8Bitdo M30 Bluetooth Controller for Switch, Windows and Android, 6-Button Layout for SEGA’s Classic Games (Black)

So from what I've been reading, a vintage Japanese Sega Saturn controller is considered the ultimate gamepad for shoot-em-ups. Some people prefer the arcade stick, but I think the Saturn controller is more popular in the SHMUP community. It's also considered the best gamepad for retro fighting games, though an arcade stick is favored over the traditional gamepad for fighting games. However, there aren't any adapters that will let you use a real Saturn controller on the Nintendo Switch, so I decided to give this a try. Well, my SHMUP skills shot through the roof as soon as I tried out this pad. I never got seriously into the genre, but I'm now starting to since I have the proper equipment for it.I found modern analog sticks terrible for SHMUPS. There are many instances where you'll need to slowly move in one direction with the bullet patterns(or in some games like Radiant Silvergun or Ikaruga, to get through tight corridors), and this can only be accomplished on an analog stick by tapping the stick to one side over and over again, which works horribly because it's an analog stick, not a button. The Sony/Microsoft/Nintendo d-pads work for moving slowl, but they're still bad for SHMUPS since it's hard to move diagonally or in a circle. However, the 8-direction Sega-style d-pad is perfect. You can move slowly to one side by clicking the d-pad repeatedly and easily move in 8 directions.I wish I could compare this to a vintage Saturn controller or the officially licensed Retro-bit Saturn controller for Switch, but I haven't used either. I can't say if those are better or worse than those. All I know is that this blows away trying to play SHMUPS on a a DS4, Xbox One controller, or Switch Joy-cons(some people do actually like the DS2 for SHMUPS though, try if if you want :Þ). Games I've tested on it include Radiant Silvergun in Retroarch, DoDonPachi Dai-Ou-Jou in Retroarch, Ikaruga on PC, Touhou 16 on PC, Danmaku Unlimited 3 on Switch, Gunbird 2 on Switch, and Aero Fighters 2 on Switch. All controlled beautifully.A few things to note. For Retroarch I had to put it into Android mode(start+B). Windows mode(start+X) had a glitch where the R-button was just a duplicate of the Z-button and L wasn't recognized at all. For Touhou I had to put it into Windows mode and to use Joy2Key, since Joy2Key would not recognize Android mode. Both Android and Windows mode work with Steam, however, in Windows mode LB is mapped to L on the gamepad, LT to R, RB to Z, and RT to C. With Android mode it's mapped like it is on the Switch where L is LB and R is RB, which makes way more sense. But the bottom line is, if Windows mode is not working right on PC then use Android mode, Windows will recognize either(note that I do not know if Android mode works in wired mode, I tested with bluetooth mode). Apparently one is Xinput and one is Dinput, hence the different compatibility. And of course, Joy2Key is always an option for games that refuse to recognize the gamepad like Touhou.I had no issues with it on Switch since the Switch let's you remap controls now. However, the manual doesn't tell you how to change the D-pad from emulating the left analog stick to emulating the D-pad, even though it does have that feature. It's so typical of retro stuff to put features in and not tell you they exist. The pad also worked great in the Sega Genesis classic collection on Switch with Sonic 2 and Streets of Rage 3, and it worked well with Sonic Mania. I'll have to try it with Streets of Rage 4 soon.So bottom line, I can't compare it to the officially licensed Retro-bit controllers for the Nintendo Switch, I just know this a really good gamepad on it's own. And of course a vintage Saturn controller and an adapter is probably superior if you're serious about PC SHMUPS, but they won't work on Switch and will cost you more than this gamepad and lack bluetooth and the extra buttons. Also, while Retroarch, Steam, Joy2Key, and Switch all worked perfectly with this gamepad in the end, it did take some trial and error(that is the norm for anything other than Xbox controller/Windows and pro controller/Switch). I'll just say if you want a gamepad for PC and Switch that's great for SHMUPS and fighting games and classic Sega games, this works great.

One of the best controllers that I've ever used. This controller works with most the games for my Nintendo Switch. It can even be used to play the NSO N64 games. The only games in my collection that don't work with this controller are GoldenEye, Turok, and Deadly Premonition.

This is honestly the best controller I've ever purchased, period. especially for a retro gamer like me, and it works in so many different ways. Most reviews say it feels like a modern day Genesis pad, but I'm leaning my more towards a Sega Saturn controller. First of all, it fits perfectly in my hands, and I have big hands. And secondly, the D-Pad is absolutely flawless. Great for a Sega Genesis game on the Switch, shoot em' ups, or any fighting game in general. The battery life is quite long to, I can easily go 4 days without having to charge it. The shoulder, and face buttons are awesome to. Yet another great controller from 8bitdo, but I now understand why so many people say that M30's are the best.

It feels very good in the hand and doesn't feel as cheap as it looks in the pictures. It came in a very nice box to prevent dust build-up. I've been enjoying using it for shmups and other retro games. A nice alternative to an arcade stick. Just a tad overpriced considering I can buy a Seimitsu arcade lever for $25.

