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Controller:8BitDo Pro 2

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8BitDo Pro 2
8BitDo Pro 2 cover
XInput support
Connection method
USB-A, USB-C, Bluetooth
Predecessor
8BitDo SN30 Pro+
Successor
8BitDo Ultimate Wired Controller
8BitDo Ultimate Wireless Controller

The 8BitDo Pro 2 is a series of controllers released by 8BitDo since April 12, 2021.

Essentially an updated, pro-oriented version of the 8BitDo SN30 Pro+. Compared to its predecessor, it features two remappable back buttons and instead uses a dedicated profile button located on the front of the controller. Customizing the built-in profiles can be done via 8BitDo's own Ultimate Software and, for the Xbox-compatible model, on Android, iOS, and the Microsoft Store app on machines running Windows 10/11.

The controller was first released as the PC/Switch/Android/iOS-compatible model. The wired version of the controller was first released as a Xbox-compatible controller on December 8, 2021 in the form of Pro 2 Wired Controller for Xbox made specifically for the Xbox consoles, followed by a generic PC/Switch-compatible model on February 28, 2022 in the form of Pro 2 Wired Controller. The PC/Switch/Android/iOS-compatible model, while not compatible with Xbox consoles and lacking both the impulse triggers and a 3.5mm audio jack, it features the ability to change between Switch, Apple, DirectInput, and XInput modes via a mode slider switch located behind the controller rather than using a button combination when connecting the controller via USB-C or Bluetooth from its predecessors. The first wireless model also is the only model with a removable battery pack that can be swapped with 2 AA batteries. A newer version of the Pro 2 controller using Gulikit's contactless electromagnetic hall-effect joysticks (as found in the GuliKit KingKong 2 Controller) was released on February 28, 2024.[1]

The Game Boy-inspired "G Classic" style, a PlayStation-inspired "Gray Edition" style coloring are available for the Pro 2 Wireless and Pro 2 Wired, while the black coloring is only available for Pro 2 Wireless and the Xbox-compatible wired model. The Pro 2 received two translucent Special Edition variants in purple and black colors released on September 22, 2022.

All three models are native XInput devices on PC, meaning they are supported on games that utilize the XInput API. The Xbox-compatible model has support for impulse triggers and audio passthrough, while the Switch-compatible models have macro function and the first model is capable of switching to DirectInput mode by sliding the mode switch to D. While the wired-only Xbox-compatible model has Bluetooth connectivity, it is only for customizing built-in profiles via the Ultimate Software on Android and iOS.

General information

Pro 2 Controller
Pro 2 Wired Controller
Pro 2 Wired Controller for Xbox

Pro 2 version inputs

  • Motion sensing: Accelerometer, Gyroscope.
  • 2 × clickable analog sticks: LS, RS
  • 2 × analog triggers: L2, R2
  • 2 × digital shoulder buttons: L, R
  • 4 × digital directional buttons (d-pad): ↑, ↓, ←, →
  • 4 × digital face buttons: A, B, X, Y
  • 6 × digital functional buttons: -select, +start, ⌂ HOME, ★ STAR, PROFILE, PAIRING
  • 2 × digital remappable back buttons: P1, P2
  • 1 × mode slider switch: S - A - D - X

Pro 2 Wired version inputs

  • 2 × clickable analog sticks: LS, RS
  • 2 × analog triggers: L2, R2
  • 2 × digital shoulder buttons: L, R
  • 4 × digital directional buttons (d-pad): ↑, ↓, ←, →
  • 4 × digital face buttons: A, B, X, Y
  • 5 × digital functional buttons: -select, +start, ⌂ HOME, ★ STAR, PROFILE
  • 2 × digital remappable back buttons: P1, P2

