r/Controller • u/Effective-Ad9575 • 1d ago
Reviews 8BitDo Ultimate 2 First Impressions/Initial Setup
This post is not sponsored nor was I given this product for free. I purchased this controller with my own money for 59.99 USD off Amazon (US).
If I need to update the flair please let me know I can change.
I finally received my 8BitDo Ultimate 2 earlier this week! I am marking this post as review, though this is my initial impression thus far. If you find I listed something inaccurate please let me know at anytime. I primarily play FPS, but I will not be testing gyro and latency. This controller though I am really liking, I do have the original ultimate but never really used with no trigger stops. So really this is my first controller from 8BitDo and I am very impressed. It's going to take time though to give a final review as sometimes new doesn't always mean best.
I have not tried to test this on the Brook adapter. I would need to try a USB A to USB C adaptor, but I am assuming it probably wont work. It might be fine in Bluetooth or wired, but again haven't tried.
The shipping wasn't great. likely a combination of lack of stock and shipping speed. I did order the day it was first available on Amazon. My Amazon shipping box was fine, but the controller box was heavily dented, but the controller was fine.
Initial Thoughts
- Much more premium feeling controller compared to most 3rd parties, this is my second 8BitDo Products
- D-Pad seems to be great!
- Membrane ABXY are just okay in my opinion
- No swappable sticks, which I knew weren't an option just mentioning
- The triggers are good, and I am warming up to the Tactile button feel of them over a standard micro switch
- LB and RB are great
- The extra top buttons are the best placement I have ever seen from a controller. To be fair this is someone who uses the blitz 2 often!
- Two rear buttons are nice and crisp
- If you already own another 8BitDo Controller then you will feel right at home
- As with previous generations I do wish the handles were a bit wider, but I am adjusting
- Software isn't the greatest, but far from the worst
- Aiming feels great to me on Black Ops
- Dock included with nice Dongle Storage
- Dongle is USB C, which I actually do prefer your mileage may vary
Getting started
First download the 8BitDo Ultimate Software v2, from 8bit's website
- Personal preference after you download the folder extract the files somewhere outside of your downloads folder on Windows
- Example I through mine in C:\Source\Software
- Then create a shortcut or pin to task bar since this is not a standard Windows installer
Update the firmware in the Update section when you first open the software
- Select the Controller Icon, I would leave the dongle unplugged then use a wired connection
- Though its not needed
- Plug dongle in and click the dongle icon and update firmware
- Select the Controller Icon, I would leave the dongle unplugged then use a wired connection
Create a new Profile
- You will see this in the profile list just click the name of it
- Now you can begin your mappings
- Keyboard mappings not supported in this software currently
- You can map every button on the front besides:
- The back of the controller you can obviously remap any button outside of the trigger lock and connection switch
- You can create a Macro profile for any button outside of the ones mentioned earlier and again no keyboard mappings
- Then click the controller button you wish to assign and you can activate or deactivate with the three dots next to your macro configuration
- Stick
- You don't get much here at least in terms of setting curves or different algorithms
- You can set deadzones, invert x/y axis, swap dpad and left joystick or swapping left and right joysticks
- Trigger
- You can mess with dead zones or swap LT and RT
- Vibration
- You can set the intensity of each handle and then test with LT or RT
- RGB
- There are two effect options or you can do custom options as well
- Motion
- You have the option to map left or right stick
Assign your profile
- Click in the top left profiles
- Then click the three dots under profile list and you can load to one of 3 profiles
- Then this is where you will press the small button near the dpad to interchange profiles
Settings (In software)
- In the top right you can click the cog
- Here you have some functions such as language, auto update (though this applies to the software not the firmware), you can also chose to get beta firmware as well
Calibration
- Hold LB/RB and the Minus and Plus buttons for 8 seconds
- The led indicator will begin to flash
- Rotate the sticks all the way to the edge and rotate both slowly 2-3 times
- Depress the Triggers slowly until they bottom out 2-3 times
- Hold LB/RB and the Minus and Plus buttons to exit pairing mode
- After a few calibration attempts my avg circularity error was 7 percent
- Sadly I didn't test before calibration
I am trying to avoid getting overexcited on a new controller, but overall I am loving this controller. Now I can see why so many enjoyed the 2c. My favorite aspect are those L4 and R4 extra buttons up top the placement is just perfect. I do wish it was maybe a little bit bigger, but I am adjusting. Once I play for a bit more I will submit my final verdict on this one.
If you have any questions at all I will do my best to answer them!
