Do you want a good fight stick? You should really think about getting the 8BitDo Arcade Stick. It’s a great choice for the Nintendo Switch and PC. The Switch has a lot of games where you can fight. This controller is just right for them. It also works well with old-school arcade games.

People know 8BitDo for making good controllers. Many gamers say that the 8BitDo Ultimate controller is the best. From the start, it impresses. It has all the features you need in a modern arcade stick. The quality of the build is great. The features are strong. And being able to change things is a big plus.

Important Points

• For the price, the build quality is great.
• A beautiful design in the style of the old NES.
• Very simple to change and improve.

First Impressions: A Masterpiece from the Past

The 8BitDo Arcade Stick is sure to catch your eye right away. The first thing you’ll notice is how it looks like something from the past. It looks like an old Nintendo Entertainment System. This style isn’t just a gimmick; it’s charming. It fits the Nintendo Switch perfectly.

The colors are great. The body is gray like an NES. The face buttons are bright red and stand out. The black casing around them is shiny and looks nice. This fight stick feels like a high-end item as soon as you take it out of the box.

Build Quality That Is Better Than Its Price

This stick feels very strong. It is made to last. A thick piece of metal that feels cool to the touch is the top plate. This makes the stick feel good in your hand. It feels heavy in your hands. The arcade stick stays stable even when you’re playing games for a long time. The quality of the build is truly amazing for the price.

Buttons and Joystick Performance

The stock parts are great. Most players will find that the buttons and joystick work well and feel good. Some pro players like Sanwa parts better than these. But they are well-made and feel good when you click them. They are great for both new players and old pros.

The LED lights are a cool feature. The stick tells you what kind of button layout you are using, either Switch or X-input for PC. It makes it easier to switch between systems without getting confused.

A Modder’s Dream: Simple Changes

This is where the 8BitDo Arcade Stick shines. It is made to be changed. Do you want to improve the parts? It’s very simple. There is a simple picture at the bottom of the stick. It tells you how to open the case.

Everything is neat inside. The universal joystick mounting plate works with almost any joystick you can buy. It’s easy to switch out parts from brands like Happ, Seimitsu, or Sanwa. This makes it easy to mod any 8BitDo arcade stick on the weekend. A lot of people like to make their mods for 8BitDo arcade sticks. It’s a great place to make your dream gaming setup.

Connectivity: Play Anywhere, Anytime

• Bluetooth: You can connect to your Nintendo Switch without wires.
• 2.4 GHz Wireless: Use the USB dongle that comes with the device to connect to your PC wirelessly without any problems.
• USB-C Wired: Plug it in to get a connection with no lag and to charge the battery.

It’s easy to switch between your devices. There is a special switch on the stick that lets you change modes right away.

8BitDo Arcade Stick vs. Other Sticks

What makes this stick different from others? The Razer Panthera is a well-known high-end option. People have a lot of respect for the Panthera Razer series. People know that a Razer fight stick is made with high-quality parts and is well-built.

These Razer fight sticks, on the other hand, are usually a lot more expensive. The 8BitDo fight stick is a better deal. It lets you connect wirelessly, which many high-end sticks don’t. You can also easily change it so that it has the same pro-level parts as a Razer fight stick. The 8BitDo fight stick is a better buy for most people.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

This section answers the most common questions people have about the 8BitDo Arcade Stick.

Power and Battery

How do you charge an 8BitDo Arcade Stick?

You can charge it by connecting the included USB-C cable to the stick and a power source. You can charge it with your Switch dock, PC, or a wall adapter.

How long does it take to charge 8BitDo?

It takes about four hours to fully charge. On the 2.4 GHz connection, this gives you up to 40 hours of playtime, and on Bluetooth, it gives you 30 hours.

How to check the battery in an 8BitDo arcade stick?

The power status is shown by a green LED on the top of the stick. This light will start to blink red when the battery is low.

How to tell if an 8BitDo arcade stick is charging?

The red status LED will stay on when you plug it in to charge. The light will turn off when it is fully charged.

Compatibility

Does the 8BitDo Arcade Stick work with Xbox One?

No, it doesn’t work on Xbox One right out of the box. You would need to buy a special adapter, like a Mayflash or Brook converter, if you want to use an Xbox arcade stick. This stick is not meant to be an Xbox arcade stick.

Will the 8BitDo Arcade Stick work with the PS5?

No, it doesn’t officially work with PS5 games on the PS5. It might need an adapter to work.

How to connect the 8BitDo arcade stick to the Switch?

It’s really simple. Change the connection toggle to Bluetooth. To switch, set the platform toggle to “S.” After that, press the pair button on the stick and sync it through the “Change Grip/Order” menu on your Switch.

Can you use the 8BitDo arcade stick with Switch 2?

Nintendo hasn’t said anything about the Switch 2 yet. But 8BitDo has a great track record of giving new consoles firmware updates. They probably will support it.

Questions in General

Is 8BitDo a good gaming device?

Yes, 8BitDo is great for playing games. They make some of the best third-party controllers on the market. They are known for their great design, features, and quality.

