Had to laugh a bit when you asked what Sega were thinking with the Mega Drive controller: the competition at the time were just uncomfortable rectangles so almost any rounded design, like that of the MD controller, was a step forward. Love the feel of the M30. Fiddly to use with RetroArch, though, without manipulating the config files in a text editor.
You know what, that’s really fair. I forget sometimes that the Genesis/MD actually predates the SNES by over 2 years. SEGA was the first to try and make something more ergonomic than the bricks everyone else made. No wonder it’s so wonky given that it was the first shot anyone took at it haha.
@@TheCartCollector Haha, indeed! The SNES controller was a very nice step forward over the MD/Genesis controller both in terms of ergonomics and for the extra buttons. While the original MD controller has three face buttons, it still only had four buttons overall like the NES controller. The SNES controller really opened things up and set the stage for modern controllers to run with and iterate on the design.
I had big issues with the SN30 as far as hitting false diagonals on the Dpad. A good test is something like Tetris or any game where crouching accidentally can stagger your movement. The M30 is awesome and one of the main controllers I use when playing older style games. The Dpad is quite a bit more accurate than the 6 button Retrobit genesis style controllers and the turbo feature makes it very universal. Retrobit refuses to add turbo on thier controllers for whatever reason. The Dpad on the M30 also seems better than my OG Saturn dpads, USB saturn pads and atleast on par if not a little better than my OG 6 button dpads. I later noticed the Saturn Dpad is a little looser than the OG 6 button pads, so prefer the 6 button or M30 pads over the Saturn these days. There is a close second controller called the Retroflag, which is a smaller 6 button style genesis controller. Dpad is very similiar, buttons are just as good, but the shell is a little smaller then the M30 and 6 button genesis controller shells. Might even prefer that grip wise as the M30 can be a little slippery at times. One of the best features of the Retroflag is a 30 hz fire rate on the turbo feature. This was faster than any controllers I owned, including modded joysticks, so allowed me to beat a game called Zero Wing for arcade which really requires 30 hz fire rate. Its very impressive for a 16 dollar controller. One thing I didnt realise at first is that you can set individual buttons to turbo, but only 4 of the face buttons, which is a little limited. Initially I thought you needed to set 4 of the face buttons to turbo or no turbo at all. Its not explained well. Chord is also short, and left and right bumpers are very shallow, more like mode buttons. So its very close to the M30 and the higher fire rate makes it better for some games. Theres an SNK Neo Geo CD version out now which has turbo, so looking forward to trying that out. The original is the best dpad Ive used for fighting games, but the durability is very low. Atleast this version is 35 bucks instead of spending 100-120 on the used PS2 re-release of the controller, every time one breaks.This current re-release has the clicky microswitches in the stick, as it should. The insides look very close to the OG controller but will have to use it and put some hours into it to see how it feels and holds up. Another thing to consider, the 2.4 ghz version apparently has less lag than the blue tooth versions and seems to work on all the same devices. I have both versions and the 2.4 ghz felt like it mightve been slightly more responsive, but hard to tell without a test set up. Highlighted comment @theconsolekiller7113
It's a great controller. I've been having a lot of fun using with mega drive and arcade emulation. It's also good for fighting games, the dpad is nice and it has 6 face buttons I only wish that it were a little bigger. I hope 8bitdo will make a pro version one day
It caves. Positive imo, i love dpads like this. However, I found the small form factor to put a lot of strain on my wrists (probably due to my large hands) after just a half hour of play, so it will be returned. Would recommend the retrobit 8-button controllers that are officially licensed by SEGA. The retrobit Genesis Model 1 and 2 layout controllers seem to have more precise and durable dpads to me after a few months of testing, and the face buttons are much less mushy than 8bitdo, and they also have a wider curve to the outside edges with more plastic between palm and dpad for larger hands. Any saturn pad by retrobit is definitely a downgrade from the m30 though.
I have zero issues with my SN30, but while my M30 will work fine with android pairing, PC pairing scrambles the inputs because it wants to assign the Xbox layout's joysticks and L2/R2 triggers to inputs that do not exist ... I have tried every pairing mode, USB-C, and even bought 8BitDo's Bluetooth adapter to try that. I would think it is just a bad controller, but it will work correctly with android.
That's because you're pairing it as XInput, which supports only Xbox layout. Run it in DirectInput mode or use the Steam Input translation layer to run it as whatever
You failed to mention Linux which is probably the most used OS for emulation through the raspberry pi and the Deck. But it'll probably work, most controllers drivers seems to be in the kernel.
