8Bitdo Ultimate C Wired Controller for Xbox with Hall Effect Joysticks and Triggers, RGB Lighting Fire Ring, Compatible with Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10/11 - Officially Licensed (Dark Gray)

I picked up this controller to replace an aging DualShock 4 I'd been using with my PC since I both prefer the Xbox form factor and I kept running into compatibility issues with the DS4 I couldn't be bothered to solve with 3rd party software.Packaging:The controller is well packaged though not "premium" insofar as it doesn't include a carry case or any additional accessories such as thumbstick top replacements. However, it is securely packaged and does include a 1 month free trial of Xbox GamePass Ultimate ($20 value) which is a nice touch. The included USB-C cable is color matched, well constructed, and plenty long enough to be routed to the back of my PC while still allowing for ample slack.Initial Impressions:The controller is solidly built and reasonably light in hand without feeling cheap. There was some minor friction squeak at the top of the travel on the left thumbstick. Some rotation back and forth at the problem spot seems to have removed whatever residue or irregularity was causing the issue though.As advertised the thumb sticks and triggers are hall effect. They are smooth, and adjustment in Steam allows the thumb sticks to have effectively no dead zone. Other than one issue with the triggers (detailed below) I think they feel and perform admirably.It should be noted that the actual color of the controller body is considerably lighter than the product pictures indicate. Whereas the images show a darker forest green the controller body is primarily more of a sage green with darker forest green buttons. I do not mind this, but it is something to point out as these images are official from 8BitDo, and it also appears darker on their website than it is in person.Lighting:This will be to each person's taste. There is no RGB "cycle", or single color "pulse/breathe" as is commonly seen on other RGB products. You basically have a number of set colors within three modes (plus off). Two of the three modes ('Rainbow Ring' and 'Light-tracing') can have their brightness set on a per-color basis with an automatic memory function so they do not have to be set every time the controller is turned on. The 'Fire Ring' mode cannot have its brightness decreased, but you can control the speed of the circling contrast color for each of the available preset options.If the controller is left idle it will cycle your set color on and off in about a 1-2 second cadence. This can be distracting, so you may want to just turn the lighting off entirely when not in use.Software:The software for this controller does not provide any ability to customize lighting, remap buttons, or assign macros. The only functionality is to update the controller's firmware. Given that remapping can typically be done via Steam or in games I am not very concerned with this.Issues:Other than the aforementioned thumbstick squeak which resolved quickly I have encountered two issues. Of the two, I was able to resolve one myself.Issue 1 (resolved): Triggers did not initially register as analogI noticed when testing the controller in Steam that the triggers were only registering their max value about halfway through their travel. There was no progression of input value which indicated that their function may only be digital rather than analog. After research and contacting 8BitDo support I managed to resolve it by entering calibration mode and actuating the triggers. After doing this I checked again in Steam, and it appears to be working correctly.Issue 2 (unresolved): Controller does not turn on unless manually unplugged and plugged back inI noticed this after restarting my PC and then pressing the Xbox button to turn the controller on. It would not wake, and necessitated unplugging the USB C from the controller and plugging it back in. After that, it functioned fine. This is a minor annoyance in my opinion but if the USB-C port fails prematurely from this process as indicated by some reviews then I will amend my review.Final thoughts:This is a decent quality controller for the price point. If you are looking for wireless functionality or deeper customization this will not suit your needs. However, for my use case it works almost perfectly. Time will tell if it is also durable. If not: I may seek out other options. Be sure to update the firmware then calibrate both the thumb sticks and triggers before use.

Bumpers and D-pad feel clicky but smooth—light, tactile, and super responsive. Joysticks are buttery accurate with zero drift thanks to the Hall Effect tech, and the impulse triggers are straight-up underrated. That subtle vibration adds real immersion without going overboard. Build feels solid, it’s plug and play on PC, and the RGB ring adds just the right touch. This thing punches way above its price.

Pros:Aesthetic Appeal:The dark green color scheme is stunning and fits perfectly with my gaming setup, which features green and cream tones.The RGB lighting effects around the joysticks are subtle and tasteful, adding just enough flair without being overwhelming.Build Quality and Feel:Comparable to the standard Xbox Series X controller in build quality, which is a high standard.Slightly smaller form factor than the standard Xbox controller, which I personally prefer for comfort.Functionality:Hall Effect joysticks ensure no stick drift, solving a common issue with traditional controllers.The Hall Effect impulse triggers are a bonus, offering tactile feedback and vibration that feel great in gameplay.The D-pad has just the right amount of clickiness, avoiding the squishy feel of less refined designs.Performance:Extremely responsive in even the twitchiest games, making it a great choice for fast-paced gaming.The 3.5mm headphone jack is a nice addition for convenient audio options.Convenience:The included USB-C cable is very long and matches the controller’s color, which is both practical and stylish.As a wired controller, it eliminates any concerns about input lag, and it’s perfect for my setup since I sit close to my gaming PC.Cons:Color Representation:I purchased the “Dark Green” version, but the color is lighter than it appears in some product images. It leans more towards a light green/olive tone, which worked for me, but potential buyers should check customer review photos for a more accurate representation.Final Thoughts:This controller is a fantastic option, especially if you’re looking for a high-quality wired controller for Xbox or PC gaming. Its sleek design, excellent build quality, and advanced features like Hall Effect joysticks and triggers make it stand out. Aside from the slightly misleading color depiction in some photos, I’m thoroughly impressed with this purchase. Highly recommended!