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

I use Linux based PC and my first experience with 8bitdo Controllers was the 2.4 SNES wireless controller. Using the old school controller with my Emulation sessions was that missing piece that completes the feel of the original games. The 8bitdo controllers link right up with my Asus Bluetooth card I got and installed. All major emulation systems recognize the controller. Steam and Lutris recognize the controllers as well. This is great when you play retro styles games like Oniken, Gigantic Army, Odallus, etc.

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.

This is the best fighting controller I have ever found as of Sept 2022, that actually sort of fits in my pocket. The problem is the sort of. It still gets irritating when I sit down, it is just too thick. It seems like there must be the technology available to make a true mobile, high quality POCKETABLE controller. The steel series free almost did it, however the dpad on that is bad and the analog sticks are creaky. This controller even has a separate accessory that allows you to mount your phone. It almost realizes the dream of a portable gaming controller. But not quite. Highest quality dpad, on par with first party controls such as nintendo 3ds and ps vita, the gold standard. If anyone knows of a high quality, POCKETABLE controller, please reply to this review!

I didnt have a great controller for 2d games, and ended up going with this. Ive heard generally good things about 8Bitdo and the saturn-style d-pad seemed nice. Theres very little to complain about. It feels comfortable in the hands, has a reasonable amount of weight to it, and the buttons and d-pad feel good to press. The way the shoulder buttons are put together, they wont depress if you try to press them from the inner edges. Not much of a problem though, just had to adjust to it. Switching the d-pad and input modes is pretty seamless and the button combos are easy to remember. Its been totally compatible with everything Ive thrown at it. Strangely, in x-input mode the right shoulder button is mapped to a full left analog press, while the Z and C buttons are mapped to the right shoulder and a full right analog press. The star button also didnt seem to be recognized at all. I can only assume these are due to x-input limitations or something, and so far they havent caused any issues outside of having to remap some controls occasionally. Of course, the most important thing for me is the d-pad and it delivers. Feels great to use and I havent had any issues with inaccurate inputs like, for instance, the Switch pro controller has. Ive mostly used it for platformers so far, so I cant really say how well itd hold up in something more demanding like a fighting game, but for what Ive used it for its held up great.

Back in February I bought 2 of Retro-Bits Bluetooth SEGA Saturn controllers over these because of SEGAs official branding, but later found what a mess I would end up with since at first they had to do a Firmware update so they can connect back to your PC after they went to sleep. After the Firmware update they then were always Connected instead of going back to Paired after going to sleep which would conflict with other controllers from acting as Controller 1 in some games and programs such as MAME. Retro-Bit still has yet to fix the issue after countless emails and tweets made out to them where they left it as their team couldnt replicate the issue. Later on the right d-pad broke, which proves theyre made cheap. So after that nightmare, I bought 2 of these by 8bitdo, and they worked like a charm on everything. They turn off when you need them to, and turn back on without any extra Firmware. It reads just like an XBOX One controller with A, B, X, Y in the same places while C & Z reads as Left & Right Trigger. L & R reads as LB & RB. These controllers dont conflict with any other controllers either. Just wish I knew all this sooner before dumbing around and falling for something just because it had SEGAs brand associated to it thinking it was a better quality when it actually wasnt.

First, a couple of things. 1. It doesnt auto activate your switch so youll have to start up the switch manually or with your joycons/pro controller, then pair the 8bitdo controller. You have to do this every time you use the controller which can be a pain. 2. Youll have to look up a good way to remap the controller so the button layout lines up better. 3. The controller is a little on the small side. Although the buttons are nice and large like the original sega genesis controller, the overall size of the controller is noticeably smaller. This is a shame because one thing I loved about the sega genesis controller was how well it filled out my hands while holding it. 4. It has a nice finish on it that keeps it from smudging but the controller itself is very light. I prefer a little weight to the controller as it makes it feel more sturdy and of higher quality. I use this controller for my Sega ports on the switch. It is highly responsive with no noticeable input lag. It is comfortable to hold, though a little small as mentioned. Although this is a great controller, if your looking for a controller that looks and feels like a genesis controller, this is not your controller. This controller is more akin the Sega Saturn controller.

I dont really get any nostalgia for the old sega controllers, but I got this one for us with Sega games that are available for the switch, and my modded SNES classic. The controller feels great, the buttons are crisp and feel durable. Not a huge fan of the circle D-pad, but it worked perfectly. The only complaint I have (which isnt the controllers fault) is that Ive found some programs assume Im using a nintendo controller, and remap the buttons as if that were the case. I was hoping this controller would somehow translate the genesis/Snes controller issue for me, but alas, its something that still needs to be fixed in the games controller settings. Not a deal-breaker at all, and this wouldnt be an issue for folks playing on emulators or original hardware. Still recommended, as it seems to be the quickest, easiest way to use a sega controller on nintendo machines.

I initially ordered the 2.4ghz version for my Sega Genesis. I ended up returning it due to the fact it is currently plagued with connection issues. I bought the Bluetooth controller and receiver instead as 8Bitdos SNES & NES Bluetooth controller/receiver combo worked quite well for me in the past. Im happy to say the M30 + Genesis receiver have worked flawlessly since I received them. My only complaint is the use of USB-C to charge the controller instead of micro USB. The M30 2.4ghz uses micro, so not sure why they decided to change it up with the M30 Bluetooth. Its just another cable I have to keep handy.

I love this controller! Its like the Saturn model 2 pad with much better L and R buttons. The Dpad is might be my favorite on any controller ever, and the face buttons have a quick reset time. The feel of this controller is fantastic the finish of the plastic on the shell and the dpad make this product seem very premium. The USB-C port is appreciated as someone that usually plays wired. There are a couple things 8BitDo can do on a second revision to make this perfect. 1 - when pressed hard the dpad makes a loud creaking noise, this is an easy fix by placing a buffer between the top and bottom pieces of the dpad.(thanks Reddit user Styl0s) 2 - the button mapping for x input mode is strange I would love to be able to customize it. Please make a wired version 8BitDo!

I find the traditional cross D-pad the best for general emulation of old school games. This pad is best used for classic Capcom 6 button fighters and thats it. I tested the M30 vs SN30 Pro+ in games like classic NG and MB and the responsiveness of the SN30 Pro+ wins.