Anyone get an 8Bitdo Ultimate controller? D-Pad Issues...

[bobrocks95]

I think I hate this thing's D-Pad. It hits diagonals WAY too easily and has literally started to squeak when hitting up on it rapidly, such as when flipping through menus. My only other experience with 8Bitdo controllers is the SN30 which seems to have a great D-Pad from what I've used of it. Shrinking the design seems to have really messed things up. Playing something like Tetris with a hard drop on Up would be impossible with mine.

Anyone else get one and have D-Pad issues, or have another 8Bitdo controller where the D-Pad is too sensitive on diagonals? Reddit was not helpful as usual. So far this kind of reminds me of the launch Switch Pro controller where most people said they were getting too many diagonals (and others said nothing was wrong).

[Gunstar]

I wonder if the 'tape fix' might help: https://www.reddit.com/r/AnaloguePocket ... _dpad_fix/

Someone said it's a common issue with diagonals on 8bitdo D-Pads in the thread (I think they're involved with Analogue in some way). As for squeaking not specifically but my M30 pad has the crunchy/creaking issue, I've seen a guide on opening it up and adding some kind of lubricant to it; maybe the D-pad on the Ultimate uses the same two-part design?

[Steven]

I have like 6 8BitDo controllers. One is amazing (M30 2.4g for Mega Drive) and the others have the worst d-pads I have ever used aside from the Intellivision disc thing. Of course most of the time I can't even get them to connect to anything with Bluetooth, so at least I don't have the displeasure of using them. If you need a wireless controller for Mega Drive/Genesis, the 8BitDo one is one of the best on the market. The rest of their controllers can go in the local landfill where they belong.

[bobrocks95]

I wonder if the 'tape fix' might help: https://www.reddit.com/r/AnaloguePocket ... _dpad_fix/

Someone said it's a common issue with diagonals on 8bitdo D-Pads in the thread (I think they're involved with Analogue in some way). As for squeaking not specifically but my M30 pad has the crunchy/creaking issue, I've seen a guide on opening it up and adding some kind of lubricant to it; maybe the D-pad on the Ultimate uses the same two-part design?

Thanks for the links, the tape fix is what I remember for the Switch Pro, covering parts of the contacts up. I should probably finally get some proper kapton tape for it.

The squeaking doesn't sound the same as the M30 video I saw, but lubricant seems like it will ultimately be the solution. I'll have to take some pictures of the assembly whenever I decide to open it up. Past the return window since it was a gift so might as well.

I have like 6 8BitDo controllers. One is amazing (M30 2.4g for Mega Drive) and the others have the worst d-pads I have ever used aside from the Intellivision disc thing. Of course most of the time I can't even get them to connect to anything with Bluetooth, so at least I don't have the displeasure of using them. If you need a wireless controller for Mega Drive/Genesis, the 8BitDo one is one of the best on the market. The rest of their controllers can go in the local landfill where they belong.

Ironic that the M30 you mentioned is what Gunstar has a specific fix posted for. I also wonder what compelled you to get 6 if you hate them so much haha. The SN30 is nice imo, and I haven't used Bluetooth on the Ultimate and plan to leave it in 2.4GHz mode at all times. Aside from sensitive diagonals the Ultimate D-Pad isn't as bad as say a 360 D-Pad, not that that's saying a whole lot.

My favorite 2D controller for PC usage is the Pokken Tournament controller. Other than that I've been using a Wii U Pro controller for years, though mine are starting to get some jitter on the sticks so I was hoping to finally retire them. Supposedly they are laggy too over Bluetooth.

[bigbadboaz]

All right, for their "ultimate controller" they brought back their signature, obvious defect from their very first controller seven years ago! How fitting!!!

[bobrocks95]

Sensitive diagonals or squeaking? lol

[bigbadboaz]

The diags. The wireless "SNES" pads that put them on the map were infamous for firing off all kinds of inputs except the one you were actually holding.

[bobrocks95]

The diags. The wireless "SNES" pads that put them on the map were infamous for firing off all kinds of inputs except the one you were actually holding.

Oh, looks like they were very, uh, "faithful" with their designs at first https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdmWPgs ... nel=8BitDo

I'll see what I can do with this. I'll have to wait for someone more daring to open theirs first though, it has a screwless design like Xbox One controllers so no clue where to pry on it. Low points for reparability on this one. (oh there are some vids but I definitely need to get some plastic pry tools)

D-Pad looks like a pretty standard 1 piece on a small ball pivot to me? Not sure what part would need to be greased to stop the squeaking, but maybe I can figure it out after I open it.


Reddit users of course reporting no diagonal problems lol.

[bigbadboaz]

Well, there have been a few controllers recently that have somehow had a Dpad "lottery" - some work properly, some don't.

If you continue to read that the Dpads work, I would just do a rebuy/return and hope the new pad is better. Don't even worry about trying to repair the one you've got.

[bobrocks95]

Well, there have been a few controllers recently that have somehow had a Dpad "lottery" - some work properly, some don't.

If you continue to read that the Dpads work, I would just do a rebuy/return and hope the new pad is better. Don't even worry about trying to repair the one you've got.

I could see that, because really everybody with one is saying they're not having issues and citing the kinds of games where I'd think they would (Tetris, Guilty Gear). Should I do the classic Amazon move of buying a new one and returning the old one?

[bigbadboaz]

Absolutely. It's not on you to fix their shitty manufacturing.

[bobrocks95]

Hmm, pay to ship my unit to 8Bitdo, or just do an Amazon switcheroo...

[bobrocks95]

Second one has all the same issues the first did, except a squeaking D-Pad (so far)- too sensitive diagonals on the D-Pad, sharp edges where the shell halves meet... Going to open it and mod it with the tape fix when my plastic spudger tools come in since either way I'm stuck with one of the units.

When I say diagonals are too sensitive I mean when you're rapidly sliding your thumb between left and right, you get a ton of extra up or down presses. Maybe they're not really diagonals but overly-sensitive cardinals. I guess people have never had to slide their thumb like this, or have already trained their muscle memory on crappy D-Pads where they had to consciously lift their thumb to switch directions. Hold right with one thumb and then barely touch left with your other thumb and you have an up-right, equal pressure left and right gives you a solid up or down instead of neutral. I have used a Wii U Pro controller for years with PC games and it's nowhere near as touchy with any of this.

If this is closer to what other people feel like other 8Bitdo controllers do then I guess they'll never sort it out on their standard cross D-Pads.