A solution to choppy virtual joypads and fingerprint-riddled mobile screens, Bluetooth controllers make things easier for gamers happy with on-the-go triggers who prefer physical buttons to on-screen ones. 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller is no exception. When it comes to mobile gaming, it definitely quenches your craving for more tactile buttons. But while it works at its most basic level, is this third-party device worth his £59.99?
8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller Look and Feel
If there’s one thing that sets the 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller apart, at least for me, it’s the sleek charging dock it comes with. You can certainly charge the controller using the USB-C port on the controller itself, but there’s something inherently cool about standing it up on the charging dock and refilling its juices that way. It’s all purely for aesthetics and convenience, but that’s all the dock needs.
As for the controller itself, the 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller boasts a solid build that feels incredibly comfortable. The great grip and size were a particular winner for me given how easily my arm (which was crippled by “tennis elbow” from playing too many games) sore during long games Luckily, the comfort of having the 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller for your session all at once is everything you could ask for in a third-party controller for mobile devices.
8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller Performance
Currently, the device is specifically tailored for Switch and Windows users, but for the purposes of this review I’ve focused solely on the mobile usability of the controller. There were a lot of unnecessary buttons, just cluttering the surface of the controller. Most of these features weren’t really applicable to mobile devices. In fact, even Ultimate Software (which can be installed on your phone for both iOS and Android) only had Switch and Windows options. The app also lets you adjust stick and trigger sensitivity, vibration control, and macros. You can also assign controller girlfriend profiles to up to 3 players.
That said, app settings (such as button mappings) work on mobile. The only minor frustration I’ve encountered here is that every time I switch on the controller to play a game, I have to open the app and resync to the controller to apply the previously assigned button mapping settings. There was It might not seem like such a big deal considering how fast games and apps can be launched anyway, but it’s still a step back into mobile gamer pick-up-and-play habits.
what is the appeal?
Compared to my DualShock 4 wireless controller, the 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth controller definitely outperforms PlayStation peripherals in terms of battery life. No. The 1000mAh lithium-ion battery is claimed to last 22 hours.
However, compared to Switch-style nested controllers like my Razer Kishi, it may not be as useful when playing games with only partial controller support. For example, while playing Diablo Immortal, you can hack and slash your way through hordes of demons in combat, but you still have to manually tap the touch screen when navigating menus. Rather than putting the 8BitDo controller down and picking up the phone to tap the screen, it’s definitely easier to move your finger slightly from the nested Kishi controller to the touchscreen.
Of course, if your phone’s size dimensions don’t fit Kishi’s specs (like my REDMAGIC 7S Pro), or if you’re simply looking for a Bluetooth controller that you can use with your computer, mobile devices, and switches, the 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller is for you. You can definitely use it. Available now from Game Outlet Europe on the official website and throughout the EU.
