Should you’re not able to stump up the money for an official Xbox or PlayStation controller, 8BitDo has lengthy been an outstanding go-to third get together alternative for players. Providing a great deal of configurations, sizes and wide-ranging console and cellular compatibility, 8BitDo’s controllers are at all times nicely constructed, nicely priced and slickly designed, often with a welcome nod to retro controllers of outdated.
Nevertheless, compatibility with Apple units has prior to now been a bit patchy. However a current improve to the most effective 8BitDo controllers on the market signifies that you’re now in a position to get some cracking pads that’ll play as properly with an iPad or Apple TV 4K as they’ll an Xbox or PC.
However with so many shapes and sizes to select from, which is best for you? Nicely, there’s an 8BitDo pad for everybody it appears, from the high-end 8BitDo Final 2.4g to the pocket-friendly 8BitDo Lite SE. Learn on to seek out out which controller ought to gas your subsequent Apple Arcade session.
This one’s the daddy of the 8BitDo household, ticking each field the discerning gamer may need in a controller. Modelled after an Xbox Collection X pad, the 8BitDo Final 2.4g is a snug controller that earns further brownie factors for some glorious quality-of-life issues in its design.
First the pad itself. With its asymmetrical sticks and ergonomic molding, the pad feels very good within the hand, with explicit reward directed in direction of its exact D-Pad, mimicking the perfect D-Pads we’ve seen on basic Nintendo {hardware}. Connectivity, whether or not utilizing the included dongle or MFi connection, is constant and steady. Button journey throughout the board is great, however you get two further ‘paddle’ buttons within the grips too — configurable and able to storing macro instructions with an accompanying software program suite, alongside button remapping profiles, it’s the kind of function that usually is the reserve of essentially the most high-end, pricey ‘Professional’ degree controllers.
However it doesn’t cease there. The controller has a built-in rechargeable battery, and the package deal features a charging dock for the pad too, so that you’re at all times able to go. And with a USB passthrough port housed contained in the dock itself, you don’t should lose a port in your laptop to the included 2.4g dongle when charging on the identical time too. Should you can afford the premium in opposition to different units on this record, that is the one to nab.
There’s extra to the 8BitDo Lite SE than meets the attention. On the floor degree, it’s an incredible choose for the on-the-go gamer. Compact in its design, weighing simply 90g and measuring 120mm x 66mm x 26.35mm, it’s the proper pad for throwing in a bag alongside your MacBook Air or iPad, prepared for an surprising free second to dive right into a recreation with.
However 8BitDo has designed the Lite SE with accessibility in thoughts. Not solely is it supremely moveable, however it’s designed in such a approach as to make each button inside straightforward attain. As an example, there are not any set off buttons to talk of right here — sure, you’ve R, L, R2 and L2 buttons (mimicking the Swap nomenclature), however they’re positioned on the entrance face of the pad, for individuals who battle to play with triggers. The identical goes for L3 and R3 buttons, often pressed in by the joysticks, however given devoted buttons right here. On prime of that, there’s a rubberised end to the flat again panel that lets gamers place the controller on a tabletop floor for non-slip, ‘hands-free’, play.
So, whether or not you want a pocketable pad, or one which’s accessible to a variety of gamers, the 8BitDo Lite SE is a good alternative.
After the Final 2.4g Wi-fi Controller, the 8BitDo Professional 2 Bluetooth Gamepad is the subsequent most suitable choice for the demanding players on the market, and with its lower cost and detachable battery could even be a greater possibility in some respects. With symmetrical sticks, that is extra like a PlayStation pad than an Xbox one (even when its button naming aligns principally with Nintendo’s Swap Professional pad).
Whereas it doesn’t provide a 2.4g dongle, Bluetooth help nonetheless makes it comfortably wi-fi (whereas a wired and charging connection could be achieved over USB-C). In any other case, most of the Final 2.4g Wi-fi controller’s options are current right here: there are programmable again paddles, customisable profiles and buttons switching by way of accompanying software program, a devoted {hardware} button for biking by customized profiles, and a rear change slider for simply toggling between totally different supported platforms (the place earlier fashions required you to recollect button combos to leap between units). A rear battery compartment lets you swap out the rechargeable battery for normal AAs too, including to the long-term longevity of the pad.
