2y ago

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.

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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.
  I'll see if I can find the file ...
  
  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.
  
  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.
- 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.
- Huh, I've used bluetooth mode consistently on my PC. I am on linux however so maybe that has something to do with it.
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.
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.
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
I should add that I'm open to Android games as well.

12 comments