Just Got an 8bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller, What Now?
The immediate goal is to use it on my potato pc and play Batman Arkham Asylum.
Using the 2.4ghz adapter immediately detected the controller and the game recognized it as well so I could play on the get go.
However, I wanted to try the bluetooth mode which I had trouble with.
And I wanted to try using the back buttons (like mapping it to A so I can use it for sprinting while moving the camera).
Do I need to download a software? update firmware?
What games would you recommend to take advantage of my new controller (note: I have a potato pc, so probably indie games? or retro games on emulators). I wanted to try Armored Core 3 on PS2 but my PC either couldn’t handle it or PCSX2 isn’t too compatible for that game.
You’ll need to download their software to map the rear keys/tweak anything else. They also have a phone app that does the same thing if you didn’t want to install it on your computer
In response to your header: Play games with it. :P
I wouldn’t recommend Bluetooth as a first choice for connectivity, is there any reason you don’t want to use the included wireless adapter?
As for games, I have no idea what you like/don’t like. How potato of a PC are you using? FWIW some lower spec games I’ve played in the past several years with a controller included Cat Quest I and II, as well as the two South Park RPGs. There are also some fun co-op games like Overcooked, Moving Out and Unrailed. Overcooked really spawned a bunch of frantic co-op games that are low-spec and controller-friendly, so you can check that genre out as wlel.
The Bluetooth mode is made specifically for the Nintendo Switch on that model, on PC and Android you need X-Input mode, which is made available through 2.4GHz and USB-C.
I complained about that part too, and 8bitdo doesn’t seem receptive…
To configure the controller you need the software here.
I complained about that part too, and 8bitdo doesn’t seem receptive…
I mentioned it to them and they were very helpful… They specifically sent me a beta firmware for the reciever that allows me to toggle between Switch mode and Xinput mode by holding Select+Y or Select+X respectively.
Interesting. My interaction with them wasn’t really helpful. Not for this issue, but I raised an issue that the macro function doesn’t allow you to replay certain buttons (like ‘+’), which limits it’s usefulness. I reached out to them and they said they’ll pass the info back to the team and never heard from them again. I bought this controller specifically for the macro feature (and specifically for being able to replay ‘+’), and without that functionality, the controller is completely useless for me. I already own a Switch Pro controller and I prefer it’s ergonomics/shape much more over the 8bitdo.
There’s a difference between the Ultimate BT (with hall effect joysticks and the paddles) vs the Ultimate 2.4g, which received BT support later on. They don’t use the same firmware.
I have the Bluetooth + 2.4G one with hall effect sensors and paddles (with the 2.4G/Bluetooth switch on the back and included 2.4G receiver in the dock).
I didn’t realise the dedicated 2.4G one received Bluetooth later, but the firmware was for the 2.4G receiver, not the controller, which I’d assume to be the same one regardless? That said, it’d only allow you to use “Switch Pro Mode” and “Xinput Mode” when connected via 2.4G to the receiver. Bluetooth mode behaviour will be unchanged… But given the choice I’m not sure why anyone on PC would use Bluetooth instead of the 2.4G anyway, unless they’re not using the dock with that particular computer…
All that aside though, my initial comment was to indicate 8bitdo were actually quite helpful when I reached out to them, in contrast to the person I was replying to… To answer OPs actual questions:
Bluetooth mode outputs as a Switch Pro controller by default, so a lot of games on PC won’t recognise it unless you use Steam Input or some other translation layer to convert to Xinput. There are numerous applications to do it, but Steam is probably easiest and most accessible. To set the paddles etc You can download the Ultimate Software on your Phone or the PC to set the back paddles and tweak settings.
I’d recommend playing around with some first person shooters using the Gyro. Steam specifically has a Flick Stick-like mode that is a really fun way of using the Gyro in FPS games like DOOM. You angle the stick to the direction you want to face, and then use gyro to aim up/down and make fine corrections. E.g. to snap turn 180degrees, just flick the right analogue stick down. Works brilliantly when you (eventually) get the hang of it, it’s so much faster.
I have this controller and bluetooth mode works just fine for me on my PC and steam deck, those do run linux but the protocol is the same in windows. I don’t see why it wouldn’t work.
It will work with Steam, as Steam itself is able to capture Switch-input, but if you try to use it outside of Steam in a software that expects X-Input it will not work as expected.
I wasn’t able to use it on Android in BT mode either, most games I tried wouldn’t recognize it, but would work fine using a USB-C cable.
I don’t have an 8bitdo Ultimate controller, but I have several of their other ones. They all work for me over bluetooth when I pair it with my PC and then use Steam to recognize the controller. They show up as a Switch Pro controller, meaning Steam won’t be aware of the back buttons (I’m guessing you need to use 8bitdo’s software to do that). But you can remap the regular buttons and the gyroscope in Steam’s UI. If you use xinput mode, then you are limited to the controls on an Xbox controller, so no gyroscope.
