8BitDo Final Bluetooth Controller assessment: The overall bundle

Greatest Costs Right now: 8BitDo Final Bluetooth Controller

Most recreation controllers ape the Xbox controller, which is supported equally properly on the Xbox consoles and Home windows. The 8BitDo Final Bluetooth Controller, nevertheless, borrows equally from the Xbox and Nintendo Change Professional gamepads to create a sturdy, feature-rich controller that could possibly be good for all of your gaming endeavors—supplied you may get previous the training curve.

Additional studying: See our roundup of the very best Xbox controllers for PC to study competing merchandise.

8BitDo Final Controller design and construct high quality

The 8BitDo Final Bluetooth Controller has an attention-grabbing combination of design components. It’s the identical approximate dimension and form because the Xbox Collection S/X controller, providing a extra hand-friendly really feel than the Change Professional controller. The chassis is clean matte plastic, apart from the underside of the grips, which have a high-quality bumpy texture just like the Xbox controller. There are not any uncovered screws, however there are a number of ugly seams.

There are buttons in all of the locations you’d count on, however this controller has the Change button format as a substitute of the Xbox one. The rest of the format is lavatory customary for Home windows and Change controllers. There are two asymmetrical thumbsticks, a d-pad, and the shoulder buttons and triggers up high. The 8BitDo Final Controller additionally has face buttons for choose/begin, turbo, menu, and profile swapping. Flip the system over, and also you’ll see two extra buttons on the grips. These are absolutely customizable within the 8BitDo app.

Ryan Whitwam / Foundry

The thumbsticks stand out from the gang with their “Corridor impact” sensing mechanism. Most gamepads use electrical resistance to trace thumbstick place, however the 8BitDo Final Controller makes use of magnets. This makes the {hardware} proof against drifting—a typical sort of {hardware} failure that causes thumbsticks to register motion at relaxation.

Useless middle on the again are two essential {hardware} options: a swap to flip the controller between Bluetooth and a pair of.4GHz, and a trio of contacts that join the controller with the included dock. The dock expenses the controller and has built-in 2.4GHz help when linked to a PC over USB. There’s additionally a USB-C port on the highest fringe of the Final Controller, however the dock is a way more handy option to hold it topped up.

8BitDo Final Controller options and hands-on expertise

The 8BitDo Final Controller is likely one of the most comfy wi-fi controllers we’ve examined because of the compact kind issue and low mass. You possibly can inform as quickly as you choose up the 8BitDo that it’s on the sunshine facet—228g, to be exact. That’s a giant drop from the Xbox controller at greater than 300g with batteries.

The d-pad doesn’t have the helpful dish form of Microsoft’s newer controllers, however the plain cross-shaped management is extra steady and correct than the Change Professional Controller. The ABXY buttons have a pleasant, tactile really feel, too. Nevertheless, you’ll have to regulate to the Change button format. All of the system buttons are clustered towards the center of the controller, making them simple to achieve however protecting them out of vary of unintentional presses.

Ryan Whitwam / Foundry

We’re fairly smitten with the thumbsticks, that are buttery clean and absolutely customizable, because of the Corridor-effect sensors. In 8BitDo’s Final software program, you may management the dimensions of the useless zones, flip instructions, and extra. That very same freedom extends to the remainder of the controls, that are absolutely configurable within the app. That is additionally the place you may map buttons to the paddle buttons.

The Final software program is total good when you get the grasp of it. The interface is typically inconsistent, however it’s serviceable to map buttons and alter profiles. Nevertheless, it’s important to use USB or 2.4GHz to sync—we had common points with Bluetooth help on Home windows. You’ll need to go away it in 2.4GHz mode for PC gaming and swap to Bluetooth for Change and cellular.

8BitDo claims 22 hours of play time per cost. We didn’t get fairly that a lot, however with a mixture of Bluetooth and a pair of.4GHz, the 8BitDo Final made it over 18 hours earlier than dying. An Xbox controller will final you longer, however the 8BitDo Final has a built-in 1,000mAh battery, whereas Microsoft’s base mannequin controller nonetheless wants AAs or an add-on rechargeable pack. Regardless, the 8BitDo Final lasts greater than lengthy sufficient, and the charging dock makes it simple to maintain it juiced up.

8BitDo Final Controller compatibility

8BitDo makes two very comparable Final controllers. The Bluetooth model we’re testing has the widest compatibility. With a USB-C port, it’s simple to attach the controller to a PC or console the old school means in the event you so select. This model retails for $70, and the non-Bluetooth is $50. That model solely has 2.4GHz help for PC gaming—no Change or cellular Bluetooth help.

For wi-fi mode, you’ll need to persist with 2.4GHz on Home windows, which works significantly better than Bluetooth. In case you use Steam, there are some settings for controlling how non-Xbox controllers are used. For cellular units or the Nintendo Change, Bluetooth is the way in which to go. In case you’re a Change proprietor, this system gives a giant improve over the Pleasure-Cons. It even has a gyroscope inside, so that you’ll get the complete Change expertise.

The button format would be the greatest compatibility situation. Relying on the settings and button mapping, your in-game controls won’t match the legends on the buttons, or the ABXY button order can be completely different. In both case, switching to this controller will include a little bit of a studying curve. In case you aren’t already dedicated to the usual Xbox format, then it’ll be simple to adapt.

Ryan Whitwam / Foundry

Is the 8BitDo Final Controller value it?

The 8BitDo has lots going for it with the Final Controller. The compact, light-weight design makes it comfy to carry for lengthy durations, and the Corridor-effect thumbsticks ought to be completely clean for years to come back. We additionally like having a full customization app to regulate controller settings, together with the choice to assign controls to the rear paddle buttons.

The 8BitDo Final Bluetooth Controller has broad compatibility, together with Home windows, Nintendo Change, Android, and iOS. The choice to make use of 2.4GHz and Bluetooth is appreciated, however it might be good if Bluetooth wasn’t buggy on Home windows. On the upside, 8BitDo features a charging dock with the controller, and it has a 2.4GHz dongle built-in. So, you might need to toggle the wi-fi mode, however we’ve had no hassle utilizing the Final Controller on our units.

You’ll pay a bit of extra for this controller—it’s $70 versus about $60 for the usual Xbox gamepad. Nevertheless, 8BitDo’s controller has an built-in rechargeable battery and extra sturdy {hardware}. The largest situation for PC avid gamers would be the button format, which follows the Change association.

In case you play video games on each Change and PC, this controller is a no brainer. Even in the event you don’t have a Change, the 8BitDo is likely one of the greatest PC controllers when it comes to {hardware} and options.