Thanks to multiple input modes, its Bluetooth controllers like the NES30 Arcade Stick and DIY Mod Kits can work with PCs, Macs, Android devices, and even the Nintendo Switch.
Considering the company's retro aesthetic, that's a huge plus for anyone who wants to play classic games.
You can only go so far with 8- and 16-bit control layouts, though.
If you want to play modern games, dual analog sticks and four shoulder buttons are a must.
That's what the SN30 is for.
This $44.99 Bluetooth gamepad is modeled after the Super Nintendo's, but features the additional control elements needed to play more complex games.
It's comfortable, responsive, and works with a variety of devices including the Switch, making it our Editors' Choice for wireless controllers.
Classic SNES With a Twist
The SN30 Pro looks like a Super Nintendo controller that grew analog sticks.
Its dog bone shape is easily recognizable regardless of its color scheme (light gray with lavender buttons for the SN30 Pro, light gray with magenta buttons for the SN30 Pro G Edition, and light gray with dark gray highlights and four-color buttons for the Super Famicom-inspired SF30 Pro).
Because it's modeled after the SNES gamepad, it's smaller and much lighter than more modern controllers like the Xbox One wireless gamepad and Switch Pro Controller.
I have large hands and find it comfortable to hold and use, but it's definitely not quite as chunky and grippable as the bigger console controllers.
The standard SNES controller features are here: direction pad on the left, A/B/X/Y face buttons on the right, small rubber Select and Start buttons in the middle, and L/R trigger buttons on the top.
The SN30 Pro and its variations add modern gamepad accouterments, like dual analog sticks located between the direction pad, Select/Start, and A/B/X/Y buttons, and secondary ZL/ZR triggers alongside the L and R buttons.
Finally, small, circular Home and Star/Share buttons sit below the direction pad and face buttons, for use when the SN30 Pro is connected to a Nintendo Switch (when connected to anything else, the Start button toggles turbo mode for the face buttons).
The result is a gamepad that looks like it was built for Super Mario World, but can easily handle Super Mario Odyssey.
Four LEDs on the bottom edge of the SN30 Pro show connection status, flashing different numbers of lights depending on the mode it's in and whether it's connected to a Mac, PC, tablet, or Nintendo Switch.
A USB-C port on the top edge, between the shoulder buttons, lets you charge the controller with the included USB-C cable and wall adapter.
A sync button sits to the left of the USB-C port and a charging LED sits to the right.
Connection Options
The SN30 Pro can work in four different ways, depending on the device to which you connect it.
It can function as a DirectInput gamepad for Android gadgets, an XInput gamepad for PCs, a Mac-compatible gamepad, or a Nintendo Switch-compatible gamepad.
These different modes are activated by holding one of the face buttons when pressing Start to turn on the controller, after which one, two, or three LEDs will light up (for DirectInput, XInput, and Mac modes) or the LEDs will flash back and forth (for Nintendo Switch mode).
While it looks like a SNES controller, the SN30 Pro doesn't natively work with the SNES Classic Edition.
However, 8Bitdo offers a Retro Receiver dongle for $13 that lets you control your SNES or NES Classic Edition with one of its Bluetooth gamepads like the SN30 Pro.
I paired the SN30 Pro with a PC and a Nintendo Switch using the XInput and Switch modes respectively.
In both cases, the gamepad paired quickly and functioned as intended, with all controls mapped correctly.
Once the two devices were paired, I could instantly connect with either one again by turning the controller and setting the appropriate mode by holding one of the face buttons and pressing Start.
Responsive Controls
I played The Disney Afternoon Collection on a PC, through Steam.
In XInput mode, the SN30 acted just like an Xbox One or Xbox 360 controller.
The direction pad and face buttons felt responsive, letting me perform precise jumps in Darkwing Duck.
I also used the SN30 Pro to play Dark Souls Remastered and Super Mario Odyssey on the Nintendo Switch.
The controller paired quickly in Switch mode, and showed up on the system as a functional dual-analog gamepad.
Controls once against felt responsive, and I had no problem parrying attacks and slaughtering hollowed soldiers in the Undead Burg.
It feels a bit odd playing Dark Souls on a SNES-style dog bone at first, but the dual analog sticks and four shoulder buttons gave me everything I needed.
Super Mario Odyssey felt natural and responsive on the SN30 Pro, and both vibration and motion sensing worked perfectly in the game.
The controller rumbled whenever I stomped, and I could perform a spinning throw by flicking the gamepad sideways while pressing the Y button.
Functional and Stylish
8Bitdo's SN30 is functional, responsive, and works flawlessly with the Nintendo Switch.
It also tickles my nostalgia itch in just the right place with its design, while adding the dual analog sticks and four shoulder buttons needed to play games made for modern systems.
It doesn't have any fancy gaming extras like programmable rear-facing buttons, and it's smaller than the Xbox One controller, the Switch Pro controller, and even the DualShock 4.
But it's less than $50 and can handle nearly any PC, Switch, or mobile gaming task you throw at it, and for that it earns our Editors' Choice.
Pros
Classic design with dual analog sticks.
Works with most computers, mobile devices, and the Nintendo Switch.
The Bottom Line
The 8Bitdo SN30 Pro takes the classic SNES gamepad design, adds dual analog sticks and four triggers, and makes the whole package work easily with your PC, Mac, Android device, and even the Nintendo Switch.