It’s a incredible possibility then, notably for people who desire the grip molding and button placement of a PlayStation pad over an Xbox different.
A lot of what makes the 8BitDo Professional 2 nice was first established in its older stablemate, the 8BitDo SN30 Professional+. One other Swap-style pad, utilizing Nintendo’s most popular button layouts, it feels nearly an identical to the Professional 2 controller. That’s nice — it means one other comfy, configurable controller with stable battery life and nice construct high quality.
So what’s lacking on this earlier iteration? The important thing variations are a scarcity of the again paddle buttons, no profile switching button, and no connectivity change. So which means no paddle macros, the requirement of a pc at hand for switching between profiles, and the need of remembering considerably awkward button mixtures to pair the controller between a number of units. They’re small losses then, and a less expensive worth level could swing you within the SN30 Professional+ course because of this. However they’re helpful high quality of life options eliminated if you’re trying to dive deep into video games throughout platforms. Should you’re after the retro-look that we’ve obtained right here, be sure you order the ‘G Traditional Version’.
Sure, it says ‘…for Android’ as a part of its identify, however don’t be fooled. The most recent 8BitDo replace makes this pad as nice for Apple units because it does for Google telephones — and surprisingly higher than it does with Xbox consoles which, confusingly, it doesn’t help. That branding is there extra to focus on a partnership with Xbox’s cloud-gaming Sport Move platform.
The 8BitDo SN30 Professional is actually precisely the identical because the SN30 Professional+, simply minus grips, and with button branding that makes it match the look of Xbox controllers, what with it being an officially-licensed Xbox product.
So what you get then is similar very good construct high quality and have record of the SN30 Professional+, however in a extra moveable package deal. Formed nearly like a SNES controller, however with two symmetrical analogue sticks squeezed into the decrease center, it’s an incredible pad for throwing in a bag for on-the-go play.
This one’s notably good for utilizing with an iPhone, because it consists of in its field a cradle clip for securing your cellphone in place with the pad. That stated, the form of the pad, being gripless, makes it fairly exhausting to steadiness the load of an iPhone whereas enjoying, so until you’re rocking a smaller, older iPhone like an iPhone 13 mini, we’d say this wouldn’t be an excellent design for longer gaming classes.
Final however not least, the SN30 Professional. Now this actually is simply the SN30 Professional+ with out the grips, proper all the way down to the button format and SNES-style rubber begin and choose buttons. Should you’re primarily a retro gamer, the one will hit your proper within the feels — it’s like a basic 90s Nintendo controller, however with trendy wi-fi, dual-stick, rear-trigger conveniences.
Identical to the SN30 Professional+ you get very good construct high quality, nice button journey and a very good D-Pad with button customisations and a number of profiles dealt with by software program help. However the flatter profile afforded by the elimination of the palm grips makes for a really moveable controller. Fireplace up OpenEmu in your Mac, pull out the 8BitDo SN30 Professional and roll again the years, making it the proper alternative for the retro-on-the-go-gamer.
With wider compatibility than the ‘Xbox’ branded variant, we’d choose this one different that different until Xbox-style buttons actually are a deal-breaker for you. Once more, get the ‘G Traditional version’ to nab that glorious retro look.
Which 8BitDo recreation pad is for you?
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As you’ll be able to see from our notes above, it is exhausting to discover a unhealthy 8BitDo controller. The one one I am not fully bought on is the Xbox-branded cellular one — however that is merely as a result of it has decreased compatibility in comparison with the opposite picks above. If all you wish to do is stream Xbox Sport Move in your iPhone, it’s going to work nice.
If you are going to be leaping between Apple gaming, PC and console, the 8BitDo Final 2.4g wi-fi could be my prime choose — the charging dock that retains it at all times topped up with energy is an actual comfort, and the choice to leap between Bluetooth and a couple of.4g dongle connections offers it versatility throughout platforms.
However I’ve an actual comfortable spot for the SN30 Professional. It is small type issue and retro appears makes it an incredible match for App Retailer and Apple Arcade Video games — it is enjoyable to have a look at, in addition to use. Its measurement means it is simple to throw in a bag for on-the-go play, however comfy sufficient that it isn’t a compromise when enjoying at dwelling for lengthy stretches of time. It is the darkish horse sleeper winner of the 8BitDo line-up for our cash.