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My first encounter with 8BitDo happened during the early days of COVID-19. Retail stores were reopening with curbside pickup options only. I wanted a controller or gamepad for my Nintendo Switch, so I checked BestBuy.com. They had a gamepad that resembled an old NES controller from a company I had never heard of before. This was the 8BitDo N30 Pro 2.
Oh boy, I fell in love with this little gamepad. Five years later and countless hours of use, this controller still has no joystick drift or apparent issue. This is still a tremendous retro game gamepad.
The N30 Pro 2’s only drawback was its size. Even if it had a complete set of buttons, the triggers and bumpers were in a single file on the top of the controller, making it difficult to use in a game that requires those buttons.
After researching 8BitDo’s range of gamepads, I discovered the SN30 Pro Special Edition Gamepad. Part of the SN30 Pro series, the Special Edition is available in two eye-catching colors: Crystal Purple and Jade Green. Ultimately, I opted for green.
What’s in the Box
- SN30 Pro Gamepad
- USB-C to USB-A Charging Cable
- Manual
First impression – Jade Green Beauty
Pure cosmetics are the main difference between the SN30 Pro and the Special Edition. All models behave the same and have the same functions. We have a see-thru plastic for the Special Edition, which makes it look… well unique. It features a complete set of buttons, including top bumpers (labeled L and R) and triggers (labeled L2 and R2). The buttons have a Nintendo Switch BAYX placement. We also have + Start, – Select, Home, and Star Buttons.
The update to Hall effect joysticks is a testament to 8BitDo’s commitment to quality in gaming peripherals, including the SN30 Pro line of gamepads. You can expect these gamepads to last you a long time.
Connectivity
The main strength of the SN30 Pro line of gamepads is its versatility, as it can connect to a variety of devices and operating systems.
You can connect to the following via Bluetooth:
- Nintendo Switch
- Windows PC
- Steam OS and Steam Deck
- Android
- Apple Mac and iOS Devices
- Raspberry Pi
You can easily switch your SN30 Pro to four modes to connect to these devices depending on a few button presses:
- Power + Y button = Switch mode
- Power + X button = Xinput mode
- Power + B button = Dinput mode
- Power + A button = Apple mode
What is it suitable for?
Now that we have discussed the technical aspects of the SN30 Pro line of gamepads, let’s see what it can do.
This gamepad screams retro games, platforms, beat ‘em-up, and Metroidvanias games. The D-pad is fantastic for those types of games. It is solid and responsive in games like the Shantae series, Carrion, Celeste, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, and other Indies games.
The SN30 Pro analog joysticks, which feel solid in platform games, excel in games like Journey or Super Mario Odyssey (the SN30 Pro also supports gyro controls for Nintendo Switch).
As much as the SN30 Pro excels in those types of games, I would not use it for First Person Shooters type of games. The joysticks can play those, but the size and form factor wouldn’t be the most comfortable for those intense games, like a full-size controller like the Manba One.
Drawbacks
8BitDo controllers are known to be mappable using their Ultimate Software app. Sadly, the SN30 Pro is not supported by that software. The buttons are not mappable, and you won’t be able to create any macros. You can still use the available turbo function. Just press the Star and the front button you want to use simultaneously. This will activate the turbo on that button.
Another thing is that the triggers are not analog but digital inputs. You won’t be able to use this best in a racing sim.
Despite these drawbacks, the SN30 Pro Special Edition gamepad is an exceptional, versatile, and well-crafted peripheral. If you’re into retro, platform, Indies, or Metroidvania games, you’ll enjoy playing every minute of your game with this gamepad. Highly recommended.
The SN30 Pro Special Edition is available at Amazon.
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