Video: Is this $40 8Bitdo Controller Really a Switch Pro Controller Alternative?

I love my NES 30 PRO but it is not a replacement for a proper modern controller.

Is that a repurposed Wii Classic Controller?

Looks like it was cobbled together from recycled Wii Classic Controllers.

No, it lacks motion controls. I like my motion controls.

The main difference from Classic Controllers (apart from supporting nearly every platform) is that the analogue sticks click in

I like it, i bought one to play with my friend's switch, plus I use it on PC and mobile. It is a tad on the small side, but 10x better than the joycons. We have had issues getting the 8bitdo and pro controllers to both connect at the same time though.

@JHDK yeah love my fc30 controller but I wouldn't use it on a Switch. I use all my 8bitdo controllers on my Retropie.

I'm looking forward to the NEW Snes controller with sticks and gyro built in, so will work JUST like a Switch controller. They were announced at E3 along with a new NES styled arcade stick, no release date or prices yet, as far as I know.

Love my 8Bitdo FC Arcade Stick, but that thing was like, €120 when I bought it over a year ago. I won't be buying another one. It's great for Neo-Geo games on the Retropie though. Well worth the cash. Bluetooth makes it even more special.

Arceus damnit I love 8Bitdo Controllers!!!!

I saw that controller displayed on one of my local game store.

I use my 8bit30 as a portable pro controller. The Dpad is essential for shovel knight and street fighter II during lunch breaks. Joycons are well and good for zelda and mario kart, but 2D platformers/fighters need a Dpad. At home the pro controller is best though.

I got one of these, it's great for playing a variety of games on

I use this controller all the time on the Switch and love it! It's also great to pack while traveling.

@RedMageLanakyn interested in knowing more about the connection issue you described. Is it a frequent problem or just occasional. I was planning on maybe getting a couple of these to play with my kids while I use the pro controller. Thanks for any extra details

Don't have a Pro version, but my SNES 8bitdo controller is fantastic. It's the best way to play Neo-Geo games on the Switch, imo.

Nah, the pro controller is borderline perfect.
It only needs an audio jack.

Oh darn. I have an NES30 Pro which I was counting as my 4th Switch controller, but had only tested it in 1P mode. Guess 4P mode is out for now. Still a great controller . . . . .

If you are buying an 8bitdo controller for the dpad, beware. They have known issues with their PCBs, so in many cases will not register diagnosis properly. I love their controllers, but they do not have better dpads than the Switch Pro.

Moreover, they are not a suitable replacement for a Switch Pro. These controllers make for good portable or extra controllers and are perfect for sidescollers, fighters, shmups, arcade games, etc... But unless you want a controller specifically for those purposes, I highly recommend saving for a Switch Pro or extra set of joycons.

I'd love to see a third party offer an worthy alternative, but it isn't likely considering the amount of features packed into these controllers and the proprietary nature of the joycons. I'm not sure when it will even be viable to bring a budget version to market.

Can anything be THAT shiny? 😮

I'm waiting for the SNES30 Pro. Looks to be the perfect controller for me.

ha the speaker sounds like it's saying 'doe'

The article is slightly misleading, in that it makes it sound like 8bitdo put out a new controller specifically for Switch. These controllers have been around for a long time, 8bitdo just released updated firmware for them so that they are compatible with Switch.

As far as I know this is the cheapest Switch compatible controller there is, even cheaper than a single joy-con, so it might be worth it if you just need some extra controllers for multiplayer. I don't see any reason to use this over the joy-cons in grip for singleplayer though.

But... but.... it’s from a company with the daftest name ever.

No one noticed the shoutout to @SLIGEACH_EIRE?

I can't get it to sync up with my Switch anymore (any tips!), when it was working though it was great. Gt for Mario Kart but not good enough for Zelda. I have a pro controller thankfully which is just marvellous.

@redd214 For whatever reason I couldn't get the 8bitdo pro to connect while an official switch pro was connected. It would just blink and never connect. Works just fine when it's the only pro controller connected though. I asked for help on here awhile ago and never got an answer, so I'm not sure if it's just a problem I had or if it's widespread.

Alex says,

"That's why I call them scamiibo and think I'm clever"

Lol lol

I have the snes style controller and love it for the d-pad. Nintendo should be ashamed of its lousy d-pad on the pro.

I know the regular pro controller is pricey, but hands down it's my all time favorite controller. It's just so comfortable to hold, has such a good weight, the buttons and joy sticks have just the right resistance. Not to mention it's battery life blows any other rechargeable wireless controller out of the water. (At least of the ones I've tested, PS3, PS4, 360, Wii U Pro, and the rechargable wii-motes)

@NickOfTime90 Oh I noticed.

@JaxonH Correction. It's "SCamiibo" and "I'm very, very clever".

Scamiibo heh heh xP

$40 seems like a great price for somebody looking for additional conventional controllers for a game like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, instead of additional players having to play with a single cramped JoyCon. I like it.

"Doesn't really work with multiplayer..."

Do you mean with the Joy-Cons like you mentioned? Can you use two or four of these and then have a fantastic D-pad for Puyo-Puyo Tetris without any hiccups?

The Joy Con controller is actually comfortable to me but I want to get another controller to play two player games with a full controller. I thought about another set of Joy Con just in case 4 player situations occurred. Is the Pro controller really worth $70? I don't mind the Joy Con for one player games, but using a single Joy Con for extended periods of time does cause some cramping.

@LuckyPower last I checked, both of my nes30 pro controllers have clicking analog stick buttons.

Hah...

I always called it "Eight Bit Doh", but that bluetooth speaker has taught me a lesson!

LMAO!

@NickOfTime90
"SCAMiibo". I certainly did. I also liked the jab afterward.

The only 8bitdo pad I really dug was the regular NES30. But after very little use the USB charging port broke off and fell into the device. 8bitdo offered to fix it for just about the cost of a brand new one. I've approached them cautiously ever since.

I do own an NES30Pro, this model but with an NES skin. It's okay... but the buttons feel too small and the analog sticks are flat out lousy.

I'm happy with my Pro controller and will soon be getting the Splatoon special edition pro controller instead of this. So no thanks. Too shiny for me XD

@sleepinglion the USB port breaking off is something I've heard of before. Sorry it happened to you. When I use my FC30, I try to be extra careful about it. I wonder if they've addressed that flaw.

@denis09 no problem! But don't get me wrong, all the controllers are great for PC and Retropie. And they do work on Wii, WiiU and Switch (but no gyro).

This one doesn't have motion controls but the one coming at the end of the year from them, the SNES 30 Pro will have them.

@sdelfin Thank you! It seems to be a common issue with 8bitdo, sadly. It happened with one of their little NES style cube speakers after just a month of light use.

Bought NES30 Pro for GearVR, plays well with Minecraft VR. Switch support is nice bonus, works nicely on Puyo Puyo Tetris. D-pad is better than Pro Controller one. I like the small size, easy to carry around. Would't buy this just for Switch but it's good and cheap all-rounder