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

The headline says it all. If youre someone who prefers playing games with a D-Pad instead of a control stick, this controller has the best D-Pad of 8Bitdos entire product line in my opinion. Its very comfortable to use for extended play sessions and an absolute joy to hold.

Lo compré principalmente para jugar juegos de pelea, ya que en cuanto al precio y diseño es perfecto, la cruceta flotante (creo que así se llama) es bastante mas precisa que una cruceta clásica, aparte tiene toda la calidad 8bitdo, de los cuales tengo otro control, un sn30+ y también es perfecto, pero para juegos de pelea es mejor un diseño de 6 botones. A si que eso, si busca un control con estas características y a un precio accesible no lo dude y vaya por él :)

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 love this thing, its a bit smaller than a retro Genesis controller, but thats a good thing, it feels much nicer to hold. Build quality is fantastic. Buttons feel perfect, maybe even better than genuine Sega controllers. I dont notice any input lag at all, and amazingly it works with their other bluetooth receivers. Yes, you can play Super Metroid on SNES with a Genesis/Saturn style controller if you want to anger the gods, and it works perfectly fine.

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.

This a great call back to sega genesis. This controller is easy to connect to most devices. For me, my main use is for my android phone. This is what I carry now instead of the sn30. It also has a usb-c charge port so theres no need to carry more than one type of wire. Now for the downside. I initially bought this for my switch to play the genesis collection but the game doesnt seem to allow button reconfiguration. So even though its still playable its just not the same. Holding the start button turns on the controller. This would pose a problem for me cause I find the controller activated on several occasions while I carry it in pocket or my backpack. This issue could be easily solved if the power button was one of the other buttons that isnt protruding out. Overall this is still my go to controller now. Thanks for making this controller 8bitdo!

Was looking for a good controller to pair with my 2019 SHIELD to play some Saturn games via Yaba Sanshiro. After trying another brands officially licensed Sega controller, I was left very disappointed by build quality and Bluetooth input response time. I can already say that this 8bitdo controller is light years better in all regards compared to other controllers Ive tried. Setup and mapping was a breeze and the controller shipped with the latest firmware (1.14 at the time of this review) already installed. The controller feels solid in hand and buttons are super responsive and have the right amount of spring to them. I dont notice any kind of Bluetooth lag or connectivity issues sitting about six feet away from my SHIELD. USB-C charging is a major plus in my book too. I honestly dont have any negatives to speak of, everything from the packaging to the operation and feel of the controller is pretty perfect. If youre looking to do some retro Sega gaming, I highly recommend this pad.

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!

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.

Im pretty well versed with a few variations of Genesis/Mega Drive controllers for the original system. From the 3 button original, to the odd jank 3rd party ones to the normal original 6 button one, Ive grown up with em. This thing is MOSTLY a Genesis controller. The dpad and buttons really have that feel but this controller has the triggers which are a blessing from the Saturn controller. All of the buttons feel just right, they even sound the same from what I can tell. The Genesis controller is great for the games of the time, but later games really benefit from shoulder buttons. I tested this game with a few titles, Ranger X & Sonic 3 & Knuckles on the Genesis (emulated), Freedom Planet and its sequels beta, Sonic Mania, Mega Man X2 & X4. I made sure to test games on both Switch AND PC. For the games it worked really well and really, really feels like a genesis controller in terms of buttons and dpad. The extra buttons for the switch took a little getting used to. The Heart=Home which also works with steam, the screenshot button works on switch but didnt seem to register on PC. If youre curious about input delay? I cant feel any. That doesnt mean there isnt but as far as I could tell with my testing it felt spot on and if there was any delay I couldnt detect it. Naturally there will be since its wireless but it may very well be undetectable to most people. I heard its 1-2 frames, so if that sounds like a big deal? Thats on you to decide. Now, heres the problem with the controller which Im sure can be fixed with firmware updates which 8bitdo does do, theyre very good with support. So, the issue is when I tested some other games, yikes using the L & R button at the same time seems to negate both of them. So when playing Mega Man Zero with dash as L and shoot as R? I couldnt hold a charge shot and dash. If you want to say this is meant for Genesis games so the L&R buttons are moot to complain about? I disagree. They put them there for a reason and they help the controller be more than the OG 6 button controller. Again, this is very likely easily fixed via firmware and they do update these their many controllers. But as of writing with firmware 1.0? These two buttons will not work when pressed at the same time. No other buttons seem to be effected by any other combo either. So, as it stands I cant give it full marks. It feels so good and Im really happy with it over all but till they fix that one problem? I cant play some of the games I was hoping to. Edit: If youre going to use this on PC/Windows for some retro games, the best option is to set it up via MacOS mode by holding Start+A on boot up. This will put it in direct input mode and will negate my complaints. However it still will be a problem for any game you want to use xinput on.