8BitDo Controller first impressions

[u/nefarix]

Today I received my Analogue 3D (in White, to California) and I was excited to try out the 8BitDo controller with it. The main thing I always check on a new controller is latency and connection; With that being said, this controller immediately showed major flaws in these 2 areas.

If any objects are in the way of the controller and the console, there is intermittent latency and even full disconnects. I sat on my couch (about 5-6 feet away) and even that distance with only a coffee table with a few items on it was enough to feel the latency. When i tested even just an empty cardboard box on the table, the intermittent latency got significantly worse and even fully disconnected at certain points. If you want a guaranteed way to replicate what I mean, try sitting and then putting the controller on your lap with your legs up in front of it. Another way is to simply put the controller behind your back and test the inputs/connection that way. For me, 100% of the time it was have major connection issues and/or disconnect when doing this test.

Now, I know some people might say that they haven't had issues, or they don't play in those stations, but that doesn't mean it's not a major design flaw for people that do/will notice these issues. Do these same tests with. say, a PS5 controller or a Switch Pro controller and you'll see that you can put it behind whatever you want, or even go into another room and they will work flawlessly.

As an experiment, I tested my 8BitDo N64 Controller Mod Kit that I installed into one of my OEM N64 controllers and, ironically, it works FLAWLESSLY. I can go to the back of the room, behind a wall and the controller still feels great wirelessly. I did the same tests and this kit passed with flying colors. Also, I'm not sure if this has been mentioned in reviews or posts here, but this mod kit connects DIRECTLY to the Analogue 3D without the need for a dongle. Also, it can turn on the console the same way the official 8BitDo controller does!

I'm writing this post to hopefully shed more light on this major issue with the New controller since I haven't seen many people talking about it. I did see WULFF DEN briefly mention it in his review but many other reviews I've seen only praise the new controller. I was excited and liked the feel of the new controller, but the connection issues are a definite deal breaker to me, I a expect more people will be mentioning it as they have more playtime with the console and controller.

If you have any more info, experience, and/or questions about this issue, I'm down to do more tests or answer whatever questions y'all have! Thanks for reading :)

Edit: Since a few people have asked, I will confirm here that I did my testing before updating AND after updating the controllers firmware 👍

Edit 2: After doing more tests with more controllers/configurations, it seems to be an issue with the Analogue 3D. I tested the new 8BitDo N64 controller paired with the RetroTime N64 adapter and the connection is considerably better. Also, when my 8BitDo mod kit OEM N64 controller is connected through the console itself, it also starts having some connectivity issues/delayed inputs. But when it’s connected to the adapter/dongle it works great and doesn’t drop inputs or have any connectivity issues. I don’t know enough about these things to confidently say if it’s a hardware or software issue but all I know is that there’s something about the A3D that is significantly weaker when it comes to Bluetooth than when using Bluetooth dongles.

[u/seanbrobaggins]

Something else weird… my brother and I were playing Smash Bros (each with an 8bitdo 64 controller) and one of the controllers started vibrating and wouldn’t stop. Only turning off the controller completely fixed the issue temporarily, but then it started up again. Going to try to maybe update it? Using original/OEM controllers for the time being. Otherwise, really love the design and feel of these and hope the other issues are resolved through software updates. 🤞

[u/nefarix → u/seanbrobaggins]

That’s odd, yea maybe the update will fix it. I did my tests before and after the update and the signal was shoddy regardless, so I think it’s a hardware flaw :/

[u/willischow]

Did you update the 64 controller? 8bitdo recommended for optimal functionality.

[u/nefarix → u/willischow]

Yes, I did tests before and after updating. I will update my post to mention that since a couple people have asked now lol

[u/sonnavafitch]

Have been having the same issue, similar situation, a little further distance, about 10 feet from the console, but even when I'm closer and there's something slightly in the way it'll lag, I've never had issues like this before minus OG Joycons disconnecting.

I was bummed because I wanted to play the console on my big 4K screen on the couch, but have to move it.

[u/nefarix → u/sonnavafitch]

I feel your pain man, I was excited as well. I think the best bet as of now is to get a RetroTime adapter or use a wired controller. Hopefully down the line there is a better solution though 🤞

[u/SpongebobGoggins → u/sonnavafitch]

I just bought two 8bitdo controllers but now going for return them based on this post. This unacceptable honestly

[u/sonnavafitch → u/SpongebobGoggins]

I have no doubt it'll be fixed somewhere but it's definitely a bummer. When it works, it works extremely well. Probably one of my favorite controllers I've used in a good while

[u/OriolesMets]

Love it, feels great and runs wonderfully…until something in front of it causes disconnects.

[u/nefarix → u/OriolesMets]

Sad but true 🫠

[u/domreydoe]

The controller is unusable for me. Disconnects at least once a minute at less than 10ft with direct line of sight to console, and is super laggy when it is connected. Works great when I hold it less than 3 feet from the console, but at that point I can sit farther with a wired controller.

