This Cross-Platform Gaming Controller Is Now on Sale at Its Lowest Price Ever
If you’ve been switching between games on Switch , PC , and maybe even your phone, the 8Bitdo Pro 2 makes a pretty compelling case, especially now that it’s on sale for $36.36 on Amazon (previously $49.99). That’s the lowest price it’s ever been, according to price tracking tools like Keepa.
It’s shaped like an old-school SNES gamepad but controls like a modern DualShock, featuring a pair of Hall-effect joysticks, full-size paddles, and customizable back buttons. It works wirelessly via Bluetooth or USB, and supports Windows, Switch, Android, and Mac via a physical four-way switch (meaning no more remembering weird button combinations). For more controller options for the major consoles, PCMag has a helpful roundup of alternatives .
Despite the retro aesthetic, this thing is far from basic. The 8Bitdo Pro 2 features dual Hall-effect joysticks, a responsive D-pad, all the standard face and shoulder buttons, and programmable P1 and P2 rear paddles for extra control. For players who like to customize their setup, 8Bitdo’s Ultimate Software lets you remap nearly every button, fine-tune joystick sensitivity, adjust vibration intensity, and set macros—all via a wired connection, with changes saved directly to the controller. You also get three profile slots per system, allowing you to switch between layouts on the fly depending on the game.
That said, if you use it with a Nintendo Switch , you’ll lose the Amiibo scanning and wake-from-sleep functionality ( the 8Bitdo Pro 2 doesn’t come with any Joy-Con- specific goodies). But you do get motion controls and a comfortable grip that rival the official Pro Controller (at a much lower price, this PCMag review notes). The 1,000mAh battery provides 20 hours of wireless play and can be swapped out for AA batteries if needed. It won’t appeal to hardcore gamers looking for ultra-low latency or next-gen tactile feedback, but if you just want an affordable, customizable, cross-platform controller that feels great in your hand, the 8Bitdo Pro 2 is hard to beat at this price.