The Gulikit Elves 2 Pro could stand in for most of my retro controllers, albeit with a little help from Bluetooth wireless receivers

GamesRadar+ Verdict

The Gulikit Elves 2 Pro might be a modern gamepad, but it's a fantastically versatile option for retro consoles. You'll need to invest in separate adapters and receivers to use it with your old systems, but if you do, you'll be able to place an extremely well-made and tactile-feeling Sega Saturn-inspired pad at the heart of your setup that feels great in everything from 16-bit capers to even PS2-era outings. Its hall-effect thumbsticks and expansive features mean it's also great for PC and Switch 2, not to mention its low-profile design helps it serve as an extremely travel-friendly companion.

Pros

• +

  Fantastic Sega-inspired design

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  Great build quality

• +

  Tactile face buttons

• +

  One of the best d-pads around

• +

  Heaps of on-board features

• +

  Long battery life

• +

  Travel-friendly design

Cons

• -

  Old school flat ergonomics

• -

  Bluetooth only

• -

  You'll need additonal adapters for retro consoles

• -

  digital-only triggers

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The Gulikit Elves 2 Pro is the Swiss Army Knife of retro controllers. Yes, I am cringing at how cliché an opening line that is, but the Bluetooth gamepad could stand in as an accessory for almost every system I own. At least, it can if you arm your console collection with additional adapters and receivers, and while that’s a caveat, it could save you buying separate pads well into the future.

I should note that, technically speaking, the Gulikit Elves 2 Pro is a PC controller. I’ll also pair nicely with your Switch 2 and Android devices, too, but it undeniably looks like it belongs next to a retro console. Specifically, it draws massive inspiration from classic Sega pads, boasting the same disc d-pad and boomerang design as the Saturn pad. It even comes in a white flavour that pays homage to the white Japanese system’s colorful getup, just like the Retro-Bit Sega Saturn Pro controller, and that’s exactly the reason why I’ve decided it’s also a retro controller contender.

At full price, you’ll pay around $50 for the Gulikit Elves 2 Pro, but this gamepad loves to wear a discount. If you can grab it for $35, you’ll be investing in a surprisingly premium-feeling accessory with impressive tricks and great wireless compatibility. If you’re here for an all-in-one retro controller solution, though, just keep in mind you’ll also need to pick up 8Bitdo Retro Receivers or Blueretro adapters as you go for each system, and that expense will certainly add up.

Modern innards, Sega sensibilities

I’ll come clean: I probably wouldn’t have grabbed the Gulikit Elves 2 Pro if it didn’t look like a Sega Saturn controller. I was specifically lured in by the off-white color scheme paired with those multi-colored face buttons and maroon bumpers, and I’m a complete sucker for that kind of d-pad.

D-pads usually end up spoiling the proverbial retro controller broth, and looks can be extremely deceiving. Some approaches don’t even have to be inherently bad; they can instead just not align with specific player preferences, which results in the same tactile dissatisfaction. If you’re a Nintendo kid, for instance, you might think anything disc-shaped is criminal, whereas it’s exactly what I see since I was raised by a Sega Mega Drive.

In my humble opinion, the Elves 2 Pro’s d-pad is incredible. It’s got the same textured finish as an actual Saturn pad, something Retro-Bit dropped the ball with, and all eight directions feel distinct on its floating gate. Upon first rolling my thumb across its pleasing matte surface, I knew it’d be a winner, and it really set the rest of the pad up for success.

I’ll admit that I wasn’t expecting anything extraordinary from a controller that frequently costs under $40. Something normally has to give somewhere, so I was bracing for a cheaper feel or, at the very least, the sort of rattly buttons I normally deal with when looking at budget pads and retro handhelds. Apparently, Gulikit had other ideas, though, as the Elves 2 Pro feels ridiculously premium and dodges any of the usual hallmarks of a cheap accessory.

