I've been using 8bitdo controllers for a couple years now, as I play a good amount of 2D platformers and puzzle games-- both of which all but require precise inputs. While the Switch Pro controller is a good option for games that don't require that, inconsistencies with the d-pad on both of mine have left me craving something I could use with my Switch that didn't share these issues.
Upon announcement of this controller last year, I was immediately excited-- a controller with similar aesthetics and layout to the SNES controller with better ergonomics and analog sticks? I was intrigued.
A controller has to do a few things in order for me to consider it "good." It has to be built well, has to be responsive, and it has to have as little quality-control issues as possible. I'm happy to say that this controller hits all those marks and then some.
The SN30 Pro+ is lightweight, perhaps a little too light for my liking, but the materials used here are all solid. The buttons are clicky, the triggers smooth in their actuation, and the d-pad is rock solid no matter how many times I roll my thumb around it. No incorrect inputs, either! The analog sticks are just a touch too short for my taste, especially after using Nintendo's Pro controller for well over two years now, but they're much better than those that are baked into the JoyCons.
Input lag doesn't seem to be an issue with this controller, either. It was on par with or better than officially-licensed products, which, if you've ever used a third-party controller in the last few decades, isn't always a given.
All in all, the controller itself is fantastic. Combine the above points with the fact that it has rumble, gyro-aiming, and charges over USB Type-C like the Pro controller, and this is a damn good piece of kit. Highly recommended, especially if you're looking for an alternative to the (albeit slightly) more expensive official offering.
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An astounding improvement on an already quality product.
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2019
I've been using 8bitdo controllers for a couple years now, as I play a good amount of 2D platformers and puzzle games-- both of which all but require precise inputs. While the Switch Pro controller is a good option for games that don't require that, inconsistencies with the d-pad on both of mine have left me craving something I could use with my Switch that didn't share these issues.Upon announcement of this controller last year, I was immediately excited-- a controller with similar aesthetics and layout to the SNES controller with better ergonomics and analog sticks? I was intrigued.A controller has to do a few things in order for me to consider it "good." It has to be built well, has to be responsive, and it has to have as little quality-control issues as possible. I'm happy to say that this controller hits all those marks and then some.The SN30 Pro+ is lightweight, perhaps a little too light for my liking, but the materials used here are all solid. The buttons are clicky, the triggers smooth in their actuation, and the d-pad is rock solid no matter how many times I roll my thumb around it. No incorrect inputs, either! The analog sticks are just a touch too short for my taste, especially after using Nintendo's Pro controller for well over two years now, but they're much better than those that are baked into the JoyCons.Input lag doesn't seem to be an issue with this controller, either. It was on par with or better than officially-licensed products, which, if you've ever used a third-party controller in the last few decades, isn't always a given.All in all, the controller itself is fantastic. Combine the above points with the fact that it has rumble, gyro-aiming, and charges over USB Type-C like the Pro controller, and this is a damn good piece of kit. Highly recommended, especially if you're looking for an alternative to the (albeit slightly) more expensive official offering.
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2019
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2019
Upon announcement of this controller last year, I was immediately excited-- a controller with similar aesthetics and layout to the SNES controller with better ergonomics and analog sticks? I was intrigued.
A controller has to do a few things in order for me to consider it "good." It has to be built well, has to be responsive, and it has to have as little quality-control issues as possible. I'm happy to say that this controller hits all those marks and then some.
The SN30 Pro+ is lightweight, perhaps a little too light for my liking, but the materials used here are all solid. The buttons are clicky, the triggers smooth in their actuation, and the d-pad is rock solid no matter how many times I roll my thumb around it. No incorrect inputs, either! The analog sticks are just a touch too short for my taste, especially after using Nintendo's Pro controller for well over two years now, but they're much better than those that are baked into the JoyCons.
Input lag doesn't seem to be an issue with this controller, either. It was on par with or better than officially-licensed products, which, if you've ever used a third-party controller in the last few decades, isn't always a given.
All in all, the controller itself is fantastic. Combine the above points with the fact that it has rumble, gyro-aiming, and charges over USB Type-C like the Pro controller, and this is a damn good piece of kit. Highly recommended, especially if you're looking for an alternative to the (albeit slightly) more expensive official offering.
