If you're fed up of using the Wiimote for games like New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Donkey Kong Country Returns, then you might want to take a look at 8Bitdo's new NES30 GamePad controller.
A near-perfect replication of the original 1985 Nintendo Entertainment System joypad, this controller brings the concept up to date by adding more buttons and allowing wireless connectivity with Windows, Mac, iOS and Android — as well as the Wii.
It contains a 480mAh rechargeable Li-on battery, and comes with a case which doubles as a stand for your smartphone or tablet. The firmware is also upgradable using the supplied USB cable, which means new functions and features can be added in the future. The USB cable also allows the pad to be used as a wired controller with devices which don't boast Bluetooth support.
8Bitdo is making the NES30 available through a wide range of global distributors, which you can find here. UK site Playmods is retailing the pad for 39.99 Euros (that's just over £30), while Supreme Equipment is currently selling the device with a 5 percent discount at $37.99 in North America. Both companies are sold out at present, but more stock is expected to arrive soon.
Is this a product you've be interesting in picking up? Let us know by hammering those A and B buttons and posting a comment below.
[source engadget.com, via nes30.com]
Comments 28
Ah, I can imagine all the pain of prolonged gaming with this... I still want it, but I think the SNES joypad is by far the greatest controller ever.
Does it run on WiiU?
@ueI I think it's just the Wii - it might work in Wii mode on the Wii U. We're looking to source a review unit, and we'll be sure to test this.
The question is whether the D-pad is any good.
I heard about this a few days ago and thought it was interesting, but now I know it works as a Wii controller I'll probably end up buying it. I guess it works as a sideways WiiMote, but does it work with motion controls since the majority of Wii platformers (particularly NSMBWii and DKCR) basically require them? My honest guess is that it only works with Virtual Console games.
Wow, that controller looks really ugly when you slap an extra 2 buttons on it
@Bulbousaur There's video showing it being used with Mario Bros. Wii, so I'm guessing it has motion sensors. No reason why it shouldn't, they're not expensive these days.
@Bulbousaur It doesn't have motion controls, but it can emulate them. They've got a video of a 2-player NSMB Wii game showing how they use the shoulder buttons to emulate the Wii motion:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03KeO2BmWKQ
L is turn to left, R is turn to right, L+R is shake. It's pretty much just for NSMB Wii support. Games that require actual free motion, or more precise tilting like Mario Kart Wii will not work. More details in the firmware release notes:
http://www.nes30.com/firmware.html
Also note that it emulates a Wiimote, NOT a Classic Controller. So while it has all the buttons of an SNES controller, it will NOT work with SNES Virtual Console games.
It seems to have flexible firmware, so maybe they'll add support for it in the future.
More fun: as you may have noted in the videos, they've also got a Famicom version, including a special version with an ACTUAL GOLD FACEPLATE!
http://www.fc30.com/eng/
hmmmm....
No thanks. This is a controller for little tiny hands. Not that mine are big, but whenever i play my old snes console with the controller it feels just so tiny and no supoort for the hand. For long gameplay it's just not ok anymore.
It looks cool but a sideways wiimote is closer to the actual NES controller layout.
I actually prefer the wiimotes when playing games that require just two buttons.
480 mAh? For comparison, two AAs in a wiimote is about 5,000 mAh. Without speakers, a status light or rumble, this would last longer, but still...
Why not just design it to look more like an SNES controller since that's clearly the functionality they're aiming for with the button arrangement and whatnot?
Aw Nintendo should've made this for Wii U! Would be nice to use this as an alternative to the Wii U Controller Pro. It looks so cool, I MUST HAVE IT.
i think the nes controller was used to be more portable over a snes controller, its very pocket-able which is the point to a mobile controller. Ive ordered one through the ebay page works out about £24 delivered
I understand wanting to go retro and release something similar to the NES gamepad, but the SNES gamepad is just so much better.
@ueI If it acts as a WiiMote I do not see why not, older, even non-motion-plus WiiMotes work fine with the WiiU, it just won't do any motion or pointing, but it would work perfectly for VC and anything that needs a sideways WiiMote I suspect.
Not worth 40 bucks. But for 20 I'd probably get one. EDIT: says it supports Wii but not WiiU, which makes no sense. If it doesn't work on the U then who cares?
Clearly, recreating the original, iconic NES controller is good for visibility and publicity, but it puts nostalgia over ergonomics. There are many controllers that improved on the design that would be just about as portable. The NES dog-bone controller is a good example. PC Engine controllers had rounded sides for better comfort and were excellent controllers as well.
I'm personally a fan of the old PC Engine and Sega style(especially Sega's) disk-shaped d-pads as well as six face buttons like on the old Genesis 6-button and Saturn pads, which are my two favorite gamepads.
Dragon quest 8 here I come
I like it! Only if Nintendo would listen to its customers we would see more cool stuff like this. At least other companies are seeing what gamers want.
Looking forward to the review to find out if its worth it.
I want a snes version it's my favourite controller
i want
Nostalgia be damned. I roll strictly dogbone, son!
Hi guys, just to say we are an official UK reseller for 8bitdo (For people that can't wait to get it from China!)
We have a 10% discount running at the moment. (Enter Retropie10 at checkout for the discount to be applied.)
https://www.8bitdo.co.uk
Thanks, Lee
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