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For starters, it any sense of hollowness with a solid body with decent weight. That could be due to the fact that it’s packing a lot of tech into a classic-sized shell, but the result is a remarkable sense of sturdiness. That same textured finish of the d-pad also applies to the entire body and buttons, again lending to the surprisingly premium feel that puts even expensive controllers to shame.

Rattly buttons aren’t an instant quality issue, but I do like to shake pads close to my ear as a sort of initial test. Getting the Elves 2 Pro to make any sort of sound is almost impossible, as all its buttons and triggers follow really tight tolerances that mean they fit like a glove. It achieves that without falling into any friction or jamming trappings, which again is just impressive at this sort of price point.

Gulikit has practically whipped up a souped-up Sega controller with an unrivalled sense of quality. But, while its near-perfect disc d-pad, pleasingly tactile face buttons, and click shoulders are all a perfect match for 16-bit era games, it’s got bigger, modern ambitions. You see, you’re also getting a set of hall-effect symmetrical thumbsticks at the bottom of the pad, and frankly, I’m impressed they managed to fit them in.

Excels at 2D, more than up for 3D

Okay, before you start shouting at me on behalf of your palms, I’ll say you should outright replace modern controllers with the Elves 2 Pro. Its Sega-style boomerang shape caters more to old school aesthetics than ergonomics, and the inherent lack of grips means that your comfort mileage could vary when playing anything with the dual analogue sticks.

You know what, though? I honestly think the Elves 2 Pro fits in the hands nicely despite its antiquated shape. I’ve had zero issues playing through my PlayStation and N64 back catalogue using this pad, and even PS2 and GameCube games feel just fine. I can’t speak for every player out there since different designs can trigger hand cramps in different folks, but its smooth, rounded edges and subtle back curves mean it isn’t instantly offensive when playing more involved 3D romps.

The thumbsticks themselves are full-size, which helps prevent that off-putting feeling that you’re putting pressure on them. That’s something I struggled with when testing the Retro-bit Saturn Pro controller, but increasing the surface area helps alleviate that and keep things feeling balanced. This is something that can matter more in different genres, like intense first-person shooters that require a lot of movement and trigger work, but the Elves 2 Pro isn’t really the pad for that specific job.

Don’t get me wrong, earlier fps games will work a treat on the Elves 2 Pro, especially if we’re talking about PS2-era games that use digital triggers. The instant actuation is going to feel familiar, but the presses will still add downward pressure with no extended grips to support. That’s if and when this controller will start to feel uncomfortable in the hands, but the only way to really resolve that with this design is to turn it into the cursed PS3 boomerang prototype that made the rounds in the mid 2000s.

One controller (almost) fits all

The massive basket of original and cursed third-party retro controllers in my room serves as my gamepad testing credentials. That is to say, I’ve used just about every pad out there, and if there’s one thing that’s taught me, it's that there isn’t a single option that will suit every console. At least, that’s what I thought before trying the Gulikit Elves 2 Pro, and honestly? Its design helps it serve across years of classic systems without feeling out of place.

Again, I’m not saying the Elves 2 Pro should replace either your original controllers or dedicated modern alternatives. What it can do is serve as a once-and-done solution if you’d prefer to use one pad or even have a player two option on standby that can feel like it’s made for the job. If you’re just getting into collecting old consoles, chances are that you’ll find some without their matching gamepads, too, and Gulikit’s accessory is a good substitute that can cost you less in the long run.

That brings me back nicely to the retro receiver situation, as you’re going to need them to use the Elves 2 Pro as a retro controller. Using the handy, dandy power of Bluetooth, you can pair almost every pad to your original consoles, and this is what helps Gulikit’s controller excel at being an all-rounder.

To test whether the Elves 2 Pro can actually act like a controller chameleon, I paired it with 8Bitdo Retro Receivers for the SNES, Genesis, and PS1/PS2, while using Blueretro wireless adapters for the N64 and GameCube. I’ve actually already covered the Sega side of things with my 8Bitdo M30 review and compared Gulikit’s Bluetooth pad with that 2.4GHz mode, but I was keen to see how it fares across multiple platforms.

