I want to replace my old GameSir G3s with a controller preferably under €70-75. Initially I wanted an european gamepad but the only 2 options (ready2gaming and snakebyte) was so non existent or questionable that I had to swallow my EU nationalism.
Gaming style:
- Only use controllers where it’s highly recommended
- Preferred genre for controllers would be arcade racing and JRPGs mostly
- Will only play on wireless (2.4ghz)
Preferences:
- Either TMR or high quality HE sticks
- Doesn’t look boring (preferably it has some amounts of LED / RGB)
- Xbox stick position layout (I want to try it out)
- Linux compatibility (don’t care about consöles)
- Doesn’t have a shit QC (8bitdo’s are apparently like that)
- I have larger hands, so maybe not a small controller
Currently these are some controllers that seems to be in my range. I’m interested if you know about even better controllers.
- GameSir Cyclone 2
- GameSir Supernova
- FlyDigi Direwolf 4?
You’ll see a lot of people suggesting 8bitDo.
I have their Ultimate 2 gamepad and I’ll give them this - it’s probably one of the most comfortable gamepads I’ve ever used. It’s great.
That being said:
- I actually bought two of them (Xbox and Switch layouts) and thank goodness I did, because one charger just broke, the USB-C cable wobbles inside like the socket itself got damaged. I know for a fact that the device didn’t fall down or anything like that.
- Every now and again the joysticks freeze and I start spinning uncontrollably, and then just stop working. Sometimes switching from Bluetooth to radio for a while and then back again help. Sometimes I have to turn the device fully off.
- More often than (2) the sticks will suddenly develop a lag. I turn the stick to one side, nothing happens. I release the stick. Then the character in the game starts moving for a while. It’s, like, 500-1000ms lag easily.
If you’re playing anything remotely competitive or punishing, I would not recommend 8bitDo products. If you’re only playing casual games with quick and easy save options, and you’re OK having to restart your gamepad every now and again, go for it.
8bitdo, no other better answer
I’m still a huge fan if my DualShock 4. I’ve been using it for a long time now, and the battery life is still good. The track pad also comes in handy shockingly often since it acts like a normal track pad for the mouse.
Just an xbox controller?
It just works
I’ve owned 3 different 8bitdos, and they have some of the best QC on the market.
With that, the ultimate 2 is a brilliant wireless 2.4g controller with a dock. Works out of the box, no config required.
May I ask what QC means? I have the ultimate 2 with dock too, pretty good. Only issue is how the modes are handled, as it does not remember last mode change.
Quality control
Doesn’t have a shit QC (8bitdo’s are apparently like that)
Can’t confirm. I own 3 controllers, a keyboard, a numpad and a mouse by 8bitdo. None of them have any hardware issues. Only issue is that the software is meh and Windows/Mac-only. But it’s a plug-and-play controller, so you really don’t need the software unless you want to do stuff like define macros (which you can just use Steam input for).
Yeah, 8bitdo’s also have official SteamOS support too, which is a plus point.
I have two 8bitdo controllers and they’re both great. I’m not sure what makes you think they are shit. I’ve only ever heard good things and that’s been my experience. I intend to get a third one to replace my dying ps3 controllers.
Well you may be right, I’ve just read comparably more complaints on faulty 8bitdo Ultimate 2 controllers compared to the Cyclone 2 (these 2 controllers are frequently being compared to eachother) and whilst I don’t trust too much in TrustPilot but the ratings of these 2 brands are far away (2.2 and 4.0 basically) which was sus. So it seemed to me that their QC isn’t as strict as GameSir’s is.
Maybe it is one of those “victim of their own success” situations. They have more complaints than some other brands because they sold so many more products that theres bound to be someone with a problem somewhere by statistics alone.
I owned both GameSir and 8bitdo controllers. All my GameSir ones have fallen apart (stick drift, trigger broke off), while the 8bitdo ones are still alive despite my kids’ best efforts.
Be warned it only seems to work in Bluetooth mode for some reason, via the dongle I don’t get the back paddles to show up. That being said I want to echo the fact that I also have an 8BitDo and has had great quality. Also they work out of the box in Linux, so no worries there.
That sounds wonderful! Does the software work too? Interesting, apparently 2.4ghz should also work according to Gamepedia https://gamepadla.com/8bitdo-ultimate-2-wireless-controller.html
I meant the remapping of the back paddles only seems to work in Bluetooth for me, the controller itself works on both modes, but that is not surprising to me as most controllers just work out of the box on Linux.
