If it’s not obvious by now, Mobapad makes really good controllers.
The Chitu2 HD is a remarkable alternative to Nintendo’s own Pro Controller 2, offering the same ‘smooth-gliding’ analogue sticks that really should become industry standard. Similarly, the M12 HD Joy-Con come packed with features in a comfortable form factor, making them a compelling choice for those not keen on Nintendo’s slimmer official Joy-Con.
As good as these are, however, they are premium products which command a more premium price. They’re not outrageously expensive, but I also wouldn’t necessarily say they’re ‘affordable’, either.
That’s where Mobapad’s new C2 Lite comes in. Costing a mere $26.99, this is easily one of the more budget-friendly controllers on the market. It also happens to be one of the best, including features that you just wouldn’t expect to find in a pad at this price point.
It’s essentially the Switch 2 successor to 8BitDo’s Ultimate 2C pad, which stood out as one of the Switch 1’s best budget options, albeit at a slightly higher price of $29.99.
Aesthetically, the C2 Lite is very similar to the Chitu2 HD, featuring the same shape and button layout (including two back buttons). Aside from the materials and colour, the only notable difference I could see is that the settings and ‘M’ buttons are a touch further apart. Otherwise, the C2 Lite features a lovely SNES-inspired design with coloured face buttons and a light grey casing – there’s no removable faceplate, but I like the simplicity of its design.
You’ve also got an RGB strip across the bottom, and as far as I can tell, this is purely for presentation. Overall, it’s a lovely design, and those coloured face buttons are sure to catch a few eyes sitting on your shelf.
The C2 Lite includes the same ‘smooth-gliding’ analogue sticks found in the Chitu2 HD and Nintendo’s own Pro Controller, this time built with Hall Effect modules instead of TMR. This should still theoretically keep stick-drift at bay, and they feel awesome – just as good as Nintendo’s official pad. The internal silicone ring prevents the stick from making contact with the exterior case, while the soft material eliminates any sensation of friction or grinding. Lovely stuff.
Mobapad has gone in a slightly different direction with the inputs. While the Chitu2 HD included clicky microswitches, the C2 Lite has cushioned membrane inputs for a near-silent experience. The triggers in particular produce almost no sound when pressed, but with the more hollow casing, the ‘GL’ and GR’ inputs on the rear produce a more audible click thanks to the sound reverberating within the device.
In fact, the overall weight and feel are the best indication that this is more of a budget pad. While the Chitu2 HD comes in at 256g, the C2 Lite is considerably lighter at 216g. There’s clearly a lot less going on within the interior, so it feels a touch hollower than your average pad. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, mind you, and you might like the lightweight feel when gaming for hours on end. I personally prefer a weightier controller, but it’s not egregiously light.
Other features include three levels of rumble (not HD, though), an ‘M’ button that’s mapped by default to function as your chat shortcut but can otherwise be changed to all sorts of macros, a settings button to tinker with remapping inputs, 6-axis motion controls, wake-up support, and a capture button.
There’s no NFC support for amiibo, unfortunately, and in what is likely an effort to keep costs down, you also don’t get any charging cable in the box. Chances are you’ll have plenty lying around anyway, as it’s just a basic USB-C connection, but it’s something to keep in mind. Battery life is estimated to be 18-20 hours from Mobapad, which is pretty strong but about half of what the official Pro Controller offers.
Conclusion
At just $26.99, Mobapad’s C2 Lite might just be the best budget pad for the Switch 2. I’m frankly stunned at how many features have been packed into such an affordable controller, and it feels great to play, especially with those ‘smooth-gliding’ analogue sticks.
It’s not perfect. NFC support is missing, while the rumble doesn’t come near the quality of more expensive pads. Finally, if you’re somehow fresh out of USB-C charging cables, you don’t get one with this, so you’ll have to source your own. Otherwise, if you’re in need of a new pad and don’t want to cough up too much money, this is a no-brainer.
The sample used in this review was supplied by Mobapad.
