[edwcross]

I did try different 8BitDo controllers, and one issue with them is the "multi-mode": in order to make them work with Android/iOS/Windows/whatever, you need to press some key before connecting them, to change the way the OS recognizes the input. Which is a deal-breaker for small children, and prevents keeping things simple (e.g. "remember to disconnect and reconnect the USB before turning the power on", e.g. when using a Raspberry Pi-based console emulator). For wireless controllers, it's even worse (extra Bluetooth mode). If only they had mechanical switches to select this behavior... You may need to keep the instructions booklet with it, just to remember which keys must be pressed before turning it on, to see which mode will be activated. The controller in TFA is more useful in this scenario, since it will always behave in the same way.

[stickmangallows]

The ones I have (SF30/SN30) remember which mode they're in so I just press the start button and it connects to my Switch. Then if I change it to bluetooth, it's the same for my Steam link until I switch it back. Plus there's a sticker on the back that gives the combos to change modes (Y+Start=Switch, X+Start=Bluetooth, etc). Some models, like the Lite 2, do have that physical mode switch.

[wingmanjd]

I have four of the bluetooth SN30's for couch co-op games on my SteamDeck. I agree that if I switched between devices often (like my son's switch) I'd need a lookup table for the power-on chording. Mine have the key combinations printed onto the label on the back.

Fwiw, the ones I have remember their last pairing setup, so I only need to power them back on via the "Start" button.

[onli]

Completely agree. I even had that situation myself - I misremembered how the mode switch/bluetooth pairing mode worked and was not able to connect my controller to a switch, thinking it was broken, until I realized what had happened. A small toggle switch really would be much easier.

Still think it's worth it, also to not destroy an original one. On the other hand, better to modify it like this than to throw it away of course...

[JamesSwift]

The new version does actually use a switch instead of the magic button combination. Agreed on the previous version being annoying. Had many kid debugging sessions when they accidentally switched the mode and “broke” it.

[65a]

Wireless ones have a switch, the wired ones all have the "maybe you have to hold a letter depending on the game, kernel version and OS" problem.