I have two 8bitdo ultimate 2c controllers (the cheaper Xbox style controllers) and they’ve been great. The only thing they’re missing is RGB, other than that they tick every box. I use them for my steam deck and on my bazzite PC and they work flawlessly, have held up very well in the ~8 months of regular use they’ve seen. My one (minor) gripe is battery life. A charge lasts several days, but my Xbox one controllers lasted about a week, sometimes more when I was using them. They’re USB-C, charge pretty quick, and you can use them while they’re charging so it’s not a big deal but still worth mentioning
Ultimate 2 actually fits all of the boxes if I’m lucky with QC because it has some tasteful RGBs in there and it looks beautiful honestly. Battery life isn’t a problem if you use the dock tho. Did you buy it without the dock?
The 2C doesn’t have the connection points for a dock, that’s part of the features they cut back on for the budget option. It also doesn’t have the RGB or the buttons on the underside of the controller. I’m happy with my choice but I’ve also been tempted for the higher end version for all of that stuff too
On the QC thing, the 8bitdo controllers are less “refined” than a dual shock or an Xbox controller. The abxy buttons have a little play side to side in them and minor stuff like that. They’re slightly lower build quality than the big name controllers, but not in any way that will affect gameplay or responsiveness. The joysticks have tuneable dead zones, you can test the pressure sensitivity in the triggers, and fully configure the layout to suit your needs. They connect without a hitch and the 2.4g is very low latency. I watched a few vidoes comparing controllers when I was looking and the QC thing came up too. I was a bit apprehensive but pulled the trigger and, with the experience I’ve had (on cheaper controllers no less) I feel that a lot of professional reviews place an undue emphasis on their QC. They may have been lower quality in the past, but I genuinely haven’t had an issue with them and they’ve held up great so far
Is that all of them or just some? Got a couple of the wireless 2C currently and probably going to get a few more at some point. Not sure how others compare.
Hmm do you mean other possible controller alternatives that I was able to find? If you care about latency you can check out this site, which lists off a lot of controllers and you can search for only TMR and HE controllers too. https://gamepadla.com/
I have one of the not new Ultimate controllers, and it has rear buttons. Sadly, it looks like the only way to use them really is to do some weird macro stuff in their software. Currently Steam doesn’t let you rebind them. The solution people have come up with it creating a macro for them to mimic a stick press in, and make the real stick press activate it twice, then you can bind those actions through Steam Input. I’ve yet to find a way to do this on Linux.
Also came here to suggest 8bitdo, it is genuinely higher quality than any official Xbox or PS controller I’ve owned. Not sure what OP is on about.
They have software? Had a couple of them for a while and never even considered a need for any software.
I have a SN30 Pro and i havent used it much since probably '18 or '19 but the rubberized sticks completly dissolved already. I have 30 year old PS1 controllers in the basement where the rubber held up better. You can buy replacements for a few bucks though! Not too happy about it but its okay i guess all things considered.
Really? My 8bitdo outlived any other controllers I have owned, minus some features lacking
Not necessarily, I might have been just misinformed or got influenced by the negativity bias. It might actually be good in QC.
Reposting here for visibility:
I have their Ultimate 2 gamepad and I’ll give them this - it’s probably one of the most comfortable gamepads I’ve ever used. It’s great.
That being said:
- I actually bought two of them (Xbox and Switch layouts) and thank goodness I did, because one charger just broke, the USB-C cable wobbles inside like the socket itself got damaged. I know for a fact that the device didn’t fall down or anything like that.
- Every now and again the joysticks freeze and I start spinning uncontrollably, and then just stop working. Sometimes switching from Bluetooth to radio for a while and then back again help. Sometimes I have to turn the device fully off.
- More often than (2) the sticks will suddenly develop a lag. I turn the stick to one side, nothing happens. I release the stick. Then the character in the game starts moving for a while. It’s, like, 500-1000ms lag easily.
If you’re playing anything remotely competitive or punishing, I would not recommend 8bitDo products. If you’re only playing casual games with quick and easy save options, and you’re OK having to restart your gamepad every now and again, go for it.
Aren’t they Bluetooth rather than 2.4ghz? Not sure why you would want that instead though, isn’t Bluetooth a better choice?
8bitdo does both. Even though bluetooth is also 2.4ghz and combined with the wifi board these days, I find it struggles more with physical objects worsening the signal or being far or in different rooms like when I used to have my office on the opposite side of the wall the tv is mounted to and used one pc for everything.
