# Octopath Traveler Hits Different with a Super Nintendo Controller

*Published:* 2022-03-02
*Author:* Joe Dynamite

![](/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/octopath-traveler-with-super-nintendo-controller-810x540.jpg)Octopath Traveler and my 8BitDo SN30[*Octopath Traveler*](https://amzn.to/3ID5NWo) is an RPG developed by Square Enix and Acquire, released in 2018. It had a unique art style that Square called HD-2D, which utilized pixelated 2D character sprites in a 3D world. Visually it reminds me of early PlayStation RPGs like *Breath of Fire III* and *Dragon Quest VII*. The game received pretty favorable reviews, currently holding an 83 on Metacritic. Square has plans to re-use the art style in many upcoming games, including [*Triangle Strategy*](https://amzn.to/3hw0qw8), which should be coming out this Friday.

I started *Octopath Traveler* when it launched and really enjoyed it. Something about it always felt a little off to me, though. Not only did the art style evoke a very retro feel, so did the gameplay mechanics and controls. So one day, I decided that I would use a Super Nintendo style controller instead of a Pro Controller. In my case, I had the 8BitDo SN30, which I’m not sure is still available, but there is an [SN30 Pro](https://amzn.to/35FWhD7) version with analog sticks. I’m sure the official SNES controllers that Nintendo has available online would do the trick too. And wow, what a difference that made. Everything about it just clicked. The art, the gameplay, the controller, it felt right! I had a similar experience when playing [*Shovel Knight*](https://amzn.to/3K6j4Hf) with the [8BitDo M30](https://amzn.to/35KdA6o). So from now on, if it’s a retro-inspired game, I’m going in with a retro-inspired controller, no question about it.

If you haven’t tried *Octopath Traveler* yet, you really should if you’re a fan of JRPGs. And if you do, make sure you use a Super Nintendo controller. It made the game so much more fun and memorable for me.