So I don’t personally like to use Turbo on controllers, so I didn’t think to check for that. But according to 8bitdo’s website, it does have Turbo Finctionality: manual.8bitdo.com/m30/m30_turbo.html I will test it out when I get home this evening to make sure that it does indeed work. Also there’s a little blurb on the bottom of the page that I feel is important to mention: “d-pad and analogue sticks are not included. this does not apply to Switch”
I have two questions. Is it possible to play with the gamepad through the cable? Is it possible, please, and write the name of the emulator that you played on your computer. It was very interesting that it had all the emulators.
So I haven’t tested it with my controller specifically but a lot of 8bitdo’s controllers do offer support for a wired connection. I’ll have to double check when I get home this evening though to tell you for sure. As far as the emulator goes, the one I used there was called OpenEmu. It’s a very basic front end for a lot of emulators and you can pick and choose which ones you can actually have active. It’s a bit similar to something like RetroArch in that regard, but it doesn’t have near the customizability that RetroArch does. OpenEmu is also exclusive to MacOS, so if you are running Windows or Linux, you’ll have to find something else.
@@mohammadmansouri9644 So I finally had a chance to try it out. Yes, the M30 does work wired with your emulators, you just have to make sure it's set to the correct mode before plugging it in.
![Best Mega Drive Controller Under $25 [8bitdo M30 / Retrobit 6 Button Arcade Pad]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/qz1TTMTdEEM/mqdefault.jpg)
I love genesis dpad way more than any nintendo one
THANK YOU!! I was on the fence, but gonna order it rn after watching your video. Very useful.
Had to laugh a bit when you asked what Sega were thinking with the Mega Drive controller: the competition at the time were just uncomfortable rectangles so almost any rounded design, like that of the MD controller, was a step forward.
Love the feel of the M30. Fiddly to use with RetroArch, though, without manipulating the config files in a text editor.
You know what, that’s really fair. I forget sometimes that the Genesis/MD actually predates the SNES by over 2 years. SEGA was the first to try and make something more ergonomic than the bricks everyone else made. No wonder it’s so wonky given that it was the first shot anyone took at it haha.
@@TheCartCollector Haha, indeed! The SNES controller was a very nice step forward over the MD/Genesis controller both in terms of ergonomics and for the extra buttons. While the original MD controller has three face buttons, it still only had four buttons overall like the NES controller. The SNES controller really opened things up and set the stage for modern controllers to run with and iterate on the design.
I had big issues with the SN30 as far as hitting false diagonals on the Dpad. A good test is something like Tetris or any game where crouching accidentally can stagger your movement.
The M30 is awesome and one of the main controllers I use when playing older style games. The Dpad is quite a bit more accurate than the 6 button Retrobit genesis style controllers and the turbo feature makes it very universal. Retrobit refuses to add turbo on thier controllers for whatever reason. The Dpad on the M30 also seems better than my OG Saturn dpads, USB saturn pads and atleast on par if not a little better than my OG 6 button dpads. I later noticed the Saturn Dpad is a little looser than the OG 6 button pads, so prefer the 6 button or M30 pads over the Saturn these days.
There is a close second controller called the Retroflag, which is a smaller 6 button style genesis controller. Dpad is very similiar, buttons are just as good, but the shell is a little smaller then the M30 and 6 button genesis controller shells. Might even prefer that grip wise as the M30 can be a little slippery at times. One of the best features of the Retroflag is a 30 hz fire rate on the turbo feature. This was faster than any controllers I owned, including modded joysticks, so allowed me to beat a game called Zero Wing for arcade which really requires 30 hz fire rate. Its very impressive for a 16 dollar controller. One thing I didnt realise at first is that you can set individual buttons to turbo, but only 4 of the face buttons, which is a little limited. Initially I thought you needed to set 4 of the face buttons to turbo or no turbo at all. Its not explained well. Chord is also short, and left and right bumpers are very shallow, more like mode buttons. So its very close to the M30 and the higher fire rate makes it better for some games.
Theres an SNK Neo Geo CD version out now which has turbo, so looking forward to trying that out. The original is the best dpad Ive used for fighting games, but the durability is very low. Atleast this version is 35 bucks instead of spending 100-120 on the used PS2 re-release of the controller, every time one breaks.This current re-release has the clicky microswitches in the stick, as it should. The insides look very close to the OG controller but will have to use it and put some hours into it to see how it feels and holds up.
