[Review] 8BitDo F30 Pro
It’s very rare that I do not like first-party controllers, but the Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Cons are one such example. They have no weight to them and when in the Grip, they sit at an odd angle on a table which makes them impossible for me to use. So I began looking for alternatives, specifically ones that don’t cost $70 USD like the official Pro Controller. This led to me to try the FastSnail Controller Converter (which I later discovered doesn’t work with the PS4 StrikePack F.P.S. Dominator), and the 8BitDo F30 Pro controller.
It’s worth noting that there are two versions of this controller, the N30 Pro, and the F30 Pro, with the only difference being the color and decals. The N30 Pro is styled after the Nintendo Entertainment System controller, while the F30 Pro is styled after the Famicom controller. Regardless of which version you get, it has a 480mAh Li-ion rechargeable battery with playtime of 18 hours and a charging time of 1 to 2 hours, as well as a micro-USB cable. In addition to Switch, it also works on Android, Windows, and Mac, among others. It does not have rumble, NFC or motion controls, but that’s neither here nor there for me.
Note: From here on, I’m only going to mention the F30 Pro, as the N30 Pro is the exact same, only with different decals.
The controller itself has everything you’d expect from a modern controller -- a D-Pad, two analog sticks, four face buttons, four shoulder buttons, Select (-), Start (+), Power/Home, and Pair/Share buttons. The controller is small, coming in at around 5” x 2.5” x 0.5”, and the shape of it is akin to a domino mask. To initially pair it to your Switch, make sure you’re on firmware 4.00 or higher and hold Power and Pair. The F30 Pro has many replica parts, most noticeably the D-Pad and Select and Start buttons, which feel exactly like they did on the NES controller.
However, the main reason why I got the F30 Pro is the shoulder buttons. Unlike being below L and R like on every other controller on the market, ZL and ZR (L2 and R2) are next to them on the F30 Pro. For me, this makes them easier to press and makes the controller more accessible, one-handed. I can now press all of the shoulder buttons, without having to reach around under the controller. I’ve been using the F30 Pro for two months now, and overall, it’s been wonderful to use. You have no idea how great it feels to be finally able to use the entirety of a controller.
That being said, the F30 Pro is by no means perfect. The one glaring issue that I have is that the thumb rests on the analog sticks are tiny. They’re about half the size of the standard ones, smooth and glossy, which doesn't make it easy for me to keep my thumb on them. Another issue I have is with the face buttons. They seem to be a bit too clicky for my tastes. I'm used to them easing back up when I let go. These buttons, however, spring back up, which is still a bit jarring. You can still activate the buttons, but it feels weird. The last problem that I have is more of a nuisance. Each time you turn the Switch and F30 Pro on, you have to put it into Switch mode, which is done by holding Power+Y for one second. You have to do this every single time.
Would I recommend the 8BitDo F30 Pro? Absolutely! In the end, it’s a fantastic accessible controller that lets those with limited dexterity to play on the Nintendo Switch. You can buy the F30 Pro and N30 Pro from Amazon for $34.99 USD each. Alternatively, 8BitDo will be releasing a N30 Pro 2 during the 2018 holiday season, that will come in many different styles, ditch micro-USB for USB-C and support rumble and motion. That one will have a MSRP of $39.99 USD.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Accessibility Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars