In this video I show how to pair the 8BitDo SN30 Pro+ Bluetooth Gamepad in the Super Nintendo design from Amazon to the Nintendo Switch.The 8BitDo SN30 Pro+. 8BitDo SN30 Pro+ Pro+ is the most advanced controller from 8BitDo ever. With 8BitDo Ultimate Software: Customize everything on Pro+ from button mapping, stick & trigger sensitivity, vibration control and even create macros with any button combination. Easily save your settings on a game by game basis with custom profiles. Get your game on anytime, anywhere with the ultra-portable 8BitDo SN30 Pro Controller. This powerful Bluetooth accessory seamlessly pairs with your phone or tablet, so you can play your favorite Xbox titles from the Cloud without being tethered to a PC or console. 8Bitdo SN30 Pro Wireless Bluetooth Controller Gamepad Dual Classic Joystick for Windows, Mac OS, Android, Linux, Raspberry Pi, Steam, etc, Compatible with Nintendo Switch 4.7 out of 5 stars 263 $53.99. SN30 Pro – four small LED lights placed on the bottom of the controller. N30 Pro 2 – two long narrow curved lights on the sides. Motor and thumb stick cap size; SN30 Pro - eccentric shaft gear motor and 17mm diameter thumb stick cap. N30 Pro 2 – Linear vibration motor and 11mm diameter thumb stick cap.
Join GamesBeat Summit 2021 this April 28-29. Register for a free or VIP pass today.
Video games are in a good place when it comes to controllers. The Xbox Series X/S, DualSense, and Switch Pro controllers are all mostly comfortable and capable. And that extends to third-party gamepads — like those from 8BitDo, which is launching the new 8BitDo Pro 2 controller day.
The 8BitDo Pro 2 is $50, and it’s now available from Amazon. It works with Switch, PC, Mac, Android, Raspberry Pi, and more. It is also the followup to 8BitDo’s excellent SN30 Pro+ controller but with even more features.
This is a standard, full-featured controller that has all of the inputs you’d expect from an Xbox 360 controller. Additionally, it has two built-in back paddles that you can program using 8BitDo’s Ultimate Software, which is now available on iOS and Android as well as PC and Mac.
And like the SN30 Pro+, the Pro 2 is easy to recommend. It’s especially handy if you want a solid controller to take with you as you move from Switch to PC to Raspberry Pi and so on. And as with all of 8BitDo’s offerings, the Pro 2 is a must have if you prioritize gaming with a D-pad.
Classic design and smart functionality
With the SN30 Pro+, 8BitDo already nailed what most people want from a classic controller design. It had nice long handles that made it easy to grip and comfortable, easy-to-reach button placement. The Pro 2 adds to that with the back paddles while simultaneously maintaining every that’s great about the original controller. This D-pad is still fantastic, and if you want a gamepad that prioritizes a digital, directional input over analog, this is the go-to option.
But 8BitDo also did a lot to improve the usability of the controller. For one, it now has a hardware switch to select the Switch, Android, Dinput, and Xinput modes. On previous 8BitDo controllers, you selected the controller’s connectivity profile using a combination of buttons. The Pro 2 also now has a button to switch between three saved profiles, and you can set those profiles using your phone and the 8BitDo Ultimate Software app.
That Ultimate Software is finnicky on mobile. I would lose connection when the Pro 2 was in Switch mode, but I was able to set changes using Ultimate on Windows.
This is a wonderful controller that 8BitDo has only made better. And it has done so without raising the price. The paddles are especially nice. They fit nicely under my middle finger, but I haven’t found myself hitting them unless I mean to. When I do hit them, the action is responsive and clicky.
8BitDo Pro 2 still has symmetrical sticks and limited Switch capabilities
The drawbacks for the 8BitDo Pro 2 are the same as they were for the SN30 Pro+.
It uses symmetrical analog sticks like a DualShock, and that is only a negative depending on the game you’re playing. If you want to prioritize D-pad play, then the big directional pad on this controller is great. I gravitate toward this gamepad for retro games and anything 2D. For 3D games or shooters, I use an Xbox controller when I’m not using keyboard and mouse.
The 8BitDo Pro 2 also cannot wake up a docked Switch from sleep. This is frustrating because it means you’ll have to stand up and turn the Switch on before then controlling it with the Pro 2. It’s a minor inconvenience, but it’s still annoying.
I also used to have a difficult time connecting 8BitDo devices to the Switch. That’s easier now thanks to improvements on Nintendo’s side. But the Pro 2’s hardware profile selector also helps. Still, I wouldn’t describe the process as seamless. You might have to wait a minute for the controller to pair, and dialing between Switch to another mode can cause more connection problems.
Still the controller mostly just works. And once you have a connection, it won’t randomly disconnect or anything like that.
A great gamepad for $50
The 8BitDo Pro 2 is one of those controllers that makes me want to just keep playing. It aces all of the most important controller elements. It’s comfortable, responsive, and mostly easy to use. I wish it turned on the Switch, but that is a Nintendo issue and not one with 8BitDo. At $50, you’ll have a hard time doing better, and I prefer it over the Switch Pro controller.
Sn30 Pro Plus
The 8BitDo Pro 2 is available now for $50. The company provided GamesBeat with a sample unit for the purpose of this review.
GamesBeat
8bitdo Sn30 Pro Plus
GamesBeat's creed when covering the game industry is 'where passion meets business.' What does this mean? We want to tell you how the news matters to you -- not just as a decision-maker at a game studio, but also as a fan of games. Whether you read our articles, listen to our podcasts, or watch our videos, GamesBeat will help you learn about the industry and enjoy engaging with it.How will you do that? Membership includes access to:- Newsletters, such as DeanBeat
- The wonderful, educational, and fun speakers at our events
- Networking opportunities
- Special members-only interviews, chats, and 'open office' events with GamesBeat staff
- Chatting with community members, GamesBeat staff, and other guests in our Discord
- And maybe even a fun prize or two
- Introductions to like-minded parties