We have been placing a procession of 8BitDo controllers by the evaluate course of since Change 2 launched. I’ve lined their glorious Professional 3 controller, while Ollie has been everywhere in the new Arcade Stick for Change + Change 2 and the Final 2C, which is the budget-friendly model of what I am having a look at as we speak – the 8BitDo Final 2.
Initially, 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 beautiful, delicate, Xbox-controller-shaped paws you’ve got developed through the years. 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 underneath the hood aren’t exhibiting lots of distinction in any other case.
Certainly, my major constructive speaking factors stay a lot the identical as with the Professional 3. 8BitDo has put lots of emphasis on having the most recent tech in its gear not too long ago, 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 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 type 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 disadvantage is, after all, that these controllers haven’t got the power to wake the Change 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 Change 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 evaluate 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 perform that merely needs to be there.
If you may make peace with this — should you can in some way work across the ache of turning the console on “manual-style” — properly, there is not actually far more for me to observe 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’ll 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 kind than it may very well be.
It would not really feel unhealthy 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 might be switched between common and macro-switch modes and there is some snazzy RGB lighting within the moderately sadly named “RGB Fireplace Rings” across the bases of the sticks. I am not an enormous RGB man, as exhausting as it might be to imagine, however these are nice for my part – they offer off a warming glow and might be switched on and off and cycled by colors and modes through the 8BitDo software program accessible from their website.
Now, talking of this software program, you’ll want to replace the controller, must you decide one up, to be able to have it work on Change 2, so pay attention to 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, it’s also possible to then set your lighting to no matter color you need, change it off, have it observe and alter colors to your contact, and so forth.
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 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 imagine I might have gotten a bit extra out of it if I had turned off the RGB. So, phrase of warning, it is not 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 funds 2C wins within the worth division. Sure, it may very well 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 most recent wizardry, at an affordable value in comparison with some rivals.
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The 8BitDo Final 2 is already on the market and that can be purchased, accessible in Black, White, Purple, or Inexperienced. There are financial savings to be made by looking round in the mean time, thoughts!
