Controller:8BitDo Ultimate Wired Controller
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| XInput support | |
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| Connection method | |
| USB-A | |
| Predecessor | |
| 8BitDo Pro 2 |
The 8BitDo Ultimate Wired Controllers are a series of controllers released by 8BitDo since May 31, 2022.
Unlike its predecessor, the Ultimate Wired has a typical asymmetrical joystick layout. Other features such as remappable back buttons, customizable built-in profiles, impulse triggers and 3.5mm audio jack, were retained. Customizing the built-in profiles can be done on PC via 8BitDo's own Ultimate Software and, for the Xbox-compatible model, on Android and iOS via the Ultimate Software mobile app.
The controller was first released as a Xbox-compatible controller in the form of the Ultimate Wired Controller for Xbox and is available in black, white and pastel pink colors. A Switch-compatible version of the controller was later released on October 28, 2022 and is available in black and white colors. Another simplified model was released on May 31, 2023 as the Ultimate C Wired Controller and is available in field green and lilac purple colors. The Switch-compatible model, while not compatible with the Xbox consoles and lacking both the impulse triggers and a 3.5mm audio jack, added an ability to switch between XInput mode, DirectInput mode and Switch mode, with the Switch mode being only accessible on the Nintendo Switch. The Xbox- and Switch-compatible models are also capable of create and stores custom profiles via the Ultimate Software on PC and/or mobile devices. The Ultimate C Wired Controller is a PC/Andorid-compatible model and while lacking many of the features of the previous wired models, it is also a cheaper variant. A newer version of the Ultimate Wired Controller for Xbox sporting a detachable USB-C cable and Gulikit's contactless electromagnetic hall-effect joysticks (as found in the GuliKit KingKong 2 Controller) was released on February 28, 2024.[1] The Ultimate Wired Controller has a wireless counterpart in a form of the Ultimate Wireless Controller.
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 model has macro function and is capable of switching to DirectInput mode by holding down the π button while connecting the controller. While the Xbox-compatible model has Bluetooth connectivity, it is only for customizing built-in profiles via the Ultimate Software on Android and iOS.
General information
Xbox version inputs
- 2 Γ clickable analog sticks: LS, RS
- 2 Γ analog triggers: LT, RT
- 2 Γ digital shoulder buttons: LB, RB
- 4 Γ digital directional buttons (d-pad): β, β, β, β
- 4 Γ digital face buttons: π, π, π, π¬
- 6 Γ digital functional buttons: β²Ά α΄α΄Ι΄α΄, β§ α΄ Ιͺα΄α΄‘, xΚα΄x, β« sΚα΄Κα΄, κ±α΄α΄Κ, α΄Κα΄κ°ΙͺΚα΄
- 2 Γ digital remappable back buttons: P1, P2
- 1 Γ Microphone mute slider
- 1 Γ Mono Microphone via TRRS jack
PC/Switch version inputs
- 2 Γ clickable analog sticks: L, LB
- 2 Γ analog triggers: LT, RT
- 2 Γ digital shoulder buttons: LB, RB
- 4 Γ digital directional buttons (d-pad): β, β, β, β
- 4 Γ digital face buttons: π, π, π, π¬
- 5 Γ digital functional buttons: -, +, β Κα΄α΄α΄, κ±α΄α΄Κ, α΄Κα΄κ°ΙͺΚα΄
- 2 Γ digital remappable back buttons: P1, P2
Ultimate C Wired version inputs
- 2 Γ clickable analog sticks: L, LB
- 2 Γ analog triggers: LT, RT
- 2 Γ digital shoulder buttons: LB, RB
- 4 Γ digital directional buttons (d-pad): β, β, β, β
- 4 Γ digital face buttons: π, π, π, π¬
- 4 Γ digital functional buttons: -, +, β Κα΄α΄α΄, κ±α΄α΄Κ
Controller variations
- The Ultimate 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 detachable USB-C cable and hall-effect joysticks found in its wireless counterparts was released on February 28, 2024.[2]
- The Ultimate Wired Controller is the Switch-compatible model, which added support for the Nintendo Switch and is capable of switching to DirectInput mode, at the expenses of lacking Xbox compatibility and impulse triggers. Customizing the built-in profiles can be only done on PC as it doesn't have Bluetooth connectivity.
- The Ultimate C Wired Controller is the PC/Android-compatible model, which simplifies and removes many features such as the customizable profiles via the Ultimate Software app and the remappable back buttons.
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 |
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| Connect the controller in DirectInput mode |
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Windows
- Connecting the controller should automatically download and install latest drivers for the controller.
| Supported features | reWASD | Steam | Gamepad Phoenix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vibrations | β | β | β |
| Impulse Trigger Vibration | β[N 1] | β | β |
| LEDs | β | β | β |
| Dead-zone adjustment | β | β | β |
| Multiple controllers | β | β | β |
| Headphone Jack | β | β | β |
| Keyboard & Mouse input emulation | β | β | β |
| Virtual Xbox controller emulation | β | β | β |
| Virtual DualShock emulation | β [N 2] | β | β |
| Virtual Nintendo controller emulation | β [N 3] | β | β |
| Retro DInput/WinMM compatibility | β | β | β |
| Battery status | β | β | β |
- β Only for the Xbox-compatible model.
- β Allows using controller as DualShock 3 and DualShock 4 virtual controllers.
- β Allows using controller as virtual Switch Pro Controller.
reWASD
- xΚα΄x button can be remapped.
- Can activate Impulse Trigger vibration on the Xbox-compatible model.
- Can emulate the DualShock 4 to play PS4 Remote Play, PS Now or DualShock 4 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.
Linux
- Natively supported by distros using Linux kernel 3.17 (or later).
Steam
- The Xbox-compatible model is recognized by Steam as a Xbox One Controller, while the Switch-compatible model is recognized as a Xbox 360 Controller.
Steam Link compatibility
- Works without any drivers on any operating system that supports Steam.
- Can be used just to send input from a controller to a PC. Go into Streaming options, hit π¬ and disable video and audio streaming.
- Controller connected via USB works as expected.
- May not work great unless 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 Switch-compatible model requires the desktop version of the 8BitDo Ultimate Software, while the Xbox-compatible model requires the Microsoft Store version of the 8BitDo Ultimate Software.
- Android and iOS version of the 8BitDo Ultimate Software, which support the Xbox-compatible model, 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 |
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Remapping the buttons
| Remapping the buttons |
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Switching the built-in profiles
| Switching the built-in profiles |
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Notes
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Support in games
- Natively supported by most modern games via the XInput API. Sometimes, the controller will be recognized as Xbox 360 Controller.
- Some XInput supported games may not work correctly with the Xbox-compatible model (Which is recognized as a Xbox One Controller). Refer to the individual game pages for details.
Games with Impulse Trigger Vibration support
- Total number of games: 94.
- For Xbox-compatible model only.
- Number of games which Impulse Trigger Vibration is limited and feature support is still not a PC standard.
- Games with DualSense's Adaptive Triggers support are mostly not compatible with Impulse Triggers and there is no application which translates both signals into one standard.
| Native support | Limited native support | Always on | Requires manual fix | No native support |
Games with XInput button prompts
Other information
Firmware updates
- Firmware update on both models can be done via the 8BitDo Firmware Updater for Windows and MacOS.