The following 8BitDo Ultimate 3-mode controller was provided by 8BitDo for review. Feel free to check out the ‘Pro 2 Wired Controller’ and ‘Ultimate C Wired Controller’ as well!
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Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, and wired support make 8BitDo’s Ultimate 3-mode controller a contender for the “Customiseable Controller Powerhouse” award, if that was a thing. Not only does it boast connectivity across Xbox consoles, PC, and Android, but it supports up to three saved profiles with button and deadzone adjustment, on-the-fly button swapping, two back buttons, a 3.5mm jack, a share button, and so much more.
Heck it’s so good at what it does, I’ve since designated it as my go-to controller for on-the-go gaming on my Android tablet.
Opening up the Ultimate 3-mode box, we have quite a bit to unpack. The controller, manual, a month of Xbox Game Pass for new members, a USB-C cable, and lastly a charging dock. Within the charging dock lies your 2.4GHz receiver meant for PC use. While this controller is capable of being used wirelessly on PCs and Android devices via Bluetooth, the 3-mode can only be used by plugging the unit into the Xbox console. Speaking of which, the battery on this device will last quite a bit, mine needed a charge after consecutive use over the course of a week. Oh and of course, the packaging is kept to a minimum and is (aside from the bags) fully recyclable.
After plugging in the charging dock and checking for updates, I spent a bit of time fiddling with the 8BitDo Ultimate Software that’s available on the Microsoft Store for PCs. Here you can check for firmware updates and sync profiles created to the controller for use across all devices. This controller can hold up to three profiles, which you can swap between with the company’s signature blocky heart logo turned button.
Grasping the controller in my hands, this one is roomy enough for me while keeping the asymmetrical analog sticks that I am so found of. Your index finger will naturally rest on the triggers here but the bumpers are just close enough that you can easily slide over to them when in a pinch. Speaking of bumpers, these are really nice to push down on. Unlike the other two 8BitDo controllers I’ve been using, these bumpers have a nice clicky response when pushing down, almost akin to a quiet mechanical keyboard button press.
Our analog sticks are the same concave mounds featured on other 8BitDo controllers. If you’re familiar with the DualShock 4, you’ll be right at home here. Except this time the company has opted to use Hall Effect sensors for the analog sticks as opposed to a ball joint, which means in theory that your joysticks will last a long time—none of that stick drift nonsense.
If you want a testimonial, my PlayStation Vita uses Hall Effect sticks and has been sat on, left covered in dust for months at a time, etcetera. It’s only problem? Black splotches of burn-in thanks to the OLED screen. The sticks work just as well as they did when I got this little handheld 10 or so years ago.
Oh, and the d-pad is tactile and less mushy compared to the other two 8BitDo Xbox controllers. I like it a lot, though personally the plus-shaped d-pads are always better for 2D Metroidvanias and the like, not fighters. But different strokes for different folks and I would argue this controller does a better job of handling ‘TEKKEN’ inputs thanks to the tactile, clicky response that pops right back up.
So why do I prefer this controller for my on-the-go gaming? Well, on top of maximum comfort offered by the Ultimate 3-mode and a decent battery life, the USB-C port is not shoved into the mold of the controller! See, the other two controllers, the Ultimate C Wired and Pro 2 Wired have their USB-C ports situated inside a mound that prevents a lot of large-sized cables from being inserted to them. Either that, or they place stress on the cable and the controller. The 3-mode doesn’t do that, instead simply placing the female port right at the topmost part of the mold.
This means I can keep my singular, preferred Android charging cable in my backpack and not have to carry another long cable around. Bluetooth mode means I can also sync it to my Galaxy Tab and switch it over to my Windows PC with a cable whenever convenient. You could connect the controller via Bluetooth to Windows, but note that it’ll connect as a DirectInput device and not Xinput. If you’re not sure what that means, just know that it’s a pain to deal with—but Steam Input can be used to fix that.
Once I come back from my outdoor adventures, I drop the controller right into its charging dock. It’s as seamless as you can get a controller for its price point. I will say that while the lack of a wireless connection to the Xbox console is a stinger, the added benefits of multiple button profiles, the added back buttons, quality of life like volume control built into the controller and the mic mute switch still makes the Ultimate 3-mode a powerhouse of a controller.
The 8BitDo Ultimate 3-mode controller is available now in the US at Amazon, 8BitDo Shop, Official 8BitDo Store on AliExpress.
Priced at $69.99 USD, £45.82 GBP. The 8BitDo Ultimate 3-mode is expected to launch in the UK on July 31st.
