Here's Why The 8bitdo Ultimate Controller Is The Best New Gamepad of 2022

Today we're taking a look at the newest controller from 8bitdo, their Ultimate Controller. This gamepad is targeting a higher price point and competes directly with pricing around first party Nintendo, PlayStation and Xbox controllers.

Twitter: @SpawnWaveMedia

Like Comment and Subscribe!

Thanks for watching!

#8bitdo #Nintendo #NintendoSwitch

[HenrikMyrhaug]

I love that more companies are starting to use Hall- effect analog stick sensors! Hopefully the next console generation (or perhaps even the next half-generational upgrade), all controllers will come with Hall- effect sticks.

[mattyg_hd]

That's such a beautiful teardown, it really looks like they designed the internals with repairability in mind. Super well done!

[romanomanuel]

The charging cradle also serves as the extension for the 2.4g receiver. so it is better to attach
the charging cradle directly to the computer's usb port rather than using a separate power brick.

[Somedutcher]

I have the SN30+ Pro for years now and the quality of that controler is so good. I'm gonna get the Ultimate for new-school games and keep using the 30+ for retro and platformers.

[kidj]

I think he missed that the dock also works as a passthrough for the dongle. So you can just leave it plugged into the switch and swap over to using the dongle as another option

[petiteminish]

With the white case and the form-factor, this kinda reminds me of the Google Stadia controller, which is quite fitting since 8bitdo is mainly known for retro-style controllers 😉

[jqwright]

I really appreciate 8bitdo. They could just keep doing retro solutions and maybe a new console controller here and there but they really go the full mile. Making controllers this good for PC at these prices is really appreciated, man. I'm actually excited for a controller, can't wait to get one.

[ARod]

I recently bought it because my old wired controller broke for
Xbox and so far no complaints. It feels amazing in hand.

[jooperino]

8bitdo being more consistent than my grades

[InfraSolart]

Nice! I've been waiting for you to review this controller since I heard about the pre-order. It looks great, but now I want to see the differences between this and the GuliKit KingKong 2 Pro controller. GuliKit being the supplier of the same hall effect joysticks 8bitdo uses.

[xykros]

I think the wake up thing is intentional. It's the answer usually given by their reps when asked in their Amazon store page.

"Yes, you can. But in a different way.
A. Pick up the controller from the charging dock to power it on.
B. Then shake the controller to wake up your Switch" - Amazon Store page

I'm just glad it works, even if it IS a bit weird. Might finally pick this over the Kingkong Pro controller.

[Cetega]

I've been using the wired Xbox version of this for a while, and it quickly became my primary controller for most games there. I've become slightly addicted to the underside buttons for games like shooters and Elden Ring. Looking forward to this one and seeing what the Hall effect sticks are like. A shame the wired versions don't have those.

[currytigre]

The hall sensors aren't fragile. I've taken them apart before. The joystick part is just a regular joystick. You can unclip the blue hall sensor assembly since they're not soldered to the board. The SMD hall sensors are soldered to the board under the blue parts and the magnets behind the blue part are in a pendulum type of holder.

[hornet]

That's actually a passthrough for the 2.4g dongle. If you plug the dock into your computer, it'll pick it up. The only things I don't like on this thing so far, is that Bluetooth isn't x-input so it's just for the Switch, and I don't like the grips. They feel like sandpaper after playing for a while. I don't like the Xbox controller grips either. It'd be nice as well if you could swap the ABXY buttons around to the xbox configuration.
Also, shaking the controller to wake the switch is by design.
Also, also, those hall effect sticks are Gulikit branded, so 8bitdo must have some deal going with them for the sticks. Gulikit makes their own controller too, and I think they're supposedly coming out with another one, so I wonder what kind of deal they made with 8bitdo.

[awright]

I really like the switching feature on the Pro2. I switch between switch, PC and android using it often and it's super simple. I think I'm going to stick with that.

[martinocampo]

Been planning to pick this up. Glad to see you tinkering with it!

[Slap_Ninja]

My only complaints so far is the non user replaceable battery. Design looks great and comfortable, even the internals look well thought out.

[deraile]

Fine rumble like with the Switch or the Dual Sense is pretty cool and fun, but I'm also quite fine with good old regular rumble. It's also much more widely compatible with older games, emulators, software in general. I'm very ok with that choice 👍

As you said though there may be a push towards HD rumble in the years coming and hopefully this becomes a normalized standard coming forward. Right now with different games it's very spotty whether my controllers will get to make use of those fancy motors.

[Aelrandir]

I've been interested in this one since it was announced, so I'm glad to see that it doesn't disappoint. It seems like the only things the official Switch Pro controller has over it are the amiibo support and advanced haptic feedback. The macro buttons are arguably a good trade off though for a lot of games. Might just have to pick this one up.

[ドリフトX]

Glad they are using those magnetic sticks. Those are very reliable, my Dreamcast controller still works perfectly fine, no drift. Magnetic sticks are the way to go.