Budget Controller Battle! 8BitDo vs GameSir

In this video we'll compare two ridiculously good value controllers: the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C ($30) and the GameSir Nova Lite ($25). Let's see which one is worth the price of a couple snacks and drinks.

The GameSir Nova Lite was a review unit sent to me by the manufacturer. All opinions are my own, they did not see this review ahead of time, and no money was exchanged in any way.

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Timestamps:
00:00 introduction
01:28 connectivity overview
02:18 GameSir releases
03:29 Nova Lite unboxing and impressions
09:33 8BitDo Ultimate lineup
13:41 Ultimate 2C unboxing and impressions
16:16 d-pad testing
20:11 more Ultimate 2C testing
24:49 Android testing
26:30 Windows testing
28:17 Steam Deck testing
30:56 iPhone testing
31:39 Switch testing
32:32 summary (similarities and differences)
35:27 conclusion

Theme song written by Jim Gray of Our Ghosts:

^^ use code "RGC10" for 10% off your order

This video is for entertainment and educational purposes only.

#GameSir #8bitdo #emulation #pcgaming #gaming

[RetroGameCorps]

Update: reverting to the GameSir v4200 firmware fixed the Switch Pro controller bug I mentioned in the video. Downgrading is simple, just pair the controller with your Android/iPhone with the GameSir app (available on each phone's respective app store) and then choose Update Firmware > Other Firmware > v4200 and follow the prompts. Hopefully GameSir makes a firmware fix in the future, and I'll be sure to update this comment when they do!

[velespitzencefilisollar]

For Gamesir Nova Lite;
* Choose FW4200 if you want to connect as Bluetooth Xinput (Xbox Controller) via HOME+B buttons.
* Choose FW5700 and newer if you want to connect as Bluetooth DS4 (DualShock4 Controller) via HOME+B buttons.
* Check your default firmware which your controller came with. It's important because it determines your 2.4GHz dongle (receiver) firmware.

FW 4200:
- Home + B: BT XInput, seems as "XBox controller"
- Home + A: BT Android (HID)
- Home + X: Dongle XInput/Switch Pro/Android (Hold the View+Menu (Select+Start) buttons for 2s to hot swap between modes!)
- Home + Y: BT Switch Pro

FW 5700 (and FW6900?):
- Home + B: BT DS4, seems as "Dualshock 4 controller"
- Home + A: BT Android (HID)
- Home + X: Dongle XInput/Switch Pro/Android (Caution: If you upgrade an old default firmware to FW5700 and up, this will only work as Switch Pro, because the old dongle firmware is not compatible with newer controller firmwares!)
- Home + Y: BT Switch Pro

If one connect as Bluetooth DS4 (Led: Blue) via Home+B combination, then the controller most likely came directly with 5700 firmware (or maybe with FW6900 with newer batches.) While there was the option to connect with Bluetooth Xinput in FW4200, this option was replaced by BT Dualshock4 in FW5700 (I think in order to increase compatibility with IOS and older games.)

In fact, if we consider that the Dongle Xinput mode still works on the 5700, we can say that overall compatibility has increased and there has been an improvement. But of course, the practicality of connecting with BT Xinput has also been eliminated unfortunately.

There is also another issue with the 5700:

If the controller came with 4000, 4200, 4800 firmware and you upgrade it to 5700 (and 6900?) via Gamesir app, the dongle (receiver) no longer works properly as before. People complain that they can't connect as Xinput with the dongle anymore, but can only connect as Switch Pro. ( just like @RetroGameCorps )

The reason for this is that the dongle firmware of the controllers that came with old firmwares is not compatible with the 5700. If you have upgraded the controller to 5700 and are happy with it, but want the dongle to work as before, you need to update the firmware of the dongle as well. Gamesir has not released an official fw for this yet, but upon a user's request, they sent the dongle firmware for the 5700 by e-mail, and it is said to work. It can be downloaded from the web and applied on PC. Google with the "T4NL dongle upgrade.zip" and you can access the file which also contains visuals and video on how to do the process. (I did NOT try it myself yet!)

However, it should be noted that this process is currently irreversible! Because we do not have the old dongle firmware file and as can be seen in the FW upgrade image, we do not have the opportunity to dump and save the old one from the software. Therefore, we still need to contact Gamesir and wait for them to publish or send it. (In other words, if you switch from 5700 to 4200, the dongle will not work properly. Although the connection is possible as BT Xinput, Dongle Xinput mode will not work!)

My device came with 4800 fw. It was not connecting with Home+B neither as BT Xinput nor as BT DS4. The LED was constantly flashing Yellow and forcing pairing (Home + Screenshot) did not work either. Anyway, when you try to update with Gamesir app, 4800 is not among your options. This is an indication and proof that 4800 fw has a major problem, they sent it like that at first place. So I was going to either decrease it to 4200 which is generally satisfactory or increase it to 5700. Since the option to connect as BT DS4 would not be very useful for me and I did not want to deal with dongle update, I decreased FW to 4200. Thus, Home+B BT Xinput mode also works and dongle/cable options are as problem-free as before.

Gamesir should release a firmware which adds an extra pairing option (with Home+View or Home+Menu ie.) to connect as BT Xinput and BT DS4 both. That would surely be awesome!

