Xbox Cloud Gaming (also known as Project xCloud) has proved highly popular since it was introduced as part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for Android users back in September, but if you want to really take advantage of it, you're going to need some kind of controller or controller clip for playing your games on the go.
The folks over at 8BitDo recently sent us a review unit for the new Xbox branded SN30 Pro Bluetooth Controller for Android, and after getting hands-on with it over the past couple of weeks, we're pleased to say we're finding it to be a great way to enjoy our favourite xCloud titles.
The setup process for the SN30 Pro is really simple - attach the included clip to the controller (it makes a satisfying *click*, so you know it's stable), and adjust the positioning of the holder to suit your needs. Then, it's just a case of fitting your phone to that holder, which stretches to accommodate devices of varying sizes.
There's a dedicated button on the top for pairing the controller via Bluetooth, so the process is quick and easy. And crucially, the SN30 Pro ensures your phone is locked in tight, so you needn't worry about it slipping during gameplay. Everything feels safe and secure, so you can quickly get on with enjoying your games.
You also get some extra bells and whistles, including integration of the standard Xbox Guide, Menu and View buttons which work as expected, along with the ability to change the triggers from analog inputs to digital, button mapping options and even stick sensitivity adjustment via some downloadable software. We rarely found the need to use most of these, but it's nice to have some advanced options all the same.
In terms of how the device actually performs, it certainly doesn't look like a purpose built controller for playing Xbox games at first glance due to its PlayStation style analog stick placement and fairly rigid triggers. But in practice, we never found this to be much of a hinderance due to its excellent build quality.
In particular, the two thumbsticks give off a very premium feel, and the d-pad is arguably an improvement on the standard Xbox One controller - great if you also like tinkering around with emulators like us!
As a result, playing games with the SN30 Pro feels comfortable and intuitive, ensuring that even despite its compact size, you never feel like it's putting you at a major disadvantage even in competitive multiplayer. The only real downside relates to those two triggers, which still do a commendable job but require you to stretch your fingers a little further than that of a conventional Xbox One controller.
Admittedly, we also had concerns about the weight (or lack thereof) of the SN30 Pro, which is definitely at odds with how heavy some modern phones tend to be. But again, we were pleasantly surprised by how little of an issue this proved in practice when using a somewhat chunky Samsung Galaxy S8.
There's an obvious shift in weight when you attach the phone to the clip, but even during extended play sessions, the comfort levels remain pretty consistent. This is dependent on how you hold the device and position your phone, but we never found ourselves aching or wanting to put the controller down due to the weight difference.
You'll also be pleased to know that the rechargeable battery included with the SN30 Pro is excellent, providing easily over ten hours of playtime on a single charge. There's a handy battery indicator which blinks red when you're running low, although it's easy to miss due to being placed on top of the device.
For those times when the battery does run out, 8BitDo also offers a separate, lower-priced clip alternative for your standard Xbox controller. It functions in the same way as the clip for the SN30 Pro, attaching with little effort, and comes with two swappable designs to fit different generations of Xbox controllers.
It's definitely a more natural and precise way of playing your games, but it speaks volumes that we preferred using the SN30 Pro on most occasions due to its added portability and overall ease of use.
Ultimately then, we've come away very impressed with our experiences with the 8BitDo SN30 Pro, which boasts excellent build quality and is generally very enjoyable to use for playing Xbox games on the go. It's also priced reasonably at £44.19 (the alternative Xbox Wireless Controller clip is £14.99), so if you're planning to spend a fair bit of time with Xbox Cloud Gaming over the coming weeks and months, we'd definitely recommend checking it out.
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Have you bought the SN30 Pro? Give us your impressions and feel free to ask any questions down below.
Comments 27
As always, ask away if you have any questions!
Nearly got this controller but decided on the razer Kishi, glad it's lived up to the expectations!
@Carck I did try, but I couldn't get it to work.
I don't recommend this product at all right now.
If you want to play just xbox cloud games it's fine, but if you want to play for example minecraft on any android phones you will face problems with LT and RT.
I have tried (San andreas/ Minecraft/ Stardew valley) and all of them facing problem with the triggers. The characters of these games moving to the right and down instead of do something else like shooting or placing, and you cant customize these triggers in any game. It's like android can't recognize them.
I hope for an update to solve this problem.
@FraserG I'm not talking about xcloud games, I'm talking about android games (apk) like minecraft.
