I love this controller. I was psyched to buy this controller for two reasons: 1) because it looks like a Super Nintendo controller, which is one of my favorite designs for retro gaming, and 2) because it looked like a great all-in-one controller that could work with a variety of devices. First I'd like to discuss the design and then I'll discuss how it works with all of my devices, but if you're looking for a quick review: it's a great controller that plays nice with all of my devices, and it feels great to use.
The controller is pretty comfortable and all the buttons are surprisingly easy to reach. I'm going to be comparing it to a Super Nintendo controller from this point on, as that's clearly what it it takes it's design cues from. It's angled in a way that makes it slightly more ergonomic than the SNES controller, which makes the added buttons and joysticks feel pretty natural. The buttons and D-pad are a lot clicky-er than an SNES controller, which might be good or bad depending on your preferences. I liked the clicky buttons and pad in theory, but when playing, they're definitely a little rougher on the hands than the squishier buttons on a worn-in pad. Time and extended use may change that, though.
The build-quality is fantastic. This feels like a premium controller, from the plastic used on the body to the rubber of the joysticks, evertyhing looks great. The gyro-aiming works phenomenally on the Nintendo Switch, and the vibration is great. I love the new, more original design of the SN30 Pros, they look very premium.
The only downside of the design is one I can't really fault the SN30 Pro for: the joysticks, while perfectly usable, are a bit awkward to use on a design that was never meant to have joysticks. It doesn't bother me because I purchased this controller with the mentality of: I'm mostly using this controller for 2D games that use the D-pad, and having the joysticks for 3D games is just a bonus. And the joysticks are comfortable and responsive, so with that mindset, I'm very happy with them. It's a bit awkward, but very usable.
Here's a list of the devices I wanted to be able to use this controller with: Nintendo Switch, Mac, Windows PC (dual-booting in Bootcamp), and with my NES and SNES Classic using the 8Bitdo Retro Receiver. That's 4/5 devices that this controller had to work well with, which is asking a lot of one controller.
To get to the point: this controller works great with all of them. Pairing between devices is quick and fluid, or at least as quick as each individual device will allow. It even includes a handy list of shortcuts to set the controller to pair to each device on the back. I recently begun using it as my primary controller in Windows and I fell in love again with how fluidly everything worked. Windows detects the controller as an Xbox controller, so you'll have to mentally re-map the buttons in your head on the fly, but I got used to it pretty quick.
This controller exceeded all of the expectations I had for it. It's a great little device that feels good to use and plays nice with all of my devices. The only flaws it has are things that are just inherent to it's design, and I think it's a fair compromise to have such a fantastic reinterpretation of a retro classic. 8bitdo knocked it out of the park.
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Product Description
The worlds first fully featured retro controller
The SN30 Pro is the worlds first, fully featured retro controller. It boasts a full button set with clickable joysticks, rumble vibration², motion controls, wireless bluetooth, rechargeable battery, home and screen shot buttons, and a USB-C connector. Not to mention a proper d-pad.
6-axis somatosensory
The SN30 pro has a built-in three-axis gyroscope and a three-axis accelerometer that perfectly fits the Switch game and restores the gaming experience.
Play any game, anywhere
8Bitdo controllers are designed to be as versatile as possible with each of your modern devices. Easily pair your controller as an X-input or D-input device via bluetooth. You can even use it as a wired USB controller with the included USB cable.
From the brand
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8Bitdo is a premier 3rd party video game hardware company with a special focus on retro themed game controllers.
Renowned for producing the highest quality retro controllers on the market,
8Bitdo’s controller line has been referred to as, “a range of excellent retro-style game controllers” by The Verge.
8Bitdo’s goal is to produce premium quality game controllers with ultra-compatibility at economical prices.
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8Bitdo NEW Controller
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8Bitdo SN30 Pro Controller
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Top Recommend
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8Bitdo Pro 2
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8Bitdo Ultimate Controller
Videos
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2:18
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Are These Really Retro Style Controllers?
✅ James Pugh
Videos for this product
0:33
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8BitDo SN30 Pro Gamepad - Quick Review
Chigz Tech Reviews
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0:45
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8Bitdo SN30 Pro Wireless Bluetooth Controller
RunSnail
Reviews with images
This is basically a name brand controller, if not better.
