8BitDo Ultimate 2C Controller review – budget brilliance
I’ve reviewed a number of “budget” controllers over the last year, many of which with features first-party offerings don’t have. But a lot of them (especially when looking at prices in the UK) are only slightly cheaper, almost pushing them out of the budget bracket entirely.
However, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C is absolutely a budget controller. At only £25 for the wireless version — even less for its wired variant — you’d think it would have lots of cut corners and missing features. And yet, while it is absolutely missing a couple of things you might find elsewhere, the Ultimate 2C punches far above its weight.
Specs
- Compatibility: PC, Android
- Connectivity: Wired, wireless dongle on PC. Bluetooth, wired on Android.
- Sticks: Hall Effect
- Triggers: Hall Effect
- Face Buttons: Membrane
- D-pad: Membrane
- Gyro: No
- Polling Rate: 1000Hz
- Battery: 480mAh (roughly 19 hours wireless, 32 via Bluetooth)
- RGB: No
- Extras: L4/R4 buttons on the top

Design and Usability
The 8BitDo Ultimate 2C is shaped in-between an Xbox and Switch Pro Controller. It fits well in the hands, and allows for a strong grip. This makes up for the lack of any real texture on the controller itself — the front is smooth, with only a slight texture on the back that isn’t particularly grippy on its own.
Our review is for the Black Myth Wukong variant specifically, but even with some extra decals it’s still a relatively understated controller. There’s no RGB, and the front is devoid of any extra buttons or features.
The other variants of the Ultimate 2C use completely flat colours with no other images. It’s simple but effective, with some colour combos you don’t usually see. Honestly, as someone that doesn’t care much for RGB effects, this really is a no-frills controller in the best possible way.
While most of the controller’s design is fairly standard, there is one unique design decision. Rather than having extra buttons on the back, they’re instead on the top next to the bumpers and triggers.
It’s an interesting choice, and one that I wasn’t sure what to make of initially. After testing it out for a little bit, I don’t think it’s an improvement over back buttons, but they’re also still quite useful. Each button is just out of the way enough to not be annoying when using the bumpers, but still simple enough to reach when you do need them.
The main problem with the extra buttons is if you ever need to use them alongside the triggers. While it would be possible to press both R4 and RT at the same time, realistically you’re going to do this consistently. At the very least they’re easy to use, and easy to ignore if you never plan on actually using them.

A phenomenal d-pad
I’ve slowly been getting used to more controllers that use mechanical switches for their d-pads, so at first I wasn’t a fan of going back to a membrane one. And yet, the Ultimate 2C d-pad is easily one of the best I’ve ever used.
It’s not overly stiff while still stopping misinputs, you get a decent click once each direction is hit — not as obvious as mechanical d-pads, but night and day over something like the DualSense — and it doesn’t hurt my thumb after hours of use.
With how mediocre first-party offerings are on all modern consoles (by default you don’t even get a d-pad on Switch), it’s crazy to me that a budget controller can offer something that’s this good. The only downside is that the Ultimate 2C uses offset sticks, which might be harder to get used to if you’re used to 8BitDo’s SN40 and Pro controllers.

Everything else
While it might feel odd to lump everything else together, the d-pad is the main standout feature of the controller. And yet, this doesn’t mean that everything else is below average — in fact, it’s often the complete opposite.
Most other components of the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C are, at worst, completely fine. The face buttons are membrane and perform similarly to first party Xbox controllers. I perhaps would have preferred them to be slightly bigger or less spaced apart, though otherwise I have no real complaints (though I still prefer mechanical switches.)
The sticks are decent, and you shouldn’t have to worry about drift due to them using Hall Effect sensors, but they run into one issue that I’ve not really seen before. The center part is incredibly smooth, meaning your thumb will always slip to the outside ring. It took some time to get used to, and I don’t think I ever completely liked it over sticks that are grippier.
8BitDo offers silicone grips separately that do make things much grippier, though I would have preferred a more textured material by default. Even something closer to the slight texture of the sides of the sticks (and the controller back) would have been enough.
On the top, you get a decent set of bumpers and triggers alongside the extra buttons. The bumpers are clicky, and can be pressed along their whole length (though the inside section is slightly stiffer.) The triggers are somewhat similar to those on a DualSense, just with slightly higher tension. As they also use Hall Effect sensors, hopefully they’ll last a long time too.
Price
This is still the most surprising aspect of the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C for me. At £25/$30 for wired (and around £18 for wireless), this is an absolute steal of a controller. Quite frankly, I doubt you can get something else for PC of this quality at the same price, or even close to it.
The Black Myth Wukong variants used in this review are a little more expensive (currently £30 via Amazon UK). It’s still cheap, though if you’re not after a themed controller then you’re better off picking up one of the many other colourways.
With how small the difference is between the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C wireless and wired, most people would likely be better off picking up the former. You get the option of wireless play for PC and Bluetooth for mobile, with only a minor weight increase. Outside of the recessed USB-C port on the wired version, both are functionally identical.

8BitDo Ultimate 2C Controller review – final thoughts
Whether you’re after a wireless or wired solution, both versions of the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C are an exceptional deal. It surpasses most controllers that are double its price, offering an exceptional d-pad that will rarely be beaten.
The 8BitDo Ultimate 2C wireless controller was reviewed using a sample provided by the manufacturer. The wired variant was purchased for this review.
Join The Discussion
Rice Digital Discord
Rice Digital Twitter
Rice Digital Facebook
Or write us a letter for the Rice Digital Friday Letters Page by clicking here!
Disclosure: Some links in this article may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on them. This is at no additional cost to you and helps support Rice Digital!
- Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma shows off its romance candidates - February 16, 2025
- Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Battle Destiny Remastered announced - February 16, 2025
- Debi Derryberry and Lauren Landa join MCM Comic Con London 2025 - February 13, 2025