We have been placing a procession of 8BitDo controllers by the evaluation course of since Swap 2 launched. I’ve coated their wonderful Professional 3 controllerwhile Ollie has been everywhere in the new Arcade Stick for Swap + Swap 2 and the Final 2Cwhich is the budget-friendly model of what I am having a look at at the moment – the 8BitDo Final 2.
Firstly, for anybody who would not gel with the form of the Professional 3 controller, what you’ve got received right here is one which fits these pretty, gentle, Xbox-controller-shaped paws you’ve got developed over time. I do know for some this is usually 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 underneath the hood aren’t displaying lots of distinction in any other case.
Certainly, my most important constructive speaking factors stay a lot the identical as with the Professional 3. 8BitDo has put lots 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 lower — a function which nonetheless often sees the price of a controller rocket — and they’re a pleasure, supplying 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 received all the standard included with regard to sticks and triggers, precisely the identical as with the Professional 3, which makes for a strong core. The d-pad sticks to the identical fashion 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, in fact, that these controllers haven’t got the power to wake the Swap 2 up. There have been some rumblings that they are engaged on an answer, and the pad acquired an replace to make it appropriate with Swap 2, so that is one thing we might see down the road, as some producers have already managed it. Nonetheless, 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 — when you can in some way work across the ache of turning the console on “manual-style” — effectively, there is not actually rather more for me to comply with up with by way of negatives. If I needed to get choosy, NFC assist is not there (one thing that does not curiosity me in any respect, however it can 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 strong in type than it could possibly be.
It would not really feel unhealthy in any respect. The truth is, it feels very like the official Professional Controller 2 from Nintendoand even beats it out in having good grippy textures on the again of the pad, however they’ll 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 may be switched between common and macro-switch modes and there is some snazzy RGB lighting within the relatively sadly named “RGB Hearth Rings” across the bases of the sticks. I am not an enormous RGB man, as laborious as it might be to consider, however these are positive in my view – they offer off a warming glow and may be switched on and off and cycled by colors and modes through the 8BitDo software program obtainable from their web site.
Now, talking of this software program, you have to replace the controller, do you have to choose one up, as a way to have it work on Swap 2, so pay attention to this and know that you will want a laptop computer or whatnot to attach for a small obtain. As soon as within the 8BitDo app, you can too 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.
This controller additionally comes with a giant 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 stunning 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 value level ($59.99 / £49.99), options, consolation and design, it is all gravy, even when the finances 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 might like, however total that is nonetheless a premium-feeling pad, stuffed filled with the newest wizardry, at an affordable value in comparison with some opponents.
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The 8BitDo Final 2 is already on the market and available for purchase, obtainable in Black, White, Purple, or Inexperienced. There are financial savings to be made by shopping round in the intervening time, thoughts!
