The much-anticipated souls-like Black Myth: Wukong has recently come out, and to celebrate, 8bitDo has partnered up with Game Science to release a special edition controller.
The chosen model for this collaboration was the Ultimate C model, which is adorned with a new coat of paint and even some extra features, which we’ll get into later.
So, you might be thinking: “Is this new controller really worth the hype? Did 8BitDo give it any sort of new functionality?” Find out the answer to these questions and more in our full review for the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C – Black Myth: Wukong controller.
8BitDo Ultimate 2C – Black Myth
Manufacturer: 8BitDo
Price: $24.99 (Wired) $34.99 (Wireless)
When it comes to its appearance, the very stylish and all-black special edition features two different patterns that come printed on the sides of the controller. The patterns actually serve to differentiate its functionality, as the wireless model is symbolized by a flame design, while the wired model is symbolized by the Yaksha King-inspired markings.
A really fun detail is that the controller’s front shell is just slightly opaque, letting you barely see the internal parts of the joysticks and front of the controller’s internal casing. It makes for a really trippy effect, especially because you can only see these details when looking from certain angles.
The matte finish on the front is also a very aesthetically-pleasing touch, and the material used for both the front shell and paint seem extremely durable and scratch-resistant. There’s no need to be paranoid about using your special edition controller because you are afraid it might be damaged, this thing can absolutely withstand daily use with no wear to show.
As is the case with most 8BitDo controllers, the Ultimate 2C Wukong edition is also designed after the Xbox layout of asymmetrical joysticks and ABXY buttons. The premium quality that 8BitDo is known for is on full display here, and this might genuinely be their best controller when it comes to its specs.
This specific special edition is one of the few controllers released by 8BitDo that feature both hall effect joysticks and triggers, and let me tell you, there’s no coming back after you’ve experienced it. The controller’s hall effect joysticks are incredibly accurate and feel very smooth when moved, with the added benefit of being resistant to stick drift.
The controller’s shoulder buttons have a pleasant amount of resistance and deliver a very satisfying click when pressed, while the triggers feature a nice amount of resistance and feel buttery smooth whenever held down. The hall effect triggers offer a simply superior tactile experience, and anyone who enjoys shooters is going to have an amazing time with these, as they are beyond special.
One negative point, however, is that the Ultimate 2C Wukong edition doesn’t come with its own dock. The lack of a charging station makes it a little more cumbersome to have around at your table, and is in general, a big shame. A themed dock for this controller would look absolutely gorgeous.
It’s understandable that not every controller can have a dock of its own, but it would be nice for it at least to have the contact points in its back to make it compatible with wireless charging or docks previously purchased from other models.
I still hold out hope that a docked version of this controller will be released in the future, as the Ultimate controller’s charging docks have become pretty much synonymous with the 8BitDo brand in my mind, and their functionality is a really useful bonus.
When it comes to its connections, the wireless version of the Ultimate 2C features both Bluetooth and 2.4G, provided by the classic brick-styled USB receiver that 8BitDo includes with their wireless devices. It features a staggering 1000Hz polling rate on both 2.4G and Bluetooth connections, and doesn’t require any special drivers or setup, making for a simple plug-and-play experience.
Being a Bluetooth device, it means that the Ultimate 2C can also connect to Android devices, and it works out of the gate just fine, providing controller support for any game that supports it while also playing nicely with mapping software.
The controller also features custom button mapping without the need for software, which makes it very easy to bind its extra buttons. The Ultimate 2C controller features two extra buttons as extensions of the LB and RB shoulders, which can be customized freely. Personally, I like to bind them to the home key, which lets me use the right joystick as a mouse to navigate menus.
Overall, the 8BitDo Black Myth: Wukong Controller has the premium and sturdy quality of an 8BitDo product combined with the flair that a classy special edition brings. It features just the right amount of customization to be relevant with the Wukong theme without looking tacky, and its color scheme is very pleasant.
The inclusion of both hall effect joysticks and triggers is genuinely a game-changer, and we can only hope that they become the standard for the brand in the future. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that this might be one of 8BitDo’s best devices so far.
Despite being a special edition, the Wukong controller is sold at the very affordable prices of 24.99 and 34.99 USD, for the wired and wireless versions, respectively. Being able to purchase a product of this quality for cheaper than other current-gen controllers is beyond insane, and 8BitDo continue to outdo themselves in both style and functionality.
You can find the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C – Black Myth: Wukong Controller on 8BitDo’s online store, as well as their official Amazon and Aliexpress stores.
The 8BitDo Ultimate 2C – Black Myth: Wukong Controller was reviewed using a unit provided by 8BitDo. You can find additional information about Niche Gamer’s review/ethics policy here.
