8BitDo is now the best Switch pro controller

Nintendo’s official Pro Controller for the Switch is usually a very useful accessory, but it has its problems: the D-pad is not reliable and does not really offer any “professional level” functionality. The latest controller from 8BitDo improves these two problems, but at a lower price.

The 8BitDo Pro 2 is an updated version of the SN30Pro Plus, already a well-known Switch controller. It uses Bluetooth and also works with PCs and mobile devices; there is a physical control to switch between Switch, X-input, D-input and Mac. You can also use it as a wired controller with a USB-C cable. I tried to use it with my PC, but I think it makes more sense on the Switch due to the Japanese-style button layout with B on the bottom and A on the right. Or maybe I’m used to using Xbox controllers on my PC.

Aesthetically, it looks like a cross between a SNES pad and a PlayStation controller, with a diamond-shaped body, two handles and symmetrically aligned analog handles. The unit I have is decorated in a gray color inspired by the PlayStation, although there is also a completely black option and a beige model that evokes the original Game Boy.

It’s not a huge controller, but it’s comfortable in my big hands, with easy access to all the buttons and triggers. As important as it is for me, the directional pad is good. It looks more or less like an SNES pad, and its placement above the left analog makes it more suitable for games where it is a primary input option. I prefer to use Pro 2 than Nintendo’s Pro Controller for almost any 2D game on the Switch.

The main feature of the Pro 2 over its predecessor is the customizable rear buttons that you can press with your middle finger. These are a common element of controllers focused on the enthusiast today, from Microsoft Elite controllers to third-party offerings like the Astro C40 for the PS4. Sony has also released an attachment that brings functionality similar to DualShock 4.

These buttons are useful because they allow you to enter commands without taking your thumbs off the sticks. Most first-person shooter games, for example, assign the jump to a face button, which means that it can be difficult to activate while aiming at the same time. With controllers like the Pro 2, you can set a Back button to function in the same way as a specific front button, freeing it to create more flexible control schemes. Pro 2 makes it much easier to manipulate the camera in the middle of a Monster Hunter Rise battle, which may be worth the asking price alone.

The Pro 2’s return buttons are responsive and click, activating with a light squeeze. You can assign them via the 8BitDo’s Ultimate Software application, which is now available for Pro 2 on iOS and Android, as well as on PCs. It is not as simple as some professional controller settings that allow you to remap the buttons directly on the controller itself , but it supports multiple profiles and works well enough. In addition to the button assignments, the application can also be used to modify the vibration force of the controller and the sensitivity of the stick.

You lose some of the features of the Switch Pro controller with 8BitDo Pro 2. Although the noise is solid, it doesn’t seem as accurate as Nintendo’s HD Rumble in compatible games. Pro 2 also lacks an NFC reader, so it will not work with Amiibo thumbnails. And it cannot be used to turn on the switch, which is common for most third-party controllers on multiple platforms.

For $ 49.99, however, these omissions are understandable. That’s $ 20 less than Nintendo’s equivalent option, not to mention the professional controls you would find for the Xbox or PlayStation in the $ 180 to $ 200 range. And all things considered, I preferred 8BitDo Pro 2 to Nintendo’s official control most days of the week.

8BitDo Pro 2 will begin shipping on April 12th.