The 8Bitdo Ultimate wireless controller quickly earned its spot as a favorite among third-party gaming controllers, thanks to its impressive range of features and budget-friendly price. Now, three years on from its initial release, 8Bitdo is stepping up its game with the release of the Ultimate 2. This upgraded version is now available on Amazon for $59.99 and comes in eye-catching shades of purple, white, and black.
At first glance, the Ultimate 2 looks quite similar to its predecessor, sticking to the familiar Xbox-style design with its offset analog sticks. But look a little closer and you’ll notice some thoughtful upgrades. The 8Bitdo team has added two smaller triggers positioned just beneath the shoulder buttons, complementing the two back paddles that fans loved on the original Ultimate. They’ve also refined the main triggers with adjustable travel distances and incorporated Hall-effect sensors to boost precision. And here’s something pretty unique for a third-party controller: the Ultimate 2 includes six-axis motion controls.
About a year ago, 8Bitdo gave the original Ultimate controller a boost with Hall-effect sensors in the joysticks. Not resting on their laurels, they’ve gone further with the Ultimate 2 by incorporating tunneling magneto-resistance sensors. These bring higher accuracy and improved energy efficiency to the table. The joysticks even come with customizable RGB light rings, adjustable through the 8Bitdo Ultimate software, which also lets you remap every button to your liking.
While Bluetooth connectivity didn’t make the cut for the Ultimate 2, it remains user-friendly with Windows and Android devices, thanks to its 2.4 GHz wireless dongle. Just like its predecessor, the Ultimate 2 is paired with a dedicated charging stand, now enhanced with RGB lighting at its base for that extra touch of style.
