Anyone here purchasing/collecting retro-inspired controllers like the 8bitdo SFC30, M30, FC30, or inexpensive replicas solely for the purpose of reliving the nostalgic experience of playing retro games on their original consoles?
Surely I ain’t alone right? What other controller brands do you guys like or want to share. Feel free to share your favorite controller brands or any recommendations you have 😁
I don’t use them solely for retro games. The 8bitdo SN30 pro just is a pretty solid controller for the nintendo switch and a good controller on the go with the phone clip.
Agreed, the SN/SFC30 pro are pretty decent to be used for general use. but in my case I don’t know what happened and all of a sudden I also now have a 8Bitdo Pro, Ultimate and Pro 2. Talk about unplanned collection, lmao
I managed to not buy all of those controllers even though it was very tempting but I also have an 8bitdo wireless adapter so that I can use my favorite controllers like the dualsense on the switch
That and the clip make it unbeatable, incredible piece of gear.
I have a pair of Nintendo’s NES controllers for the switch, a 1st gen 8bitDo SNES, the M30 Genesis, and USB adapters for the N64 and GameCube controllers.
And just use the switch pro controller for everything :(
Don’t get me wrong. Those other controllers are awesome. I just don’t have the patience to be constantly switching, and the pro controller is just so good as long as you don’t need analog shoulder buttons.
One way I made it more bearable for myself is by purchasing a USB extender/extension cable, which makes plugging in and out far more convenient. Though typically, I tend to stick to one console era per day. For instance, if I feel like playing NES games, I’ll most likely be playing NES games for the rest of the day.
I use an SNES style controller and a USB GameCube controller for their respective games. I have used a couple N64 replica controllers, but they usually had terrible sticks and I just use the GC controller for them now.
Same, I bought this: https://www.amazon.com/Classic-Controller-iNNEXT-Joystick-Raspberry/dp/B07449HLKJ/ref=sr_1_21?keywords=nintendo+64+controller&qid=1689439811&sr=8-21 whenever I feel like playing N64 games.
I have accidentally become a collector of USB controllers and USB adaptors. Some games really do play better with their original controller, notably 6-button Mega Drive games and N64. I have plenty of controllers where I own an adaptor but never even owned the original system.
8BitDo are a wonderful addition to this market. High quality repro controllers with modern features at reasonable prices. I’m glad they seem to be doing so well.
I can relate! Apart from the pic above, I also have the Pro wired (my go-to controller for playing games on Steam), Ultimate (my choice for Xbox gaming), Pro 2 (wireless, perfect for my Surface/tablet), and their arcade stick.
What amazes me even more is that they offer firmware updates, which is pretty rare in the controllers category. Haha, I guess I sound like a true 8bitdo fanboy now, lmao!
@suprjami Nice avatar.
@ComeHereOrIHookYou I have the first generation of 8bitdo controller of the old NES styled pad. Unfortunately a button does not work correctly anymore. What I use nowadays are 3 gamepads, one of them the SNES “inspired” Buffalo Classic USB Gamepad. I want to up the game soon with additional gamepads too. Especially the Genesis/Mega Drive styled one. Let’s not forget the N64 pad with its unique button placement. For arcade games I play with an arcade stick. A trackball will follow too, for arcade games that are usually played with one. And maybe an Atari 2600 style old stick too. And I need Wii controllers too… oh well, its a chaos then.
But having so many controllers makes it complicated. Especially whenever I unplug and plugin a controller, it is then registered in different order. That’s a nightmare! At least using RetroArch, this is a bit problematic.
I just took a look with the Buffalo Classic USB and certainly it is an interesting SNES inspired controller, to think it has a built in turbo button too.
Agreed having multiple controllers is a pain, especially I have to plug them in and out from time to time.
Mapping controllers on Retroarch is indeed a pain as well, especially trying to map N64 controls.
Last week I bought a N64 inspired controller from SAFFUN, tried mapping it on Retroarch. After a good 10 minutes, I gave up and went with Mupen64plus with Rosalie’s Mupen GUI
I have a decade old Buffalo famicom-style controller with ABXY just like in your photo, although mine is wired. I’ve opened it and adjusted the Dpad by partially covering the contacts with tape, and I swear it’s the best Dpad I’ve ever used. I’ve also got an 8bitdo FC30 Pro but I rarely use it nowadays.
That’s sweet. Aside from the turbo and clear buttons, that one seems to be closer to the original Famicom more than what I have (which have diagonal layout for the buttons)
It’s actually kind of a drawback sometimes. Super Metroid for instance is pretty awkward to play since it’s hard to hold B and press Y at the same time 😅
I have a drawer with several 8bitdo controllers, including the arcade stick. I love it. I just wish the Genesis controller would be configured more consistently by default in Recallbox. I haven’t spent a huge amount of time with it, but it never feels like it’s mapped correctly.
Damn that Famicom controller has the exact aesthetic of the original!
Right? it even included a keychain and famicom styled USB cables. Pretty awesome stuff.
When Retro-bit announced their licensing partnership with Sega, I was really excited. I got their first wave Saturn USB pad, and I now have a Big 6 that combined a 6-button pad with the style of the 3-button Genesis pad. Still waiting for that dual analog variant they promised though…
It was around the same time I think that Retro Fighters came out with a new original port Dreamcast controller, the Striker. Awesome controller. I got a Raphnet adapter just to use it on pc from time to time.
Then there’s the arcade stick I custom built for the specific purpose of authentic arcade gaming at home. Uses a Suzo Happ lever (even though they used to be made by Industrias Lorenzo), and Industrias Lorenzo buttons.
This is incredible! It even has the Sega logo in it. Thanks 😁