Another thing to consider, the 2.4 ghz version apparently has less lag than the blue tooth versions and seems to work on all the same devices. I have both versions and the 2.4 ghz felt like it mightve been slightly more responsive, but hard to tell without a test set up.
Highlighted comment
@theconsolekiller7113
It's a great controller. I've been having a lot of fun using with mega drive and arcade emulation. It's also good for fighting games, the dpad is nice and it has 6 face buttons
I only wish that it were a little bigger. I hope 8bitdo will make a pro version one day
Mednafen just got a SEGA Saturn Update on PC. The M30 8Bitdo Controller works with it if you use the Orange 8Bitdo Dongle.
underrated controller imo. Been enjoying it for street fighter 6. I have big hands too, so if they make a bigger version that would be dope.
Do you find your hands ache at all?
@@JGRICH61 they didn't ache. still using it even now, however waiting for the betop c3 thorn shadow
I returned mine … prefer the dpad to be further away from face buttons.
What would super console x pro pairing mode be Android?
Thank you for your video.
Does the Dpad center caves in when pressed or does it have a pivot point like the new color variant 8bitdo is selling?
It caves. Positive imo, i love dpads like this. However, I found the small form factor to put a lot of strain on my wrists (probably due to my large hands) after just a half hour of play, so it will be returned. Would recommend the retrobit 8-button controllers that are officially licensed by SEGA. The retrobit Genesis Model 1 and 2 layout controllers seem to have more precise and durable dpads to me after a few months of testing, and the face buttons are much less mushy than 8bitdo, and they also have a wider curve to the outside edges with more plastic between palm and dpad for larger hands. Any saturn pad by retrobit is definitely a downgrade from the m30 though.
The white version does not have a pivot point either!
Great video
I have zero issues with my SN30, but while my M30 will work fine with android pairing, PC pairing scrambles the inputs because it wants to assign the Xbox layout's joysticks and L2/R2 triggers to inputs that do not exist ... I have tried every pairing mode, USB-C, and even bought 8BitDo's Bluetooth adapter to try that. I would think it is just a bad controller, but it will work correctly with android.
That's because you're pairing it as XInput, which supports only Xbox layout. Run it in DirectInput mode or use the Steam Input translation layer to run it as whatever
"does it suck?" No. It's my favorite controller, hands down, and I use it whenever I can.
Best controller imo for platformers/2d games. D pad is insane
This is my go to 2D game pad
You failed to mention Linux which is probably the most used OS for emulation through the raspberry pi and the Deck. But it'll probably work, most controllers drivers seems to be in the kernel.
It does work on Linux
"probably the most used OS for emulation '
are you out of your fucking mind?
Turbo function?
So I don’t personally like to use Turbo on controllers, so I didn’t think to check for that. But according to 8bitdo’s website, it does have Turbo Finctionality:
manual.8bitdo.com/m30/m30_turbo.html
I will test it out when I get home this evening to make sure that it does indeed work. Also there’s a little blurb on the bottom of the page that I feel is important to mention:
“d-pad and analogue sticks are not included. this does not apply to Switch”
I have two questions. Is it possible to play with the gamepad through the cable? Is it possible, please, and write the name of the emulator that you played on your computer. It was very interesting that it had all the emulators.
So I haven’t tested it with my controller specifically but a lot of 8bitdo’s controllers do offer support for a wired connection. I’ll have to double check when I get home this evening though to tell you for sure.
As far as the emulator goes, the one I used there was called OpenEmu. It’s a very basic front end for a lot of emulators and you can pick and choose which ones you can actually have active. It’s a bit similar to something like RetroArch in that regard, but it doesn’t have near the customizability that RetroArch does.
OpenEmu is also exclusive to MacOS, so if you are running Windows or Linux, you’ll have to find something else.
Very thanks.❤❤❤❤
@@mohammadmansouri9644 So I finally had a chance to try it out. Yes, the M30 does work wired with your emulators, you just have to make sure it's set to the correct mode before plugging it in.
@@TheCartCollectorThank you very much for taking the time to try this option.
Very thank u.❤❤❤❤❤
just bought one of these, subbed for great video, and bump u up on yt
Enjoy! It’s been one of the best controllers I’ve used in a while. And thank you so much for the kind words.
@TheCartCollector all good sir! I look forward to more content from u
yes. The D-pad is trash sadly. It has constant input issues unlike the official Saturn/genesis controllers that are avaialable.