8Bitdo M30 Wired Controller for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows with 6-Button Layout - Officially Licensed

At first when I tried this controller I kept putting it back down thinking I didn’t like it but after learning a new character on street fighter I thought I’d give it one more go and I was actually blown away by how smooth the inputs on the dpad where and how nice the dpad glides on half circle inputs etc, I originally preferred the clickyness of the Xbox series pad but now not so much, this isn’t so soft it’s mushy it’s the perfect amount with audible clicks and the feel of a gentle click as you hit directions and the face buttons at least for SF6 are perfect as well, I did see a review online that claimed to hit the X button you need to jam the button in due to the placement being by the edge of the divot the buttons sit in but for me at least I can’t even see how that would be a problem if you don’t have awful hand eye coordination 😂if you get this and don’t like it I strongly recommend just swapping between this and your current pad until all of a sudden this one feels like butter. It’s fairly small I will note however but I don’t have massive hands (fairly average size for a man or maybe the smallest but under average possibly) but by no means do I have small hands and this fits in my hands really well now I’m used to it

I recently purchased the 8Bitdo M30 Wired Controller for my PC, and it has been an incredible addition to my gaming setup. As a fan of both modern and retro gaming, this controller perfectly blends the best of both worlds. Pros: 1. Retro Design: The design of the M30 brings back fond memories of classic gaming with its nostalgic look and feel. It’s reminiscent of the Sega Genesis controller, which is a big plus for me. 2. Comfortable Grip: The controller is ergonomically designed, making it comfortable to hold during long gaming sessions. The button layout is intuitive, and the D-pad is one of the best I’ve used. 3. High Compatibility: It works seamlessly with the Xbox Series consoles, and I’ve also tested it on my PC without any issues. The plug-and-play functionality makes it incredibly user-friendly. 4. Responsive Controls: The buttons and D-pad are highly responsive, providing a precise and enjoyable gaming experience. I’ve noticed no input lag, which is crucial for both retro and modern games. 5. Durable Build: The build quality is excellent, with sturdy materials that seem like they’ll withstand heavy use. The cable is also long enough to provide ample freedom of movement. Cons: 1. No Wireless Option: While the wired connection ensures zero latency, it would have been nice to have a wireless option for added convenience. 2. Limited Customization: There are limited options for button remapping or customization. While not a deal-breaker, it’s something to consider if you like tweaking your controls. Overall, the 8Bitdo M30 Wired Controller is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to enjoy retro gaming on modern consoles. Its design, comfort, and performance make it a standout controller that’s well worth the investment. Five stars!

I bought this to play retro games such as Sega Megadrive Classics on my Xbox and for this it works a treat. The quality is good and it feels comfortable in the hands. It's no coincidence I mention the Megadrive, as this controller has a similar feel to the original Megadrive controller, just as the 8Bitdo SN30 does to the original SNES one. And, this is why I only give it 3 stars. The SNES-style SN30 is superior to the M30 in almost every way. The D-pad feels better and more responsive on the SN30 then the slightly spongy M30, and the buttons have a far crisper and responsive feel than the M30 buttons which feel a bit soggy (juat like the original Megadrive controller). If only the SN30 was compatible with Xbox. Unfortunately not, so I had high hopes for the M30 as I put it to the ultimate retro test with Street Fighter 2. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the slightly laggy response from the soft buttons and difficulty in pulling of special moves (especially those involving the d-pad diagonal which was difficult to find). So in summary a good but not outstanding retro controller with a slightly spongy feel of the original Megadrive controller. If you're looking for an Xbox controller for Street Fighter you will be disappointed, but given the limited options for decent retro style Xbox controllers you could do a lot worse.

Much better for me shmups. Can't fault it

Great pad for 2D gaming. It's a shame some developers don't give enough freedom to remap buttons to suit the gamepad.

Very good

Brilliant dpad. Pulling off dragon punches every time with ease. Being able to customise the button layout with the 8bitdo software is also great. Using it on Xbox Series X and also PC for retro games like Dreamcast which has some stellar 2D fighers. Only wish there was a wireless option but wired has zero input lag. Can you make a PS5 version next please @8bitdo?