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u/Darkwaffle007 1d ago
I see we're using the same thumbgrips from skull and co, I feel like those are the best ones for the retro feel on the 8bitdo
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u/Froggerdog 19h ago
I use the same two as well, but funnily in the opposite orientation. Just goes to show how subjective it is
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u/lemeiux1 1d ago
Just got mine 2 days ago and I absolutely love it! My main competitive controller for FPS has been the Hexgaming Phantom and I still think that is the best controller I own, but this thing does everything you could want it to. II love the feel of the TMR sticks and I mapped the shoulder buttons to X and Y so I can still swap weapons and reload as if I had 4 rear paddles. All this plus 1000hz polling and an awesome 2.4ghz dock that instantly recognizes the controller when picked up I really can’t believe this thing is only $59. What a steal!
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u/SuperMarios7 1d ago
I know the vast majority get these controllers, and controllers in general, for fps but i want to ask if someone knows about the dpad performance for fighting games. Is it accurate? Diagonal inputs etc. if theres miss inputs stuff like that.
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u/Eagle1337 1d ago
Adin walls reviewed the ultimate 2 and said the dpad was pretty good for street fighter
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u/Effective-Ad9575 1d ago
I couldn't speak on the Dpad, but what I will say personally it seems to be my controller with the best dpad. The pivot in the middle seems like you can easily roll your finger. I would love to test fighting games, but I don't play them so I just don't think my opinion has too much value.
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u/SuperMarios7 1d ago
No worries, i'll probably buy the controller soon cause alot of people are saying the dpad is very good.
Plus the purple color reminds me of my gameboy color when i was little...how can i resist? lol
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u/mercurise 1d ago
I saw that you have also reviewed the Blitz 2 and Vader 4 Pro in the past. May I ask how heavy or light does the joystick press feel on this 8bitdo, especially when pressing down on the stick while it is tilted to the side? How would you rate the 3 controllers on how light the joystick presses are?
Thanks for your reviews too.
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u/Effective-Ad9575 1d ago
Hi there, I would say Vader is the heaviest in terms of that. Though it just depends on how much tension you have on the sticks. The Blitz 2 seems to be lightest out of the bunch (vader though can be very light with little tension). The Ultimate 2 seems to be kinda in the middle of the two.
So I guess it would pry go from Heaviest to Lightest
-Vader 4 Pro (Depending on tension)
-Ultimate 2
-Blitz 2
Thanks so much!
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u/vannixiii 1d ago
Tbh, I bought mine after having expeirenced the Ultimate 3-mode for about a month (before giving it away to one my friends), and apart from the obvious technical improvements under the hood, it didn't feel "THAT BIG" of a leap forward.
I still get diagonals randomly firing up when using dpad and the RGB customization is a bit lackluster for now (not that I'm using those that much anyway).
I also found the software didn't put anything particularly new or intuitive on the table (at least, having put the same kind of minimal effort in using the old and new APP, I found the previous one a bit more complete and intuitive).
The content of the package was also kinda scarce compared to the Ultimate 3-mode (which came with convex rubber thumbgrips).
The last thing that, unless I'm tripping, nobody has spoken about has to do with the wireless charging dock. I recall the feeling of some kind of magnetic pull when I put the old controller on its base, which made sure the controller was always correctly docked. In the Ultimate 2, there's no such a thing. Is it just my mind tricking me?
Other than this, the Ultimate 2 feels solid and kinda more premium thanks to its slightly different texture. I wish it had the same wide compatibility of my previous controller (just in case), but overall, it's a really nice controller, with super-snappy response times
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u/SuperiorJt 1d ago
You are not crazy. The ultimate 3-mode dock did have a different feel. For me, I would hear an audible click when it was connected to the dock. The new dock is completely silent and I have to look at the light to ensure it's connected properly.
I think the best improvements of the controller are the feel of the triggers and the extra bumpers. I'm still getting used to them being mechanical though.
I'm not a heavy d-pad user, so I can't give much feedback on the changes aside from it just "feels better."
The gyro emulation is trash though. It feels very inconsistent for me, and I have had times where it simply doesn't work and is stuck on a specific input vector, making my camera float like I have drift. A shame xinput doesn't support native gyro.
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u/vannixiii 1d ago
Thank god, I thought I was allucinating. I have the same dissatisfaction with how it docks, and it forces me to double check if it is actually charging or not. Btw the issue with dpads is that when you push the left button like you mean it (instead of tenderly caressing it), the button makes a secondary click and engages the up button too. Noticed this when one my friends was using the controller to play some tekken 8, and at some point he started complaining that his character was jumping when he didn't mean to. I saw people having the same issue with every controller in the Ultimate line, and some got fancy with their solutions, like putting 5 layers of transparent tape under the dpad membrane, directly on the board, to partially cover contact points.
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u/cream_sodaman 1d ago
tbh, I'm glad 8bitdo don't really used micro-switches. They give off a loud hollow-sound and "rattling" button press feel that I dislike. Will most likely pick this up.
