Switch or PC.

One stand-out feature of the Ultimate Bluetooth that is not found in the other 8Bitdo Ultimate controllers is the Hall Effect joysticks. Hall effect joysticks use one or more Hall effect sensors to detect the position of the joystick handle in relation to a magnetic field. Unlike traditional potentiometer-based joysticks that rely on physical contact, Hall effect joysticks operate without physical contact between moving parts. This results in reduced wear and tear, providing a longer lifespan for the joystick. In short, there is no dreaded joystick drifting.

It also has a rumble if you want those features but the rumble in this controller is quite soft and more comparable to the rumble feature of the switch. If you want to increase the intensity you will need the 8bitdo software to do it.

Speaking of the software, it also improves the experience of using this controller by adding more customizability and macro controls.

Another thing I like is the motion control in this controller. It is quite good, especially for a third-party option that also comes with a good price tag.

Compatibility and Connectivity

Unlike most of 8bitdo’s controller selections, the 8bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth has limited compatibility. Ultimate is only compatible with Windows 10 and above and Switch. This is kind of understandable since this is made as a Switch Pro Controller replacement.

Behind the controller is a switch that you can make between Bluetooth and a 2.4 GHz connection. With the dongle the controller uses XInput which is the native input for Windows. If you are using the 2.4 GHz dongle and have the Steam layout open, you can also use the motion controller function in your games.

If you connect the controller with Bluetooth on your PC, it will act as a switch controller. If you have Steam running, you might want to turn off switch compatibility to be able to use the Xbox button layout while connected to Bluetooth.

With Switch and Steam Deck, simply connecting it through Bluetooth just works. No other tinkering with the system settings.

The Charging Dock

The 8bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth charging dock is such a sleek design that makes the Ultimate’s overall look more stylish. It is also made of plastic but has rubber feet to stop it from moving around the table. It also has copper connectors to facilitate charging when you dock the controller on it.

The 2.4 GHz is also hidden inside the dock which makes the dock act as an extension to the dongle. The dongle has cute 8-bit aesthetics. One cool feature is the underglow the dock has when resting the controller on it, but it turns off after a few seconds.

Conclusion

This is a great controller from 8bitdo that is an excellent third-party controller for the switch and is also a pretty good PC controller. With the added dock, this looks good on your table. What I feel disappointed with about this controller is the lack of Mac and Android support like in the other 8Bitdo controllers. Would I recommend this controller? Yes, this is one of the best controllers I’ve used. It is quite a cheap controller and has a very high value if you consider the features crammed into this design.

Check the Availability and price for the 8bitdo Ultimate Controller