8BitDo Reveals New Translucent Ultimate 2C Bluetooth Controller for Switch Players
• 8BitDo introduces a translucent Ultimate 2C Bluetooth controller for the Nintendo Switch system family
• The design features a smoky clear top case paired with a matte black bottom shell
• The controller is a Best Buy exclusive with no confirmed wider release
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8BitDo Expands Its Translucent Hardware Line
8BitDo has continued its interest in translucent hardware with a new version of the Ultimate 2C Bluetooth controller designed for the Nintendo Switch system family. The company has a long record of revisiting transparent aesthetics drawn from late nineties and early 2000 era devices. This latest release applies the trend in a more understated form, shifting away from the brighter looks seen in some of the brand’s recent products.
The new model features a smoky translucent top case that exposes the internal components while avoiding an overly attention grabbing presentation. A plain matte black lower shell contrasts with the top, creating a design that diverges from more colorful retro inspired variants. The company appears to be pursuing a restrained take on the translucent theme while maintaining visual interest for collectors and long time followers of the style.
This version is currently a Best Buy exclusive. No details have been provided regarding availability in other markets or any potential future distribution beyond the United States. For international users, the lack of clarity leaves the controller’s wider release uncertain.
The Switch oriented build represents another branch in 8BitDo’s diversification of the Ultimate 2C line. While the aesthetic sets this model apart, the core specifications match earlier versions, leaving design as the primary distinction for this release.
Design Adjustments Differentiate the Switch Specific Controller
The Translucent Black Ultimate 2C Bluetooth controller mirrors the look of the existing 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless in the same color family. The most immediate difference appears on the joysticks, where red rings replace the green accents found on the previously available model. This subtle revision marks the only external change aside from the new translucent case.
The internals remain identical across the line. The controller continues to use Hall effect joysticks, a feature that has become a selling point in modern gamepads due to its resistance to stick drift. The inclusion of six axis motion control maintains compatibility with Switch titles that rely on motion based inputs.
Connectivity options remain consistent with earlier iterations. Bluetooth remains the primary wireless mode, and USB Type C compatibility offers an optional wired configuration. The extra R4 and L4 buttons located on the rear panel remain unchanged as well, supporting customizable inputs depending on user preference.
Given the lack of internal updates, the release functions primarily as an aesthetic variation aimed at collectors or users who prefer the subtle translucent design. The unified feature set across the line reinforces 8BitDo’s current hardware strategy, which focuses on visual differentiation rather than internal revision.
Retail Exclusivity Limits Availability Despite Familiar Price Point
The controller launches at the same price as its predecessors. Best Buy lists the model for $29.99, aligning with the broader Ultimate 2C series. The consistent pricing suggests 8BitDo is positioning the translucent version as a horizontal entry rather than a premium variant, emphasizing style rather than upgraded performance.
Retail exclusivity restricts access to the controller at this stage. With no confirmation of additional retailers or international distribution, availability remains limited to customers with access to Best Buy stores or the company’s online platform. This constraint places the model in a narrower market compared to other 8BitDo releases that typically reach multiple global storefronts.
