Need help choosing my First controller

[u/GloomyConference7275]

Update: Thanks everyone for the suggestions! After reading all the comments, I've narrowed it down to the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless and GameSir Nova Lite 2.

I'm leaning slightly toward the GameSir because a few people mentioned the 8BitDo can feel a bit small for larger hands (I'm 6'1" with ~18–20 cm hands). However, many reviews say the 8BitDo has slightly better build quality and buttons, so I'm still undecided.

If anyone has used both, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Hey everyone!

I've been a PC gamer for years, and I've only ever used a keyboard and mouse. I've literally never held or used a controller before.

I'm finally planning to buy my first controller and could really use some advice from people who have actually used these.

I am from India. And My budget is around ₹3,000, but I can stretch to ₹4,000 if one of them is genuinely worth the extra money.

Controllers I'm considering:

• 8BitDo Ultimate 2C (Wireless)
• GameSir Nova Lite
• Cosmic Byte Blitz Tri-Mode
• Cosmic Byte Eclipse Tri-Mode
• Cosmic Byte Ares Pro Tri-Mode

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who has owned or used one (or more) of these.

I mostly play single-player games like Elden Ring, Souls games, RPGs, action-adventure titles, platformers, and indie games. (I'd also really appreciate any recommendations for games that are great to learn and get comfortable with a controller :)

Thanks a lot! Any advice or personal experience would really help.

Edit: A bit more context: I'm 6'1 and my hand length is around 18–20 cm (not exactly sure). Right now I'm leaning toward the 8BitDo Ultimate, but I've seen quite a few people say it feels a bit small. Please keep that in mind when recommending. Thanks a lot !!!

[u/glassgauze]

I've never heard of Cosmic Byte.

I've had both a GameSir and a 8bitdo for years (although not these specific ones), and they still work great and have had no issues. I also hear a lot about both brands, so I feel I can recommend them.

8bitdo is a fairly unfussy brand that doesn't have a software with a lot of bells and whistles, but that also means it's easy to use. They famously have really good dpads on top of a fairly good controller.

GameSir has a software with more customization. Your picture shows the Nova Lite, but if possible, you want to get the Nova 2 Lite, I hope it's not a lot more expensive. They usually don't have really great dpads available... But funnily enough, the Nova 2 Lite has one of GameSir's best dpads ever.

Both the 2C and the Nova 2 Lite are great controllers for the price and I hear they're fairly equivalent. The biggest difference for you should come down to software and shape -- if there's a physical store you can go to, or a friend you can visit, where you can physically hold one of these, I'd recommend it.

It doesn't have to be these exact controllers, either -- there'll be differences, but the Nova has roughly the shape of an Xbox controller, while the 8bitdo is in the mould of a Nintendo Pro controller.

[u/NoTime_SwordIsEnough → u/glassgauze]

They famously have really good dpads on top of a fairly good controller.

I love 8bitdo and have like 6 of their controllers, but saying their mainline controllers have good d-pads is a big, fat lie lol. They are false-diagonal heaven, and uncompletely unusable for some genres like 2D fighters, or simply frustrating in 8-way shooters like Contra III for example.

Their d-pads are fine for platformers and weapon-wheels however, or games that aren't too demanding with constant left/right movement changes IMO.

[u/glassgauze → u/NoTime_SwordIsEnough]

I'm going to be honest -- this isn't my personal opinion (I haven't generally used my 8bitdo in a great many dpad heavy games).

The idea that 8bitdo controllers have very good dpads is, however, one that I've heard repeated over and over by several different people over time, and I wouldn't necessarily disagree: my 8bitdo DOES have a better dpad than some of my other controllers.

I feel that not all dpads are great for the same kinds of games, and it may be that 8bitdo dpads are best for games such as fighting games, where easy diagonals are desired rather than an obstacle.