We have been placing a procession of 8BitDo controllers by the evaluation course of since Swap 2 launched. I’ve lined their wonderful Professional 3 controller, while Ollie has been all around the new Arcade Stick for Swap + Swap 2 and the Final 2C, which is the budget-friendly model of what I am looking at right now – the 8BitDo Final 2 Wi-fi.
At the start, for anybody who would not gel with the form of the Professional 3 controller, what you’ve got obtained right here is one which fits these pretty, tender, Xbox-controller-shaped paws you’ve got developed over time. I do know for some this could be a dealbreaker, particularly with how the thumbsticks sit horizontally aligned on the Professional 3, so if that has been holding you again, this can be the pad you are after. Issues beneath the hood aren’t exhibiting loads of distinction in any other case.
Certainly, my predominant constructive speaking factors stay a lot the identical as with the Professional 3. 8BitDo has put loads of emphasis on having the newest tech in its gear just lately, and right here we as soon as once more get all the large 2025 buzzwords from the thrilling world of controllers. TMR sticks make the reduce — a characteristic which nonetheless normally sees the price of a controller rocket — and they’re a pleasure, providing you with the smoothest sticks round with all of that fancy magnetic magic that goes into making them free from the bane of stick-drift.
For the triggers, we’re taking a look at snazzy Corridor Impact magnetic jobs, too. So you’ve got obtained all the standard included with regard to sticks and triggers, precisely the identical as with the Professional 3, which makes for a stable core. The d-pad sticks to the identical model because the Professional 3, too, chunky and responsive and sitting out properly because it clicks by all of its enter factors.
Sticking with similarities between this and different 8BitDo merchandise, the primary downside is, after all, that these controllers do not have the power to wake the Swap 2 up. There have been some rumblings that they are engaged on an answer, and the pad obtained an replace to make it suitable with Swap 2, so that is one thing we might see down the road, as some producers have already managed it. Nevertheless, for now, I really feel like I am capping evaluation scores for pads that make me stroll to my console to an 8 out of 10. Not out of laziness, you perceive; it is a operate that merely needs to be there.
If you can also make peace with this — in case you can in some way work across the ache of turning the console on “manual-style” — nicely, there is not actually far more for me to comply with up with by way of negatives. If I needed to get choosy, NFC help is not there (one thing that does not curiosity me in any respect, however it should do some), and I really feel as if the additional programmable ‘L4’ and ‘R4’ shoulder buttons up prime make the pad a tiny little bit clicky and fewer stable in type than it could possibly be.
It would not really feel dangerous in any respect. In reality, it feels very similar to the official Professional Controller 2 from Nintendo, and even beats it out in having good grippy textures on the again of the pad, however they will often really feel a bit unfastened compared to the remainder of the inputs. You do get a complete of 4 programmable buttons out of this, thoughts, with two paddles on the grips, so all in all, a really minor concern.
The Corridor Impact triggers will be switched between common and macro-switch modes and there is some snazzy RGB lighting within the somewhat sadly named “RGB Hearth Rings” across the bases of the sticks. I am not an enormous RGB man, as arduous as it could be to consider, however these are positive for my part – they provide off a warming glow and will be switched on and off and cycled by colors and modes through the 8BitDo software program accessible from their web site.
Now, talking of this software program, you should replace the controller, must you choose one up, with a purpose to have it work on Swap 2, so concentrate on this and know that you’re going to want a laptop computer or whatnot to attach for a small obtain. As soon as within the 8BitDo app, you too can then set your lighting to no matter color you need, swap it off, have it comply with and alter colors to your contact, and so forth.
When each your dongle and controller have up to date through the app, you’ll be able to then connect with the Swap 2, simply ensure to carry down Y and the ability button when powering it up and try to be related.
This controller additionally comes with an enormous brutalist charging dock, which I’ve to say I kinda love. Identical to the Professional 3’s base, right here you discover your all-important USB-C receiver tucked away in a compartment, and the dock has the identical slick little bar of sunshine operating alongside its underside, which is a beautiful element in a darkened room.
Earlier than I wrap up, and with regard to battery life, I drained my controller in about 14 hours, and I consider I might have gotten a bit extra out of it if I had turned off the RGB. So, phrase of warning, it isn’t the easiest battery on the market, and people lights make it ever-so-slightly worse.
In any other case, by way of specs and worth level ($59.99 / £49.99), options, consolation and design, it is all gravy, even when the funds 2C wins within the worth division. Sure, it could possibly be simpler to replace, there is a tiny little little bit of clickiness out of the ‘L4’ and ‘R4’ buttons, and the battery is weaker than I would like, however general that is nonetheless a premium-feeling pad, stuffed filled with the newest wizardry, at an inexpensive worth in comparison with some opponents.
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The 8BitDo Final 2 Wi-fi Controller is already on the market and available for purchase!
