As someone who has bought too many 8BitDo controllers over the years and uses them daily, I’m still a bit shocked at how confusing the lineup is when it comes to features, naming, platform support, re-releases, and more. One thing I have noticed is that people are constantly confused about which controller is worth buying, which 8BitDo controller is best for Nintendo Switch 2, the features on new and old controllers, and more. The reason I keep buying and using 8BitDo controllers is the reliability and value. I completely stopped bothering with the official Nintendo Switch Pro Controller for the Switch 1 because of drift issues, and 8BitDo stuff is yet to let me down, even on Xbox consoles.
I regularly have friends link me to Wario64’s deal posts, asking which one to buy for Switch or whether a specific controller supports Switch 2 and PC together. In fact, I even pitched and wrote today’s guide because I was discussing how confusing the naming is with friends. With that out of the way, I’m focusing on Switch 1 and 2 support since I feel like the majority of 8BitDo’s value comes from excellent Switch 1 and 2 controllers that do more than just single console support. I’m going to highlight the notable features for each available controller, popular ones that may be available in select regions, and include pricing below the table since that varies by region.
8BitDo Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 Compatibility Chart
| 8BitDo Model | Sticks | Switch | Switch 2 | Wake |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pro 3 | TMR | Yes | Yes | Yes* |
| Ultimate 2 BT | TMR | Yes | Update | Yes* |
| Ultimate 2 2.4 | TMR | NA | Dongle | No |
| 64 BT | Hall | Yes | Update | No |
| Arcade Stick | NA | Yes | Yes | No |
| Arcade Controller | NA | Yes | Yes | No |
| Ultimate 2C BT | Hall | Yes | Update | No |
| Ultimate C BT | ALPS | Yes | Update | No |
| Ultimate BT | Hall | Yes | Update | No |
| Lite 2 | NA | Yes | Update | No |
| Pro 2 | Hall | Yes | Update | No |
| M30 BT | NA | Yes | Update | No |
| Lite SE | NA | Yes | Update | No |
| SN30 Pro BT | Hall | Yes | Update | No |
| Zero 2 | NA | Yes | Update | No |
| Micro | NA | Yes | Update | No |
Table Terminology
For the table above, I had to shorten some phrases given mobile device width restrictions on the site. If some things don’t make sense or you aren’t sure what some words mean, use the glossary below. I have also tried to simplify terminology since this is not an article focusing on TMR vs Hall Effect sticks and the technology behind them. If you’re curious about that, watch this video.
8BitDo Model: The controller name or model number.
Sticks: What analog stick technology is used. This is the most important thing to look at when buying a controller today if you care about longevity.
Switch 1: If the controller works on Switch 1.
Switch 2: If the controller works on Switch 2 and whether an update is required for the firmware.
Wake: Whether the controller can wake up the Switch 2 from sleep. To enable this, follow the guide here.
ALPS: The least reliable sticks. The controller uses the potentiometer sticks that usually develop drift over time. ALPS are the sticks used in Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo first-party controllers.
Hall: The controller uses Hall Effect sticks that use a bit more power, but are more reliable than ALPS sticks. They sometimes have issues when the battery is very low.
TMR: TMR stands for Tunneling Magnetoresistance, and it is the evolution of the technology in Hall Effect sticks. TMR uses less power and is more precise. This is the best stick technology available today. I recommend watching this video to understand.
Dongle: The Ultimate 2 Wireless or Ultimate 2 2.4Ghz controller is not meant for use on Switch 2, but you can use it via the dongle plugged into the Switch 2 after updating the firmware (follow this guide). I would not recommend this, as you need to keep the USB-C dongle plugged in, but it is an option if you primarily play on PC, but also want a controller that can work on Switch 2.
Note: The SN30 Pro and Ultimate (1st Generation) have been updated with Hall Effect so older models might not have those and still use ALPS. Check the box and listing to be sure.
Hopefully, this guide helped you decide on what controller to buy to use on Switch 1 or 2. The controllers I recommend are the Pro 3 if you like the symmetric stick layout and the Ultimate 2C Bluetooth if you want a budget option. The Ultimate 2 Bluetooth is the one to buy if you prefer an asymmetric layout and want an Xbox-style controller. If you’d like me to actually cover more in-depth impressions for the controllers as well, let me know in the comments.
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