8Bitdo M30 Bluetooth Controller for Switch, PC, macOS and Android with Sega Genesis & Mega Drive Style

Seriously could not be happier with this controller for fighting games specifically. Switch and PC are what I typically play on and this works flawlessly. Its very usefully that on the back of the controller it says what to press depending on which system you are plugging the controller into. Works sooooooo well with street fighter games. Dragon Punches are not a pain anymore. I was using the switch pro controller and a dualshock before when i played on pad, but those days are finally over. I will most likely buy more of these controllers just to have and im interested in checking out the d-pads on other 8bitdo controllers. THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS CONTROLLER!!! 4 Month Update - Still works like a champ! I really love this controller! The Dpad is the best I have found in any controller so far. Also, this works perfectly with the Mayflash Magic S (for PS4) Rev 1.1 This converter allows you to use the M30 on PS4. So now im able to use the same controller for Switch, PC, and PS4! I just bought another one of these controllers so when I play with friends, we have 2 great fighting game controllers. The only improvement I could hope for in the future, is a version with a headphone jack. Thanks again 8bitdo!

I purchased this along with the Genesis-Style Retro Receivers by 8bitdo. I have been a fan of 8bitdos products since the beginning, but the quality of these two products just wasnt up to their usual standard. I am posting this review on the Retro Receiver page as well. The Retro Receiver was using firmware v. 0.21. The M30s were on firmware v. 1.10. They were being used with Analogues Mega SG. There were no major electronics between myself and the console that could have caused interference with the signal. The controller was fully charged. I was approximately 6 feet away from the console. The bad: - One of the Receivers I purchased did not sit nicely into the socket and had to be forced in. - The controller/receiver would periodically drop the signal and I would lose all control over the game I was playing. I could visibly see that the retro receivers status light was blinking, so I know it lost the signal. - Often, the inputs I made would cease but then catch up later on. So, my character would stop moving for about 2 seconds and then would start respond to all the commands that it had been ignoring. - I did not initially notice much in the way of general lag (when it wasnt dropping the signal), but when I gave up on the 8bitdos and plugged in my original genesis controller, I could instantly notice a huge difference. There is an obvious ever-present delay when compared with wired controllers that make gameplay with the M30s seem sluggish. The Good: - The build quality on the M30s was phenomenal. The buttons and d-pad are perfect and the texturing on the plastic has a premium feel. Overall: The product may end up being good at some point due to firmware updates but at the time that I had them, they simply did not work properly. I bought a pair of both and both exhibited the same issues (though one was arguably less reliable). They have been returned for a refund.

+ This controller is a great modernization of the Genesis 6 button gamepad. Connectivity and battery life is great across various platforms. The buttons feel accurate, with the directional pad being noticeably less mushy than the one its based off of. ~ Compatibility is generally good but has some quirks. 8Bitdo has frequent firmware updates for anything that they can patch software-side, but the only real way to tell is to manually check through their updater app on PC. - While great for Mega Drive (Genesis) ports, this controller doesnt wholly fit in with modern games, while the face A, B, C, X, Y, Z buttons make up for only having one set of shoulder buttons, this controller has no gyroscope controls on analog sticks, so keep that in mind when buying. Maybe in the future, theyd consider making a Pro version of it, like they did with the SN30/SF30 line. Overall, a little bit niche, but an amazing buy if youre a Genesis (Mega Drive) fan!

D Pad is terrible….feels ok but inputs for Street Fighter are about impossible with this thing. Just terrible.

Now theres something you dont read everyday. This controller is an improvement on the original Genesis/Mega Drive controller in so many ways. The original controller could feel too big, hollow, occasionally clunky and often marred by a thick cable. This wireless bluetooth controller is nice and smooth in your hands, compact but not too tiny. There is an added weight to it, likely due to the internal battery, that really gives it a quality feel. Best of all is the big beautiful mushy buttons and 8-way directional pad that are perfect for Segas iconic brawlers like the Streets of Rage and Golden Axe series and run and gun classic Gunstar Heroes. Highly recommended for any retro Sega fan.

I had nothing but issues with the M30 in RetroPi. I bought it to relive Sega Dreamcast memories, but it is just frustration. I had issues with it repairing if you disconnect it. Removing my PS3 controller from the RetroPi seemed to have fixed that. The worst issue is at random times I press the Start button the controller turns off. It is supposed to turn off after a 3 second press not after a 1 second press. I do not have this issue with the SN30 Pro I have. I will just try it wired to see if that will make it work any better. I will probably keep it since it was relatively inexpensive and feels decent compared to some of the generic old school controller, again the SN30 Pro feels better, but it cost more and has more going on with it. I really wanted to like this controller for the 6 button layout.

I have a few 8bitdo controllers and the M30 is by far my favorite. As a huge Sega fan from back in the day, I love that the dpad mimics the one found on the Genesis 6-button pad and the button layoutmatches both that pad and the Saturn controller. This one adds extra buttons for modern gamers that also accomodate its use on the Nintendo Switch. Personally I dont use it on that platform, I use it often on a Windows 10 computer and sometimes on a couple of Raspberry Pis. This isnt a controller Id recommend for modern games since it lacks analog sticks and has a different button layout. However, if youre into playing classic games via emulation, I think this is about the best controller you can get right now. Its responsive, easy to connect, works over either a wired or bluetooth connection, and when using it wirelessly you get more than respectable battery life. If youre looking for a controller for retrogaming that is suitable for multiple older platforms, then look no further, this is the one to get.

Sega made the best 6 button fighting pad ever with the Saturn 2nd revision pads. No contest. These come really, REALLY close to the feel of those pads. Pairing with the Switch and my Windows laptop was a breeze... just follow the directions. Absolutely perfect feel and function, 100 percent lag free on Switch and Windows. The only things Id loved to have seen are a slightly larger controller that added both analog sticks at the base and rumble support. Thatd be perfect. But, apparently 8bitdo is working on such a thing in the STN 30 Pro. Ill definitely be getting one when and if its ever released. Streets of Rage 4 plays like a dream and Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max on my Windows emulator is PERFECT. Best SF game ever. If youre into fighters, you NEED this pad in your life.

I already had an older 8bitdo controller, so this did have expectations to meet. The D-pad is very good, but also seems a bit less tactile than I remember the real ones being. However, in fighting games, I was able to pull off moves pretty well, and put my few failures on myself, not playing that style of game much, these days. Input lag was just fine, to me. The biggest pro for this conotroller, IMO, is ergonomics. The sloped sides make using it for an hour or more tolerable, with RSI in both wrists, all while having a very good d-pad, placed such that my thumb naturally rests on it at a 45 degree angle. The SN30 Pro, for contrast, is much less comfortable for long periods of use, with its forward d-pad (though, I find it to be fine with the sticks, which I can use OK with a different grip). However, given its small size, it would be even better, ergonomically, if they followed Segas lead with their later controllers, and put the buttons on a steeper arc.

I have bought many OEM and third party controllers over the years. I remember my 6 button genesis controller fondly. I have the 8bitdo nes and snes pro controllers and I can say this thing is just as good, which is amazing. Pairs with my switch, then quickly can change modes and pair to my retropie. Amazing. The dpad feels just like an original Sega dpad. The buttons as well. Im a fan of the ergonomics and the fact that you can switch the dpad to act as either the switch left stick or dpadis amazing. I love 8bitdo and cant wait to see what they release next!