For gamers looking to expand controller compatibility with the Nintendo Switch 2, affordable options are emerging. 8BitDo’s $20 USB 2 adapter allows wireless connection of controllers not natively supported by the console, such as Sony’s DualSense (with its haptic feedback and motion controls) and Microsoft’s latest Xbox controllers.
The adapter can be plugged directly into the Switch 2 dock or used with a USB-A to USB-C adapter for direct console connection. The ability to reuse existing controllers offers a significant cost savings for consumers.
GuliKit also offers a similar adapter, the Hyperlink Gen 2 USB-A, which retails for $16.99 on Amazon and is bundled with the company’s TT Pro and TT Max controllers. It’s compatible with Xbox controllers, as well as PlayStation 4 and 5 controllers. Like the 8BitDo adapter, it connects to the Nintendo Switch 2, PC, Steam Deck, and other laptops and Android devices. However, GuliKit’s controller support list isn’t as extensive as 8BitDo’s, which dates back to the PS3 and Wii eras and includes its own line of wireless controllers.
Both adapters have limitations. Neither supports remote console wake-up (requiring manual console activation for controller pairing) or wireless audio through the 3.5mm headphone jacks on the DualSense and Xbox controllers. Each adapter only supports one controller at a time, necessitating the purchase of multiple adapters for multi-player setups.
8BitDo offers additional functionality not found in the GuliKit adapter. Users can customize many non-8BitDo controller models using the company’s free Ultimate software, including button remapping, macro creation, vibration volume adjustment, trigger range, and joystick sensitivity. While GuliKit plans to release an Android and iOS app with similar features in the second quarter of 2026, according to public relations manager Olivia Chen, it currently lacks this capability. 8BitDo models also allow users to input button combinations to switch between connection modes, such as Xinput, Dinput, Mac mode, and Switch mode.
Haptic feedback performance varies between the adapters. In some games, like Hollow Knight: Silksong, the GuliKit adapter produced a high-definition rumble similar to premium Switch controllers like the EasySMX S10. However, with the DualSense, the rumble in Donkey Kong Country felt jarring and unpleasant, regardless of the adapter used.
GuliKit highlights the Hyperlink Gen 2’s low-latency wireless connection for PC gaming as a key feature, increasing the controller’s polling rate and reducing input lag. While the improvement wasn’t dramatically noticeable, the simple setup and improved overall connection were appreciated. This enhanced connectivity is a benefit offered by both adapters, and many PC-manufactured Bluetooth adapters.
While purchasing a new controller guaranteed to be compatible with the Switch 2 is an option for some, these affordable adapters provide a viable alternative for those looking to reuse existing hardware.
Cameron Faulkner/The Verge