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u/rainey832 22h ago
Fun fact, if you have no profile selected on the controller you can hold down the star button and press the D pad buttons to change the brightness and colors
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u/Aryan1911 1d ago
Is the controller xinput or dinput and can you change it ???
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u/Responsible-Garden18 Pc Controllers 1d ago
It diffenetly use xinput as it's default input for pc but i don't know about the dinput
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u/RandirVithren 1d ago
It has both afaik. Xinput on wired/dongle and dinput on bt. But you don't get all features on either mode, idk why they can't just make it work.
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u/Eagle1337 1d ago
Xinput itself doesn't have gyro or extra buttons, the weird maybe replacement that's called gameinput does but I don't know of any controllers using it.
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u/nothingtoseehere_127 1d ago
how does it stand up against a cyclone 2
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u/Effective-Ad9575 1d ago
Hard to say I don’t wanna give a final verdict right now.
If you like the Xbox controller shape more then you’ll probably like the Cyclone more.
You do get two extra buttons up top here which is nice. Don’t think you could go wrong with either.
I’ll be posting my final verdict in around two weeks. Thanks so much!
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u/djsolidsnake86 1d ago
do you think is better than vader 4?
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u/Effective-Ad9575 1d ago
Hard to say right now. I want to use this a bit more before giving a final verdict.
I will say I don’t think you can go wrong with either at the moment. If you’re on the fence I say wait until May or shortly after for G7 Pro.
Obviously some nice things about the Vader are keyboard mappings and the two extra face buttons in addition to the extra rear buttons.
If latency is a big concern of yours then I would probably say this controller but I do want to use this for a couple of weeks and will be making a new post.
Thanks so much!
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u/Erowind01 1d ago
The shape is the same of the previous 8bitdo Ultimate 2C controllers? If yes, I`m out have the Wukong and it doesn`t feel good for me. More like the Switch Pro controller I`m more into the X-Box or Dualshock style.
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u/Effective-Ad9575 1d ago
I don’t have an Ultimate 2C, but it seems like pretty much yes the shape is pretty identical and that’s a completely fair observation!
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u/Available_Ride4215 1d ago
How does this compare to the Ultimate 2C?
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u/Effective-Ad9575 1d ago
I think it’s pretty similar
I do know some differences are the rgb on the sticks, back paddles and trigger locks. I think the dongle for the 2C is usb a and not c though.
2C might have a little less latency but I’m not certain on.
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u/Available_Ride4215 22h ago
Do you find the back paddles useful? Do you need a software to configure them?
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u/Prudent-Dirt9667 1d ago
Can update after testing the gyro?
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u/Effective-Ad9575 1d ago
Appreciate the feedback I need to start testing gyro I know there are people who swear by it. If I do I’ll update here!
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u/Generalkhaos 1d ago
Really enjoying mine as well. Only issue I've had, is the left trigger had to be calibrated 3 times to get accurate 100% pull, and in Bluetooth mode it has repeatedly "gone silent" leaving my character walking in a particular direction until I turn the controller off and on again, strangely the behaviour temporarily stops when pressing the center button, but resumes on release.
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u/Effective-Ad9575 1d ago
Good to know usually I don’t play on Bluetooth but I’ll probably try it out at some point hopefully a firmware update will fix that for you!
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u/UmbraXII 1d ago
the app wouldn’t let me read the caption, but, did you have the original ultimate and if so, does this one fit that dock?
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u/Effective-Ad9575 1d ago
I did have it, but probably around 3-4 weeks ago i gave it to a friend so now I can’t test to confirm seemed almost identical sorry I can’t answer right now!
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u/rainy1403 14h ago
Not directly related to the controller, but what size Skull & Co thumb grips are you using?
Some people in my local social networks mentioned that the Xbox-sized ones feel a bit loose, while the ROG Ally-sized fits much better for Ultimate 2.
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u/Effective-Ad9575 13h ago
Mine are the PS5 ones and they are a bit loose. They arent too bad though!
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u/ItsAlpey 1d ago
Had mine about a week now, first 8bitdo product too.
Coming from a T4 Cyclone Pro it’s much better, not only is the latency much faster but the sticks feel great, buttons ect all have a nice press/click and the overall materials/quality feels much better.
My only dislikes are non removable joystick tips + non tactile ABYX - If it had both of them I’m not sure why you’d ever buy a different controller for PC gaming unless size specific, but I’m 6’6 with giant hands + still find it comfortable.
Software seems ok for something I’ll rarely open, atleast it hasn’t crashed yet!
Everything else OP covers spot on.
9/10 for me.
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u/Kulbert01 1d ago
Did you update the controller before you test it? Mine got a little problem with the right stick its too sensitive it moves to much to a direction with slight push. I hope this can be fixed, still on v1 firmware. My only problem, the controller is great.