Xbox version inputs

  • 2 × clickable analog sticks: LS, RS
  • 2 × analog triggers: L2, R2
  • 2 × digital shoulder buttons: L, R
  • 4 × digital directional buttons (d-pad): ↑, ↓, ←, →
  • 4 × digital face buttons: A, B, X, Y
  • 6 × digital functional buttons: Ⲷ MENU, ⧉ VIEW, XBOX, ⇫ SHARE, ★ STAR, PROFILE
  • 2 × digital remappable back buttons: P1, P2
  • 1 × Microphone mute slider
  • 1 × Mono Microphone via TRRS jack

Controller variations

Pro 2 Wired Controller.
Pro 2 Wired Controller.
Later variant of Pro 2 Wired Controller for Xbox, sporting the detachable USB-C cable.
Later variant of Pro 2 Wired Controller for Xbox, sporting the detachable USB-C cable.
The Pro 2 Controller is Switch/iOS/Android/PC-compatible, capable of switching between modes via its mode slider. It can be connected to the PC via either USB Type-C or Bluetooth. A newer version with Gulikit's hall-effect joysticks was later released on February 28, 2024.
The Pro 2 Wired Controller is another Switch/iOS/Android/PC-compatible model, but it is wired and lacks the mode slider switch from its wireless counterpart.
The Pro 2 Wired Controller for Xbox is the Xbox-compatible model, and has support for impulse triggers. It has a 3.5mm audio jack for audio passthrough, as well as Bluetooth connectivity for customizing the built-in profiles via the Ultimate Software app on Android or iOS. A version of the controller with a detachable USB-C cable was later released in 2023.

Use with PC platforms

While the Xbox-compatible model has Bluetooth connectivity, it is only for customizing the controller's built-in profiles.

Connection

USB Type-A

Connect the controller
Only for the Wired model and the earlier variant of the Xbox-compatible model.
  1. Connect the controller to a USB Type-A port on the computer.
  2. The controller will automatically be recognized by the supported OS and install the corresponding driver for it.

USB Type-C

Connect the controller
Only for the Wireless model and the later variant of the Xbox-compatible model.
Ensure that the controller is set to XInput mode by toggling the S - A - D - X slider to "X" if using the first model.
  1. Connect the controller to the computer using either a USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable or a USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable.
  2. The controller will automatically be recognized by the supported OS and install the corresponding driver for it.
Connect the controller in DirectInput mode
Only for the first model of the Controller.
  1. When connected, change the controller mode by toggling the S - A - D - X slider to "D".
  2. The controller will be automatically recognized as a DirectInput controller.
Connect the controller in Switch mode
Only for the first model of the Controller.
  1. When connected, change the controller mode by toggling the S - A - D - X slider to "S".
  2. The controller will be automatically recognized as a DirectInput controller.

Note

The Pro 2 Wireless controller will act as a Switch Pro Controller when connected this way.

Bluetooth

Only for the first model of the Controller.
Connect the controller via Bluetooth in XInput mode
  1. Make sure the Bluetooth functionality is enabled on the OS.
  2. Change the connection mode by toggling the S - A - D - X slider to "X".
  3. Power on the controller by pressing +start button.
  4. After turning on the controller, press and hold the PAIRING button for 3 seconds to switch into pairing mode, which is indicated by the status LED indictors moving back and forth.
  5. Navigate to the Bluetooth settings of the host device's operating system, select "8BitDo Pro 2" and pair it.
Connect the controller via Bluetooth in DirectInput mode
  1. Make sure the Bluetooth functionality is enabled on the OS.
  2. Change the connection mode by toggling the S - A - D - X slider to "D".
  3. Power on the controller by pressing +start button.
  4. After turning on the controller, press and hold the PAIRING button for 3 seconds to switch into pairing mode, which is indicated by the status LED indictors moving back and forth.
  5. Navigate to the Bluetooth settings of the host device's operating system, select "8BitDo Pro 2" and pair it.
Connect the controller via Bluetooth in Switch mode
  1. Make sure the Bluetooth functionality is enabled on the OS.
  2. Change the connection mode by toggling the S - A - D - X slider to "S".
  3. Power on the controller by pressing +start button.
  4. After turning on the controller, press and hold the PAIRING button for 3 seconds to switch into pairing mode, which is indicated by the status LED indictors moving back and forth.
  5. Navigate to the Bluetooth settings of the host device's operating system, select "Pro Controller" and pair it.