Spoiler, but Gulikit’s pad feels exceptional no matter the console, and that’s a mean feat. Its strengths certainly lie with the 16-bit era systems, particularly the SNES, as it has the right button layout, but fits perfectly with the Genesis/Mega Drive if you’re not fussed about using Sega’s 3/6-button arrangement. Whether or not that extends to the Saturn depends on whether you’ve got anything against shoulder buttons in fighting games, as that will change the way you play a chunk of that system’s library.

On the subject of the Saturn, the sticks help the Elves 2 Pro rival Retro-Bit’s Pro controller since it can act like a 3D Control Pad. I’ve sadly not got a Retro Receiver for Sega’s PS1 rival yet, so that other pad’s claim to the throne is safe for now. Even if Gulikit’s pad does excel when it comes to feel and build quality, some of you might prefer to stick with 2.4GHz if you’re primarily playing the system’s legacy of fighting games, as that will ensure minimal wireless latency.

One feature that may impact those of you looking for a comprehensive GameCube pad is its digital-only triggers. While you could easily still use the Elves 2 Pro for Ninty’s 2000s system across most of its library, a select few releases like Super Mario Sunshine use analogue inputs for mechanics. The plumber’s second 3D outing isn’t unplayable using digital inputs by any means, but you won’t be able to run and spray water at the same time, which makes chasing your imposter self and other specific scenarios more challenging.

Otherwise, the Elves 2 Pro really provides you with everything you could need from a controller across all platforms. I was pretty impressed with how natural the pad felt, even when jumping from Sonic 2 on the Sega Mega Drive and A Link to the Past on SNES to PS2 horror romps like Silent Hill 2, and I could easily see myself using the controller for plenty of other games. The setup simply works regardless of genre, and that’s impressive given that even first-party pads like the DualShock aren’t great for everything.

A travel companion for contemporary systems

The Elves 2 Pro’s design means it's naturally great for the oldies, but it’s very much still a modern Bluetooth controller. The flatter, retro-style body admittedly means it’s at a disadvantage compared to ergonomic-focused options out there, especially if you’re playing something intense that activates your death grip. At the same time, the inherently low-profile nature of Gulikit’s cointender means it’s actually an extremely travel-friendly option, and that’s helped it become my default for Steam Deck OLED and Switch 2.

Gulikit’s retro getup laughs in the face of gamepads trying to be as flat as possible for travel. Rather than following in the footsteps of low-profile options like the 8Bitdo Lite 2, the Elves 2 Pro uses its classic design cues to aid portability, with the concave d-pad and button bowls helping reduce overall height while keeping everything full-size. Sure, the pad does still compromise a little by avoiding proper back grips or longer analogue triggers, but hey, I’ll take that over a flat slab with zero curves.

Even when placed in the included protective plastic case, there’s really not much bulk to the Elves 2 Pro. Its compact nature means it’s going to fit nicely into a backpack, pouches, or even spare compartments in your gaming handheld case, all while still boasting full sticks and buttons. You only need to look at the Retro-Bit Sega Saturn Pro controller to see what the alternative is, and you won’t find many pads this size that don’t completely flatten the body or use Joy-Con sticks to minimise girth.

Elf-like stamina

Bluetooth controllers like to guzzle power, but the Elves 2 Pro lasts for a bit longer than the average pad. Throughout testing, I found that I’d get just over 20 hours out of the controller before having to give it a charge, and that figure didn’t really budge when playing games with more rumble. In other words, you’re looking at the same runtime whether you’re using a 16-bit console, a PS2, or even the Nintendo Switch 2.

