8BitDo celebrates its 11th anniversary with actual metal controllers

I love my 8BitDo SF-30 Pro controller. I use it for my Switch, PC, and even my actual Super Nintendo. I had to replace my thumbsticks recently because I’ve used it so much over the years. Maybe I should just buy one of these SN-30 Pros made of solid metal.

They come in gold and silver colors, but they’re actually made of zinc. When I say “made of zinc,” I mean everything. The buttons, the d-pad – even the thumbsticks are made of zinc alloy. It looks like the start and select buttons are still rubber, if that matters to you.

There’s one downside, and it’s kind of a big one: they’re wired. While 8BitDo has a great lineup of Bluetooth controllers, these aren’t one of them. Part of me wonders if the Bluetooth transmitter, which is normally an internal part, would be hampered by having a metal shell. Nonetheless, they wouldn’t work with my SNES, which is a major attraction to these controllers for me.

If you’re in need of a good digital controller and don’t mind it being wired, these might be a good choice. I don’t recommend them for replacing your analog controllers. The sticks work fine, but without actual grips on the controller, they’re not comfortable to use for long periods of time. However, for games that can be mostly played with a d-pad but require an analog stick for some parts, they’re perfect.

There’s another downside: if you’re allergic to certain metals, you might not be able to use them. I bring this up because my husband is allergic to basically any metal that isn’t sterling silver or stainless steel.

8BitDo’s gold and silver limited edition SN-30 controllers are available exclusively through their store.