Peripheral maker 8BitDo has been producing amazing controllers for quite some time now, and has never made any secret of the fact that it borrows heavily from Nintendo's school of hardware design. In fact, many of its pads – including the SN30 and NES30 – are based on Nintendo controllers, a fact that has made them beloved of Switch fans, as they can be used with that console, too.
8BitDo has now lifted the lid on its officially-licenced xCloud wireless pad, which is intended for use with Microsoft's cloud-based gaming platform, currently known as Project xCloud. The pad works via Bluetooth with Android phones and tablets, and offers 18 hours of battery life, as well as button mapping and stick and trigger sensitivity. A clip allows you to use it with your phone. 8BitDo is also offering a smartphone clip that works with the Xbox One or Elite controller.
As you can see from the images, the pad design rings a bell – it's based on the brilliant SN30 controller, which, in turn, is based on the iconic SNES pad. 8BitDo has added its own design elements, of course – such as the dual analogue sticks, two additional shoulder buttons and a big Xbox logo – but Nintendo's DNA runs through the design regardless, which at least means xCloud users are assured of a comfortable gaming experience.
[source purexbox.com]
Comments 51
I would buy it if you could use it with the Xbox as well
I mean it's a great size for on-the-go gaming and thus fits well with the idea of cloud gaming. Also, i gotta say, it looks really good to me haha
It doesn't look like the SNES controller but the first classic controller for Wii.
The good? It has analogue triggers.
The bad? It's only compatible with Android.
They could have at least switch the stick/pad layout but considering almost every "new" controller of theirs recently has had the same case, I'm guessing they have a heap of them laying around
Love 8bitdos stuff
No no, that's clearly an Xbox controller. See, it was an X in the middle.
Still a good controller whether it rips off of the SNES or not.
@BlueOcean First thing it reminded me of as well.
Still waiting for them do a better version of Hori's Split Pad Pro (if only it had gyro and a more general black color scheme v.v).
Looks like another stellar addition to 8BitDo's premium controller line
Makes sense to use a proven design, however this is not a SNES pad or the original PS pad (which actually was a SNES pad).
It looks wonderful. Now if it only worked with an ACTUAL Xbox instead of just Android...
I've stop buying 8bitdo stuff for two reasons :
(exemple : https://twitter.com/ModernVintageG/status/1259583714838929408)
It's a beautiful pad and I guess it feels great in hands.
But I'll pass on that one.
I recently got my first 8bitdo controller (an SN30 Pro) and I’m utterly in love with it. There’s something about the SNES inspired design (with added sticks) that just makes me happy inside. Probably because SNES was my first console, and being able to play on my Switch and iPad with it is super cool.
I will say, I had a small problem with the sticks getting phantom input on their most recent firmware, but I rolled it back one update and I haven’t seen any issues since.
I wish 8Bitdo would produce a telescopic controller.
These phone mount-clips are an absolutely trash solution - they are VERY off balance and you feel like your having to fight gravity to stop the phone end from lowering.
If this set-up looks appealing to you (like as shown in the forth/fifth image) - just take a moment and think about the physics - then buy something else.
Only telescopic / split controllers can give a centre balanced experience like we have with the Switch. And yet 8Bitdo keep making these trash clips, and too few are making telescopics. I'd love a 8bitdo quality telescopic controller that works with iOS.
Love the actual controllers btw - just never with a phone.
Looks nice, but clips ere actually top heavy - makes your wrist hurt. Also on the train it sticks out, so you always pulling it in thinking people will bump it.
Had same design for Xcloud, RainWay and Steam Link.
The telescopic ones (ends up like a Switch/VITA) are a lot better for Xcloud/Geforce NOW/Shadow (Any Android BT controller works) or just using SteamLink when the main TV is busy. They also cheaper.
Razer kishi is the way to go. Though that looks like a Nintendo product we're likely familoar with as well
Like others have said, not a fan of this style of phone clamp; I much prefer the telescopic style, like the iPega Red Knight, which is the one I use:
@71nk0 Android, IOS, PC, Linux, Switch out of the box. Not sure where you got your info.
I really love the design of this controller, I think I'll pick it up to have for my PC (and for emulators )
@Jokerwolf Where did get your info? The info I’ve seen on this from 8bitdo only mentions android.
that thing looks hella well made !!
@JoakimZ Here is the compatible list. All SN30 Pro Bluetooth models have the same compatibility.
https://www.8bitdo.com/sn30-pro-g-classic-or-sn30-pro-sn/#content-1-9
I'd think that having a button and stick layout that matches the PS4 could cause unnecessary awkwardness for someone accustomed to using an Xbox controller.
@Jokerwolf The official 8bitdo site lists only Android as a compatible platform.
