8BitDo now makes the best Switch Pro controller

Nintendo’s official Pro Controller for the Switch is generally a pretty useful accessory, but it does have its problems: The D-pad isn’t reliable, and it doesn’t really offer “pro-level” functionality. The latest controller from 8BitDo improves on both of these issues while being offered at a lower price.

The 8BitDo Pro 2 is an upgraded version of the SN30Pro Plus, already a well-regarded Switch controller. It uses Bluetooth and also works with PCs and mobile devices; there is a physical control to switch between Switch, X-input, D-input and Mac. You can also use it as a wired controller with a USB-C cable. I have tried using it with my PC, but feel like it makes more sense on the switch due to the Japanese style button layout with B on the bottom and A on the right. Or maybe I’m too used to using Xbox controllers on the PC.

Aesthetically, it looks like a cross between an SNES pad and a PlayStation controller, with a diamond-shaped body, two grips, and symmetrically aligned analog sticks. The unit I have is decorated in a PlayStation-inspired gray colourway, although there is also an all-black option and a beige model that evokes the original Game Boy.

It’s not a huge controller, but it feels comfortable in my big hands, with easy access to all buttons and triggers. Equally important to me, the D-pad is good. It looks more or less like an SNES pad, and its placement above the left analog stick makes it more suitable for games where it’s a primary input option. I much prefer to use the Pro 2 over Nintendo’s Pro Controller for just about any 2D game on the Switch.

The main feature of the Pro 2 over its predecessor is the customizable back buttons that you can press with your middle finger. These are a common staple of enthusiast-focused controllers today, from Microsoft’s Elite controllers to third-party offerings like the Astro C40 for the PS4. Sony has also released an attachment that brings similar functionality to the DualShock 4.

These buttons are useful because they allow you to enter commands without removing your thumbs from the sticks. Most first-person shooters, for example, attribute the jump to a face button, which means it can be difficult to activate while aiming at the same time. With controllers like the Pro 2, you can set a back button to work the same as a given face button, allowing you to design more flexible control patterns. The Pro 2 makes it much easier to handle the camera in the middle of a Monster Hunter Rise battle, which alone could be worth the asking price.

The Pro 2’s rear buttons are responsive and clickable, activating with a light press. You can assign them through 8BitDo’s Ultimate Software app, which is now available for the Pro 2 on iOS and Android as well as PCs. It’s not as straightforward as some pro controller setups that let you remap buttons directly to the controller itself, but it supports multiple profiles and works quite well. Besides the button assignments, the app can also be used to change the vibration strength and sensitivity of the controller stick.

You miss some of the functionality of the Switch Pro controller with the 8BitDo Pro 2. While the rumble is solid, it doesn’t seem as accurate as Nintendo’s HD Rumble in supported games. The Pro 2 also lacks an NFC reader, so it won’t work with Amiibo figures. And it cannot be used to turn on the switch, which is common to most third-party controllers on various platforms.

For $ 49.99, however, these omissions are understandable. That’s $ 20 less than Nintendo’s equivalent option, not to mention the professional controllers you’ll find for the Xbox or PlayStation in the $ 180 to $ 200 range. And all things considered, I would pick up the 8BitDo Pro 2 on the official Nintendo controller almost every day of the week.

The 8BitDo Pro 2 will start shipping on April 12.