Many years ago I reviewed, the 8BitDo Bluetooth NES MiniController.
At the time I wrote that, I was mostly pleased with the controller but I noted that the d-pad wasn't that great, which kinda misses the point for a NES controller. After I wrote that article, the controller had another problem: the right shoulder button stopped working. I didn't drop it or anything, but the button just mushed in and never popped back out. (It's possible that maybe one of my coworkers dropped it when I was away, but who knows). Anyway, I took it apart and the actual micro switch was stuck in. Odd.
I was a bit put off by the brand, but I kept hearing good things about them. In particular I was told many times that the Ultimate 2C Wireless controller is really good.
I decided to give it a try - I especially like the color themes they have to choose from, and I chose the purple theme, as it's the complementary color to my favorite color #00ABAE.
Turns out, the recommendation was right - this is the best PC controller I've used.
When the xBox One controller came out, I thought controllers for gaming had peaked. The way the xBox One controller felt in the hands was amazing, and the face buttons, joy sticks, and triggers were all amazing, how could things improve?
Well, the 8BitDo 2C does just that. While it does feel a bit different in the hands compared to the xBox One, it's not too far off, and feels great. But but it has several other advantages compared to a xBone:
Hall Effect Joysticks. Instead of using mechanical-resistive potentiometers to measure joystick X/Y input axes, it uses Hall Effect sensors. In short, it measures the changes in magnetic fields when the joystick is moved to measure it's position. This means it will be very unlikely to experience joystick drift, because there's no wear-and-tear from constant rubbing of the joysticks mechanical parts
Extra Shoulder Buttons. While the controller has the standard shoulder "bumper" style buttons as well as trigger buttons, 8BitDo found the perfect place to sneak in an extra "L4" button at the corner between the bumper and the trigger. It actually works really well - it's in a distinct place you can easily find by feeling alone, but doesn't get in the way of the traditional bumper & trigger buttons. It also avoids the cumbersomeness of extra buttons on the backside of the grips which some controllers use - they can be easy to accidentally mispress.
Improved DPad. This is the best modern D-Pad I've seen from 8BitDo and from modern controllers in general. While it's still not perfect, it is MUCH better than the previous 8BitDo controller I reviewed. The problem with the xBone controller and other modern controllers is that they tend to use clicky "tac switches" for the four directions. Any gamer from the 90s knows that D-Pads don't make loud clicks. The d-pad's role in the spotlight is diminished these days as it's mostly relegated to menu-duty, if that. But I find it sad that the industry has mostly forgotten how to make d-pads. But the one on this controller feels great. While it still has a bit of click to it, it's heavily dampened and quiet. You can feel when you pushed the direction, but it's doesn't feel like a plastic toy clicking into place. The D-pad shape feels great, is nice and soft, but not mushy. It's probably the best modern d-pad I've experienced in a long while.
Outside those 3 killer features, it hits the other beats just as well. The face buttons feel responsive and solid like first party controllers, the joysticks L1 / R1 click in nicely. The texture of the controller is pleasant and feels good in the hands. The rumble works well and feels great. The battery life is also very good - while I don't play for many hours every day, I usually only charge it once every 2 weeks or so, playing maybe 20 minutes a day.
The only downside I can find to this controller is very miniscule. But when I first got it, the Hall Effect joysticks felt every so slightly stiffer to push compared to a regular potentiometer based controller. I know it's stilly, but I did notice it. It actually kinda felt awkward and "off' like I was trying to hard just to walk in a game. Of course, I acclimated to it quicky, and it wasn't a problem, but it's a different joy tech & is noticeable at first.
This has now been my goto controller for a year now, and it's unlikely to be replaced anytime soon. Though, I do enjoy exploring and playing with different kinds of controllers, so I will be covering more shortly!
Overall, great.