What’s more surprising is the Elves 2 Pro’s ability to hold onto a charge. I’ve been busy lately testing other controllers, so Gulikit’s pad has been sitting in my backpack for around two months. Yet, upon retrieving it and diving into a bunch of games, I still ended up getting around 18 hours of playtime, meaning it lost next to no capacity since the last time I plugged it in.

That contributes to the idea that this is an excellent travel controller, but I’d argue it also backs up its claim to the retro gamepad throne. If you opt for this pad exclusively for your old consoles, you can rest assured that it will still have plenty of juice even if you don’t hop into your classic backlog for a while.

Marvellous on-board settings

Bang smack in the centre of the Elves 2 Pro is a settings button, and there’s every chance some players will completely ignore it. You won’t run into any issues if you do, but leveraging its abilities can help you adjust everything from rumble type to thumbstick sensitivity and deadzone parameters, saving you from going anywhere near any PC software.

This is a pretty fantastic feature if you’re steering clear of modern tech, as it means you’ll still be able to make on-the-fly adjustments. Some options, like switching from rotary style rumble to HD haptics, will admittedly matter more if you’re using a Switch 2, but simple touches like being able to swap the ABXY buttons or switch from eight to four directions to enhance accuracy in some classics are ridiculously useful.

At the same time, actually activating the settings means keeping note of specific shortcuts. For the most part, they’re pretty intuitive, involving pressing the middle cog button and the input you want to swap or toggle, which is then confirmed with a vibration pulse. Still, you might find yourself in a scenario where you have a specific setting on, but don’t realise until it impacts your gameplay, and there are no indicator lights or symbols to show when something is activated. This isn’t a biggie, but worth keeping in mind if you want an extremely simplistic pad.

Should you pick up the Gulikit Elves 2 Pro

Gulikit has struck gamepad gold with its Sega-inspired design and Bluetooth functionality, and that helps the Elves 2 Pro stand as the best retro controller in terms of versatility. It’s the option to go for overall if you want a single pad for multiple systems, and the layout is going to feel surprisingly right across most systems, old and new.

At the same time, the Elves 2 Pro only makes sense as a retro controller if you’d rather avoid buying several separate gamepads. My pick for it being the “best overall” is based on the idea of investing in Retro Receivers and wireless adapters for each console you own, rather than buying a whole new pad, and while some of those accessories are pretty affordable by comparison, you might not see the point in spending over $20 on some adapters when you could spend a bit more and buy a specialized 2.4Ghz option instead.

There are certainly plenty of reasons to opt for the latter, especially since models like the Retro Fighters StrikerDC and 8Bitdo N64 controller boast specific button shapes, layouts, and single thumbstick configurations that will feel more “right” for Dreamcast and N64 gameplay, respectively. Still, that only matters if you’re especially used to using the originals, as the Gulikit Elves 2 Pro otherwise provides you with every input you could possibly need for any system, with the exception being analogue triggers.

The TLDR here is that if you’re into the idea of using one great controller with every retro console you own, and you’re willing to buy separate adapters, go for the Elves 2 Pro. If you’re sceptical about Bluetooth latency or care about using authentic layouts, then you’ll want to continue picking up separate wireless pads or just stick with your trusty wired accessories. All three preferences are absolutely valid, but Gulikit’s contender does excel as both a once-and-done, versatile option and an excellent travel companion for modern play.

Looking to play classic capers on the go? Swing by the best retro handhelds for emulation gadgets and more.

Phil is the Hardware Editor at GamesRadar+ who specializes in retro console setups, choosing the latest gaming handhelds, and navigating the choppy seas of using modern-day PC hardware. In the past, they have covered everything from retro gaming history to the latest gaming news, in-depth features, and tech advice for publications like TechRadar, The Daily Star, the BBC, PCGamesN, and Den of Geek. In their spare time, they pour hours into fixing old consoles, modding Game Boys, exploring ways to get the most out of the Steam Deck, and blasting old CRT TV visuals into their eye sockets.

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