Edition: Sn EditionVerified Purchase
An astounding improvement on an already quality product.
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2019
I've been using 8bitdo controllers for a couple years now, as I play a good amount of 2D platformers and puzzle games-- both of which all but require precise inputs. While the Switch Pro controller is a good option for games that don't require that, inconsistencies with the d-pad on both of mine have left me craving something I could use with my Switch that didn't share these issues.Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2019
Upon announcement of this controller last year, I was immediately excited-- a controller with similar aesthetics and layout to the SNES controller with better ergonomics and analog sticks? I was intrigued.
A controller has to do a few things in order for me to consider it "good." It has to be built well, has to be responsive, and it has to have as little quality-control issues as possible. I'm happy to say that this controller hits all those marks and then some.
The SN30 Pro+ is lightweight, perhaps a little too light for my liking, but the materials used here are all solid. The buttons are clicky, the triggers smooth in their actuation, and the d-pad is rock solid no matter how many times I roll my thumb around it. No incorrect inputs, either! The analog sticks are just a touch too short for my taste, especially after using Nintendo's Pro controller for well over two years now, but they're much better than those that are baked into the JoyCons.
Input lag doesn't seem to be an issue with this controller, either. It was on par with or better than officially-licensed products, which, if you've ever used a third-party controller in the last few decades, isn't always a given.
All in all, the controller itself is fantastic. Combine the above points with the fact that it has rumble, gyro-aiming, and charges over USB Type-C like the Pro controller, and this is a damn good piece of kit. Highly recommended, especially if you're looking for an alternative to the (albeit slightly) more expensive official offering.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2019
Edition: Sn EditionVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2019
Edition: Sn EditionVerified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
Johnny
Disappointing
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 21, 2019Edition: Sn EditionVerified Purchase
Ken
Much to like with 1 flaw
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 28, 2020Edition: Sn EditionVerified Purchase
Arthur Bilford
My new favourite controller - really high quality at a really good price.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 26, 2020Edition: Sn EditionVerified Purchase
Arthur Bilford
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 26, 2020
As usual with 8bitdo, the build quality is excellent - the controller feels sturdy and looks high-quality. The analogue sticks are tight, accurate and responsive, with no centre drift and smooth movement. The analogue L2 and R2 triggers are of a similar quality. The 8-way D-pad is up to the usual excellent standard and well-suited to retro play - I’ve given it a good few hours of use and haven’t had any issue with accidental diagonals. The face buttons are also well-made with good resistance and travel (it’s only a shame that this pad doesn’t come in the Famicom/European SNES colours). It’s harder to gauge the relative accuracy of the motion sensors, but they’ve worked fine for me in the Switch games I’ve tried them with (and really, it’s just impressive that motion control is included at all in a ~£30 controller). The rumble is your standard big-motor/small-motor set and doesn’t support the Switch’s HD Rumble, but for what it is it’s fine and strength-adjustable from within the configuration software.
The config software itself (downloadable separately) does basically everything you want it to. You can remap all your buttons, adjust deadzones and sensitivities of the analogue sticks and buttons, set up macros, and save profiles. I don’t really use it, but it does work.
The only real issue I’ve had with it is with the turbo function - it works, but on Switch the activation button for turbo is the same as the screenshot/video button, so if you want to activate or deactivate the turbo, you have to hold the button down and the Switch saves 30s of video. It’s not a huge problem but it is a bit inconvenient and those videos fill up the small Switch storage space quite fast. But, like, that’s the only negative thing I could think to say about the controller, and it’s pretty small potatoes.
This is genuinely my favourite controller that I’ve ever owned. I prefer it to the official Switch Pro controller and it works perfectly as a PC and Raspberry Pi controller. It’s more useful than the Xbox 360/Xbox One pads for D-pad heavy games, it’s a bit more comfortable than any of the DualShock line (for me, at least), and it’s built to a comparable or better level of quality to all the standard first-party pads, with much better customisation options. Can’t recommend it enough.
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Richard Cross
Connection Issues with Nintendo Switch
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 29, 2020Edition: Sn EditionVerified Purchase
ARK
Great controller minus the Dpad
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 5, 2020Edition: Sn EditionVerified Purchase
