Full disclosure: I am a sucker for any retro-style device, especially controllers. So naturally, I got this without knowing the company 8BitDo or looking at any reviews.
First, I really like the packaging. The box has this color faded orange/white look that seems to come straight from the ’80s that has been hanging on an electronic shop’s display window for a few years. The controller comes well packaged inside along with a USB-C cable for connectivity and charging (no power pack) and the documentation.
The actual controller certainly looks like a combination between the NES and SNES, with the red/black/beige color scheme form the NES and the shape of the rounded sides of the SNES. It also has a blue LED light on the sides that tells when the device is on, in pairing mode, or connected. It is aesthetically appealing to my eyes. Because the controller is rather small and very light (pocket-size), it can “feel” very old-school. However, it is still very well built and seems durable. The control layout is simple and traditional; D-pad on the left, select and start buttons in the middle, action buttons on the right, 2 analog sticks in the lower center, and 4 top buttons (R1, R2, L1, L2). The rechargeable battery, according to 8BitDo, can last up to 18 hours. This controller is excellent for portability.
If you have never used an old gamepad, are used to today’s larger controllers, or have big hands, holding it may feel strange and might even be a bit uncomfortable. I think the analog sticks are small and kind of close to each other. The top buttons are also a bit cramped as reaching for the R1 and L1 buttons can leave you flexing your fingers in a claw-like manner, which is fatiguing -especially if the game requires those button presses constantly. Having said that, the D-pad and action buttons do feel great. The buttons have a satisfying click and springiness to them, leaving no room for button misses. The D-pad also feels great, just like the old NES’. This gamepad also features rumble, some motion-sensing technology, and a rapid-fire mode.
As far as connectivity, I was able to connect the controller to an Android tablet, iPad Air 3, and Switch easily. I did have a bit of trouble with connecting and set up on a Windows laptop using Bluetooth. However, it worked using the USB-C cable, although this defeats the wireless feature. The gamepad worked flawlessly on my mobile devices. From adventure, fighting, dungeon crawlers, to action games, it responded to any action or movement without any discernible issue or lag. However, on the Windows laptop, again, it was difficult to set up and did not always work -especially in Bluetooth mode. This is a bummer because this controller is awesome for portability and I was looking forward to playing some PC titles on the go.
In the end, I will still recommend this controller. Although it does have questionable comfort and some Windows compatibility issues (I am hoping that the next version will address these), it does have a great retro-look and vibe, is well built, ultra-light, and highly portable. I think the 8BitDo N30 Pro 2 is certainly a good value for the features you get.