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

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.

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!

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 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!

Really easy to set up and has a wide range of compatibility for retro gaming (pre-3d). The controller is very comfortable (and familiar) to hold and the dpad is one of the best you can experience on a modern controller. The buttons are snappy and satisfying. There are special settings for the dpad and buttons behavior. Look those up here in the reviews or somewhere else online. The manual and website do not mention these special commands. Firmware is updatable but seems unnecessary unless you are using this with the Switch. The only disappointment is that the M30 is not fully compatible with PS1 controller layouts. Theoretically, it should work with no issues (only one PS1 game requires analog sticks as far as I know). One button (usually the R button on the controller) acts like it doesnt exist when trying to map controls. So all buttons are configurable except one.

Okay, Im gonna start off by saying that I have reviewed 8BitDos SN30 Pro controller as well for the same criteria: 2-D fighting games on the Nintendo Switch. Neither of these controllers is a bad controller. The SN30 Pro is definitely a good controller. If I wanted the SN30 Pro controller for strictly 2-D games like Dead Cells or Celeste, then I would have given it five stars. This M30 Controller is good for normal 2-D games and I would give it a 3 or 4, but it is not for fighters. Let me explain why I, this random guy on the internet, is giving the M30 two stars: CONS -The buttons are flipped. A is B, and X is Y. Yes, I know it can be flipped some weird way, but there are no instructions for that. Thats not great. The fact that I have to read directions for that on amazon reviews is a cringy oversight. -Another thing, when you get this controller, shake it. Shake it and notice the horrible plastic hollow rattling that comes from the seemingly loose face buttons. It does not sound quality. Its an odd sound. -The controller I received, specifically, sounds very shaky when I just rattle it a little bit. I really dont like that. The SN30 Pro does not suffer from this. I recommend that controller! -Its not really that comfortable if you have big hands. I have big hands. I need handles. Looking forward to 8Bitdos SN30 Pro Plus with the handles. I will definitely be keeping that controller because the SN30 Pro is a great controller, it just needed the handles. -This was the deciding factor. Ive been playing BlazBlue Central Fiction, a 2-D Fighter, where the inputs have to be SUPER TIGHT. I thought this controller would be a godsend. I tried and tried to do a specific combo challenge for one character. Could not do it. It felt like the controller could not keep up, like the buttons were barely coming back up when I needed them to return to neutral ASAP. I tried again on my PowerA gamecube bluetooth Smash controller: that d-pad is NOT impressive. I did the combo in less than 5 minutes after barely trying it. I played with the M30 for like 2 hours. There might be some lag with bluetooth on the M30, it might be that the buttons take a while to return to neutral after pressing, it might be that the d-pad itself is not as tight as it could be, I dont know for sure. I just know that the PowerA d-pad and face buttons should NOT have beaten the M30. Thats why I have to give this controller two stars. It is not meant for 2-D fighters. PROS -I keep reading about this controller being difficult to connect via bluetooth. Never had that problem. Connected right away, never disconnected again. Thats fixed. -The D-pad is closer to what I wanted for a 2-D fighter. It can roll, its not limited to four directions, its responsive, its better. -Surprisingly good for racers. Because of the d-pad, you can hover in the center of the d-pad for quick movements left and right during races. I played it with Horizon Chase Turbo and Fast RMX. Felt good. -Love 8Bitdos packaging. Super nice and quality. Controller is stylish too. -Good for normal 2-D games on the switch. If you want it for that its a solid controller.

I bought this controller primarily to use on my Switch, more specifically the great library of shmups it has. The dpad is second-to-none when it comes to 2D gaming. I had never been a fan of the disc-style dpad (looking at you, Xbox 360), but this one is excellent. It provides great control for even the most frantic of bullet hell games. The buttons are nice and responsive, no complaints there. The build quality is really solid and the battery holds a charge for many hours of gameplay. The controller has various input modes for the different platforms it works on. Switching between modes is easy enough. There isnt much noticeable input delay, although being a wireless controller latency is present. I havent had it impact my gameplay at all, however, and most players wont notice it. Overall I cant recommend this controller enough for anyone who plays 2D games, especially retro platformers and shmups.

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!

Im so happy to finally own a Bluetooth controller, especially one in a 6 button style like the Megadrive and Saturn. The build quality seems solid, and even though my box was a little banged up on delivery, the controller held tough. Connecting is easy and lag free on my phone. the only problem: Holding the Start Button for 2 seconds turns on&off the controller. This isnt a problem often, but some games (namely mortal kombat II) involve holding the Start button, controller disconnect. This means you need to remap the start button to something else if youre using a custom emulator. Also, in the same vein of remapping, for some reason, the star button (switch screenshot button) cant be remapped? even if Im not hooked up to the switch, it just acts like the button isnt connected? If I need to remap buttons away from start, I need every option I can get. I do not understand why the Start button needed to be the power button, when theres an unused(?) button on the top (presumably a sync button? but the controller has pre programmed sync instructions and does not need it) if theres a firmware update to allow an option to change this, itd be very appreciated.

If you are looking for a controller to play 2D games with, this is the one. I though the SNES controller build was ideal, but I think this may be better. Ergonomic. Good button layout. Some are going to argue about the d-pad relative to the Nintendo + sign d-pad, but this one is smoother in the diagonals for obvious reasons. If you need dual stick, obviously this wont do the trick, but that isnt want it was designed for. Highest Marks for the retro game enthusiast.