Picture: PJ O’Reilly / Nintendo LifeWe’ve been placing a procession of 8BitDo controllers by way of the assessment course of since Change 2 launched. I’ve lined their glorious Professional 3 controller, while Ollie has been all around the new Arcade Stick for Change + Change 2 and the Final 2C, which is the budget-friendly model of what I am looking at at present – the 8BitDo Final 2 Wi-fi.
At first, for anybody who would not gel with the form of the Professional 3 controller, what you’ve got bought right here is one which fits these beautiful, mushy, Xbox-controller-shaped paws you’ve got developed through the years. I do know for some this generally is 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 below the hood aren’t exhibiting loads of distinction in any other case.
Certainly, my primary constructive speaking factors stay a lot the identical as with the Professional 3. 8BitDo has put loads of emphasis on having the newest tech in its gear lately, and right here we as soon as once more get all the massive 2025 buzzwords from the thrilling world of controllers. TMR sticks make the minimize — a function which nonetheless normally 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.
Photos: PJ O’Reilly / Nintendo Life
For the triggers, we’re taking a look at snazzy Corridor Impact magnetic jobs, too. So you’ve got bought all the standard included with regard to sticks and triggers, precisely the identical as with the Professional 3, which makes for a stable core. The d-pad sticks to the identical model because the Professional 3, too, chunky and responsive and sitting out properly because it clicks by way of all of its enter factors.
Sticking with similarities between this and different 8BitDo merchandise, the primary downside is, in fact, that these controllers do not have the flexibility 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 may see down the road, as some producers have already managed it. Nonetheless, for now, I really feel like I am capping assessment 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 operate that merely ought to be there.
If you can also make peace with this — for those who 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 should 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 stable in type than it may very well be.
It would not really feel unhealthy in any respect. In truth, 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’ll 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.
Photos: PJ O’Reilly / Nintendo Life
The Corridor Impact triggers will be switched between common and macro-switch modes and there is some snazzy RGB lighting within the moderately sadly named “RGB Hearth Rings” across the bases of the sticks. I am not an enormous RGB man, as onerous as it could be to imagine, however these are tremendous in my view – they provide off a warming glow and will be switched on and off and cycled by way of colors and modes through the 8BitDo software program obtainable from their web site.
Now, talking of this software program, you’ll want to replace the controller, must you decide one up, with a purpose 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, you may also 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.
When each your dongle and controller have up to date through the app, you’ll be able to then connect with the Change 2, simply make certain to carry down Y and the ability button when powering it up and you ought to be related.
Photos: PJ O’Reilly / Nintendo Life
This controller additionally comes with a giant 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 working 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 may have gotten a bit extra out of it if I had turned off the RGB. So, phrase of warning, it isn’t the easiest battery on the market, and people lights make it ever-so-slightly worse.
Photos: PJ O’Reilly / Nintendo Life
In any other case, by way of specs and worth level ($59.99 / £49.99), options, consolation and design, it is all gravy, even when the finances 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 stuffed with the newest wizardry, at an inexpensive worth in comparison with some rivals.
Seems to be and looks like a premium piece of equipment
TMR sticks and Corridor Impact triggers make the minimize
4 mappable buttons and customisable RGB rings
Grippy rear surfacing is a pleasant contact
I really like the model of the dock
Battery is a contact weak, particularly with RGB lights on
No NFC Assist
Cannot wake the console
No headphone jack
Good 7/10
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The 8BitDo Final 2 Wi-fi Controller is already on the market and that can be purchased!
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