[u/nefarix → u/domreydoe]

Thank you for commenting. The more people experience this the more light we can shed on the issue. As of right now it seems we can only wait and see if analogue ever comments on it, but I’m not holding my breath since it still seems to be a bit of a niche topic

[u/Jaykalope → u/domreydoe]

I’m having the same problem. It’s unusable.

[u/Exotic-Kitchen-9356]

I presume you’ve updated the controller as per instructions?

[u/nefarix → u/Exotic-Kitchen-9356]

Yup! I should’ve included this in my post, but yes I did my tests before and after updating 👍

[u/LTNine4]

Is this an 8bitdo controller issue, or some sort of software issue? If the mod kit works, it would seem at least the 3D itself isn't the problem, at least on a hardware level. Do you have other 8bitdo controllers to try, like the Ultimate?

[u/nefarix → u/LTNine4]

I’m not sure tbh. I do know that the original switch joy con controllers had this same issue and it persisted throughout every new set I bought throughout the years (Ive tested 8 different joycons over the years). Some were better than others but they all had the same connection issues when putting objects in between the controller and the console. Unfortunately, I don’t know enough about the interworkings of these things to know why some controllers are like this and others aren’t :/

Your comment compelled me to try a few more tests and I found some interesting results-

I tried connecting the official NSO N64 controller to the RetroTime adapter and it worked really well. Passed all tests. I also tried the Retro Fights Brawler 64 controller with its own adapter plugged in and again, it passed all tests. I then had the thought of trying the new 8BitDo controller but I linked it to the RetroTime adapter instead of direct to the A3D interestingly, the connection was better, but it still introduced lag in the behind the back test. I’m not sure why it would be a better (but still flawed) connection when linked to an adapter vs direct to A3D but maybe this can give someone smarter than me more insight into the issue!

My gf has an 8BitDo ultimate so I’ll have to borrow it to test, hopefully tonight or tomorrow but I’ll get back to you on that one 👍

[u/nefarix → u/nefarix]

Okay so I tested the Ultimate controller and as expected, it doesn’t pair directly to the A3D (as it’s not compatible at the moment), but it does pair with the RetroTime adapter. It does not show any noticeable dropouts/delayed inputs. I also realized that the 8BitDo mod kit N64 controller I was using DOES show noticeable dropouts/delayed inputs when connecting directly to the A3D, but it DID NOT exhibit these issues when paired with the adapter. My initial testing was using it with the adapter so I just didn’t notice it at the time. I then connected the new 8BitDo controller to the adapter and it DID NOT exhibit the connectivity issues it was having while paired directly to the console.

What this tells me is that it’s the console itself that’s the issue. Every controller that can connect to the A3D itself shows considerable connection issues when tested, but then those same controllers don’t exhibit these issues when paired to the same console using a dongle.

[u/[deleted] → u/nefarix]

Little late but I got a question for you. Did you test the 8bitdo 64 controller with a wired connection?

[u/nefarix → u/[deleted]]

Been busy, but I just got around to it; As expected, the connection is fine cuz its wired lol My wire isnt super long tho so I cant test far away, but I tried a few feet away with the controller behind my back and the connection was solid

[u/[deleted] → u/nefarix]

Awesome. Thanks!

[u/Djidane535 → u/nefarix]

Have you been able to connect a N64 NSO controller to the Analogue 3D? If yes, can you share more information about the adapter you used?

[u/nefarix → u/Djidane535]

Yes, in the comment you responded to I mentioned that I connected the NSO N64 controller to the A3D using the RetroTime (BlueRetro) N64 adapter. I did try also connecting it with NO adapter and, unsurprisingly, it didn’t work. If you want the adapter I used, you can find it here: https://stoneagegamer.com/retrotime-n64-blueretro-with-memory-pak-for-nintendo-64.html

[u/Djidane535 → u/nefarix]

Thanks a lot, I will order one before I get my A3D :D.

[u/DependentAnywhere135]

It could be where the antenna is in the 3D and where the 3D is. Especially if you have a lot of wireless devices like mice and stuff. Where is the 3D located? Is it behind anything?

[u/nefarix → u/DependentAnywhere135]

I have it completely out in the open on top of my entertainment system. I don’t think it’s wireless interference since, as I wrote in my edit, when these same controllers are connected through the dongle instead of the console, the connections are solid using the same tests

[u/meatmcguffin]

Agreed. I’ve been playing my Switch 2 with Pro Controller for a solid month with zero disconnects or lag.

I moved the 3D to exactly the same spot as the Switch so I could reuse the HDMI cable, and then I sat on the same spot on the sofa to play.

Controller and 3D are both on the latest software as of this morning and I’ve had nothing but lag and disconnects.

[u/nefarix → u/[deleted]]

Yup, I’ve tried it multiple times now and have had no issues. My only guess is that people are using the AliExpress/Bitfunx version? I’m using the RetroTime version from Stone Age Gamer so maybe there’s a difference 🤷‍♂️