So I finally got the new Saturn Retro-bit controllers in. It’s not a 1:1 with the original USB Saturn Pad as far as how the buttons are lined up as the old one had buttons AB&C as Buttons 123 and XYZ as 456 and L& R are 7 & 8, where as the new one is set up more like a 360/PS4 controller as far as AB and XY goes with Z and C being 5 & 6 and strangely L & R 8 & 9 with a mysterious 7th button unused since Start is Button 10!
Old Saturn USB Pad Properties:
New Saturn USB Pad Properties:
…that aside, and the less clicky L & R buttons (although the Genesis pads have their Mode (on the Original connector) and L & R buttons (on the USB version) click…), this is OEM quality stuff here through and through!
This always bugged me about Saturn controllers. I have bought quite a few over the years, and some have nice crisp L+R buttons, some are super mushy. The Retro-bit seems to fall in the middle, so I’m happy about that, and honestly it is better than some of my OEM pads.
I prefer my buttons sharp and clicky, so I took to the PDP Versus pads as my Saturn-like PC pad. I still like them a lot, though they don’t seem super robust even compared to the Saturn pad.
Or what I think really happened, for these new USB controllers, they used the same board, because the Retro-bit 8 button (it adds L & R buttons) Genesis USB controller has the exact same layout, and it’s “Mode” button is button #7.
And yeah, the actual Saturn pads L & R click like the older SLS pads, so you’ll probably want the new Retro-bit controllers if it drives you nuts, ha ha!
Interesting, not the same analogue mech used in the original mini but looks like an equivalent.
Need someone to test the axis range, the original N64 stick are about -80 +80 and the original Hori Mini went up to -100 +100 so that the diagonals would hit 80 it seems. There was one article that mentioned a range of 120 for these new Tribute 64 pads, although they called it dead zone I think they might have meant range?
It doesn’t stand quite as proud as the wand on the original N64 pad but it has a larger dead zone (120 compared to the original’s 80) so it’s more precise.
Thanks for all the impressions. I was thinking about picking up the USB version - when you mention the L/R buttons being in the middle does that mean they are now mushy instead of clicky/switched?
My only concern now is how it’ll hold up in the long run.
I have. I like the look and it looks like they’ve solved the left trigger issue. I don’t play my N64s a lot but I’ve never been a fan of the controller. I’m thinking maybe a different styled controller can change that.
That’s where I’m at with the N64. I didn’t play much as a kid, and the controllers are a huge barrier for me. I’m waiting for the Brawler64 to come back in stock on Amazon, then I’ll pick one up.
Don’t know if it’s a widespread issue but the 2 brawler64 controllers I have don’t read controller paks correctly. They’ll show a menu sometimes but it’ll be empty. When I try with an official controller my saves are still there. Meaning they are pretty useless for most 3rd party games if you want to use it in single player.
I have heard of that issue too, but from what I have read, people have had good success with returning their controllers and getting replacements for the ones with this problem.
That is a pretty sweet deal, I may pick up another one.
And I’m the same as you, the Saturn pad rules. I didn’t even want to like the M30. I got it because of positive impressions on here after hearing so-so reviews for the prior 8bitDo stuff. When I did get to try one, it honestly felt like what a modern Saturn pad should be. The extra buttons alone make it worth for me on my emulation rig.
But you can’t go wrong with either and for $15 it’s hard to say no to such a good version of the long-time GOAT.
