Saturn Thoughts on Retrobit Saturn Pro Controller?

[LaserMoose]

From the perspective of someone that's been in love with the normal Saturn controller, this seems to be the dream controller. There are two additional shoulder buttons, left and right analog sticks, as well as home and select buttons compared to the original controller.

That being said, I have heard conflicting opinions on the controller's functionality. Does anyone have any particular opinions in regards to this controller? Its been some time since the initial release, so I was wondering if there have been any notable improvements since then.

 

[norunove]

That actually looks pretty great, the addition of the analogs down there are for sure a must, only gripe i might have is of the size of them but at the same time, they did try to keep the original aesthetic of the OG gamepad so it is what it is

 

[bjork]

I really want to try this one because it sure looks like an improvement on what is already my favorite controller. But I kinda want an option to use it wired, so I've held off due to that. I'm not sure if some third-party cable would work or not.

 

[RageBurner]

I love the Saturn controller (and those like it) having grown up with Sega, and I'll never understand why the industry embraced the 4 face button style instead.

 

[NotGodlike]

The best D-Pad to exist, and the addition of sticks will greatly expand on games you can play with it. If it ever appears in my country, I will definitely try it out

 

[Yuu Suzuki]

Looks so nice! Never tried that controller but as a Saturn fan, I would love to buy it someday and try it!

 

[jul]

Does anyone have any particular opinions in regards to this controller?

I love the form factor, to me it's the best, it's perfect for street fighter series for instance, the alternative being ps1/2/snes controllers with strong punches and strong kicks on shoulder buttons, which isn't ideal

It has analog sticks also, which is nice. The hole in the pad like on the Pro-3 SJ-4001 below to put a vertical stick could be a nice addition, it's too bad nobody does this these days

I find the stick a tad too big and tall in the pic above, but you get the idea

 

[Plumpodrome]

Have one. After 2 months it stopped working with my Saturn. Avoid. Could be adapter, but I don't feel like telling people to gamble with it.

 

[PurpleShoes]

I have one of these and love it dearly! I haven't owned an original Saturn pad, but compared to the aftermarket pads I previously owned, this one feels much more official. It has its creaks, but what late-90s controller didn't?
The D-Pad indeed has the ball bearing pivot that the 8bitdo M30 lacks, and it feels fantastic!! Overall, feel is stellar.
My only gripe is that C and Z are doubled L and R, but this controller also has a ZL and ZR, so I usually map the Saturn's L and R to those in MedNaFen or whatever.
For other games that use all four shoulders, I don't tend to need C and Z separately so it works out fine for me, but if you love fighting games it may be a factor.
I totally recommend it though!!

 

[ShinnAsukaYESTaylorSwiftNO]

If it had better build quality, mechanical switches for the buttons and d-pad, analog triggers, TMR joysticks, and Bluetooth, then it would be perfect imo.
I recall owning two of the USB ones a few years back and they were rather mushy and broke within a few months.

 

[LaserMoose]

Have one. After 2 months it stopped working with my Saturn. Avoid. Could be adapter, but I don't feel like telling people to gamble with it.

I appreciate the info. That's rather unfortunate to hear. Did you purchase yours recently, or did you buy closer to its initial launch (around end of 2023, I believe?)

I have one of these and love it dearly! I haven't owned an original Saturn pad, but compared to the aftermarket pads I previously owned, this one feels much more official. It has its creaks, but what late-90s controller didn't?

Sounds like on your end it's been better - do you have any comments about the quality of the sticks? As norunove mentioned, they do seem a bit on the small side. Your comments about the C and Z buttons are also very useful.

I recall owning two of the USB ones a few years back and they were rather mushy and broke within a few months.

I am generally unfamiliar with retrobit's products, but it sounds like they needed more quality control before release.

 

[Don Patch]

I've read it's got issues. Button mapping and such.

Post automatically merged: Apr 15, 2025

Have one. After 2 months it stopped working with my Saturn. Avoid. Could be adapter, but I don't feel like telling people to gamble with it.

Oh, dude, that sucks.

 

[PurpleShoes]

Sounds like on your end it's been better - do you have any comments about the quality of the sticks? As norunove mentioned, they do seem a bit on the small side. Your comments about the C and Z buttons are also very useful.

I agree they seem to have QC issues, and certainly later batches seem to be improved. I have had mine since early December of last year, and have not had any problems with responsiveness or connectivity. That said, I only used the USB 2.4GhZ connection, not the Saturn connection so YMMW.
On my end, I can say this controller has survived several tipsy chest-high drops onto my hard wood floor without any nicks!
The sticks are only really there if you NEED them, imo. They're about the size of Joycon sticks and the height of the face buttons. They require some stretching, and I have pretty big hands!! I've found them most useful as a faux-3D pad stick (using one of the two function buttons mapped as mode switch)
I understand Retrobit to have a reputation for cheap quality, and surely there's a reason for that, but I can tell you I've gotten great value out of this pad, personally!!

 

[Plumpodrome]

I appreciate the info. That's rather unfortunate to hear. Did you purchase yours recently, or did you buy closer to its initial launch (around end of 2023, I believe?)

Mid-2024

 

[ShinnAsukaYESTaylorSwiftNO]

I believe I acquired mine sometime around 2019 as a High School graduation gift.

 

[Sololord]

I bought one when they first came out a year or so ago, so I could play Nights without having to buy another 3d controller. It was the wireless 2.4ghz one. Only used it on the Saturn. Like others said, when in 3d mode, the button mapping goes out of whack, and while Nights recognizes the controller, it's almost unplayable. For the short time I could play it, I'd say the sticks were decent. At the time, everyone complained about this problem, and there was no remapping for Saturn use (PC USB might have been different). In regular mode, the buttons were mapped fine. There might have been some kind of firmware update, if that's possible, but I already chucked it. I really like retro-bits other Saturn controllers, but they really screwed the pooch on the 3d ones.

 

[PhrawzT]

I have the Retrobit wireless controller, but curious about this one. The buttons on mine are a bit loose and can be loud when pressing them down quickly.

 

[DanCalibur]

How does it feel for N64 emulation?

 

[RetroHetho]

I have their 6 button Mega Drive controller and have been happy with its build quality, totally missed this one… time to watch some reviews and probably waste some money!

 

[Waffles's iconWaffles]

That looks like it'd make the SEGA fan within me really happy.