Retro-Bit controllers: Mega Drive, Saturn and Nintendo 64

Retro-bit's new range of retro controllers are gonna be available in the UK. They look to be pretty cool and are reasonably priced, too.

Sega Mega Drive

Available in Original Mega Drive (£14.99) and PC (USB) (£17.99) variants; and in Original Black and Clear Blue

Sega Saturn

Available in Original Saturn (£17.99) and PC (USB) (£21.99) variants; and in Original Black and Slate Grey

Nintendo 64

Available in N64 (£19.99) and PC (USB) (£24.99) variants; and in Forest Green, Ocean Blue and Red

If you're interested, they're up for pre-order at Amazon. In addition, Bluetooth-enabled versions and bluetooth adapters are in prduction for release later in the year.

I'm really keen on the Mega Drive (original) and, especially, the N64 (original) versions of the corded pads. The N64 versions are compatible with memory and rumble paks :-) .

I'd be really interested to see how the analogue stick on the N64 controller is.

Looks like the GC analogue stick.

How the strawberry float you'd play a game the uses the d-pad a lot with that N64 pad I have no idea.

Pedz wrote:...How the strawberry float you'd play a game the uses the d-pad a lot with that N64 pad I have no idea.

Yeah, I was a little unsure, Pedz, but the design is based on that of the popular Hori N64 pad which had a pretty good rep. I think the pad is small compared to the original Nintendo version so hopefully there won't be a need to stretch.

I really like that translucent Forest Green version :-) .

Nice find Jawa! Definitely going to take a look at the N64 edition!

Update:

Love the look of the Blue one! Put in a preorder for one. Will post an update and a review on receipt of it!

Thanks for this Jawa - I've ordered myself an N64 one. Have been considering the Retro Fighters one for a bit but the cost of getting it shipped to the UK is a bit off-putting, this is a far more affordable option. As you say, it's very similar to the popular Hori design so if the build quality is good then it could be a really good option.

Not used these but I've heard good things.

I am however a total convert for the 8bitDo pads. Got the SF30 Pro and it's superb. Reasonably priced and feels fantastic to use. I'm considering picking up one of their 6-Button Mega Drive pads as well.

I bought one of the Mega Drive 8bitDo pads for my Switch, not really had much of a chance to try it out yet but it feels quite nice in the hand.

HSH28 wrote:I bought one of the Mega Drive 8bitDo pads for my Switch, not really had much of a chance to try it out yet but it feels quite nice in the hand.

I mostly want one for Mega Drive/Saturn games on the PC. It's not quite the same fitting all the buttons onto a SNES or Xbox/PS layout.

Cheeky Devlin wrote:Not used these but I've heard good things.

I am however a total convert for the 8bitDo pads. Got the SF30 Pro and it's superb. Reasonably priced and feels fantastic to use. I'm considering picking up one of their 6-Button Mega Drive pads as well.

I also have the SF30 Pro and it's a stunning controller! I also have the grip for it to attach my phone on it. Makes it into an awesome retro devise! I've been tempted to buy another one but in the DMG colours!

The Doom Spoon wrote:
Cheeky Devlin wrote:Not used these but I've heard good things.

I am however a total convert for the 8bitDo pads. Got the SF30 Pro and it's superb. Reasonably priced and feels fantastic to use. I'm considering picking up one of their 6-Button Mega Drive pads as well.

I also have the SF30 Pro and it's a stunning controller! I also have the grip for it to attach my phone on it. Makes it into an awesome retro devise! I've been tempted to buy another one but in the DMG colours!

I have one too for my Retropie setup, and it's simply perfect for retro gaming.

What I like about the new Retro-bit controllers is that they link to the original hardware; my Mega Drive controllers are a little worn nowdays and the old Hori N64 controllers are difficult to find and often very expensive. The new models look to be decent and I suspect they could prove popular.

jawafour wrote:What I like about the new Retro-bit controllers is that they link to the original hardware; my Mega Drive controllers are a little worn nowdays and the old Hori N64 controllers are difficult to find and often very expensive. The new models look to be decent and I suspect they could prove popular.

8BitDo sell what they call a 'Retro Receiver' for the NES, SNES and MD which make all their controllers (as well as modern console controllers) compatible with original hardware...

https://shop.8bitdo.com/products/retro- ... ga-genesis

HSH28 wrote:8BitDo sell what they call a 'Retro Receiver' for the NES, SNES and MD which make all their controllers (as well as modern console controllers) compatible with original hardware...

Thanks for the heads-up, HSH! I am gonna go with the corded Retro-Bit ones initially, but this is definitely something I'll look at in the future.

Yeah Ive been hoping 8bitdo would get to the N64 pretty soon, I love their stuff and I really want a more modern N64 controller. I looked at the Retro Fighters one but its pricey right now. Ill check out reviews for this one once its been out in the wild a bit, the shape is definitely odd but if it reviews well Ill look into it.

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That's a very tempting place to put some of my amazon gift credit, especially as the N64 controller would match my console.

I have two perfectly good Megadrive profire controllers however so that is not a problem for me. The N64 stick is still terrible. I wonder if it would make a replay of games like Jet Force Gemini more enjoyable and a bit of Smash 64 or I could even finally play SM64. Also both Banjo games.

The d-pad on that N64 pad :lol:

Where is the Z-button?

OrangeRKN wrote:The d-pad on that N64 pad

Where is the Z-button?

It looks a little odd but the design is exactly as per the highly regarded Japanese Hori N64 mini pad; which cost a lot (£60 to £70) to pick up on eBay nowdays. The controller is smaller than it looks (see comparison photo below, showing a Hori pad and the original N64 pad) so your thumb can fairly easily reach the dpad. The Z-button of the original controller is transferred to an additional bumper button (on both left and right sides to suit individual preference).

that N64 controller really isn't at all pleasing to the eye

the sega pads look pretty fire tho

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Japanese peripheral manufacturers have never at all been a stranger to making bizarre alternative controllers though that are often better to use for extended play.

£20 is a reasonable price. I guess it just depends how much you play and how strawberry floated your original controller is.

Retro-Bit controllers: Mega Drive, Saturn and Nintendo 64

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