The 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller is my first upgrade from a generic game controller to a proper branded controller, so I was a little hesitant before buying it—especially considering the price difference. After using it, though, I’m quite happy with the purchase.
Build Quality & Feel
The build quality and overall finish are genuinely impressive. The controller feels much better in the hands compared to the generic controllers I’ve used before. The grip and shape also suit my hands well, and I find it comfortable to use for longer gaming sessions.
One of the features I really like is the addition of the L4 and R4 buttons, along with the macro functionality. I initially wasn't sure how useful these extra buttons would be, but the idea is actually very good. They can be quite helpful in games where you need quick access to an additional action without taking your thumb away from the analog stick.
Connectivity
Another thing I really like is the flexibility in connectivity. You get wired, 2.4GHz wireless, and Bluetooth, so you have multiple ways to use the controller depending on the device.
I mostly use it wirelessly from a distance while playing on my TV. I usually keep the controller connected to a charger while playing, so I don't have to worry about the battery dying in the middle of a game. This works well for my setup.
The Buttons — Something I’m Still Getting Used To
Coming from a generic controller, the clicky buttons aren't really my personal preference. I'm still getting used to the feel and sound of them.
However, durability is more important to me than whether the buttons are clicky or not. With my previous generic controller, my main concern was the rubber membrane eventually absorbing the effects of hard presses. With this controller, I sometimes have the opposite fear—I'm conscious about pressing the buttons too hard because damaging these buttons would be much more expensive to deal with.
That's mainly because of the price difference. At the price I paid for this controller, I could buy around three generic controllers. So naturally, I'm hoping the buttons and other components last significantly longer than what I've experienced with cheaper controllers.
D-Pad
The D-pad is also clicky, and this is probably my biggest adjustment issue.
I find it harder to press two adjacent directions simultaneously when trying to make diagonal inputs. The Xbox-style D-pad layout makes this more noticeable for me. That said, I'm assuming this is still likely to be better in terms of overall quality and durability than the D-pads I've experienced on generic controllers.
This is more of a personal preference and adjustment issue for me rather than something I would call a deal-breaker.
Bluetooth on Phone
One issue I noticed is that vibration doesn't work when I connect the controller to my phone via Bluetooth. I couldn't find a clear answer or solution for this online either.
Maybe this is a limitation of the phone/game/connection mode rather than the controller itself, but it would have been nice to have a clear explanation of whether vibration is supposed to work over Bluetooth on Android.
Price & Buying Experience
I bought the controller for ₹2,699 from GenesisPC, which I felt was a good price.
What disappointed me was seeing it listed around ₹5,000 on Amazon at the time. The difference was huge enough to make me question whether I should take the risk of buying from another seller, especially since this was my first purchase and I was already spending significantly more than I normally would on a controller.
In the end, I took the risk, and the experience turned out to be surprisingly good. The controller arrived before the expected delivery date and without any prior intimation, which was a pleasant surprise.
So overall, I'm happy with both the controller and my purchase decision.
Final Thoughts
For me, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C feels like a significant step up from a generic controller. The build quality, finish, grip, multiple connectivity options, and especially the L4/R4 and macro functionality are the things I like most about it.
I'm still getting used to the clicky buttons and D-pad, and the lack of vibration over Bluetooth on my phone is something I'd like to understand better. My biggest concern at the moment is simply long-term durability because this controller is considerably more expensive than the generic ones I've used before.
But at ₹2,699, I'm happy with the purchase so far. If it holds up well over time, I think the upgrade from a generic controller will have been absolutely worth it.