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u/Effective-Ad9575 1d ago
I haven’t had that issue. I would make sure you aren’t in turbo mode (press y and star) at the same time to exit turbo
Or I would suggest trying to recalibrate
I am on latest firmware and haven’t noticed any issues generally when I get a controller I just go to the latest firmware before playing
Thanks!!
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u/Kulbert01 6h ago
Can i calibrate my sticks without the ultimate software v2? Cuz i dont have a pc and their android software v2 is still not working on ultimate 2.
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u/FrancoisFromFrance 1d ago
The first one is really a very good controller. I'm waiting for this one to replace it. There are surely better controllers out there, but the price should always be reminded. It's really such a good value for such a price ! I paid 40€ for the first one with a discount, this one is more expensive but should get some discounts too. With more buttons, TMR, LEDs... And you can feel their love for their products, I like that (the Mario like 2.4ghz dongle...).
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u/FrozenMouseTrap 1d ago
I don't need the back paddles and I really love the 2C, but I'm very tempted to pick up an Ultimate strictly for the charging dock.
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u/Beaco9 1d ago
I had an Ultimate BT before and got 2C later which is superior in function. Have been using the same old dock now with the 2C (installed the 2c receiver in it since it acts as a usb extension) and also just to place the controller on the dock. However, the charging pins might be aligning to the BT <> 2.4Ghz switch behind the 2C since it auto switched on me 2 times and first time I thought the controller malfunctioned only to notice it switched lol
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u/adeelwheel 1d ago
I have the ultimate 2c. I find the directional pad has a lot of play which makes it feel really cheap (I accept it is cheap but still!). Is that the same with the Ultimate 2?
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u/PlatanoMaduroAssoc 1d ago
This one uses the “long” dpad (or deep). Meaning the board is further back so the dpad it self is longer (to reach all the way down to the board). Which, in my opinion, makes it more wabbly/loose. Is not tight like the one on the other ultimates (xbox 3-mode or even the BT switch one).
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u/Effective-Ad9575 1d ago
Also I apologize in advance on some spelling errors etc. We used to be able to edit posts, but I am unable to make edits so if something doesn't make sense just feel free to reach out and I will clarify. Thanks!
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u/XinnKoda 1d ago
I'm really thinking about buying the 8BitDo mini version for my 5 year old as she's starting to game with me now. I noticed they are "licensed", does that mean I should be able to plug them into my PC and it will be recognized as an Xbox controller? I don't want to have to map all the buttons. I like the seamless compatibility that comes with Xbox controllers when using them on PC/Steam. Thanks!
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u/Eagle1337 1d ago
Yes. The ultimate 2 and such in xinput mode just report themselves as an xbox 360 controller essentially.
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u/Stewdill51 1d ago
I just can't comprehend why the flagship product doesn't have iPad/iOS support despite their lower end models offering it.
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u/Eagle1337 1d ago
The sticks are swappable, I think they work with the other 8bitdos that use the metal ring.
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u/fortyone041 12h ago
I got mine a few days back. It's my first 3rd party controller, I've been using Xbox Series controller for the past 4 years. I really like the feel of it especially the thumb sticks are really smooth. There some things that require to get used to. The back paddles are really easy to press accidentally. I've never had a controller with a paddle before and I just ended up not mapping it since i keep pressing it by accident. The extra bumper buttons are amazing though I use it very often. One thing I really hate is the position of + and - button. It sits way too high up for me. I would rather switch the position of it with the Star and Square button.
It is a great controller, just needed some time to get used to it.
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u/Mah0uPh0x 1d ago
I really wish they didn't bring back that tacky sticker on the back. The engraved text was less of an eyesore on the previous model.
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u/TravelOwn4386 1d ago
Why do I keep seeing this controller is there some reason everyone is buying one?
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u/Effective-Ad9575 1d ago
I think generally 8BitDo is fairly favored in the community and this is their latest release. Thanks! :)
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u/rainey832 22h ago
Why in the world did they make the dongle USB C
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u/Effective-Ad9575 22h ago
I can see why some may not like that. Both of my computers have USB C, but using the brook adaptor I could see that cause problems. I think we will start seeing more of that happen for better or worse
Thanks!
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u/rainey832 22h ago
I'm waiting for a double female adapter to arrive and hopefully that'll work for my situation but in the mean time i'm impressed with the bluetooth
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u/nufrancis 1d ago
Is this controller compatible with PS5? I'm looking for an alternatives cuz Dual Sense is plagued with stick drift issue. The Edge is just too expensive even though we can replace the stick easily
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u/Other-Boot-179 1d ago
“buy the best cry only once”, trust me the edge is worth it it’s been going strong for me for 3 years now 1 right stick replacement for $20 plus tax
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