@Salman_Bashar Have you tried using the Ultimate Software on PC? I've just checked, and ePSXe only recognises the two triggers when I switch the trigger input from analog to digital.
I'm assuming the same applies for the games you've mentioned.
@FraserG for minecraft and stardew valley it's still messed up, but for San Andreas it's work good now.
Any way you can change from analog trigger to digital trigger by pressing LT+ RT + Star bottom without needing to connect the controller to pc.
@Carck unfortunately it doesn’t, I wish it did as it would be a great second controller for arcade style games and much better for THPS
Any reason to get this rather than the cheaper White (non-XBox branded) SN30 Pro controller? AFAIK the white one doesn't have the phone clip, but apart from that I don't see much difference.
Yeah, it's really weird that a controller with an Xbox button and 'Designed for Xbox' on the packing isn't compatible with Xbone. I'd love a retro styled controller for playing 2D games as I hate the Xbone pad for them.
@Carck @BionicDodo This is what Microsoft says about that 'Designed for Xbox' badge (I agree it's confusing with something like this!):
"The Designed for Xbox badge communicates how closely we have worked with our partners on each product to test quality, performance, safety, and security with all Xbox hardware experiences."
@FraserG Clear as mud! I've always found the lack of 3rd party controller options for Xbox One an issue. There are dozens available for Switch. I just want to use something like an 8bitdo M30 for 2D games.
Edit: I've seen the Hori Fighting Commander but that always seems hard to find in the UK and the PowerA Fusion is way overpriced.
The fact that you can play Xbox games on your phone is still mind boggling to me..
Does this in any way differ from utilizing the BT in the XBox One controller to link to the phone? That's how I have been doing it with a clip I got off Amazon.
I have tried gaming at lunch from work, but my cellular data connection here is not great and Game Pass squawks at me the whole time about it. When I am home on my wifi, it is wonderful.
I find it to be useful at home when the kids are playing Switch on the television together or my daughter is playing PS4. I then can sit in my armchair and still get XBox time.
@orionreplay Works the same way!
Bought mine 2 days ago. Works like a charm I can deifinitely recommend it. Both the gamepad and the smartphone mount are of good quality. The mount gets the job done of keeping the phone steady while gaming. At this price you can't ask for much more.
@FraserG Thank you!
So is there a good, recommended way to play this that doesn't involve taking your one and only phone, draining it's battery, and tying it up in a clamp? That's the thing I don't get about this kind of solution to streaming is your phone is used for everything else that isn't gaming....its use is already tied up....and phones are pricy beasts to go and buy one just as a second to play games on....you could buy two Series X and a 1TB expansion for the price of one TotL phone.
Plus....something with a bigger screen would be nice. When they get it onto PCs, I was thinking a Surface with an external battery would be an ideal mobile gaming solution....but it's too expensive, and too full featured a device to get as just a streaming device. Any tablet setups and the like that anyone's using?
My 8bitdo SN30 pro died after about a year.
I know everyone loves these controllers, and I loved mine too until it died. The controller no longer charges or even works while plugged un, although the LEDs still light up and flash.
I took very good care of that controller, and now its a paperweight.
Just putting my experience out there in case it helps someone with their decision.
I'll use s clip for the dual shock 4 I kept over from a trade in
@AJDarkstar I haven't been using it on PC, but I don't believe it's designed to work natively.
I'm sure you could get it to work, but I just plugged it in and tried to play a game on PC Game Pass, and it's not recognising it.
@NEStalgia It works with Android tablets too, but obviously that's applicable to all Bluetooth compatible Xbox controllers.
Love 8bitdo. I use them for my xcloud/switch gaming, epsxe, and mame emulators.
8bitdo is great. I got a couple of controllers from them to use on my Analogue Mega SG and they are good quality controllers. Might pick one of these up at some point for gaming on my tablet
I just picked up the SN30 Pro and SN30 Pro Xbox, 8bitdo makes great controllers and I own many for the mini retro systems, so I had no hesitations. I will use the SN30 Pro for GamePass on PC and the SN30 Pro Xbox for XCloud gaming on phone. Just sold my Xbox One X as I have the Series X on pre-order, so these controllers will see alot of use in the new few weeks for Game Pass PC and XCloud.
Shame it doesn’t work on the Xbox, Id have been very tempted by one of these. 8Bitdo make good stuff.
Now that both Android and iPhone support Game Pass streaming to phones, why wouldn't I want to use the amazing Xbox controller itself?
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