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

Perfect controller, for playing Genesis and Saturn games on PC, switch, or even games like Sonic Mania on Steam!

I primarily bought this controller for the Sega Ages games coming for and on the Nintendo Switch. It pairs and works on different things like android, PC, Switch, and Steam similar to most of 8bitdos products. The build of the controller is as solid as I expected it to be, light but doesnt feel cheap. The buttons feel great, similar to the 6 button Genesis controller and the same can be said about the D-Pad (which is a major plus). This D-pad is fantastic imo, a HUGE improvement from the other controllers I have from them (the SN30Pro), barely any misread inputs from left or right going up or down instead. One main caveat for using this on the Switch is that it follows the Nintendo button layout (so A on this controller is B and X on this controller is Y, and the Z and C buttons are mapped to L and R while the L and R buttons on the controller are mapped to ZL and ZR). Plus the D-Pad is apparently detected as an analouge stick instead of a D-Pad/the 4 directional buttons so that might cause some problems with some games. This isnt a huge problem for the Sega Ages games since you can remap the buttons if need be but if you plan to use this controller for a game that doesnt let you remap your buttons then it could be a problem. (And the Z and C buttons are mapped to L and R while the L and R buttons on the controller are mapped to ZL and ZR) Using this controller on Steam works pretty great using X-input (and Big Picture Mode) too. Overall, this is probably 8bitdos best controller so far. I know that Retro-Bit are also releasing original cased wireless Sega Genesis and Saturn controllers in the future (who knows when) that will also work with the Switch, but for $30 this is hard to beat and is a great for all the Sega Ages games that are planned for the Nintendo Switch and Sonic Mania.

I bought this controller for use on my PC with 2D games. Ive used it for a few weeks now, & I really like it. Its comfortable to use for long play sessions. The D-Pad in responsive & reliable. It does not have a center pivot, so its possible to accidentally smash all the directions, but I havent found this to be an issue in use. The 6 face buttons feel identical to my old 6-button Genesis controller. X, Y, & Z are a little loose, so they rattle when you set the controller down, but they still feel very good when you actually use them. The shoulder buttons are large with a similar feel to SNES shoulder buttons, but the pivot seems to be closer to center, which allows for easy presses on any part of the button. Pairing the controller was easy. Battery life has been great so far. I havent noticed any issues or lag while playing. My only real complaint is the positioning of the star, -, & home buttons. Theyre so close together & with no tactile distinction that I cant reliably press any of the 3. I feel it would be more functional if either a couple of tactile bumps were added to - or if star & home were moved above start to give more separation. Its not a big enough issue to make me want to reduce the rating, but it would be reason enough for me to buy a newer model if they changed it.

My absolute favorite DPAD in 2020 on switch and PC. Thats in-comparison to 8BITDO SN30-pro (2nd favoite), switch pro, SNES classic, NES classic, xbox on, and ps4 dualshock. Seriously if you love the SN30/SNES d-pad, consider giving this one a shot. Easily and quickly transfers from SWITCH to PC. Switch paring (START + Y). PC Pairing (START + X) Buttons are fantastic. On switch, shoulder buttons are ZL and ZR with Z and C translating to L and R. Great for classic games like Collection of Mana or Megaman collections or something like Final Fantasy VII. Possibly awkward game depending. Does work with games like Animal Crossing, but lack of d-pad for shortcuts may be cumbersome. SN30-PRO with analog sticks is more featured - again depends on the game you wish to play. This is my go-to for 2D platform/shooters and turn based games.

I am an avid player of Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection on Nintendo Switch. This is the perfect controller for playing Street Fighter. The dpad is a dream! Pulling off more complicated moves like Guile’s and Balrog’s super in Super Turbo are much easier now since the dpad is so good. It is incredibly precise and it is the best dpad I have ever used. I was previously using an 8bitdo SN30 Pro for Street Fighter and while that controller is in itself awesome, this is the better controller if you play games like Street Fighter. The buttons are also quite good and the feel of the controller is great. I love the smooth matte finish. In terms of synching up with the Switch, it synchs super fast. Never had one issue. Highly recommended!

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 bought this because the dpad looks like a good clone of the excellent dpad found on the Sega Saturn, and indeed, it feels pretty close. Rolling it around gives the same tactile sensation as the Sega Saturns dpad - with the exception of up-left being mushy. That was my first red flag. You can also push it straight down like a button, which isnt a red flag for me (you can do that with the NES dpad, and that things excellent). So, I paired it with my PC and fired up the original Street Fighter II (arcade version) on an emulator and... I couldnt pull off hadoukens with any form of consistency. It takes me several tries just to get one. Shoryukens are more consistent, for some reason. I thought it might just be the game, but then I connected my Xbox One controller, and that was far more consistent, though still not as good as the actual Saturn controller. Overall, its pretty good for games that dont require command inputs, like platformers, shmups, etc. So, the feel is there, but accuracy is not. The rest of the controller is mostly okay. The material, shape, and weight feel excellent. Most of the buttons are good, but the membrane quality is inconsistent. The R button isnt quite as tactile and springy as the L button, and then theres the aforementioned issue with the up-left position on the dpad. Strangely, pressing hard on the X button causes the button to recess past the travel of the membrane, making me believe that the PCB is flexing. So, overall decent, but the dpad is a deal breaker for me, and I will be returning this controller. Ill be looking into Retro-Bits Sega Saturn replica controller, and hope I have better luck with that.

Works perfect, very faithful to the classic Sega controller.

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 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.