For reference: https://www.8bitdo.com/sn30-pro-for-xbox-cloud-gaming-on-android/
@71nk0 Except I can bet you 100% that the list I linked to is correct, I also build websites for a living and I can tell they used a template to quickly get that page up and running, it isn't finished yet or they just assume people will figure it out from the actual SN30 page which I linked to you. Sometimes people know more than you do about something and that is ok because it creates a learning moment.
@Jokerwolf For a "template" as you say, it has a different Special Features section to every other SN30 Pro controller.
And sure, release a "template" early that only says Android (instead of the usual multiplatforms) compatibility and only Bluetooth conection (no USB) in order to get potential customers more interested in your product.
I'm also a web developer. And this doesn't look like a copy paste template from any other product they have.
They could be completing it as you said, but it's stupid not to list correctly the compatibility modes from the start. You only lose interested customers this way.
@Jokerwolf as far as I know the SN30 is not compatible with IOS. MacOS and IOS are not the same thing.
@Jokerwolf Just checked their pre-order Amazon listing:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08C1385CQ
It states: "Play Xbox games on your mobile phone or tablet from the cloud with Sn30 Pro for Android".
And also: "Bluetooth connectivity".
No mention of multiplatform thing, which helps to sell more, nor USB connectivity, which isn't as important, but still bad since every other model has it.
There's a reason they aren't advertising this controller as multiplatform. And if it ends up having the features, it will be because they changed their mind before release. Right now it loks like a Bluetooth-Android only controller.
@Yorumi I don’t know what to tell you. I have an X, it doesn’t work. And they actually say it on the website that it does not work with IPhone, like it specifically says it. If you’ve managed, if love it if you would let me know how.
Yes, all my 8bitdo controllers are compatible with iOS in both Windows and MacOS modes.
In MacOS mode, they show up as PS4 controllers in the Bluetooth list, and they're directly compatible as Bluetooth devices.
In Windows mode, you can't connect them directly as Bluetooth devices, it needs to be via the triggers option in the accessibility menu.
@Olmectron It will be compatible with all the same ones as the SN30 Pro, They did the same thing with their USB dongles, the grey one doesn't list the other compatibles platforms but it works on all the same stuff as the orange one. Believe me the most annoying thing about their site is the fact that they undersell the capabilities of their products that are basically just recolors. Also I meant to say Mac OSX (which is basically Linux when you get to the core of it). Mark my words it will work with everything on the page for SN30 Pro they are likely just covering their asses by not listing them as the firmwares might be slightly different ( though I doubt they are based on the fact that all current SN30 Pro controllers work with xCloud.)
@Jokerwolf Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have a Switch / PC controller with analog triggers (even if they work as digital in the Switch).
But if the official page states that it only works with Android, I'll have to wait and see some hands on review before changing my mind.
@71nk0 Ya, I am pretty sure they are just covering their asses, also they are trying to advertise it for specific uses and I get it as they want this to feel like it's own thing. I would be very shocked if it did not work on PC as all xinput devices work on PC too.
@Jokerwolf and by extension iOS and their dongles too.
@Yorumi thanks. I’ll try again, :/ The last time I tried it didn’t work. So I gave up and tried a completely different Brand controller and it took thirty seconds.
@Jokerwolf I hope you are right. We'll see...
@Yorumi So apparently this change happened after an 8bitdo updated their firmware sometime after I tired last year. Thank you again.
Ironically, that update came out just one week after I finally gave up and bought a MFi controller.
@BlueOcean
My favorite controller of all the Wii classic.
@Zorox88 It's very good for 2D games. I remember playing Donkey Kong Country on Wii.
Xbox does what Ninten-did.
It's the wii classic controller! The problem with that controller was the two analog sticks were so close together your thumbs would thumbs would run into each other when pushing them both inward, hopefully this controller doesn't suffer that same problem.
It's not a SNES pad.
This is cool, but not super necessary. I've been using my SN30 Pro+ with xCloud for a hot minute now, and it's fantastic!
@graysoncharles I think it's because the start/select buttons are round, and the home button is also in the center. Just like the Wii classic controller had it. The other SN/SF pads were meant to look exactly like the Super Nintendo pads.
@graysoncharles
"you say it doesn't look like it? lol"
Exactly, I said "it". Not "they".
@Emob Yes, the article is not about other controllers. I don't know why graysoncharles is the only one that didn't understand my comment 😅.
Wii Pro-Controller ?
I'm not certain what my incentive here would be. I have the 8bitdo SN30 Pro and Pro + (with phone clips), Ipega Red Knight, and just got a Razer Kishi. I'd be better off getting the clip for the Xbox or Dualshcock controllers if I wanted.
For anyone interested, I'd suggest getting an Xbox controller + clip, or the SN30 Pro +. The size makes a HUGE difference in comfort. This controller is a redux of the SN30 Pro, and I couldn't use the clip for lengthy sessions. Granted, I have a Note. YMMV with smaller phones. But I have 0 problems with the Pro +. Telescopics are pretty awesome as well.
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