8bitdo Pro 2 Controller Review: Enhanced Advantages

I have used a handful of 8bitdo controllers for many years, and SN30 Pro + always stands out as one of the best for me. 8Bitdo itself has described the SN30 Pro + as the most sophisticated controller he has ever made, but now has the successor: 8bitdo Pro 2. You will be forgiven for thinking pro 2 is SN30 Pro + on the first blush, because both controllers look very similar. However, there are some of the main differences being brought by Pro 2 to the table, and it is clear that it will become an 8bitdo new flagship controller.

Indeed, if someone compares the faces of both controllers side by side, they are certainly true to question whether it is really necessary to launch a completely new controller with a completely new one. After all, both controllers look almost the same, save for buttons that have taken a place to live between thumsticks Pro 2. This is the profile button, and in the end, allowing you to change between three profiles that you can define in 8bitdo ultimate software.

This is a big enough problem for those who like to have granular control over their controller layout or prefer to have a specific layout for different platforms. Even though you can adjust the layout on the SN30 Pro +, there is no way to save some onboard profiles. For those of you who like to switch, it means that you have to connect to the ultimate software every time you want to change the mapping of your button, which can take time and annoying depending on how often you want to change something.

However, by Pro 2, you can define three profiles once through the ultimate software application, synchronize it to the controller, and then exchange it whenever you want to use the button. If the goal is to have a controller that you can use between the platform easily, the existence of the button will definitely make us closer to a goal that is being realized.

Profile button recognition is very good, but there are more changes when we distract us to the back of the controller, where there are two buttons facing the new back, the input switch, and battery compartment (which comes the battery can be recharged).

The keys facing back is quite clear – they are two additional buttons that you can map but you help – but I want to note that I accidentally pressed these buttons very low. Usually with the back button, I found that I hit them when I didn’t really intend, it was possible as a result of gripping the controller during the tense gameplay segment and forgot them there. The Pro 2 rear button is placed quite far from the handle, so they do not deter and not accidentally activated as a result. With both hands on the controller and both index fingers on the trigger, my middle finger fell perfectly on the back button, so I would say they must be well placed.

While the profile button is very useful and the rear button seems not only made well but placed well, it is the input switch that I most interested in. Like SN30 Pro +, Pro 2 comes with four different input modes: switches, MacOS, X-input (Windows), and D-input (Android). On SN30 Pro +, starting from one of these modes requires you to hold the Start button other than a particular face button.

I have started the SN30 Pro + into the wrong input mode enough for this to be frustrating, but in the pro 2, it’s as simple as setting the switch to the mode you want, pressing start, and then the controller appears to the installation mode (which is only needed your first required Connect to a new device). The addition of small switches makes the couple more consistent, so it’s good to go up.

8Bitdo quoted 20 hours of battery life with a full cost, and it fits what I experienced in my test. That’s the same amount as the battery life that we submit to expect from SN30 Pro +, so if you ever use one of the controllers before, you have got a good idea about how long the Pro 2 will last long. In fact, it looks like 8bitdo includes the same 1,000 mAh battery pack with both controllers, so there is no surprise in the battery department.

It should be shown that the battery pack can be removed, and removing it from the battery compartment allows you to use two AA batteries in its place. Admittedly, the scenario where you prefer to use AA batteries instead of battery packages may be quite limited, but the flexibility is useful for times when you don’t expect to be able to charge the battery consistently. Years from now, when the battery begins to lose capacity after a ton of refill cycles, it will be good that the controller also supports AA batteries.

One other big change sent along with Pro 2 is a new functionality for 8bitdo ultimate software, which is now available on iOS and Android. The iOS and Android version of the main software only functions with Pro 2 (at least for now), but as far as I know, cellular implementation offers all the same functions as the ultimate software on Windows. You can create three profiles with unique button mapping, change the sensitivity of the stick and the trigger, change the intensity of Pro 2 vibration, and even set macro.

We can do most with the ultimate software and SN30 Pro +, but this is the first time we can do it on a smartphone. When used on a cellphone, the application is connected to your controller above Bluetooth, allowing you to synchronize your changes wirelessly – whatever it is.

The mobile application seems to work very well, because I have no problem mapping the back button on the controller or changing the sensitivity of the trigger and thumstick (which you can also cancel or even exchange using the main software). With SN30 Pro +, I don’t think there is a lot of use for a macro because you don’t really have the option to map it to the button that hasn’t been spoken, but the buttons facing back on the pro 2 Serve as the perfect macro button this time.

I’m not sure what it is, but the pro 2 feels a little better in my hand than SN30 Pro +. I’m not sure if it’s an additional texture on the back of the grip or if 8bitdo changes the curve on the grip a little, but whatever it is, the pro 2 is a very comfortable controller with very good and sturdy construction.

The buttons all feel great, and the D-pad in particular is probably the best D-pad I’ve ever used since SNES day. If you are a fan of retro games or 2D games and you need a good D-pad, which is in Pro 2 it won’t disappoint – I bought a Sn30 Pro + because of D-pad and I imagine people will buy Pro 2 for the same reason. Sticks also feel solid, so don’t think that my praise for D-pad means that this is only a good choice for retro gamers.