8bitdo NES30 Arcade Stick – Nintendo Switch retro controller

8bitdo is bringing the button-smashing and stick waggling of yesteryear back again. The NES30 Arcade Stick borrows its styling from the classic NES but packs up-to-date tech.

The NES30 Arcade Stick might look like a retro throw-back but underneath that classic case is today’s tech.

Firstly, you get Bluetooth connectivity for wireless compatibility with Nintendo Switch, Windows, Android, Mac and Steam.

8bitdo NES30 Arcade Stick

The classic Nintendo colour scheme and graphics remain intact but, unlike the original NES Arcade Stick, 8bitdo’s version has a full complement of buttons for modern games, has built-in turbo capability and is also customisable with Sanwa joysticks.

Go big or go home

Those eight big red 30mm size buttons are just screaming out for easy combo chaining.

This is perfect as Nintendo has been releasing a lot of classic SNK fighters on the Switch, as well as the Ultra Street Fighter II remaster.

If you’re a beat ’em up fan, how could you not be tempted?

Thanks to its size, there’s plenty of room for a decent battery. The NES30 Arcade Stick will hand you up to 18 hours of continuous play time. By then, you’ll probably need a break any way.

I have heard nothing but good things regarding 8bitdo’s controllers.

They seem to be extremely reliable and comfortable to use.