8BitDo releasing wireless conversion kits for original and Classic NES/SNES controllers (and MD/GEN)

It's not really a mod, they are just selling their pcbs without shells for a bit cheaper price.

You aren't using the original board so you still run into the primary issue with the 8bitdo controllers, accidental diagonal inputs on the dpad.

This is pretty cool.

I've got a couple of old SNES controllers with shredded cords. HMMM!

But the PCBs are the worst parts of their controllers. Their d-pad contact design is poor compared to the originals. I guess it's nice if you want to save a little money and make an existing controller wireless, but don't want to spend the extra few dollars on one of 8BitDo's premade offerings?

KennyLinder said:

Did they not fix that with newer versions of their SNES controller? :/

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Nope. You can see from the photos that their contact design still doesn't match the original's, leading to the erroneous inputs.

They still haven't made a 9-pin Retro Receiver yet. This is hugely disappointing to me.

It'd work in so many older consoles.

wait, do you have to open it back up to recharge?

Laserbeam said:

wait, do you have to open it back up to recharge?

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No, it puts a usb ports at the top.

linkboy said:

No, it puts a usb ports at the top.

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Oh, cool. I thought it was just an LED.

Will the genesis only work with the 6 button controller? I want to mod my 3 button controller!

I'm going to get one of the OG SNES kits, as I have an old SFC controller that I'm not using.

KennyLinder said:

I was looking at the prices on Amazon for the full controller they sell, about £40. It's a decent saving if you have an original controller sitting around unused. I was unaware that the D-Pad problem was still an issue. How bad is it?

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Huh, I thought it was cheaper for some reason. I found Contra III unplayable with the d-pad. Even slower games like RPGs occasionally got slightly irritating from time to time with accidentally triggering a direction. It can be mitigated by using electrical tape to adjust where the membrane will make contact. The idea is to make the contact region smaller to avoid accidental inputs, so it isn't perfect and requires a good amount of trial and error.

For the record, I'm fairly happy with my 8bitdo SNES controller after doing that modification, but I'm dissatisfied by how often these complaints have been brought up, yet they're still using this flawed PCB contact design.

KennyLinder said:

I guess the top ribbon cable pops out and that's how you charge it.

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On their Youtube video they commented they have a special USB charge cable that plugs into the socket that replaces the wired cable hole.

I guess that's better than having to cut a bigger hole or something breakable that sticks out, but it does mean that it's one more cable that you could lose.

KennyLinder said:

I was looking at the prices on Amazon for the full controller they sell, about £40. It's a decent saving if you have an original controller sitting around unused. I was unaware that the D-Pad problem was still an issue. How bad is it?

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The £40 one is the one with rumble & compatible with the Switch ( with switch home & share buttons). The one they are announcing here is the normal version they sell which usually goes for around £20 ( £16 today on Amazon). So your not saving a whole lot of money.

I love my 8bit do but I'll tell you from experience with the NES30 pro that the USB port needs a support bar above it very very badly. The slightest angular force on that socket where the plug goes will pop that usb off the pcb. I've had to open up and resolder two controllers due to this and I noticed that this controller unlike others they made does not have the socket lay flush against the casing and has a gap above the usb socket inside the controller. This means that it has no bracing or bracketing to keep it from being lifted off the PCB with even minor angular force when plugging in the USB cable because the only thing holding it on the board are the clips of the USB socket inserted into the board. I had to fully solder mine back on to keep them from lifting and I am considering affixing a crossbar of just some snipped plastic above them to hold them down so that I can't pop those things off the PCB if I get the usb in at an odd angle.

This may have been addressed in later builds of the NES30 pro as they do tend to improve their products in subtle ways like this at 8bitdo without a lot of talk, but mine were off amazon and perhaps an older production without support bracing over the socket.

I see they are still using that horrible layout that creates wrong input and has to be fixed with tape if you want anything that is even close to being good.

SG-17 said:

It's not really a mod, they are just selling their pcbs without shells for a bit cheaper price.

You aren't using the original board so you still run into the primary issue with the 8bitdo controllers, accidental diagonal inputs on the dpad.

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I was excited for a second and then read this... I *really* want a wireless controller for Switch that has a proper dpad with proper diagonal inputs... someone please...

Not to be a debbie downer, but I don't like people cannibalizing the finite resource of authentic retro gamepads like this. You're simply stealing the shell -- you could just as easily buy a brand new shell. In fact, that'd be smarter, since their PCBs don't match the originals very well. A custom shell for their PCBs would fit better.

Krejlooc said:

Not to be a debbie downer, but I don't like people cannibalizing the finite resource of authentic retro gamepads like this. You're simply stealing the shell -- you could just as easily buy a brand new shell. In fact, that'd be smarter, since their PCBs don't match the originals very well. A custom shell for their PCBs would fit better.

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You do realize 3d printing retropie fans are going to go nuts for this right? This will likely have them making a good deal of custom handhelds. My bet is one that folds up like a DS at some point will be done using this as the easiest 3d print to design around the pi and the board would likely be a hinged case designed to hold a pi with a screen bonnet connected via flatwire to the 8bitdo pcb housed in the bottom case.

I have a pair of the 2.4G wireless SN30s I've been using for both NES and SNES classics and they work great. Never had any problems. I don't think I can ever go back to wired controllers.

OK but where are the wireless N64 and GameCube controllers.

SG-17 said:

It's not really a mod, they are just selling their pcbs without shells for a bit cheaper price.

You aren't using the original board so you still run into the primary issue with the 8bitdo controllers, accidental diagonal inputs on the dpad.

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They don't actually have a wireless NES controller with the proper amount of buttons, so this is at least unique for that.

I just want a wireless button Mega Drive controller that works with my SNES mini. Is that just too much to ask for?

Has anyone ever made a proper NES wireless controller that isn't a re-colored SNES pad?

Edit: Actually I take it back...someone really needs to make a gadget that I can plus an NES Classic controller into that let's me use it on actual hardware. Using fresh controllers with my original hardware sounds like a dream.

Krejlooc said:

Not to be a debbie downer, but I don't like people cannibalizing the finite resource of authentic retro gamepads like this. You're simply stealing the shell -- you could just as easily buy a brand new shell. In fact, that'd be smarter, since their PCBs don't match the originals very well. A custom shell for their PCBs would fit better.

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I feel you, but at least they have an option for the new classic controllers. Since they're still making new stock of those I don't think it's so bad. I'll be doing this to one of my NES Classic controllers for sure to use wireless with my original NES.

maximumzero said:

Has anyone ever made a proper NES wireless controller that isn't a re-colored SNES pad?

Edit: Actually I take it back...someone really needs to make a gadget that I can plus an NES Classic controller into that let's me use it on actual hardware. Using fresh controllers with my original hardware sounds like a dream.

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This is exactly what you can use this kit for

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Molto said:

I feel you, but at least they have an option for the new classic controllers. Since they're still making new stock of those I don't think it's so bad. I'll be doing this to one of my NES Classic controllers for sure to use wireless with my original NES.

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Their new classic controllers suck compared to the actual classic controllers, though. That's why I don't particularly like this practice. If they were pumping out the same exact molds as the old controllers, then everything would be cool. As is, the "good" classic controller shells are a finite resource.

Krejlooc said:

Their new classic controllers suck compared to the actual classic controllers, though. That's why I don't particularly like this practice. If they were pumping out the same exact molds as the old controllers, then everything would be cool. As is, the "good" classic controller shells are a finite resource.

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What's better about the originals compared to the new molds? Maybe it's because my old NES controllers are, well, old...but the new ones kind of feel better to me?

If they make a PCB for the dogbone NES controllers, I'm definitely picking one up.

Tempting, but I already have an SN30 and a surprisingly good AUD$13 wireless NES controller from eBay. Might buy in during a sale or when I'm drunk.

While I'm waiting for that, I should probably buy more controllers in preparation. I'm not even sure if Nintendo sells standalone SNES Classic controllers.

k701 said:

This will allow you do to just that. You'll need:

-Mega drive controller

-This PCB: https://shop.8bitdo.com/products/mod-kit-for-md-controller

-This receiver: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076B995TL/ref=dp_prsubs_3

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I just want to buy the complete set. Can't be bothered to find a Mega Drive controller in great shape either.

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k701 said:

Ok. But you should look at the opposite perspective. What you're asking for is extremely niche. So yes, it's too much to ask for, for a person/company to take the financial risk to bring that product to market. In contrast, it should take you about 3 seconds to tick the "like new" condition checkbox available on websites that sell used goods, to get a Mega Drive controller in great condition.

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Yeah I know...
Here in Sweden it´s pretty rare to come across a controller i great condition though. More often than not the seller put it up as "great condition" but i reality it´s just good.
But sure, if I ever come aross one I´ll know what to do with it:)