I never bother to write reviews of products, but I wanted to help get word out about this controller as there's a lot to say. First of all, I never had or played a Genesis, so this controller has zero nostalgic factor for me. I've never even used a 6-face button configuration controller before, but I wanted something for my Switch which made playing retro and "modern retro" games more enjoyable. Specifically, the d-pad... as we all know, the Joy-Con doesn't have one, the Pro Controller's isn't great (plus mine had drift issues with the left stick, so I traded it anyway), and there are hundreds of third-party controllers out there with d-pads, but how does one separate the good from the bad?Enter 8BitDo. As you'll see throughout the reviews posted here, the company produces some quality products. I've had an SN30 (dog-bone style) for a while and really like it, but it is a tad cramped, the d-pad does sometimes register an up input when you're trying to hit left or right, and the face buttons are a bit on the clicky side. Nothing serious, and definitely a very good piece of hardware. But I wanted something even more from my d-pad and that's when I started researching the M30. I've been using it now for a week, so here goes...Let's start with the main feature: the d-pad. It's amazing... it has a "floating" design which allows for very precise inputs and I've had no issues with missed commands. I've read here you can press the entire pad down, which is true and does serve a function if you've mapped it to function as a joystick, but I did not have any issues with that when using it at all. The d-pad itself is not loose or feel cheap, but it is flexible... basically a perfect balance and exactly what I wanted.The face buttons feel very nice... not as clicky as the SN30 or overly mushy; again, an excellent balance. My X button has a little wiggle to it which is only noticeable when putting the controller down -- it hasn't interfered with the use at all. Oh, and the face buttons make a lot less noise than the SN30 when pressed which is a welcome improvement. The shoulder buttons are nice and firm, easy to reach, and never register accidental inputs.The overall feel of the controller is very good... sturdy yet light, it feels a lot like the SN30 in that you can tell it's solidly made. I would have loved it if the grips and back had a matte feel to them, but even as it is the controller feels great in the hand. It is also a bit beefier in size, so I don't feel cramped when using it. I'd say my hands are probably average size since I'm an average-height guy.As for the other buttons: the start button is prominent and centered, which is great, while the Capture, Select (Minus), and Home buttons are quite muted and out of the way. Personally, I think this is great since one of my biggest complaints about the Pro Controller was how easy it was to accidentally press Home when you meant to start Start or hit Capture when you're hunting for Select. I could see if some say these three buttons might even be a little TOO much subdued (maybe have them slightly raised?), but for me they work just fine. I will admit it takes some practice to find Select for those games that actually utilize it regularly (say, for a sub-menu), but outside of that I have no issues.Now, let's talk about that missing fifth star: this is to hopefully let the good chaps at 8BitDo know that their horrendously poor manual is hurting their product. Thank goodness for the Internet or we might never had figured out the controller's lovely built-in button re-mapping feature. It's all over the place in these reviews, so I won't bother re-posting it here, but suffice it to say it works as stated: a simple 5-second press of those key combinations and the controller re-arranges itself in the prescribed way. There is no visual confirmation of this, which would be nice, but at least the option is there.As I said, I got this for my Switch and it does work like a champ. But here's the thing: as easy as it SHOULD have been to turn it on using Y+Start to get the pre-configured Switch layout, that's not how it actually worked for me. What the manual doesn't tell you is you actually need to press Y first (and hold it) and THEN press and hold Start. If you press Start then Y or both together the controller boots in some other configuration (Android, I think? based on the way the lights react and the fact it synched with my phone!), so yeah... you guys at 8BitDo might wanna specify that because this is probably why some people are saying the thing appears to not sync at all. Hopefully this helps someone out there.Let me conclude by saying this controller is outstanding, especially considering the price point. The d-pad is a dream to use and it's now my go-to even over my SN30 because I only use analogue sticks when I have to or in certain games like shooters, 1st-person POVs, shmups, etc., but I'm all d-pad all the time otherwise, and this d-pad is awesome. Is it great for fighters? I wish I could say... I have a few fighters, but unfortunately I suck at them, so I really can't tell you if this controller would help in that regard. It feels to me like it does. Oh, and I've had no lag issues with the controller running wireless. None at all.One last thing: the M30 has actually made me want to play Smash again. As fun as that game is, I hate, hate, HATE the fact you can't re-map your controller in-game to have the d-pad be your movement input. If you feel the same way, then this controller is the answer to your prayers because it works seamlessly with Smash! Just use the Minus+left command for 5 seconds to set the d-pad to input as the left joystick and you're good to go. Take that, Sakurai!!!Bottom line: this is another fantastic product from 8BitDo and there's virtually nothing to not like about the product itself. But I just can't give five stars because the lads really need to provide a serious, helpful manual with this thing, especially including the re-map and start-up instructions. Outside of that, you won't go wrong with this controller on your Switch. Now... perhaps we could discuss some button overlays for this bad boy??UPDATE: I have experienced some significant and noticeable input lag when playing Shovel Knight Treasure Trove when using the M30, but no lag in any other game yet... and my 8BitDo SN30Pro doesn't have this issue at all in SKTT. Interesting...