Looking for a good retro/classic style gaming controller.

[Ulfrinn]

I've been playing some retro games lately, as well as retro style games (pixel art, 2D scrollers) and I would really like to have a good controller well suited for this and that means first and foremost, a good d-pad.

My primary controller is a PS4 controller, and it has an okay d-pad, but I feel like it takes too much force to hold down. I wan't something you barely need to touch. The Xbox One controller is a poor choice simply because of the location of it's d-pad.

So yeah, I am looking for a solid controller for retro gaming. What about some of the 8bitdo offerings? They make some SNES style controllers, some with thumbsticks and triggers so they can be used for any type of game, and some with more ergo shapes but the same layout. How good are their d-pads, buttons, and build quality?

[Nx Machina]

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=retro+controllers&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Sony DS3 or DS4

[_I_]

ds3 dpad is a lighter touch than the ds4
but both are good

its not difficult to mod dualshock/ds2/nes/snes/saturn to a parallel (printer) port and use dpad pro to map them as dinput controller
https://www.raphnet.net/electronique/psx_adaptor/psx_adaptor_en.php

iv used a ds2 long ago before moving to x360 and ds3/4 for snes emulators

[SimicEngineer]

I'd say 8bitdo is pretty good overall, but if anything I think their d-pads take slightly more force than a DS4 (at least judging by my old SN30; newer models might be different), so maybe not what you're looking for.

You might consider a Logitech F310. It's definitely not flawless, but it's better than most similarly priced pads. The D-pad is closer to the Sega style (a full circle that sits on the switches with no center pivot) and takes very little force. Some people don't like how loose it feels. There's also a wireless version (F710), but it costs significantly more and requires its own dongle (no support for Bluetooth or even the Logitech Unifying Receiver protocol).

[Julien, cut it out.]

My favourite d'pad is easily the one on the Nintendo DSi XL. It's shape is concave, my thumb fits nicely .I know it's not a controller, but usually Nintendo has good d'pads in their product lineup.
How's the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller's d'pad?

Hori uses in its products also concave d'pads. Have a look at the Fighting Commander: https://stores.horiusa.com/fighting-commander-for-playstation-4-3-officially-licensed-by-sony-playstation-4/
https://stores.horiusa.com/fighting-commander-for-xbox-one/

https://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Tournament-Controller-Officially-Licensed-Pokemon/dp/B01A6LEXFK

The PS3/PS4 version should work with steam: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=5199-TOKV-4426

[Snow]

8bitdo are AWESOME!

[eyeq350125]

I've just bought an 8BitDo SN30 pro+, to go with my XBone and Steam Controller. The D-Pad on the Pro+ is very, very good. I'm liking the controller a lot.

[Ulfrinn]

Does the SN30 Pro+ have analog triggers or are they buttons like the Switch Pro controller? Most PC games I use my PS4 controller on, but the d-pad is rather stiff for emulated games that use it, true for my XBO controller as well (plus the XBO thumbstick is too far in for comfort)

So, if that Pro+ is a viable alternative to the XBO, maybe. I looked at the S30 Pro and without the grips, the thumb sticks seem like they would be useless.

If there was a USB SNES controller that had a d-pad at least as good as the SNES, and wasn't so cheaply made that it'd stop working after a week, I might be more inclined to go that direction. Since I have modern controllers for PC gaming, I only need something for retro, and retro style. Maybe the SN30 Pro, with the thumbsticks for an option?

[Ulfrinn]

What about this one? It's a Sega Genesis style with a couple added shoulder buttons. The couple extra buttons on the top. I am thinking it, or an SNES controller clone. But, I want to find something simpler, lighter, and without thumbsticks.

https://www.amazon.com/Retro-Bit-Official-Controller-8-Button-Raspberry/dp/B07P37ZGTF/

[Ulfrinn]

I have narrowed it down to a Sega type controller. Their d-pads were the best and Sega has licensed them out and given the hardware to remake them to Retro-bit who sells them for original consoles, but also makes wireless and USB versions. So they're legitimate Sega controllers. I've decided on the Saturn model 2 controller either USB which does come with two extra buttons and is wireless, or the USB version which I presume is going to be lighter.

https://www.amazon.com/Retro-Bit-Official-Bluetooth-Controller-8-Button/dp/B07XW6KDMV/
https://www.amazon.com/Retro-Bit-Official-Controller-Genesis-Nintendo/dp/B07SN9XKZK/

[Ulfrinn]

I ordered the Bluetooth model :-D.

[Ulfrinn]

i got the controller today.. LOVE it for retro gaming. I just have an issue with Steam recognizing it as an xinput device, and not allowing me to reconfigure the layout, since the default places A on the far bottom left button, X on the far top left button, and your fingers naturally line up with the middle.

[Julien, cut it out.]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/taonlui70y882bc/RB_SEGA%20SATURN_BT_NA_MANUAL_091219.pdf?dl=0

You're able to change between DInput and XInput.
Change to DInput and get a DInput to XInput Wrapper to change the layout.

[AustrAlien2010]

I guess you can use a Wii classic controller on PC with a little work around. But it's not plug and play. You'll need to do some things.

How handy are you? Or want something easy?

Aright, the people already helped you. Good.

[Ulfrinn]

Początkowo opublikowane przez Bananarama:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/taonlui70y882bc/RB_SEGA%20SATURN_BT_NA_MANUAL_091219.pdf?dl=0

You're able to change between DInput and XInput.
Change to DInput and get a DInput to XInput Wrapper to change the layout.

Which is great if it stayed in that mode when you disconnected it, it doesn't. It would seem Steam cannot tell the difference between it, and another xinput controller i have and thinks i am trying to remap the other one. It's odd.