The tiny GuliKit dongle lets you connect a PS5 controller to your Switch 2

Dongle devices have a reputation for being a hassle. They are often expensive and annoying to deal with, but for gamers, there is something I would love to recommend that is not. 8BitDo USB Adapter $20 2 It lets you wirelessly link controllers to your Switch 2 that may not be supported, like the Sony DualSense (complete with rumble and motion controls), Microsoft’s latest Xbox gamepads, and more. You can plug it into the Switch 2 port or use a USB-A-to-USB-C adapter to connect it directly to the console.

It’s great to save money, as I can simply use the controller I already own instead of buying a new one. And I sometimes forget that I’m using a PS5 controller for games like Splatoon 3 Because its motion controls feel just as precise as a controller designed for the Switch.

There are other similar dongles available that are a little cheaper and a lot smaller. The GuliKit Hyperlink Gen 2 USB-A adapter comes included with the company’s TT Pro and TT Max controllers, or you can purchase it on its own for $16.99 at Amazon. It is compatible with Xbox controllers and PlayStation 4 and 5 controllers. Likewise, you can connect it to your Nintendo Switch 2, PC, Steam Deck, or other laptops and Android devices. But GuliKit’s list of supported controllers isn’t as extensive as 8BitDo’s, which dates back to the PS3 and Wii era and also includes its own fleet of wireless controllers.

It’s nice that there are a few features that neither dongle offers: remote controller wakeup (you must first manually turn on the controller to pair the controller) or wireless audio (the 3.5mm headphone jacks on DualSense and Xbox controllers are useless when paired with either). Finally, you can only connect one controller at a time to each dongle (you’ll need to purchase two in order to pair a second controller). I don’t think any of these are deal breakers, but they’re worth knowing before you buy one.

Then there are things that only the 8BitDo dongle can do. First, you can customize many non-8BitDo controller models using its free Ultimate software, including remapping buttons, macros, vibration intensity, operating range, and stick sensitivity. Currently, GuliKit doesn’t offer such software, though its PR director, Olivia Chen, told me that the company aims to launch Android and iOS apps with similar functionality in the second quarter of 2026. 8BitDo’s model also lets you input button combinations that trigger different connection modes, including Xinput, Dinput, Mac mode, and Switch mode.

As for what GuliKit does, it rumbles in some games (ie Hollow Knight: Silk Songthe game I’ve been playing recently) sounds more like the HD Rumble audio offered on good Switch controllers, like the EasySMX S10. By comparison, 8BitDo makes the clatter of this game seem like an afterthought. However, other games are a throw game, where the dongle provides a better effect. Donkey Kong BananzaThe harsh rumble of even the slightest movements sounds like garbage on the DualSense, regardless of which dongle it’s connected to.

If you ask GuliKit, the biggest feature of Hyperlink Gen 2 is the PC-exclusive low-latency wireless connection. It can boost the controller’s polling rate (or how quickly your controller’s inputs are sent to your gaming rig) beyond what consoles are capable of, and it should also reduce input latency. The improved latency didn’t have as pronounced an impact as I had hoped, though I enjoyed the easy setup and generally improved connectivity — something both dongles (and countless Bluetooth dongles designed for PCs) can offer.

For some, purchasing a new controller guaranteed to work well with your Switch 2 is worth the extra cost. If that’s you, let me direct your attention to my buying guide full of The Switch 2 controllers are good but relatively affordable. But if you’re keen on reusing hardware you already have, it makes a lot of sense to try out these low-cost dongles.

Photography by Cameron Faulkner/The Verge