I’ve been looking into using 8bitdo controllers with my Steam Deck but can’t find much recent info on how well they actually perform. I’ve seen that older posts mentioned good connectivity issues with the 2.4GHz option for the Ultimate controller, but I’m unsure if that’s still the case. I’m especially interested in how they compare to PS4 controllers regarding connectivity, battery longevity, hardware durability, and navigation with the Steam Deck (like on the web or using the keyboard). Any current users have thoughts on this? Thanks a ton!
2 Answers
I’ve got the Ultimate 8bitdo controller with the 2.4GHz setup and it works like a charm on my Steam Deck. I’ve found it to be much better than Bluetooth, especially when docked. The sticks feel great and the additional grip buttons are a nice bonus. Just a heads up about the button icons—they’re Nintendo styled, so it might take a bit to get used to, but it’s not a big deal. I actually use the Pro 2 for my Deck sometimes too; it’s older but has a solid battery life and you can easily swap out the batteries!
I’ve also used my Ultimate controller with the Steam Deck over both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth, and it’s been awesome! Depending on the game, I sometimes have to switch connection types since some games work better one way or the other. But overall, I think the battery life and feel of the 8bitdo is way better than the DualShock 4, which dies way too quickly. Just watch out for back button bindings; I couldn’t set them up directly in the Steam Deck menus, but using the smartphone app to set them isn’t hard at all.
That sounds super manageable! Glad to hear it’s versatile with different games too. I’ll definitely consider the Ultimate for longer play sessions.
Yeah, I’d have to agree about the battery life. My PS4 controller dies after just a few hours, while I barely need to charge the 8bitdo controllers—maybe once a week if that!