Finally, it should be added that the FW update is risky and some Nova Lite users bricked their devices while doing the process. The devices were no longer opening at all and there was no sign of life. I only saw a Reddit user write that he brought the device back to life by plugging it in after days passed. After the battery was completely dead, the settings were reset and the device opened with the old FW, i guess. However, it should be added that some similar users tried by removing the battery and putting it back in, but could not fix it. So be careful while tinkering. (I had no problems updating from 4800 to 4200 with the Gamesir App: v5.2.10 from github.)

I very like the vast variety of connection options that Nova Lite serves. But i didn't like the Dpad, because it has a huge false diagonals problem. I will open the device and glue some thin tape over the center pivot soon, hope to get the Dpad work more precisely. (Don't tape partly over the 4 direction connection pads, or the overall responsiveness will decrease!)

[SilverKnight]

8BitDo's naming scheme for their controllers feels like they took a few pages from Nvidia.

[FernandoBloom]

I'd like to share that the 8bitdo Ultimate 2.4 controller had a consistent issue where both of the triggers slowly lose functionality due to faulty parts. 8bitdo WILL fix it, but if it happens outside of your Amazon return period they'll make you pay for shipping and handling rather than sending you parts or sending a replacement. Love the controller, but after 7 months both my triggers are at half functionality, and thats super disappointing. Found several other people online who have stories like mine, so I don't believe it's a one off fluke.

For those who are interested, the triggers have a sharp (acute) piece that connects with the sensor, so over time the piece depresses the sensor deeper and deeper, so without replacing that sharp internal piece (which is just the back side of the trigger), you'll probably inevitably lose trigger functionality regardless of how gentle you are.

[xaltx]

Bought gamesir nova lite 3 weeks ago and it was a really pleasant surprise. Didn't expect this level of quality. Way better than my previous xbox series controller.
One thing I don't like is that "screenshot" button isn't remappable in any software i.e. you can't assign it a function in any game or emulator. It makes useless screen clips (screenshots to clipboard) on windows.

[JackX]

The QC of 8bitdo has been steadily declining over the last few years. That dpad is absolutely crushing to see as I dig the colourway

[colororb]

Omg i literally just gave up on finding a 2C review. Then i saw this in my subscription page!

[LordFalon]

I truly believe you are the only creator that can make 37 minute video about controllers, and make it entertaining the entire time. Thanks for the quality input.

[oscaspunkja]

I prefer the 8bitdo SN30 Pro for travel. It's almost flat and it is compatible with pretty much all the platforms

[TomasVasquez]

Here a big fan of Street Fighter. You have no idea how much the "Hadoukenable and Shoryukenable" sections are important to me. Many thanks!

[MrFlyntRock]

Russ!! You're the best for doing this. Got the Nova Lite after seeing it in a recent video of yours, and I'm over the moon with it for the price. Keep up the great work, sir!

[mvanalst]

I recently set up a mini PC in the living room for the family and I to play games on. I needed at least one more controller and I wanted something budget. I checked all of your videos, but I still wasn’t sure. I checked some other content on YouTube and decided to try the Gamesir Nova Lite. I’ve had it for a week. And I couldn’t believe you had not reviewed this controller yet. I actually prefer the sticks over the 8bitdo. Crazy timing on you releasing this video now. Thank you so much for everything you do.

[AltimaNEO]

Those cheapo 8bit do controllers are amazing. I bought a pair and everyone's complimented the feel and quality of the controllers. They have a nice textured feel.

[mwitters]

I just got that exact 2c controller. no dock charging. But the shoulder buttons are amazing, better than even most premium controllers, the L4 and R4 are absolute game changers and are far easier to use that back buttons, your index finger lays over both shoulder buttons are the same time and with the great mechanical switches and layout design, its perfect. I love it.

[Jokerwolf]

One thing that's really cool about the 8bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth controller is that it can wake up the Switch from sleep by shaking it. I don't know if there's any other third party controllers that can do that.

[theflashfan]

I have to disagree with your conclusion from the Contra test for the 2C. If you see your fingers, they're not just wiggling slightly left and right, they are just actually pressing where you would when you want a diagonal, giving you the diagonal.

Your 3S test tells a lot more about the accuracy of the dpad too. The most important thing being that you didn't get a single errant diagonal jump input, which can be the bane of many fighting game players.

For something that feels like a Vita dpad with the covering of a SNES, it actually does seem to be giving you the exact same kinds of results that I get from my Vita.

I'd suggest using Fightcade and the training lua for the 3S test in the future, especially as it's very helpful for figuring out how the game is actually registering the controller's inputs. Otherwise, I can only say keep up the good work, very few reviewers being as meticulous regarding controller reviews, especially budget ones. Cheers 🎉

[micweis]

Fantastic comparison, thank you. I didn't realize we had hall effect joysticks at this price point!

[Untoastedwaffles]

My favorite budget controller is the Google Stadia controller

[PeterAlwaysPlays]

Thank you very much. I've been in a dilemma of choosing between these two and you've convinced me to get a Gamesir Nova Lite. So I ordered one from my local Walmart and luckily it was going on sale (i think) and I got it for only $18 ($20 including tax) but, yeah, I'm super excited and can't wait to test it out and use it with my steam deck while docked.

[accountname-tuom]

Other reviewers need to watch your videos and take detailed notes. Your reviews are informative and balanced. Trying to watch other reviewers after you can be a somewhat painful experience.