How 8BitDo’s Ultimate Wireless Controller with Charging Dock Turbocharges Your Gaming Setup

Mobile gaming has come a long way, but the fact that touch controls are still ineffective in terms of precision is disappointing. Even casual gaming feels so much better with a decent layout of buttons and sticks, which touchscreens simply cannot imitate. Enter the 8BitDo Ultimate Wireless Controller with Charging Dock, which is now on sale for $39.99, a significant discount from its $69.99 MSRP, making it an absolute steal in a year when everything seems to be going up in price.

Pick up this controller, and the first thing you notice is how substantial it feels in your hands. The build quality is excellent, with a nice amount of weight that is just right. When you hit the buttons, they click with a satisfying reaction that well exceeds what you’d expect for this price. The analog sticks move with silky smoothness thanks to those sophisticated Hall Effect sensors, so you don’t have to worry about the dreadful drift that so many other controllers experience over time.

It connects via Bluetooth to your Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, Steam Deck, Android phone, and other devices, making it extremely versatile. When using it on a PC, you can flick a switch on the rear to enable 2.4GHz mode with the provided dongle, which boasts extremely low latency. The charging dock is also a nice touch, as you can simply place it on the dock, and the controller powers back on, reconnecting immediately, making it ideal for long gaming sessions.

The battery life is also respectable, lasting up to 22 hours on a single charge, which is more than enough for a couple long gaming marathons. When you’re playing something violent, the rumble motors kick in to provide a little extra immersion. There are also two programmable back buttons, which allow you to create custom mappings to keep your thumbs on the sticks when things get intense. Of course, the 8BitDo software allows you to fine-tune everything, including adjusting sensitivity, remapping sticks, and even creating profiles on your PC or mobile.

When compared to official controllers, this wins hands down. The Switch Pro controller is more expensive and does not have the charging station or the extra back buttons described before. Although Microsoft’s Xbox Series controller appears to be comparable, it lacks a built-in dock and suffers from drift. And when it comes to third-party solutions at this pricing bracket, the majority of them cut compromises on materials or features to save money. But the good news is that 8BitDo has managed to combine all of the professional-level features into a budget-priced package that is difficult to pass up.