8Bitdo Ultimate Wireless Controller (PC, Android, Steam Deck & Apple)

UPDATED REVIEW... I initially wrote a glowing review for this controller seen below. However, after having the controller for more time, I have to update and lower my review. If you want to know the great things about this controller look at my review below, if you want to know my experience and woes after having the controller for some time, read on. So, I have had this controller replaced since my review. What happens? The triggers start to... I wouldn't say fail but it seems like it's a hardware/engineering issue. What happened in my case, twice? After a couple of weeks of use the triggers start to make a hard clicking sound as if it's hitting plastic on plastic when you release them. They seem to hit the RB/LB buttons above the triggers. The triggers are working, but it's annoying to hear this popping sound compared to the way they worked silently when pressed and released before this issue happens. In normal position there's supposed to be a bit of a gap in between the RT/LT triggers and RB/LB buttons. However, after using the controller for some time... something internally must fail and that space is not there or there's some internal component that fails and now the triggers are pulled out too far in released position. So now when you press and release, they pop out too much and hit the LB/RB buttons on top of the triggers. There's a noticeable popping sound, when before, they were silent. The first controller I bought, it happened after about 3 weeks. It was only the right trigger doing it. I returned it to Amazon and got a replacement. The replacement lasted 2 weeks before it started to do the exact same thing on the right trigger then the left did it shortly after. So, they both make this clicky plasticky popping sound when releasing the triggers. This time around I contacted 8Bitdo customer service to explain to them what happened. I sent pictures and a video clip and asked was it a quality control issue or a bad batch at Amazon. They asked me for proof of purchase because they were going to replace it under warranty. However, once they saw I only had it for about 2 weeks they told me to just return it to Amazon again for another replacement and that would be faster service. I don't mind doing that but it's a bummer this controller has this issue, and it could very well be a defective design when it comes to those triggers. I do like the controller very much, but this is unacceptable. So, I have to lower my review score here from 5 stars to 3 stars. I will return it once more and see if I get lucky the 3rd time. MAYBE... I'm not sure if I'll get another one. I do like it a lot but... this is lame. 8Bitdo you have a great controller here... but it's hard to recommend when I've had 2 of them do the same thing in less than 3 weeks a piece. Mind you, I've owned the Ultimate 2C controller for SEVERAL months and it NEVER had this issue that this newly released Ultimate 2 has had with the triggers. 2 of them I've had now less than 3 weeks each one. I believe it to be an engineering defect with the trigger mechanism, the toggle switches that enable digital trigger presses. The Ultimate 2C doesn't have this feature and the triggers are still silent as the day when I bought it. I suspect this controller will be marked as "item frequently returned" very soon by Amazon. There's no way I'm the only one. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ORIGINAL REVIEW I have only owned one other 8Bitdo controller before this one, the Ultimate 2C Black Myth Wukong edition. That controller is great and this new Ultimate 2 is even better. The new TMR analog sicks on the Ultimate 2 are just a touch more defined and sturdier than the Hall Effect sticks on the Ultimate 2C. These have less of a “loose” feeling to them. A slight bit tighter feeling. The D pad is a bit more clicky and less mushy feel. Diagonals on the D Pad in fighting games like Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6 are indeed easier on this controller over the Ultimate 2C. It has almost double the battery life of the Ultimate 2C, comes with a charging dock that you can put the dongle inside of AND the dongle itself is USB C now. When you take the controller off the dock it automatically connects to your PC. It has 2 back paddles and 2 extra shoulder buttons that you can assign how you like in the Ultimate V2 Software. Also, Hall Effect triggers with switches for the L and R trigger to make them feel like buttons instead of triggers if you like. Comes in handy depending on the game. On top of those things this controller has LED lights around the analog sticks that are customizable with the Ultimate V2 Software along with customizable button layouts, macros for multiple buttons assigned to a single button or back paddle. And you have 3 customizable profiles you can save. All of which you can’t do with the Ultimate 2C. There really isn’t a valid reason to not buy this over the Ultimate 2C or the previous generation Ultimate controller… unless you want less features, less battery life, worse analogue sticks and a worse D pad… and no eye candy with LED lighting!