Note

The Pro 2 Wireless controller will act as a Switch Pro Controller when connected this way.

Windows

Connecting the controller should automatically download and install latest drivers for the controller.
Supported features reWASD Steam Gamepad Phoenix
Vibrations ✓ ✓ ✗
LEDs ✓ ✗ ✗
Dead-zone adjustment ✓ ✓ ✓
Multiple controllers ✓ ✓ ✓
Keyboard & Mouse input emulation ✓ ✓ ✗
Virtual Xbox controller emulation ✓ ✓ ✓
Virtual DualShock emulation ✓ [N 1] ✗ ✗
Virtual Nintendo controller emulation ✓ [N 2] ✗ ✗
Motion Control ✓ [N 3] ✓ [N 4] ✗
Retro DInput/WinMM compatibility ✗ ✗ ✓
Battery status ✓ ✗ ✗
  1. ↑ Allows using controller as DualShock 3 and DualShock 4 virtual controllers.
  2. ↑ Allows using controller as virtual Switch Pro Controller.
  3. ↑ Only for Pro 2 Wireless Controller when set to Switch mode.
  4. ↑ Only for Pro 2 Wireless Controller when set to Switch mode.

XInput wrapping

The controller can acts as a DirectInput controller when set to specific mode, so it's possible to use any of the generic wrappers. See the controller article for those.

reWASD

xʙᴏx button can be remapped.
Can supports motion control via gyro on the Pro 2 Wireless Controller (while set to Switch mode).
Can emulate the DualShock 4 to play PS4 Remote Play, PS Now or DualShock 4 compatible games.
Can emulate the Xbox 360 controller to play XInput-compatible games.
Not free of charge. 7-day trial.
Custom configs for can be found in official Community Configs Library maintained by reWASD users.

macOS

Use the 360Controller driver or Xbox One Controller Enabler when set to XInput mode.

Linux

Natively supported in XInput mode by distros using Linux kernel 3.17 (or later).

Steam

When set to XInput mode, the controllers are recognized as the Xbox 360 Controllers via Steam Input. The Pro 2 Wireless Controller can acts and recognized as a Switch Pro Controller when set to Switch mode.
When connected to the PC in Switch mode, the Pro 2 Wireless Controller has support for gyroscope and motion controls via Steam Input.

Steam Link compatibility

Works without any drivers on any operating system that supports Steam.
Works via USB and Bluetooth. Includes gyroscope and motion controls on the Pro 2 Wireless Controller to the mobile device via Bluetooth while set to Switch mode.[2]
Can be used just to send input from a controller to a PC. Go into Streaming options, hit 𝗬 and disable video and audio streaming.
May not work great unless the streaming device is connected to LAN or a low latency Wi-Fi.

Controller profile and remapping

Customizing the built-in profiles requires the use of 8BitDo Ultimate Software.
On PC, the controller requires the desktop version of the 8BitDo Ultimate Software.
Android and iOS version of the 8BitDo Ultimate Software can be downloaded from Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The mobile app requires Android 8 and iOS 11 and later.

Setting up and pairing to the smartphone

Setting up and pairing to the smartphone
  1. Install the 8BitDo Ultimate Software app on the smartphone and open the app. If asked, grant the app the permission to use the smartphone's Bluetooth.
  2. Powering on the controller by connecting to a powered USB port.
  3. Press the PROFILE button.
  4. The controller should be detected in the app.

Remapping the buttons

Remapping the buttons
  1. In the profile tab of the app, select one of the three built-in profiles.
  2. In the mapping tab with the selected profile, select any of the buttons, including the back buttons.
  3. Select any of the button inputs to bind them to the selected button.
  4. Click "Sync to device" to apply the change to the profile.