Are 8BitDo controllers any good?

Yes, for sure. Players and reviewers love 8BitDo controllers for how well they work and how well they are made.

Can you swap out the keys on the 8BitDo keyboard?

Yes, 8BitDo makes mechanical keyboards, and a lot of them can be hot-swapped. This review is mostly about their arcade stick.

8BitDo Ultimate Software Gives You More Power

The powerful 8BitDo Ultimate Software also works with the 8BitDo Arcade Stick. This free program for PCs and mobile devices gives you even more control. A lot of other arcade sticks don’t have this feature.

• Remap Every Button: You can change the function of any button. You can make the best layout for the game you like best.
• Make Your Profiles: Save different settings and button layouts. You can make a profile for each type of game, like Street Fighter, Tetris, and flying games. You can easily switch between them.
• Program Powerful Macros: This is a big deal. You can set up a complicated series of button presses to happen with just one button.

This level of help with software is very useful. It makes a great piece of hardware into a gaming tool that is truly unique to you. You get features that aren’t always available on high-end Razer fight sticks.

A Closer Look at How to Mod Your 8BitDo Arcade Stick

We said this stick is great for modding. Let’s find out why. This is a great project for both beginners and experts.

It’s easy to do. You start by taking out the six Torx screws on the bottom. The case opens without any problems. The inside is well-organized. The wires are all color-coded and have connectors that can be quickly disconnected. You don’t need a soldering iron.

• Do you want to switch out the joystick? The universal mounting plate works with most popular models, such as the famous Sanwa JLF.
• Do you want to switch the buttons? The button holes are 30 mm wide, which is a standard size. In just a few minutes, you can put in Sanwa OBSF-30 or Seimitsu PS-14-GN buttons. This is why there are so many great custom designs for 8BitDo arcade stick mods in the community.

Who is This Fight Stick Meant For?

Is the 8BitDo fight stick the best option for you? Let’s take it apart.

For the Newcomer

If this is your first fight stick, the answer is a clear yes. It works perfectly right away. The price is fair. Setting up and using it is easy because it connects wirelessly. You can try out an arcade-style controller without spending a lot of money.

For the Intermediate Player

This stick is a great step up from a cheap one. You get a stronger build and great features. You can easily change the stick, so it can grow with your skill. You can upgrade the parts when you’re ready for a more professional look. Perfect for those interested in retro gaming and classic arcade experiences.

For the Hardcore Enthusiast

This stick is great for even the best players. It makes a great stick for traveling or playing casually. It’s also easy to change, which makes it a great “case and PCB” for a fully custom build. It has a price that is competitive with high-end sticks like the Razer Panthera Evo.

How to Use the 8BitDo Arcade Stick on Xbox or PlayStation

A lot of people want to know if it works with Xbox. Can you use this as a stick for an Xbox arcade? No, not by default. The stick works with both the Switch and the PC. The same goes for the PlayStation.

But there is a way to fix it: controller adapters. You can use devices from brands like Brook or Mayflash to make it work. If you had a Brook Wingman XB adapter, you could use this 8BitDo fight stick with an Xbox. It would work just like an Xbox arcade controller. You can buy these adapters separately, and they let you use your favorite stick on any system.

The Dongle Compartment Is a Nice Design Touch

This small touch shows how much 8BitDo cares about the little things. It would be terrible to lose the little 2.4 GHz wireless dongle. 8BitDo came up with this. There was a secret compartment on the back of the arcade stick that opened with a spring. The dongle fits perfectly in this storage space. When you travel, you won’t have to worry about losing it. It’s a simple but great addition.

In the End, This Is an Unbeatable Package

There are a lot of arcade sticks on the market, but the 8BitDo Arcade Stick stands out. It does a great job in every area.

• Top-Tier Build: It feels strong and high-end.
• Stylish Design: The retro NES look is stylish and fun.
• Ultimate Flexibility: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired options give you all the flexibility you need.
• Very Mod-Friendly: It’s easy to open and add pro-level parts.
• Strong Software: Use profiles and macros to change the way your layout looks.

This is the best arcade stick for Switch or PC gamers who want one. It has more features and is more flexible than many of its more expensive competitors, like some Razer fight sticks. It’s not just a controller; it’s the best way to play arcade games your way.

The 8BitDo Arcade Stick: Is It Worth It?

The 8BitDo Arcade Stick is a great thing to have. This is one of the best mid-range arcade sticks you can buy right now. For the price, it has a style, performance, and set of features that are hard to beat.

This stick is a must-have for anyone who plays on a Nintendo Switch or PC. It’s great for classic arcade games, shoot ’em ups, and fighting games. The fact that it doesn’t need wires is a big plus. It’s easy to change, so it can grow with you.

This is not an Xbox arcade controller, but its strengths far outweigh this one flaw. Whether you’re into mobile gaming with emulators, competitive gaming, or just want to enhance your streaming setup with arcade-style controls, look no further if you want your first fight stick or something that can do a lot of things. The 8BitDo Arcade Stick does everything it says it will. This is a great choice for any gamer.