This SNES-Style Gamepad Is Great For Switch, PC

This SNES-Mode Gamepad Is Nifty For Switch, PC

Practice yous want a more old-school style to play classic games on your Switch or PC? Do you really miss the Super Nintendo? Or maybe you only detest how expensive Nintendo's $70 Pro Controller is?

If you autumn into at to the lowest degree ane of those camps, 8Bitdo's new SN30 Pro and SF30 Pro controllers ($50 each) are probably for you lot. These retro gamepads evoke the look and feel of the Super Nintendo and Super Famicom controllers, respectively, while adding in modern civilities like dual analog sticks, triggers and rumble functionality.

The second I picked up my SN30 Pro, I was struck by but how faithfully it replicates the original Super Nintendo controller. Everything but feels the style it should, from the tight d-pad, to the rubbery start and select buttons, to the concave X and Y buttons that sit adjacent to the convex A and B buttons. The SF30 Pro is nearly identical, save for the multicolored ABXY buttons meant to evoke the Super Famicom.

Everything but feels the way it should.

The added analog sticks feel sturdy, accept nice textured grips and give a satisfying click when yous push button them in. The controller'south rear triggers experience a flake shallow compared to those of a traditional controller, but that'southward to be expected given the SN30 Pro's tiny size. The SN30 features home and screenshot buttons for utilise on Switch, so I didn't feel similar I was losing any major functionality in using information technology.

The SN30 Pro charges over USB-C and can connect to PCs, Macs and Android devices via Bluetooth (no iOS, unfortunately), likewise as to the Nintendo Switch. Pairing the controller is a cinch; yous'll simply have to hold the ability button alongside a specific face button, depending on your platform before you sync.

8Bitdo's controller performed well with just virtually whatever game I threw at it, though, naturally, retro titles shone the about. Ultra Street Fighter 2 felt peculiarly right on the SN30 Pro, which allowed me to perform all of my usual combos and special moves with ease thanks to the excellent d-pad. I zoomed through Sonic Mania and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe without skipping a vanquish, and had no problems smashing bricks in Lego Marvel Superheroes 2.

Where the SN30 Pro stumbles a bit is with modern, dual-thumbstick games. During a heated lucifer of Splatoon 2, my hands felt cramped as I used both sticks to apace aim, swim and shoot. It was far from unplayable, merely noticeably less comfortable than using my Pro Controller or even the Joy-Cons.

That brings me to my last nitpick: The SN30 just doesn't seem ideal for prolonged employ. Afterwards a few hours with it, I institute myself longing for the more than substantial grips of my Pro. Granted, that's not a flaw of the SN30 Pro itself; it'south simply that my large hands can only spend so long with that archetype Super Nintendo form factor.

Overall though, the SN30 Pro is a wonderfully versatile controller that faithfully replicates the classic SNES pad while adding some welcome modern touches. It lacks iOS support and isn't ideal for intense AAA activeness games, only it's an easy recommendation for anyone who wants a well-congenital retro pad for their Switch or PC -- especially since it's $20 less than Nintendo's Pro Controller.

Images: Mike Andronico/Tom'south Guide

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Mike Andronico is Senior Writer at CNNUnderscored and was formerly Managing Editor at Tom's Guide. When not at piece of work, you lot can usually grab him playing Street Fighter, devouring Twitch streams and trying to convince people that Hawkeye is the best Avenger.