Their quality control has gotten worse though. I have an ‘ultimate’ that had the back paddles crack and fall off, and a pro 3 that had the face buttons shatter right before the end of a perfect attempt at the last berserker fight in god of war ragnarok
I have larger hands and have the Cyclone 2. Fantastic controller and my daily driver. I didn’t like the clicky face buttons but they’ve grown on me. Happy to answer any questions. No real issues across Linux or Windows.
YES I HAVE! You guys convinced me to become a Cyclone 2 enjoyer.
- Have you ever had controller support issues in any games?
- Does the GameSir software work on Linux?
- If you’ve got the white version, then how easy does it get dirty in your case?
I haven’t had any issues with controller support in any games, just the same as using an Xbox controller.
There is no native Linux software, so I use Winboat to run the software. You could also run it in a VM.
I only have the black controller, so I can’t comment on the white on
I own a couple of 8bitdo Ultimate 2, they’re excellent and seem to tick all the boxes, but they’re on the smaller end I guess.
Do you feel that it’s a bit too small for you?
Oh, and I can’t speak for Linux compatibility personally, I’ve only read that it works fine.
They work great, both USB and Bluetooth
No, it’s perfect for me, but I don’t have particularly big hands. For a point of comparison, it’s every so slightly tinier than my Xbox Series controller, and holds better than it. I always found that one tends to slowly slip forward out of my grip (=towards my belly) because of its tapered shape.
In contrast the Ultimate reminds me a little of the Gamecube controller, because it’s slightly more concave below, where the ring fingers come to rest, and that helps stabilize it.My single gripe with it is the dpad, which coming from the Xbox Series feels like a bit of a downgrade : not clicky, a tad mushy. I’ve known worse, but it’s not the best. Fortunately that’s not a dealbreaker for me as I don’t use it often
Yeah 8bitdo is good in my experience, you can return it anyway if it’s sussy on arrival. Works with everything, steam input or not
Thanks for the return idea! Do you perhaps use the Ultimate 2? If yes then how does it fit for your hands if yours are big?
I use 2c, my hands are not really big but fingers are long though. Pretty comfortable, but xbox 360 controller as a comparison point is bulkier and bigger
The 8BitDo Ultimate Wireless 2 has been perfect for me and fits all your criteria.
I know they had QC issues with their dpads on their earlier controllers but it seems they’ve long fixed that as I don’t see people reporting it anymore on their subreddit.I know they had QC issues with their dpads on their earlier controllers
Anecdotal: I just had a trigger on an 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth fail. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a button or trigger fail on any other gamepad I’ve ever owned, so that was a bit disappointing.
Oof that sucks, hope their customer support can send you a replacement! 😬
Letsgooo! One last question. Do you have big hands and does it fit good on you? Ultimate 2 seems less wide than other GameSir controllers.
My hands aren’t that big (I used to play the 3DS and never felt cramped), so I can’t really speak to that.
If it helps I’ve played both on DualShock 4 and Xbox 360 controllers and migrating to the 8BitDo felt super natural.I have big hands. Ultimate 2 is awesome and the gyro worked in Linux after I set it up under windows since it stores the config in the controller. It’s been my main controller for a year.
I have a ton of 8bitdo stuff and have never had any issues. They’re my favorite controllers.
Gulikit ES Pro is easily my favorite Xbox-style controller. It’s almost identical to the Xbox Series controller, but everything about it is a little better. The dpad is as accurate and tactile, and not as loud. It uses tmr sticks.
It uses bluetooth for wireless, but it’s kind of miraculously low latency for being bluetooth, and rivals most 2.4 controllers in latency tests.
But to be fair I have never been able to bring myself to spend $200+ on a controller. This one is only $30.
My PS5 controller works perfectly on mint DE.
does it report the battery status via bluetooth for you?
I asking because I use it on Kubuntu and it doesn’t so have no way of knowing how much akku is left
My main controller is a RetroFighters BattlerGC Pro. At $60 it has hall effect sticks and triggers, a GameCube button layout (my personal favorite of all time for ergonomics) and it comes with both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz support, plus it can be used wired for the lowest possible latency.
I use it for both Switch and PC. On PC you can set it to register as an Xbox controller so you can get full analog trigger support.
Anyhow, the brand has the best controllers for the money IMO, I’d recommend checking out their offerings.
My second favorite controller is my 8bitdo Pro 2, but the clicky d-pad on the Retrofighters controller is so much nicer IMO
I love what RetroFighters does, but I wish they would design their Dreamcast controller to fit a vmu, and add a second analog stick while they’re at it. Dreamcast still has so much homebrew potential, but the lack of dual analog inouts holds it back.
