8BitDo Ultimate 2 Review: A $70 Switch 2 Controller That Challenges Nintendo
Engadget published its review of the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 wireless controller for Switch 2 on Oct. 12, finding it beats Nintendo's flagship pad in several areas. The reviewer says it is the controller they reach for on Switch 2. It costs $70, which is $20 less than Nintendo's Switch 2 Pro Controller. Engadget
Comfort is central to that verdict. Everything sits within reach, even for small hands. Stick offset, spacing between face buttons, and access to shoulder buttons decide whether a pad stays comfortable over long sessions and for different hand sizes. The review describes the Ultimate 2 as compact without feeling cramped.
The controls are where 8BitDo stands apart on specifications. The Ultimate 2 uses offset TMR sticks, a magnetic design that tracks position without physical contact and is less prone to drift. The triggers use Hall effect sensing, also magnetic, with small physical switches for tactile triggers that let players choose between full analog travel and a short, click-like pull. There are six shoulder inputs in total, including two extra bumpers, L4 and R4, alongside the standard set.
Charging and wireless are included in the box. The package comes with a dedicated charging dock and stand. It also includes a 2.4G USB-C dongle, a small plug-in receiver for a direct wireless link that does not rely on Bluetooth. For docked Switch 2 setups and for players who switch between console and PC, that removes two purchases many buyers otherwise make separately.
The review follows earlier Engadget coverage that presented the Ultimate 2 as a lower-cost option. On Oct. 6, Engadget listed the Ultimate 2 as an affordable alternative to Nintendo's Switch 2 Pro Controller. Engadget On Sept. 6, 2025, it reported the controller for Switch 2 was on sale for $54. Separate Black Friday coverage in November 2025 noted the earlier 8BitDo Ultimate Controller had dropped to $40, a distinct model from the Ultimate 2 under review here.
8BitDo's own product pages, which are undated and therefore secondary to the dated review, add detail on the lineup. The company says its Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller is now compatible with Switch 2 and offers it in a new Yellow color. Its shop lists the Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller at a regular price of $59.99. The simpler Ultimate 2C Bluetooth Controller is described as designed for Switch Bluetooth, with 6-axis motion control, which tracks tilt and movement, offering 15 hours of play from 2 hours of charging, and Blue, Pink and Dark Blue options.
In my view, the shift here is how complete the third-party package has become. Extra remappable-style bumpers, selectable trigger behavior, magnetic sensing parts and an included dock were once limited to premium or enthusiast pads. Packing them into a $70 controller that undercuts the first-party Pro Controller by $20 changes the buying question from whether a third-party pad is good enough to whether the first-party premium is justified.
The broader context for buyers is how that setup fits different play styles. Six shoulder inputs help players keep thumbs on sticks while handling items, maps or voice chat. Switchable triggers suit players who move between racing and shooter layouts. A 2.4G dongle alongside Bluetooth gives a steady, wired-like wireless option where consistent response time matters, plus a backup when Bluetooth pairing is crowded. None of that guarantees preference. Hand fit stays personal, and the review's note on reach for small hands is a reminder to weigh shape as heavily as internal parts.
