The Programmable SN30 Pro+ Controller Is 8BitDo’s Secret Weapon

Casual gamers will sometimes choose a game to take a break for a short period of time. However, more dedicated gamers are different, as they will spend hours achieving great results. Additionally, there is also one kind of gamers who call themselves “hardcore” or “pros,” and in other words, they are the ones who become a winner in the shortest time, have the highest scores, and defeat anyone. The latest SN30 Pro+ controller from 8BitDo, which can be reprogrammed and customized in details by using an app, has been specially designed for this latter group of players.

In recent years, the company has strengthened its reputation as an excellent third-party controller maker whose designs take inspiration from the gamepads included with classic consoles. However, 8BitDo also upgrades their controllers with improved hardware, extra features, and wireless Bluetooth functionality. Even when your TV still uses an original SNES or NES console, you can always find wireless adapters to get the most out of retro titles with no trouble of the cords.

The majority of 8BitDo controllers have concentrated on retro gaming, but with the arrival of the Switch, 8BitDo began to equip its controllers with more common characteristics, such as analog joysticks and extra shoulder buttons. The latest 8BitDo SN30 Pro+’s design may remind you of the Switch Pro Controller from Nintendo. However, the analog sticks located side-by-side are an exact copy of PlayStation’s gamepads from Sony.

The first revelation of SN30 Pro+ controller was at E3 in 2018. At that time, it was still a prototype with support for wireless Bluetooth, rumbling haptic feedback, USB-C charging, built-in motion controls, and ergonomics with better function than the older SN30 Pro. Many people anticipate its official release at some points in the second half of 2018; however, the company ended up postponing its release. 8BitDo tweeted earlier this year that the controller was undergoing some last fine-tuning before its debut this summer.

SN30 Pro+’s Ultimate Software, which enables players to thoroughly reprogram and customize their controllers, will be added. The software, which at first is only available for Mac and Windows OS (a mobile version will arrive later), enables players to not only remap all the buttons on the controller according to their preferences but also program multiple inputs to only one button.

Beside its programmability, players can customize and tweak the responsiveness and feel of its joysticks and analog buttons to make them less or more responsive. Players are also able to save and reload these customizations to adjust the controller’s suitability. This is not the first time a controller with such powerful customizability appears on the market. The ALL Controller, for example, promised to bring about the same functions; however, supporters for Kickstarter campaign still haven’t had the chance to use it. On the other hand, SN30 Pro+’s preorder is now available at $50, and on August 7 it will be shipped to buyers.

In spite of all these characteristics, SN30 Pro+ still lacks one feature that can limit its popularity among professional gamers. In addition to computers with Mac or Windows OS, SN30 Pro+ also supports smartphones with Android, the Nintendo Switch, and Bluetooth controllers’ homebrew consoles as well. However, this controller doesn’t provide support for the PS4 or the Xbox One out of the box. To be compatible with those consoles, 8BitDo controllers have to be equipped with special adapters, which seems not to be worth its inconvenience and the extra cost. Of course, adapters have been created by 8BitDo to enable players to use controllers from Sony or Microsoft on different systems; however, it’s hoped that 8BitDo will provide an adapter that makes its controller lineup, including SN30 Pro+, compatible with PS4 and Xbox One.