Third Party Controllers Outperforming Original Hardware?

[DocHix]

My PS2 Sony Dualshock 2 controller finally died after more than a decade of loyal service. At the local brick and mortar game stores, I was unable to find a first party replacement that wasn't either overpriced or simply beat to hell. Last year, I picked up a Retro Fighter Striker DC pad and found it to be a pretty solid controller with a "modern" button/stick layout that I ended up preferring to the original. With my PS2 Dualshock out of commission, I took a chance on a Retro Fighter Defender which works wirelessly with PS1, PS2 and PS3. It turns out to be a very responsive controller with a nice build quality. When I started retro game collecting, my first rule was no third party controllers. Have things changed? Are the current wave of third party controllers not only workable solutions but possibly improvements on the original hardware? I would really like to know which third party options other retro gamers out there have adopted and for which systems. Thank you!

[Breaker]

This is a vital thread. I, too, would love to know what, if any, 3rd party controllers are worthwhile. OEM stuff is getting ridiculously expensive!

[Billydeethrilliamsss]

I have a modded original xbox that is inspiring me to look for a modern controller solution for it.

[Stalvern]

Pretty much any N64 controller that doesn't have the same stick mechanism as the original is going to be better. There are plenty of those out there, but the first Retro-Bit design – actually a rebrand of a controller made by Yobo way back in 2001 – is my favorite, with a fantastically smooth PlayStation-style stick, a comfortable shape preserving the three-handled layout, and durable construction. These are dirt-cheap on eBay. Here's a listing I found with one of each brand for 20 bucks. Both brands also have a version with the nasty little thumbtack of the stock controller, so keep an eye out and avoid that one.

[DocHix]

I've been combing various review outlets (print, internet, Youtube) and it appears that the following third party controllers are performing well on original hardware and within the stick calibration ranges typical of first party controllers:

NES: 8bitdo N30 (Wireless, 2.4g version reportedly features no lag compared to blue tooth version)
SNES: 8bitdo SN30 (Wireless, 2.4g version reportedly features no lag compared to blue tooth version)
Genesis/32X/Sega CD: 8bitdo M30 (Wireless, 2.4g version reportedly features no lag compared to blue tooth version)
Genesis/32x/Sega CD: Retrobit Genesis Pad (Wired, endorsed by Sega; there appear to be issues with the wireless version, however)
Saturn: Retrobit Saturn Pad (Wired, endorsed by Sega; there appear to be issues with the wireless version of this one, too)
Dreamcast: Reto Fighters Stiker (Wired; I have this controller and like it very much!)
N64: Retrobit Tribute 64 (Wired or Wireless versions; modelled after the Hori N64 controllers)
N64: Retro Fighters Brawler (Wired or Wireless versions)
Jaguar: Six Button Pro Controller Reproduction (originally available through AtariAge; can now be found at songbird-productions.com)

Reviews appear to be pretty mixed on new versions of classic controllers from most other manufacturers (Hyperkin, Old Skool, etc.).

[Matchstick]

Saturn: Retrobit Saturn Pad (Wired, endorsed by Sega)

I have one of these, in particular:



I. LOVE. IT.

By far, it is the nicest controller in my collection, and out of the dozen or so consoles that I own, this is the only instance where I insist on using a third-party controller as my "go-to."

The cord is a bit longer than the standard Saturn pad (10 feet, I believe) and the D-Pad is slightly softer and smoother, while the face buttons have a smoother and more-responsive feel to the touch than my standard Sega pad. Granted, my other two Saturn controllers are originals with nearly 30 years of wear on them, so it's quite possible their internal rubber pads have started to stiffen up and break down. I plan to refurb them soon.

There's currently an eBay seller offering these brand new, with free shipping, for $17.95. I think they're a no-brainer at that price. Buy one for yourself, one for a second player, and keep a few extras on hand:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/255934601589?epid=28031281742&hash=item3b96e41975:g:GkQAAOSwNihjyCKQ&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAsI4jCfGDf%2FEXUCWmSDIWPm0bZNfYo%2B8ZjasvPE4B02AqMrmpwzOjrilavNvpjcGYdXARY0ibVO0BtWOkh35xhH9ybv5qgZiFa01HEzaX6OKpTyBD398ZOk2bIB2UTxspgYjDQFUGQCPWrdbQo%2FCgwZwIpnGkhXB5mDKAK4ND%2Fw8ijU4pxtb11Kox13YgatfZEJon8au%2BCzWrWWVsAacsFGxUYHfBu0561S6reQURul8r%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-aXiczCYQ

HIGHLY Recommended!

(I just wish I could use it with the Dreamcast without shelling out for an expensive adapter...)

[DocHix]

Thank you for the excellent information and the personal recommendation, Matchstick. That is one very good looking controller!

[VideoGameCritic]

Concur - I had to buy this. What a great deal. Thanks Matchstick!

[DocHix]

This looks very promising!

https://retro-bit.com/big6

[Matchstick]

Glad that Saturn pad has garnered a little interest! Happy to help, fellas

I actually spent some time with that controller last night, after I made my post. It had been a minute since I played the Saturn, so I fired it up just to double-check and make sure I wasn't leading you guys astray.

Short answer - nope, that controller's still great! I played some Tempest 2000, Street Fighter Zero 3, X-Men vs Street Fighter, and Metal Slug, and the controller worked like a champ for all four games. I even set a personal high-score in SFZ3, coming in at just under a million points in beating the game with Chun-Li w/o continuing.

I'm glad that such a reliable controller is available at a fair price. Honestly, I think I paid more than that for controllers back when the Saturn was still current! Nice to know that not everything is inflated these days...

I like Stalvern's suggestion for the N64 pads, too. I'm always happy to hear when redesigns are just as reliable as the real thing. While I like the default N64 controller shape and joystick just fine, that doesn't mean there isn't any room for improvement. I may try out one of those redesigned N64 pads and see what I think.

One console that seems sorely unrepresented here is the Gamecube. Don't get me wrong, I'm not really a fan of that controller, in general, but I know that plenty of people just adore it. I would love to be able to get something akin to the Switch Pro controller in shape and size that would work with the Gamecube natively.

Both of my OG Nintendo-branded pads are pretty worn-out, and every third-party option I've tried just doesn't hold up over time. And I don't play Smash Bros or anything too intense - mostly F-Zero, Pikmin 2, and P.N.03. A simple, durable, reliable controller is all I'm really after - preferably in a different shape than the OG.

Any suggestions there...?