The best gaming controller for most systems: The 8BitDo Pro 2

The best controller is the one you’re the most comfortable with. It’s the reason why one of the best fighting game players in the world can win modern championships with a PlayStation 1 controller. It’s easy to play when using the gamepad is second nature.

However, finding familiarity between multiple controllers can be a problem if you’re playing games on different systems like your Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, and mobile devices. You could go with two or three controllers — or just one.

It 8BitDo Pro 2This Bluetooth controller works equally well on Switch consoles as on PC, Mac, or mobile. It’s become one of my favorite third-party controllers, and it’s even helped me declutter a bit.

Here’s why it might be your new favorite controller.

Controller parity is the goal

If you’re someone like me who is lucky enough to have plenty of games to play on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PC, macOS, and a smartphone, then your home is also probably littered with controllers. No matter the size of your home, it can become a little annoying to have gamepads all around.

Photo: Jeff Ramos/Polygon

I’ve managed to declutter my home by attempting to create the greatest amount of controller parity between all the devices I play games on. I’ve whittled down my extensive library of controllers for each platform down to two controllers for all of them: PS5 DualSense and the 8BitDo Pro 2.

Since the PS5’s DualSense controllers are one of the few that can make use of the system’s advanced features, there’s really no substitute for it. 8BitDo Pro 2 provides everything.

8BitDo Pro 2 features

The 8BitDo Pro 2’s layout feels like a mix between the classic PlayStation controller and a SNES gamepad — especially its gray color. This makes it feel more familiar and yet still establishes its identity.

The face button arrangement as well as the shoulder buttons are exactly where you’d expect them to be. The thumbsticks, which run down the controller like a PlayStation controller, are not in a diagonal orientation, unlike those on the Xbox Series X or Nintendo Switch.

Photo: Jeff Ramos/Polygon

8BitDo Pro 2 stands out from the rest of controllers. It has two buttons at its back that I can use an app to map to different functions, macros and more. That same software lets me tweak the sensitivity of the thumbstick, triggers, and even the entire controller’s button mapping. The best thing about these device tweaks is that I can transfer the settings to every device I use, since they are saved on the controller.

8BitDo Pro 2 has become my preferred controller for all other than the PS5. This is because I can switch between the systems it controls. On the back of the controller is a toggle that instantly makes it compatible with Nintendo’s hardware, my mobile devices, or the input standards for a Windows or Mac environment.

Photo: Jeff Ramos/Polygon

It is easy to switch profiles. It is easy to switch profiles in multiplayer. Pokémon Unite My Switch in my living room to some of Halo InfiniteMy gaming computer in my office and some other websites. Genshin Impact on my iPhone (with the controller’s optional phone clip) in bed with ease. Even ran a few of the runs. Escape the GungeonWhile I was writing, this is what I did on my MacBook.

A single controller can rule them all (mostly).

We could all use one controller in an ideal universe. The 8BitDo Pro 2 is capable of doing most of the work.

The familiar look of the 8BitDo Pro 2 is retro, but its modern hardware allows it to work with all gaming devices. Contrary to controllers which are tied to specific systems, the 8BitDo Pro 2 allows you to tweak the settings to suit your needs. These settings can then be transferred to any other connected devices.

8Bitdo Pro 2

These prices were correct at the time of publication.

The Bluetooth controller is capable of controlling your Nintendo Switch and iOS devices.

8BitDo Pro 2 would win if it was up to me. I have the option of custom-made controllers that I use on each platform, or one single gamingpad that can work with every platform. The 8BitDo Pro 2 has everything I need for all my games, plus additional features to enhance its abilities.

Maybe one day we’ll have an 8BitDo controller that truly does it all. The Pro 2 controller will continue to be my favorite, which I can literally take around with me everywhere.