Ok, so this is a day 1 review, but thats also part of it...TL;DR version: Well made, performs on par or better than "OEM" or name brand controllers; just buy it, 100% worth it. See pic with origional PS2 controller for size comparison1) Shipping: i ordered this yesterday Dec. 7th 2023. It arrived Dec.8th 2023. Thats amazing and automatically gave it 3 stars.2) Feel: This feels like a premium, "name brand" controller. The plastic casing feels sturdy and well made yet somehow retaining that good ol' nostalgic feel of the old controlers/cases us late 80s earyl 90s kids remember very well. All the buttons feel amazing; d-pad, ABXY, start/select, Ls/Rs, even the joysticks are nice and crisp. Virtually no button rattle either which to me never matters as lokg as it performs perfect but i know some people HATE button rattle and i personally cant hear any. The size is perfect, at least for me and i have around medium sized hands. Feels right in the hands.3) Performance: So far im writting this review about 30min after delivery so i cant speak much there yet but i have tried it on my phone via bluetooth with some old PS1 games and theres virtually no detectable lag/latency between the controller and the game, you press the button the action happens. For comparison I recently modded my phat model PS2 to use a HDD and it has input lag, this seemingly doesnt from what i can tell. Havent used it anywhere else yet as i havemt setup anything else as i primarly wanted this to use with emulators. Cant yet speak on battery life but will update review after ive used it moreIf anythinf changes i will update my review as needed or after ive had the controller a little bit longer but initial impressions are so good im likely going to buy both the green version and OG version as well. If they made one in a clear blue id buy it day 1 without hesitation.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2023
TL;DR version: Well made, performs on par or better than "OEM" or name brand controllers; just buy it, 100% worth it. See pic with origional PS2 controller for size comparison
1) Shipping: i ordered this yesterday Dec. 7th 2023. It arrived Dec.8th 2023. Thats amazing and automatically gave it 3 stars.
2) Feel: This feels like a premium, "name brand" controller. The plastic casing feels sturdy and well made yet somehow retaining that good ol' nostalgic feel of the old controlers/cases us late 80s earyl 90s kids remember very well. All the buttons feel amazing; d-pad, ABXY, start/select, Ls/Rs, even the joysticks are nice and crisp. Virtually no button rattle either which to me never matters as lokg as it performs perfect but i know some people HATE button rattle and i personally cant hear any. The size is perfect, at least for me and i have around medium sized hands. Feels right in the hands.
3) Performance: So far im writting this review about 30min after delivery so i cant speak much there yet but i have tried it on my phone via bluetooth with some old PS1 games and theres virtually no detectable lag/latency between the controller and the game, you press the button the action happens. For comparison I recently modded my phat model PS2 to use a HDD and it has input lag, this seemingly doesnt from what i can tell. Havent used it anywhere else yet as i havemt setup anything else as i primarly wanted this to use with emulators. Cant yet speak on battery life but will update review after ive used it more
If anythinf changes i will update my review as needed or after ive had the controller a little bit longer but initial impressions are so good im likely going to buy both the green version and OG version as well. If they made one in a clear blue id buy it day 1 without hesitation.
Color: Crystal PurpleVerified Purchase
This is basically a name brand controller, if not better.
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2023
Ok, so this is a day 1 review, but thats also part of it...Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2023
TL;DR version: Well made, performs on par or better than "OEM" or name brand controllers; just buy it, 100% worth it. See pic with origional PS2 controller for size comparison
1) Shipping: i ordered this yesterday Dec. 7th 2023. It arrived Dec.8th 2023. Thats amazing and automatically gave it 3 stars.
2) Feel: This feels like a premium, "name brand" controller. The plastic casing feels sturdy and well made yet somehow retaining that good ol' nostalgic feel of the old controlers/cases us late 80s earyl 90s kids remember very well. All the buttons feel amazing; d-pad, ABXY, start/select, Ls/Rs, even the joysticks are nice and crisp. Virtually no button rattle either which to me never matters as lokg as it performs perfect but i know some people HATE button rattle and i personally cant hear any. The size is perfect, at least for me and i have around medium sized hands. Feels right in the hands.
3) Performance: So far im writting this review about 30min after delivery so i cant speak much there yet but i have tried it on my phone via bluetooth with some old PS1 games and theres virtually no detectable lag/latency between the controller and the game, you press the button the action happens. For comparison I recently modded my phat model PS2 to use a HDD and it has input lag, this seemingly doesnt from what i can tell. Havent used it anywhere else yet as i havemt setup anything else as i primarly wanted this to use with emulators. Cant yet speak on battery life but will update review after ive used it more
If anythinf changes i will update my review as needed or after ive had the controller a little bit longer but initial impressions are so good im likely going to buy both the green version and OG version as well. If they made one in a clear blue id buy it day 1 without hesitation.
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
Rafael Ramírez
Compatibilidad incomparable
Reviewed in Mexico on December 26, 2023Color: SN30 PROVerified Purchase
Rafael Ramírez
Reviewed in Mexico on December 26, 2023
No es compatible con COD Mobile o PubG, esos son compatibles solo con Playstation 5 y Xbox controles.
El tamaño es muy pequeño ,lo que lo hace muy portable.
Desventaja es su mismo tamaño ya que es un poco difícil usarlo cómodamente por periodos largos
Sin embargo v perfecto con todos los emuladores que están la playstore como PPSSPP
Images in this review
Nahui o.
Muy bonito y bueno
Reviewed in Mexico on February 16, 2024Color: Crystal PurpleVerified Purchase
Client d'Amazon
Belle et efficace
Reviewed in France on February 19, 2024Color: Crystal PurpleVerified Purchase
Manuel Th. Robin Pengelstorfer
Richtig geiles Gamepad
Reviewed in Germany on January 23, 2024Color: Jade GreenVerified Purchase
