With the likes of the SN30 and SN30 Pro - as well as DIY kits - 8BitDo is responsible for some of the best third-party controller options for Nintendo fans, and this year has updated its wildly popular N30 Pro pad for the Switch generation.
The N30 Pro 2 (catchy name) looks very much the same as the older model, right down to the rather fetching LED lights and button placement.
However, this year, the pad has been upgraded with USB Type-C for charging and also has Home and Screenshot buttons, which are important for Switch owners. It also includes vibration and motion controls for the first time.
Outside of that, it's very much business as usual, which means the controller looks, feels and plays fantastically. We can't decide which we like best out of this and our well-used SN30 Pro, but we're equally comfortable using both.
What's really fetching about these refreshed models is that each one is based on a different classic console - the NES, N64, GameCube and Mega Drive / Genesis. Now you can select a controller which says a lot about your past loyalties, as well as offering you the ideal means to play.
The only drawback of these pads is that they don't offer NFC support, which means you can't use them to interact with amiibo. This might not seem like a big issue now, but when Smash arrives, you may well be hankering for a controller which offers this functionality.
Even so, 8BitDo has given Switch owners yet another solid interface for their console, and at a considerable saving when compared to the official Pro Controller.
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Comments 42
I've already got more Switch controllers than friends.
Stop it, 8bitdo, just stop.
Looks like they finally fixed the flimsy analog sticks. Must have accessory for sure! 8bitdo are on a roll!
"includes vibration and motion controls for the first time."
A good start but this second half make is a downer...
"don't offer NFC support"
That to me is a no go. But still no actual "wireless" feature like Pro controllers to connect without uses a dongle to connect.
I like the design but still can't bring myself to get one yet.
So..... is there NFC? Or not?
Their older controller already had vibration and motion
The one you're claiming is based on the Super Famicom controller is based on the N64 controller. It has the blue A and green B, X and Y are yellow like the C buttons, and red start/select buttons. Dunno how you managed to not notice that...
The New Mega Drive / Genesis controller should have had 6 buttons. Just like the original second gen Mega Drive / Genesis controller. It really helps with fighting games
And yes, that one is an N64 inspired one. As mentioned above.
Don't have any figures so the NFC isn't a huge deal right now. If I could use this to play NES games, that would be a win. Using the sticks trying to play games designed for UDLR is a bit painful. Have had my characters just sit there several times due to a motion that wasn't enough in the zone to register.
Love my SF-30 Pro, top quality controller. Not a fan of the analogue sticks on it but that's fine, I've got my Pro for analogue controls.
Hmm... may just get these when SNES games finally arrive.... whenever that happens.
@Yosheel 8Bitdo has produced other controllers with these features. But these features are new to the N30 Pro design.
Never used NFC, probably never will. Looks solid.
I have been unwilling to get a Pro controller due to price points and the fact that the Joy-Cons in the grip work fine for me. That said, while the individual Joy-Cons are convienent for multiplayer on the go, they're not always suited well for some games. I may get one or two of these for multiplayer in docked mode.
Gonna grab me a SN30 Pro+ as soon as it’s out.
It’s kinda like these but has lateral handles to make it comfier.
@ittleamber thank you for saying that. It bothered me too that they compared it to a super famicom. It’s clearly an N64 themed controller.
@Kalmaro theyre great man. u wont b disappointed
The shoulder buttons on these look awkward. The SN30 Pro+ looks much better with it's extra grips and normal shoulder buttons.
The N64 one looks weird due to the weird layout the 64 controller had. I think it would have looked better with all yellow face buttons and the start and select buttons colored like the A and B buttons, or the thumbsticks colored like the A and B buttons.
@iammikegaines yeah, it's really silly because 8bitdo already has controllers that are 1-for-1 remakes of the SF controller. Kinda figured NL would already know this... Not like the N64 was an obscure console.
@Tsurii I'm a huge fan of 8BitDo's controllers, but the rumble is absolutely sub-par compared to first-party.
I mostly use mine for retro games that don't have rumble, so it doesn't bother me. But if you intend to use one of these as a primary controller, it could definitely be an issue.
Hope the rubber has improved in quality. My two previous experiences with the sf30pro and sn30pro sn edition were poor ..... both started crumbling from the 1st time I used em. The analogue sticks disintegrated like pencil erasers. Shame as its probably the best pad ive used apart from that flaw.
Oooh....
That Gamecube color is so pretty.
The SN30 pro is my go to controller for Street Fighter, and being able to use it on PC is amazing. I might get another of their controllers. If only they still sold that fightstick...
@Tsurii they have normal regular rumble, it feels like it does in other consoles.
It’s not bad or weak, it’s jsut not the “HD” rumble the joycons have.
I love my SN30 Pro, I may need to purchase an additional one.
Bought the black one - I have too many flippin' controllers for this system now - like the older SN30 PRO but the sticks were too big on it and hated how it "touched" my right thumb lol, while I'd roll my thumb across B-A, so I never used it.
@neufel Friends are overrated - you've got zero control over them, your not allowed to push their buttons and you can't press pause when they're giving you a hard time. Stick with your gamepads
@SwitchForce Numerous 8BitDo controllers, this one included have the ability to wirelessly connect to the Switch without a dongle. Press Power and Y as you turn 8BitDo controllers on to be in Switch Mode. No dongle required.
Hopefully they changed the awful face buttons their other controllers have.
As someone who has two of their Snes controllers, I can't recommend them enough
I have the SFC30 controller and among the thing that makes it great, the D-pad is exactly like the one found on SNES controllers. However, on these controllers, the D-pad looks like NES one... Not sure if it will be convenient for fighting games...
8Bitdo makes the best controllers; I love my SF30 Pro.
So....
Is anyone going to replace that 8BitDo vs SNES controller photo for one with the 8BitDo and the N64 controller? You know, the one it's actually inspired by?
Glad I'm not the only one who noticed that glaring mistake...
I have 4 pro controllers, 4 sets of Joy-cons and the previous 8BitDo Pro-controller NA SNES style colors. I really don't have a need for one of these. But it's nice that they are out there.
Like the button layout especially the shoulder buttons, but not a fan of the color scheme... I get the classic representative, not SN30 pro looks much better...
@SwitchForce
Why do you think you need a dongle? Most of my 8bitdo controllers work wirelessly with the Switch just like the pro controller.
So stop spreading nonsense like this, and make some research first.
The Megadrive/Genesis one is a bit rubbish. But then, the original and the 6 button variant were both understated compared to the competition.
The GC version though... Unf.
Call me when they put the left stick and D-pad in the correct places. I don't play Nintendo games for dumb dual analog controls.
I like these for playing all those Indies in the PC. Although the switch has mostly taken over as my go-to indie machine, and then I play 100% handheld. So as good as they are I've no need to update but I do think highly of 8Bitdo
@link3710 they've been out since the 90's. /jk
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