6 Best Controller for Retropie You Should Know 2021
RetroPie is a great project if you are a fan of retro games. Just as good as its controller is the RetroPie. Here are the best RetroPie controllers.
You need a controller if you want to play retro games on RetroPie. But not all controllers are made equal, and depending on what you want to do, how you want to play, and how much you are prepared to pay, the right one for you depends.
Most of these controllers are USB only but the list is full of a few wireless choices. To fits your retro gaming needs, you should be able to find at least one controller.
6 Best Controller for Retropie
1. 8Bitdo F30 Pro Controller
This is one of the best bluetooth retropie controller. It measures 8 x 6 x 9 inches and weighs 12 ounces. It comes as a bundle, One 8Bitdo F30 Pro Bluetooth Controller and One Dynamic Labs 8Bitdo Controller Carrying Case.
It’s the first full buttons portable game controller in the world. The Controller has a built-in smart CPU. It is fully compatible with the Nintendo Switch console system. It is also compatible with Android devices, Windows PC Computers, Apple iOS, MacOS Operating Systems.
Its sleek and compact design
Also compatible wirelessly with:
- NES Classic Systems
- Retro Pi Kits
- NES, SNES, Famicom Game Systems
- 3rd Party Retro Console Systems: Hyperkin Retron 5, Retro-Duo, Retro-Trio,
- Steam
- Wii and Wii U
- PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 3 Slim
- Nintendo Switch
it easy to transport anywhere.
2. Nintendo Wii U Pro Controller
Nintendo Wii U Pro Controller is good for people with old school and hard-core gaming. It allows increased gameplay, comfort, and accessibility.
Comes with more ergonomic button and dual analog sticks, in addition to batteries that will last about 80 hours. The Wii U Pro Controller will function excellently with Retropie 4.1 and RPi3s.
Wii U Pro Controller is designed for “staunch” gamers but comes with a traditional build, and, according to Forbes, it looks like Xbox 360 Controller.
Also, the device has a great battery size. The controller has a full button layout that has analogs, LR Triggers, and LR shoulders. Further, it has an excellent D-Pad to allow you to isolate the L-R and not hit the U-D.
Wii U Pro has a design that matches the Xbox 360 controller. For example, it has a definite trigger, rounded wings as its grips, and bumper shoulder buttons. Further, the analog sticks sit parallel to one another.
To connect the controller, you’ll only need to push the Sync button behind the USB ports’ covers and then push the controller Sync button. It is compatible with all the Virtual Console Wii U games and most Wii U Video games such as Mario.
A Retropie controller is indispensable in Retro Gaming on either the custom-built Raspberry Pi console, Mac, and on Windows. You’ll find many non-specific Genesis, NES, or SNES replica controllers in the market, but with lousy performance ratings.
3. iBuffalo Classic USB Gamepad for PC
Buffalo controller is a USB device for PC. It measures 1 x 5.7 x 2.5 inches and weighs 6.1 ounces. It is one of the best inexpensive SNES-style USB controller you can find on the market.
If you are on a tight budget this is the best SNES controller to buy. Its quality is not compromised; we found it to be very light.
To set up the iBuffalo SNES Controller is very easy. All you are required to do is plug it in and you are ready to start playing. It is a plug and play device. No installation software required.
The buttons of this device are strong and well-positioned. The buttons are responsive just the way you would love or want. It is able to withstand many hours of gameplay.
As much as it might have one or two bad reviews, it has very many positive reviews.
It is best to use in retro games and required very minimal controls when the game is rolling very fast.
4. Logitech Gamepad F310
Logitech Gamepad F310 with an additional dual-analog stick, this controller is great in PlayStation emulation.
Notably, I have employed the Logitech Gamepad F310 in playing retro games such as Ridge Racer and I found it to be precise.
You can use the profiler software and set the controller switch to “D,” which will enable you to map the gamepad controls to your keys (keyboard).
The gamepad will function excellently with the various Emulators and Nintendo DS. Also, the controller has adequate cord size that will enable you to game freely at some extended distance.
Its analog sticks are excellent, and the buttons are highly responsive. Logitech Gamepad F310 is produced from sturdy plastic that will survive harsh gaming conditions.
It has an ergonomic design that will make you feel its comfort while gaming in retro games like Payday 2.
5. Hyperkin Cadet Premium NES-Style USB Controllers
If you are really old school, you might remember the NES controller. The Hyperkin Cadet Premium NES-Style controllers basically copy that layout. They are premium NES style controllers that come in a pair of 2 and go perfectly with NES emulations on Retropie.
The benefit of having true to the classic controller layout is not having to worry about mapping all these buttons. The downside is that you only are able to play emulators that only need that limited number of buttons.
Unless you have money to throw around for the perfect NES experience, we prefer something like the 8Bitdo SF30. But if you are in for it for the perfect experience, nothing beats the old school retro style controller.
The Hyperkin is pretty simple and a plain copy of the NES controller with 4 buttons in total and a d-pad. Out of the 4 buttons, two are for start and select, the other two are for playing games.
So you are severely limited to the console emulation selection while playing with this controller. As we said, if you are a diehard enthusiast, go for it.
The pair costs about $35 on Amazon, which is kind of expensive, but at least they come in pair. They use a wired connection using USB-A ports.
6. DualShock 4 Wireless Controller
The Dualshock 4 has been acclaimed as one of the best controllers of its time. It is durable and has great features, and with a small workaround, it can work on your Retropie as well.
Now when Sony announced the PS4, the controller was a huge highlight. We saw it ourselves, people were amazed and frantic over the PS4’s controller. The controller has been chosen as one of the best by gamers all over.
Some might argue that title belongs to the Xbox 360 controller, but that is preference-based. So let us keep the Playstation vs. Xbox arguments out of this review here.
If you have a DS4 lying around, its a great opportunity to make good use of it on your Retropie. Specifically, if you are someone who wants to play Playstation 1 titles.
Since the Retropie can emulate PS1 games no problem, the DS4 controller is a perfect pair. People have found it difficult to pair their DS4 with Retropie for some reason.
But for most people, it connects seamlessly. There are ways to detect Bluetooth devices from options. You can connect your DS4 after it detects it wirelessly.
We do not need to tell people who own a PS4 the benefits or configuration of a DS4 controller. But for those who are up for taking up the controller for the first time, the DS4 is a remarkable controller.
Final Say
Selecting the best controller for RetroPie mainly depends on a personal decision. What suits you best, it can be a Wired or retropie wireless controller.
