8Bitdo Ultimate Wireless Controller Review: Lives Up To The Name
Purchase price: $49.99
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The 8Bitdo Ultimate Wireless Controller is a versatile and well-made controller that is compatible with a wide range of devices. You can use this with PC, Android, iOS, macOS and even the Steam Deck. 8Bitdo is one of the most respected third-party controller makers on the market and this controller cements their reputation as it just might be one of the best Xbox-style controllers available on the market today. Not only does it feature a comfortable design, long battery life, and a number of features that make it a great choice for gamers of all types, it does all of this in an extremely affordable price tag of under $50.
Design and Build
The 8Bitdo Ultimate is a well-made controller that feels solid in the hand. The body is made of plastic, yet it feels sturdy and durable. There’s a certain dry texture that makes the controller feel more premium than the price tag would suggest. The controller is also relatively lightweight, which makes it comfortable to hold for long gaming sessions. Long gaming sessions can be done thanks to the relatively sizeable battery housed within. 8Bitdo says it can last 15 hours before needing to charge and I’ve come within a ballpark of that estimate. As the namesake implies, this uses a 2.4g USB connection to keep the wires off the controller.
Occasionally, it will take a few seconds longer for my Steam Deck to recognize the Ultimate coming out of sleep, but it was never a significant enough downtime to be concerning.
Wireless Gaming
As a true wireless solution, it’s a terrific companion for the Steam Deck while docked. I’ve been using this almost strictly with my docked Steam Deck for the past 6 months and I can’t imagine playing without it. The charging dock has a USB compartment on the underside where you can store the receiver when you’re not using it. That will definitely help prevent it from getting lost. I also like the LED light on the bottom of the charging dock. It pulses when you dock the controller and it adds a nice taste for the product.
Layout
The Ultimate Controller features a familiar Xbox-style design, with a D-pad, analog sticks, X,Y,A,B buttons, shoulder buttons, and triggers. The D-pad is particularly good, with precise movement and a satisfying click. The analog sticks are also good, with smooth movement and a good amount of resistance. I’ve come to enjoy this particular shape in my hands more than an actual Xbox controller. The form factor resembles a hybrid between a Switch Pro controller and an Xbox controller.
The controller also features two rear paddle buttons, which can be mapped to any button on the controller. These buttons are a great addition, and they can be very helpful in games that require a lot of button input. That’s added versatility that goes a long way when using a multi-platform accessory.
You can also program up to 3 profiles that can be switched between on the fly through toggling a switch. To round out the rest of the impressive features, 8Bitdo has thrown rumble support onto the controller as well. It’s not super powerful when it hits you, but it’s noticeable enough to add to the gaming experience.
Final Verdict
Finally, the absolute best thing about the Ultimate is that it comes in a Pastel Pink color. There aren’t a lot of quality pink gaming accessories without a Razer logo on them, so this was a nice change of pace from the sea of white and black products. There’s not a whole lot to dislike about the Ultimate Wireless Controller. This is one of those rare cases where the product actually lives up to its lofty name. If this is the ultimate form of what 3rd party controllers should be, then I’m all for it.
Alex
Caught in between the conundrum of his fascination with retro and the future, Alex has a very unique taste in technology. Never one to follow trends like his millennial peers yet constantly desiring to get ahead of the curve, he sees technology like he does his other love: comic books. Always looking for the best value or a hidden gem, his collector mindset reflects on some of his favorite gadgets: the Moto X (2015), HTC U11 and the Google Pixelbook. If there’s a good tech deal out there, Alex is on the hunt!