8Bitdo makes some very clever wireless gamepads.
Thanks to multiple input modes, its Bluetooth controllers like the NES30 Arcade Stick and DIY Mod Kits can work with PCs, Macs, Android devices, and even the Nintendo Switch.
Considering the company's retro aesthetic, that's a huge plus for anyone who wants to play classic games.
You can only go so far with 8- and 16-bit control layouts, though.
If you want to play modern games, dual analog sticks and four shoulder buttons are a must.
That's what the SN30 is for.
This $44.99 Bluetooth gamepad is modeled after the Super Nintendo's, but features the additional control elements needed to play more complex games.
It's comfortable, responsive, and works with a variety of devices including the Switch, making it our Editors' Choice for wireless controllers.
Classic SNES With a Twist
The SN30 Pro looks like a Super Nintendo controller that grew analog sticks.
Its dog bone shape is easily recognizable regardless of its color scheme (light gray with lavender buttons for the SN30 Pro, light gray with magenta buttons for the SN30 Pro G Edition, and light gray with dark gray highlights and four-color buttons for the Super Famicom-inspired SF30 Pro).
Because it's modeled after the SNES gamepad, it's smaller and much lighter than more modern controllers like the Xbox One wireless gamepad and Switch Pro Controller.
I have large hands and find it comfortable to hold and use, but it's definitely not quite as chunky and grippable as the bigger console controllers.
The standard SNES controller features are here: direction pad on the left, A/B/X/Y face buttons on the right, small rubber Select and Start buttons in the middle, and L/R trigger buttons on the top.
The SN30 Pro and its variations add modern gamepad accouterments, like dual analog sticks located between the direction pad, Select/Start, and A/B/X/Y buttons, and secondary ZL/ZR triggers alongside the L and R buttons.
Finally, small, circular Home and Star/Share buttons sit below the direction pad and face buttons, for use when the SN30 Pro is connected to a Nintendo Switch (when connected to anything else, the Start button toggles turbo mode for the face buttons).
The result is a gamepad that looks like it was built for Super Mario World, but can easily handle Super Mario Odyssey.
Four LEDs on the bottom edge of the SN30 Pro show connection status, flashing different numbers of lights depending on the mode it's in and whether it's connected to a Mac, PC, tablet, or Nintendo Switch.
A USB-C port on the top edge, between the shoulder buttons, lets you charge the controller with the included USB-C cable and wall adapter.
A sync button sits to the left of the USB-C port and a charging LED sits to the right.
Connection Options
The SN30 Pro can work in four different ways, depending on the device to which you connect it.
It can function as a DirectInput gamepad for Android gadgets, an XInput gamepad for PCs, a Mac-compatible gamepad, or a Nintendo Switch-compatible gamepad.
These different modes are activated by holding one of the face buttons when pressing Start to turn on the controller, after which one, two, or three LEDs will light up (for DirectInput, XInput, and Mac modes) or the LEDs will flash back and forth (for Nintendo Switch mode).
While it looks like a SNES controller, the SN30 Pro doesn't natively work with the SNES Classic Edition.
However, 8Bitdo offers a Retro Receiver dongle for $13 that lets you control your SNES or NES Classic Edition with one of its Bluetooth gamepads like the SN30 Pro.
I paired the SN30 Pro with a PC and a Nintendo Switch using the XInput and Switch modes respectively.
In both cases, the gamepad paired quickly and functioned as intended, with all controls mapped correctly.
Once the two devices were paired, I could instantly connect with either one again by turning the controller and setting the appropriate mode by holding one of the face buttons and pressing Start.
Responsive Controls
I played The Disney Afternoon Collection on a PC, through Steam.
In XInput mode, the SN30 acted just like an Xbox One or Xbox 360 controller.
The direction pad and face buttons felt responsive, letting me perform precise jumps in Darkwing Duck.
I also used the SN30 Pro to play Dark Souls Remastered and Super Mario Odyssey on the Nintendo Switch.
The controller paired quickly in Switch mode, and showed up on the system as a functional dual-analog gamepad.
Controls once against felt responsive, and I had no problem parrying attacks and slaughtering hollowed soldiers in the Undead Burg.
It feels a bit odd playing Dark Souls on a SNES-style dog bone at first, but the dual analog sticks and four shoulder buttons gave me everything I needed.
Super Mario Odyssey felt natural and responsive on the SN30 Pro, and both vibration and motion sensing worked perfectly in the game.
The controller rumbled whenever I stomped, and I could perform a spinning throw by flicking the gamepad sideways while pressing the Y button.
Functional and Stylish
8Bitdo's SN30 is functional, responsive, and works flawlessly with the Nintendo Switch.
It also tickles my nostalgia itch in just the right place with its design, while adding the dual analog sticks and four shoulder buttons needed to play games made for modern systems.
It doesn't have any fancy gaming extras like programmable rear-facing buttons, and it's smaller than the Xbox One controller, the Switch Pro controller, and even the DualShock 4.
But it's less than $50 and can handle nearly any PC, Switch, or mobile gaming task you throw at it, and for that it earns our Editors' Choice.
Pros
Classic design with dual analog sticks.
Works with most computers, mobile devices, and the Nintendo Switch.
The Bottom Line
The 8Bitdo SN30 Pro takes the classic SNES gamepad design, adds dual analog sticks and four triggers, and makes the whole package work easily with your PC, Mac, Android device, and even the Nintendo Switch.
