Retro Look, Modern Feel: 8Bitdo SN30 Pro+ Review

Recently I built myself a retropie emulation machine using a raspberry Pi so I could enjoy some classic games. Setting the Pi up with a keyboard was easy enough but once that was done the question became what controller to use. Retropie has support for all kinds of Bluetooth controllers such as Xbox pads, the Switch Pro controller, and even the Steam controller, but I wanted something more fitting. If I’m playing retro games then I want a retro controller to match! This is where 8Bitdo came into play.

8Bitdo is a Chinese company founded in 2013 that specializes in retro controllers. They originally started by making clones of Nintendo’s NES and SNES pads but soon began iterating and improving on the originals. That’s culminated in the SN30 Pro+, possibly the best video game controller I’ve ever used.

Let’s start with the looks. The SN30 Pro+ is clearly modeled on the SNES controller with its curvy shape, double diamond layout, and pill-shaped “Start” and “Select” buttons, but it’s an evolved design that fits right into the modern era. The controller is larger than an original SNES pad thanks to its modern grips which makes it extremely comfortable to hold. The controller comes in three flavours, a clean, plain black, the NTSC style Super Nintendo colours complete with lavender face buttons, and a quirky GameBoy homage with Maroon face buttons and a blue 8Bitdo logo.

Hard to miss are the controllers analogue sticks which look and feel uncannily like those found on a PS4 controller. Positioned in the same place as on the PS4, the SN30 Pro+ puts the D-Pad directly under the users thumb showing that this controller is made for retro games (a big sore spot with Switch Pro controller users).

Other modern touches include some PS4 style squeezy triggers on the back for modern game compatibility and a home button, hotkey button, and rumble features.

All in all the SN30 Pro+ is exactly what I want out of a controller, a perfect hybrid of retro and modern designs that works perfectly together. It feels like a dualshock 4 controller and looks like an SNES controller. Button feel for the D-Pad and face buttons is a spot on recreation of what you’d expect from Nintendo (although admittedly a little tighter than my 30 year old SNES pad) and the Bluetooth connects quickly with little fuss.

Speaking of Bluetooth, this controller is compatible with plenty of systems, all of which I’ve tried and can confirm work perfectly. The SN30 Pro+ had four modes, PC, Switch, Android, and Mac, and each one worked exactly as I’d expect. Being able to seamlessly go from playing Banjo Kazooie on Retropie, to Animal Crossing on Switch, to Minecraft on PC was wonderful.

Something also worth discussing is 8Bitdo’s “Ultimate Software”, an application available for Windows and Mac that allows you to remap buttons, adjust the sensitivity of analog sticks, triggers, and rumble, and set up macros assigned to button presses. I personally didn’t need to use this but if you’re a hardcore fighting game fanatic it could come in very handy.

I bought my SN30 Pro+ for £38.99 on Amazon which is a really good deal when you consider the fact that it works on PC, Raspberry Pi, Switch, Android, Mac etc. To put that into perspective an official Switch Pro Controller is £54.99 and even though it’s very nice, the swapped left analogue stick and D-Pad makes it less than ideal for retro games.

To sum up, the 8Bitdo SN30 Pro+ is a fantastic controller. I’m someone who has always used a mouse and keyboard for PC gaming but I will definitely be using this controller on PC for racing games and Beat 'em up style games from now on. It looks retro, feels modern, and I think that’s a brilliant combination.