That does mean you need to use Steam to launch all of your games, even if you bought them elsewhere, but Steam has a controller-friendly interface, so I prefer to do that anyway.
edit: Bah, I just saw @mp3’s comment. Too bad that their Ultimate controller doesn’t work like their other ones, that’s a big step backwards.
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You’ll need to download their software to map the rear keys/tweak anything else. They also have a phone app that does the same thing if you didn’t want to install it on your computer
In response to your header: Play games with it. :P
I wouldn’t recommend Bluetooth as a first choice for connectivity, is there any reason you don’t want to use the included wireless adapter?
As for games, I have no idea what you like/don’t like. How potato of a PC are you using? FWIW some lower spec games I’ve played in the past several years with a controller included Cat Quest I and II, as well as the two South Park RPGs. There are also some fun co-op games like Overcooked, Moving Out and Unrailed. Overcooked really spawned a bunch of frantic co-op games that are low-spec and controller-friendly, so you can check that genre out as wlel.
The Bluetooth mode is made specifically for the Nintendo Switch on that model, on PC and Android you need X-Input mode, which is made available through 2.4GHz and USB-C.
I complained about that part too, and 8bitdo doesn’t seem receptive…
To configure the controller you need the software here.
Huh, I’ve used bluetooth mode consistently on my PC. I am on linux however so maybe that has something to do with it.
I mentioned it to them and they were very helpful… They specifically sent me a beta firmware for the reciever that allows me to toggle between Switch mode and Xinput mode by holding Select+Y or Select+X respectively.
I’ll see if I can find the file …
Interesting. My interaction with them wasn’t really helpful. Not for this issue, but I raised an issue that the macro function doesn’t allow you to replay certain buttons (like ‘+’), which limits it’s usefulness. I reached out to them and they said they’ll pass the info back to the team and never heard from them again. I bought this controller specifically for the macro feature (and specifically for being able to replay ‘+’), and without that functionality, the controller is completely useless for me. I already own a Switch Pro controller and I prefer it’s ergonomics/shape much more over the 8bitdo.
There’s a difference between the Ultimate BT (with hall effect joysticks and the paddles) vs the Ultimate 2.4g, which received BT support later on. They don’t use the same firmware.
I have the Bluetooth + 2.4G one with hall effect sensors and paddles (with the 2.4G/Bluetooth switch on the back and included 2.4G receiver in the dock).
I didn’t realise the dedicated 2.4G one received Bluetooth later, but the firmware was for the 2.4G receiver, not the controller, which I’d assume to be the same one regardless? That said, it’d only allow you to use “Switch Pro Mode” and “Xinput Mode” when connected via 2.4G to the receiver. Bluetooth mode behaviour will be unchanged… But given the choice I’m not sure why anyone on PC would use Bluetooth instead of the 2.4G anyway, unless they’re not using the dock with that particular computer…
All that aside though, my initial comment was to indicate 8bitdo were actually quite helpful when I reached out to them, in contrast to the person I was replying to… To answer OPs actual questions:
Bluetooth mode outputs as a Switch Pro controller by default, so a lot of games on PC won’t recognise it unless you use Steam Input or some other translation layer to convert to Xinput. There are numerous applications to do it, but Steam is probably easiest and most accessible. To set the paddles etc You can download the Ultimate Software on your Phone or the PC to set the back paddles and tweak settings.
I’d recommend playing around with some first person shooters using the Gyro. Steam specifically has a Flick Stick-like mode that is a really fun way of using the Gyro in FPS games like DOOM. You angle the stick to the direction you want to face, and then use gyro to aim up/down and make fine corrections. E.g. to snap turn 180degrees, just flick the right analogue stick down. Works brilliantly when you (eventually) get the hang of it, it’s so much faster.
I have this controller and bluetooth mode works just fine for me on my PC and steam deck, those do run linux but the protocol is the same in windows. I don’t see why it wouldn’t work.
It will work with Steam, as Steam itself is able to capture Switch-input, but if you try to use it outside of Steam in a software that expects X-Input it will not work as expected.
I wasn’t able to use it on Android in BT mode either, most games I tried wouldn’t recognize it, but would work fine using a USB-C cable.
I don’t have an 8bitdo Ultimate controller, but I have several of their other ones. They all work for me over bluetooth when I pair it with my PC and then use Steam to recognize the controller. They show up as a Switch Pro controller, meaning Steam won’t be aware of the back buttons (I’m guessing you need to use 8bitdo’s software to do that). But you can remap the regular buttons and the gyroscope in Steam’s UI. If you use xinput mode, then you are limited to the controls on an Xbox controller, so no gyroscope.
That does mean you need to use Steam to launch all of your games, even if you bought them elsewhere, but Steam has a controller-friendly interface, so I prefer to do that anyway.
edit: Bah, I just saw @mp3’s comment. Too bad that their Ultimate controller doesn’t work like their other ones, that’s a big step backwards.
I should add that I’m open to Android games as well.