The gaming accessory company, 8BitDo, has recently unveiled the Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller.
This new model comes with a range of impressive improvements over its predecessor. Key among these is claimed to be an ultra-low latency (1000hz / 1ms) connection, thanks to what the company dubs “8Speed Wireless Technology”. Additionally, it debuts TMR (Tunneling magnetoresistance) technology in its joysticks for higher sensitivity and enhanced durability while reducing power consumption.
For those interested in the technical specs, here’s a quick rundown as provided by 8BitDo:
- TMR Joysticks
- Speed - Ultra-low latency 2.4G wireless with 8Speed technology
- 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection)
- Fire Ring - RGB lighting joysticks
- Extra Bumpers (R4 and L4)
- Pro Back Paddle Buttons
- Trigger Mode Switch
- Tactile Bumpers and D-pad
- 6-axis motion control
- Turbo Function
- Vibration
- Support 8BitDo Ultimate Software V
Priced at $59.99.
How do you think this will compare with the previous version?
I have been nothing but impressed with my 8BitDo Pro 2.
Hall effect sticks and battery life which puts Dual Shocks and XB controllers to absolute shame. Cheaper, too.
Works great with Linux.
I recently bought and immediately returned an 8bitdo controller. In this case the ultimate C2.
It was uncomfortable to the hands. It has a strange narrow shape, to us accustomed to Xbox controllers.
But the worst thing were the triggers. They had a massive dead zone that made it unplayable to any game requiring progressive input on the triggers. Like they wont start registering the input until 1/4 pressed, and there was no feedback on when they would start registering input. For racing games it was 100% impossible to play.
That was a quick return and a sad red X over the brand for me.
I emailed support and they confirmed this controller does not support steam input fyi.
So the extra buttons can only be mappable to existing buttons, and the gyro can only emulate joystick movement.
If it gets steam input support I’ll consider it but until then it’s a no go for me.
are there any controllers besides the old steam controller and maybe the Xbox elite controller that support steam input for extra buttons?
ive been looking for over a year for any affordable controller where I can just map play/pause media and prev/next track to the extra back buttons and ive found nothing
This is how the 8BitDo Pro 2 controller works as well. That said, the Pro 2 works great with Steam on desktop and the Deck. It just sucks that you are restricted to buttons shared with PS/XB controllers.
Still fantastic battery life, and hall effect joysticks make it a no-brainer.
Trash then. Thank you for confirming!
Direct input reeeeealy needs to get with the times.
It pisses me off that the only 2 controllers with Steam Input support are the Hori pad that I can’t find where I live and the DualSense Edge which is expensive as all fuck
I wonder if it’s the controller makers that aren’t interested in supporting it, or if it’s Valve that isn’t allowing them to
Thanks for the info. As long as the Steam Deck has been out and the momentum is getting they should at least have SteamOS support.
I agree, I plan to email them back and let them know.
I got the first one and I love the idea with the doc and the buttons feel great and the connection is great but the ergonomics of the grips just does not work for my hands and the back buttons only mapped to other buttons makes them useless.
I wish these were firmware based like Gulikit so I could modify everything without a software that inevitably won’t be made for Linux.
Ive never used their software, but it exists for android, so maybe you can use it on linux with waydroid?
I don’t see anything worth ditching an original for, but it does seem like a worthy successor.
Agreed
While I love 8bitdo, unfortunately I just dont find the Ultimate to be comfortable to use, and that will be the same with the sequel. I do, however, absolutely love my Pro 2. Its shaped like a SNES controller with handles and it is somehow the most comfortable controller I’ve ever used. it is the only controller with both analog sticks low that I find comfortable and yet it is more comfortable than all x-box styled controllers I’ve used. If they made a new version of that with 2.4ghz, TMR sticks, and updated all of their controllers to actually provide every function available in d-input mode at once for better customization, then it would be the perfect controller for me.
I did recently get the gamesir cyclone 2, and that is also an incredible controller. All it is missing feature-wise is that fully featured d-input mode, and an easy Bluetooth mode switch like the pro 2 has. The analog sticks are outstanding on it, but unfortunately the dpad just can’t compete with 8bitdo. Again though, the cyclone 2 and pro 2 are overall incredible controllers for different reasons.
Another stellar release. 8bitdo are seriously becoming a force to be reckoned with. When my Xbox Elite 2 dies I’ll probably get one of these to replace it. Already have the Ultimate as my go to for the Switch and when I have my Steam Decked docked to the TV.
Wonder if all this tariff nonsense it going to hurt its foothold in the US…
Are there symmetric analog layouts available or will there be.
I had the first one for a couple of weeks and never liked its shape, too straight on the sides for my taste. Had to return it.
How well does it work with Linux ?
I have the original and it works both with 2.4ghz and bluetooth out of the box. Been a very good experience.
thanks a ton, good to know
i’ve got a pro2, and while it speaks standard protocols fine, the “ultimate software” doesn’t work so you can’t remap the rear paddles. then again they can’t be used as their own buttons, only as shortcuts to other buttons on the controller. other than that it’s good.
Alright I didn’t know that. Not a great loss then ? From what I read it seems this one has an additional set of bumpers, in addition to the paddles. Maybe those are their own buttons
Appreciate the info
There is also phone app with same functionality, so no loss if you have a phone.
I have the original ultimate wireless controller, and it works flawlessly for me on Fedora 41.
I only recently came to know of this company when I was looking for an upgrade for the old Logitech ones I’ve been using for Recalbox. Sounds like someone I’ll have to get familiar with.
NES mechanical 108 key keyboard (with number pad) from 8bitdo.
You’re welcome.
I love you!
How are these controllers compared to a regular Xbox controller? $60 seems like a great deal for all of the features.
Just the fact the previous Ultimate had HE joysticks, made them better than Xbox controlers, and TMR seems even better, that alongside everything else probably makes them much better value. However, I don’t think it’s compatible with Xbox consoles, but 8Bit do make controllers that are, and also use HE sticks.
Strange that all their controllers work wired and wireless but they have specific ones for Xbox. Is that a license/driver issue?
Nice! I mostly play on PC and steam deck so I don’t mind about Xbox support. It’s just that I thought Xbox controllers were the best bang for your buck.
I have both the regular Xbox wireless controller and now the 8bitDo ultimate 2C. And damn I love the 8bitDo one. The joysticks are far superior and pleasant, with zero play around the middle, on the Xbox controller they are a bit wonky and loose around the middle hence they don’t zero out every time. And it cost half of what I paid for the Xbox controller…
That’s the specs for the already available Ultimate 2C Wireless controller. And it costs only 30 €.
EDIT The specs read similar on the first glance. Turns out, the new controller is even more refined and adds a few features, such as sixaxis and lights.