Bought this because the Hori controller I use has an analogue stick to close to the D-pad for comfort. Wish I hadn't. The different sizes of the buttons is a little jarring when you use it and just feels off. The biggest issue is that the D-Pad is too big, this means if you're making swift movements it's not picking up on them and you can be there just dancing instead of throwing your fireball. Honestly a good controller for novices learning but truthfully I'd look around. I'm actually hunting the old madcatz SFIV controllers as these are great. I'll stick with my hori as it's way more reliable with it's size.

The best design for retro games.

Several days into using this controller for fighting games, and it's literally just a better Sega Saturn controller. Dpad works great and is extremely responsive, 6 face buttons + 4 shoulders gives me more than enough for any fighting game I play, and it fits well in my hand. For like 30 dollars, this is a solid controller.

I needed a controller for fighting games (SF6, Tekken, etc) because the d-pad on my 8bitdo 2c and Xbox Series X controllers were too inaccurate for my liking - too many missed or accidental inputs. Was a bit skeptical about the price but since 8bitdo usually makes good stuff I decided to go for it. In the box, you get a nice USB-A to C cable (2m), an Xbox Gamepass Ultimate 1 month code, and the M30 controller itself. After about 2-3 weeks of constant use and getting used to it, I can honestly say it's one of the best controllers you can get if you enjoy fighting games. The d-pad in particular is excellent, it is larger than usual and has good tactile feedback - easily the USP of this device. Quarter/full circle inputs are so much more reliable. The X Y RB buttons being smaller than the A B RT buttons is a curious design choice, since I personally think it would be easier to use if the top row was the same size. The shoulder buttons are clicky and easy to press. The M30 is a bit on the smaller side, so if you have large hands it may take a little getting used to, since this is smaller than a regular controller. Overall, it has great build quality, a fantastic d-pad, useful 6 button layout for games like Street Fighter. If you like fighting games I would highly recommend this over other controllers on the market.

I got this for playing old school arcade games and STREET FIGHTER, and it's an absolute game changer for street fighter. I have used it for street fighter mostly, and out of all the controllers I have tried for STREET FIGHTER, this is equal best, it really comes down to preference of button shape and pad grip style. The best part about this is the customisation software available both on XBOX and on PC, allowing you to remap the controller's buttons and make multiple profiles for games that will save directly to the game pad itself, no need for the software to drive the button mappings. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. If you play Street Fighter with a game pad, this controller should definitely be in your gear collection.

tl;dr: +D-Pad feels wonderful +Buttons feel snappy and sharp on press +6-buttons, 4 bumpers (No analog triggers) +Bumpers and extra 2 face buttons can be switched between which is used for RB RT, and LSB RSB in puts, via switch on back +USB-C port is recessed fairly deep into the controller, helping prevent the usual wear-and-tear connection issues +/-Too small (Mileage may vary) -Not ergonomic, so not a great hand feel. Would benefit from having a more modern grip design -Back and Start button placement feels weird and takes getting used to -Buttons aren't aligned like a modern 4-button (Orthogonal diamond with 2 extra buttons), making it so pressing two at once with your thumb might feel less natural and take some getting used to Overall, 4.5/5, presuming the comfort issues will go away as familiarity increases with use /tl;dr Feels and controls great, being able to switch the bumpers and the 5th and 6th buttons between which is your R3 and L3 is great. My only complaint not involving the size of the controller is I would prefer if the main four buttons in diamond formation were oriented in the same way as modern 4-button controllers (Y and A directly above each other, S and B directly across), but I didn't realize this would affect my gameplay until I got it in my hands (I use X+A for throws in several games). The similarities to the Sega Saturn controller are a definite plus, but I didn't think the button orientation would be an issue at all, so that one is 100% on me. I also feel it would be better with a bit more modern ergonomic design elements, such as the grips/handles that extend into your hands, at least like what the smaller Sega Saturn controllers had, or even just copying the XBox grip design wholesale. As far as the size issue, Its too small for my hands to be completely comfortable to hold (which if larger might remove the above ergonomic issues), especially coming from a dual analog X-Box style controller (also an 8-Bitdo). The size issue is going to vary per customer, so its no reason to knock a point off this excellent peripheral.