We’re drooling over these tiny wireless Nintendo Switch controllers

By Gabe Gurwin June 15, 2018

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Third-party gaming accessories manufacturer 8Bitdo has controllers for everything from the Super Nintendo to the PC, but its new line of gamepads are the next must-have item for those who play the Nintendo Switch on the go.

Shown to CNET at E3 2018, the 8Bitdo Zero 2 controller is designed to mimic the colors of the Game Boy Pocket from the 1990s, and it features a directional pad, four face buttons, “select” and “start” buttons, and even motion controls. For games like Octopath Traveler, it’s a smaller and stylish alternative to the Joy-Con controllers, but they can also act as your third or fourth controllers in case you have to play a four-person Mario Kart 8 Deluxe match in a hurry.

Larger controllers are also available if you want a more traditional setup, including the N30 Pro 2, which is similar in shape to the DualShock 4, and the SN30 GP, which looks like a Super Nintendo gamepad. In addition to the Switch, they all work on the PC, Mac, and Android.

If you’re interested in using a controller for a separate system on Nintendo Switch, 8Bitdo also has a product for you. The Wireless USB adapter lets you use the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One (the later models), Wii, and Wii U controllers on the Switch. We’re not completely sure why you wouldn’t just want a Switch Pro Controller for you at-home gaming, but perhaps your old PlayStation 3 pad has brought you good luck! If you’re using the DualShock 4 controller, you still get vibrations as well as motion-control support.

8Bitdo hasn’t announced the cost or release date of the gamepads yet. The company offers several game-inspired devices to keep your other technology “on-brand,” as well. It sells speakers designed to look like old Nintendo buttons, as well as a USB hub that looks like a directional pad. The latter is particularly interesting, as it takes up less space than a traditional hub and will only set you back $15.

Have you purchased any third-party accessories for the Nintendo Switch? What is your favorite and which would you recommend to your friends? Let us know in the comments!

Editors' Recommendations

Nintendo reportedly plans to reveal Switch Pro before E3

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Gabe Gurwin has been playing games since 1997, beginning with the N64 and the Super Nintendo. He began his journalism career…

Mobile

Emulators have changed the iPhone forever

Street Fighter emulated on an iPhone.

The iPhone App Store is finally home to a few emulators. For folks not into gaming, an emulator is software that allows you to run code from another platform. In this case, we are talking about emulators that let you play titles from retro game consoles (such as the Game Boy Advance) by taking the code installed on hardware (like a cartridge) and letting it run via apps on non-native machines (such as iPhones and iPads).

It seems fans have kept their eyes on this landmark development. Soon after its release, the Delta emulator app climbed to the top of the App Store download charts in 35 countries. An iPad app is already on its way. The momentum continued with the release of the Gamma emulator for PlayStation 1 titles. And last week, PPSSPP – arguably the best mobile emulator out there – landed on the App Store.

Gaming

How to high five in XDefiant

XDefiant

XDefiant is a thrilling first-person competitive shooter that provides plenty of strategy and deadly shootouts. While you're out there on the battlefield, your teammates will (hopefully) be giving it their all just like you. As such, there's no better way to show your support than to give them a big high five for everything they've done.

Whether you're after the "High-Fivist" trophy/achievement for giving 20 high fives, or you're just looking to give your teammates some positive reinforcement, here's how to give high fives in XDefiant.
How to high five in XDefiant
So, we've covered how giving a high five is a great way to show appreciation to a teammate for a job well done, but what if we told you that high fives in XDefiant aren't actually, well, high fives? Strangely enough, you won't be actually handing out high fives, but rather thumbs-up sthat are, for whatever reason, called "high fives."

Gaming

XDefiant ‘Unable to Find a Match’ error: troubleshooting and how to fix

XDefiant

Online shooters like XDefiant have one key requirement: You need to be able to find matches in order to play. Most games launch with a few errors, but in this case, the majority of people hoping to play Ubisoft's latest free-to-play title are getting hit with the "Unable to Find a Match" error when looking for a game. This isn't actually an issue with too few people playing the game, especially since it has cross-platform support, so what's really going on? Here's how you can attempt to resolve the "Unable to Find a Match" error in XDefiant.
How to fix the 'Unable to Find a Match' error
This particular error is a little misleading because it implies no matches are available, but it is really an issue with your connection or the games servers themselves.

If it is indeed the Ubisoft servers that are struggling, which is most likely during the launch period when the most players will be trying to play at once, there is unfortunately nothing you can do but wait for the issues to be resolved on the developer's end. You can check on the XDefiant server status via this website.