N30 Pro Controller Review: A Dose of Nostalgia For Your Switch Controller Needs

Author: Eric Ravenscraft / Source: reviewgeek.com

The Nintendo Switch Pro controller is a pricey way to get a more comfortable alternative to the standard Joy-Con. The N30 Pro is a third party solution that gives you the same nostalgic vibe and comfort.

The N30 Pro ($43) is a Bluetooth controller from accessory company 8Bitdo designed to evoke the style of the classic NES controller (the alternative F30 Pro instead uses the original Famicom design). It can pair with devices running Windows, Android, or mac OS, as well as consoles like the PS3, Wii, and Wii U.

What we’re most interested in, though, is its capability as a Switch controller. On that front, it’s a compelling alternative to Nintendo’s Pro Controller.

Connecting the N30 Pro Is Not a Simple Affair

Wireless controllers have to be paired. It’s an inconvenience we’ve come to live with, but the N30 manages to elevate the frustration to a new level. For starters, you have to turn the controller on the right way for each platform. To use it with Android you hold the Power button for one second, which is relatively straightforward. However, if you want to use it with the Switch, you have to hold Power plus the Y button for one second. This can get complicated to remember if you plan to use this controller for multiple platforms.

Then, to connect it to your Switch, you need to hold the Pair button for three seconds to enter pairing mode. On the Switch itself, you’ll head to the controller configuration screen and tap the L1 and R1 button on the N30 Pro and it should be paired immediately. At least, that’s how it’s supposed to work.

In practice, getting the N30 Pro to pair to my Switch for the first time was a mild nightmare.

If the pairing fails, there’s nothing to indicate there’s an error. You can connect the N30 to your Switch with a USB cable via the dock as a fallback, but that assumes you’re near a TV. If you’re traveling, you’re stuck hoping that it will connect the fifteenth time you try the same thing.

Curiously, the insane strategy of doing the same thing over and over again in the hope that it will work, well, actually works. When I finally managed to get my N30…

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