Switching the built-in profiles

Switching the built-in profiles
  1. Press the PROFILE button to cycle through the three built-in profiles.

Notes

The number of status indicator LED light up vary depending on which profile was selected.

Support in games

Natively supported by most modern games via the XInput API where the controller will be recognized as Xbox 360 Controller. For the Pro 2 Wireless Controller, it is also natively supported by games that only use the DirectInput API when set to DirectInput mode.

Games with motion control support

For a list of games, see List of games that support tracked motion controllers in non-VR gameplay.

For the Pro 2 Wireless Controller when set to Switch mode.
Thanks to Steam Input and reWASD application, gyro control can be remapped to mouse or right stick in any game.
Number of games which natively support motion controls is limited and gyro support is still not a PC standard.

Games with XInput button prompts

List of games with Xbox button prompts

Games with Nintendo button prompts

List of games with Nintendo button prompts (For Pro 2 Wireless Controller when set to Switch mode)

Other information

8bitdo Pro 2 and 8bitdo Ultimate comparison

Related accessories

Firmware updates

Firmware update on all models can be done via the 8BitDo Firmware Updater for Windows and MacOS.

Technical information

Model 80GL, 80GJ: device name: Xbox 360 Controller, HWID: 045E:028E (USB-C, XInput mode), device name: Bluetooth XINPUT compatible input device, HWID: 045E:02E0 (Bluetooth, XInput mode); device name: 8BitDo Pro 2, HWID: 2DC8:6006 (USB-C and Bluetooth, DirectInput mode). device name: Pro Controller, HWID: 057E:2009 (USB-C and Bluetooth, Switch mode).[3]
8BitDo Wireless Adapter 2 (Model 83DC): device name: Controller (Ultimate Controller), HWID: 2DC8:3106.
XInput Mode and 8BitDo Wireless Adapter:
Controller button Button label and axis
B Button 1
A Button 2
Y Button 3
X Button 4
L Button 5
R Button 6
L2 Z-axis positive
R2 Z-axis negative
-select Button 7
+start Button 8
Left stick Button 9, X-axis, Y-axis
Right stick Button 10, X-rotation, Z-rotation
Home button
Star button
P1
P2
D-pad up POV up
D-pad down POV down
D-pad left POV left
D-pad right POV right
DirectInput Mode:
Controller button Button label and axis
B Button 1
A Button 2
Y Button 5
X Button 4
L Button 7
R Button 8
L2 Button 9
R2 Button 10
-select Button 11
+start Button 12
Left stick Button 14, X-axis, Y-axis
Right stick Button 15, z-axis, Z-rotation
Home button Button 13
Star button
P1 Button 6
P2 Button 3
D-pad up POV up
D-pad down POV down
D-pad left POV left
D-pad right POV right
Switch Mode:
Controller button Button label and axis
B Button 1
A Button 2
Y Button 3
X Button 4
L Button 5
R Button 6
L2 Button 7
R2 Button 8
-select Button 9
+start Button 10
Left stick Button 11, X-axis, Y-axis
Right stick Button 12, X-rotation, Y-rotation
Home Button 13
Star Button 14
P1
P2
D-pad up POV up
D-pad down POV down
D-pad left POV left
D-pad right POV right


References

  1. ↑ 8BitDo (@8BitDo) - twitter - last accessed on 2024-02-29
  2. ↑ List of compatible controllers with Steam Link - SteamWiki - last accessed on May 2023
  3. ↑ Verified by User:Amethystviper on 2024-02-20
    Model No. 80GL is found in the earlier wireless model as shown in a review by PCWorld. Model No. 80GJ is found in the newer Special Edition (transparent purple) model after observing my own controller unit. Device names and hardware IDs came from examining in Devices and Printers properties between USB-C, and Bluetooth 8BitDo Wireless Adapter and a generic Bluetooth receiver.