Dongles have a well-earned repute for being a nuisance. They’re typically pricey and annoying to cope with, however for players, there’s one which I like to advocate that’s neither. 8BitDo’s $20 USB Adapter 2 helps you to wirelessly hyperlink controllers to the Change 2 that may in any other case be unsupported, just like the Sony DualSense (full with rumble and movement controls), Microsoft’s newest Xbox gamepads, and extra. You possibly can plug it into the Change 2’s dock or use a USB-A-to-USB-C adapter to attach it on to the console.
It’s nice to economize, since I can merely use a controller that I already personal as an alternative of shopping for a brand new one. And I generally neglect that I’m utilizing a PS5 controller in video games like Splatoon 3 as a result of its movement controls really feel simply as correct as a controller made for the Change.
There’s one other related dongle accessible that’s a smidge cheaper and quite a bit smaller. The GuliKit Hyperlink Gen 2 USB-A adapter comes included with the corporate’s TT Professional and TT Max controllers, or you should purchase it alone for $16.99 at Amazon. It’s suitable with Xbox controllers and PlayStation 4 and 5 controllers. Equally, you may plug it right into a Nintendo Change 2, a PC, a Steam Deck or different handheld PCs, and Android units. However GuliKit’s record of supported controllers isn’t as in depth as 8BitDo, which dates again to the PS3 and Wii period and in addition contains its fleet of wi-fi controllers.
Good as that is, there are some options neither dongle presents: distant console wake-up (you first need to activate the console manually to pair the controller) or wi-fi audio (the three.5mm headphone jacks within the DualSense and Xbox controllers are ineffective when paired to both). Lastly, you may solely join one controller at a time to every dongle (you’ll want to purchase two with the intention to pair a second controller). I don’t assume any of these are deal-breakers, however they’re price understanding before you purchase one.
Then there are issues that solely 8BitDo’s dongle can do. For one, you may customise the heck out of a number of non-8BitDo controller fashions with its free Final Software program, together with button remapping, macros, vibration depth, set off vary, and stick sensitivity. At present, GuliKit presents no such software program, though its PR supervisor, Olivia Chen, instructed me that the corporate goals to launch Android and iOS apps with related performance in Q2 2026. Additionally, the 8BitDo mannequin helps you to enter button mixtures that set off completely different connection modes, together with Xinput, Dinput, Mac mode, and Change mode.
As for what the GuliKit has going for it, the rumble in some video games (specifically Hole Knight: Silksong, the sport I’ve been enjoying probably the most just lately) feels extra just like the HD rumble provided in good Change controllers, just like the EasySMX S10. The 8BitDo, by comparability, makes this sport’s rumble really feel like an afterthought. Nonetheless, different video games are a toss-up on which dongle presents a better-feeling rumble impact. Donkey Kong Bananza’s intense rumble for even the slightest of actions appears like rubbish on the DualSense, regardless of the dongle it’s linked to.
Should you ask GuliKit, the Hyperlink Gen 2’s greatest function is its PC-exclusive low-latency wi-fi connection. It could increase controller polling price (or how shortly your controller inputs are despatched to the gaming system) past what consoles are able to, and it’s speculated to additionally cut back enter latency. The improved latency didn’t have as pronounced of an affect as I had hoped, though I loved the straightforward setup and improved connection general — one thing that each dongles (and numerous Bluetooth dongles made for PC) can provide.
For some, shopping for a brand new controller that’s assured to work effectively together with your Change 2 is price an added value. If that’s you, enable me to direct your consideration to my shopping for information stuffed with good yet relatively affordable Switch 2 controllers. However when you’re eager on repurposing {hardware} that you have already got, these low-cost dongles make a variety of sense to strive.
Images by Cameron Faulkner / The Verge
