Retro-bit Controller Review

Packaging: I commend Retro-bit for doing an EXCELLENT job of following the SEGA templates from back in the day. The Saturn boxes are somewhat larger than the original boxes but are also made of much sturdier cardboard than the very thin choice of the day. The stripes are the correct color and are properly angled, and the SEGA Saturn logo is excellent as well. Even the pics of the controllers themselves are positioned like the originals (they are slightly different, but extremely close). Retro-bit also used all the modern embossing and foiling techniques to give the packaging a very special look. It is exactly as I’d imagine a fresh hardware packaging for a classic system would look: retaining the style of the originals but subtly accentuating it with modern techniques. The new accents never overwhelm; they add a certain level of class and finesse. The silver foiling in the upper right corner is the icing on the cake here. These boxes will not look out of place amongst the rest of your Saturn boxes; rather, they will look like a premium edition.

Inside you will find your controller nestled in a relatively flimsy plastic tray, but really this is only to keep the controller from banging around in the box. The originals came in something similar, if not outright a plastic bag. One thing that is lacking compared to the originals is an instruction manual… however… it’s a controller. No manual is needed, but this needed to be pointed out to the perfectionists in our readership. Packaging: 10/10.

Cable and Terminal: The cable is a full 10 feet, which is an improvement over the original’s 8 feet. The controllers plug in relatively smoothly and snugly into the Saturn controller ports (tested on 4 separate Saturn consoles). The end is designed to look exactly as the originals; the upwards facing side displaying a SEGA logo. Out of the two Retro-bit controllers I had, one had this logo reversed so that the SEGA logo was facing downwards, whilst the other controller was correct. This had no impact on connecting to the console or on the pad’s orientation, but again, I will be pointing absolutely everything out. I suspect this was simply a reversal in error when the controller was being put together. Overall, no issues with the cable or terminal, and the extra cord length is appreciated. 10/10

Controller Casing, Weight, Texture: put simply, you will not be able to distinguish a Black Retro-bit easily from an original. The weight of Retro-bit compared to Original feels the same, and the texture (rough on the rear and near grips, smooth in the centre) is exactly as the original. So is the SEGA Saturn logo. This level of precision is exactly what we were all hoping for considering this is an officially licensed product. The only difference – and the only way to tell apart from an OEM controller – is the unit number box on the reverse of the controller. The originals had ‘SEGA’, MK-80116, and Made in Malaysia or China. The Retro-bit controllers feature both the SEGA logo as well as Retro-bit’s, no model number, and a Made in China. The small space where these are embossed, however, is the same as the originals. The Slate Grey controller is precisely the same in terms of dimensions, weight and texture, but features a smoky back and a clear, smooth face. You can see the circuit board, and it does feature the Retro-bit lettering rather than SEGA. In conclusion, absolutely no issues in this category. It looks, feels, and yes, even smells like the original. 10/10.

D-Pad: In shape and appearance, indistinguishable from the originals. It rolls solidly when performing circular motions, and creates a satisfying contact when directions are pressed. It appears to sit slightly higher in the D-pad well, but we are talking perhaps a millimeter: hardly noticeable. Then again, I am basing my comparisons of a brand new piece of hardware against a trio of controllers I’ve been using steadily for over 20 years, so this could be simply a case of the original D-Pads having settled with age. All comparisons, by the way, are conducted against the original Japanese style of controller (a.k.a. the ‘Model 2’ controller, as it is colloquially known). Please note: I am making observations that most others would miss or disregard; my aim is to provide an excruciatingly detailed comparison. In terms of performance, I tested the D-Pad with Tomb Raider (Lara’s turns are based on very nuanced handling of the D-pad), and on Daytona USA (a game programmed with a non-analogue controller in mind). There were no performance problems in-game. I have no doubt that the vast majority of gamers will not notice this one minor variance at all – and it is honestly so tiny that it is more of a subjective observation on my part rather than perhaps fact. Overall D-Pad: 10/10.

Face Buttons (ABCXYZ): Identical in shape and performance to the originals. The membranes underneath give it the same feedback as an original unit. My two samples from Retro-bit seemed to have face buttons that sat a hair higher than my three originals, however, I have no doubt that this is simply due to age. No issues here at all. Testing was done on Mortal Kombat Trilogy, as the game makes frequent, continual use of all the face buttons. Overall face buttons: 10/10.

Shoulder trigger (LR) buttons: Ah yes: our first real, noticeable difference from the originals (well, third if you count the cable length and the logos on the back). However, whereas the cable length and logos were inconsequential, the shoulder buttons are much more important. Here’s the deal: They click much softer than the originals, both in terms of contact noise as well as up/down movement and rebound when the triggers are depressed. The originals felt and sounded just like a mid-90s mouse click would – crisp and satisfying. The Retro-bit controllers’ L and R buttons click softly. As a 20+ year Saturn gamer, I immediately felt the difference – the clicks were quieter and less crisp, so initially I wasn’t sure if I had actually clicked them, at least from a tactile perspective. I spent a long time testing the shoulder buttons, using games like Panzer Dragoon (lots of shifting to change your perspective), Virtua Cop (have to hold one of the triggers down to increase your reticle speed), and Tomb Raider (L slows Lara down to a walk; R initiates the somersault). In terms of performance, there were no issues. I tried pressing the keys from different angles and tried resting my fingers in various positions on the triggers, and perhaps surprisingly considering how softly they click, performance was unaffected. I never once had a click that did not register as an action on-screen. One other nuance of the shoulder buttons is that there is a very slight hesitation before a shoulder key returns from a depress. Again, no impact on on-screen performance, but if you are used to the crisp clicks of the originals, this will be confusing at first. Overall impression of the shoulders: 6/10. Not a deal-breaker because on-screen performance appears unaffected, but the tactile and auditory sensations are definitely different.

Start button: OK I’m not writing a paragraph about this. The Start button is responsive, and identical in feel to the originals, 10/10.

In conclusion, these controllers are the closest to have ever come to mimicking the originals. Considering these are an officially licensed product, I am assuming that Retro-bit had access to moulds, schematics, etc. Everything bar the shoulder buttons is virtually indistinguishable. If I were to blindfold you and then give you an original followed by a Retro-bit pad, the absolutely ONLY thing you would notice is the change in the shoulder buttons. Retro-bit succeeded almost flawlessly with this product.

Should you buy it? As a collector, you already know the answer: yes, you certainly should. You will appreciate the faithfulness of the packaging mixed with elegant modern touches, you will not be able to see any difference so it will integrate into your collection seamlessly, and you will be holding the first officially licenced piece of SEGA Saturn hardware released in well over 15 years. As a gamer, this is also an easy recommendation. Unless the shoulder clicks are an absolute deal breaker for you, what you are getting IS the real deal – and a slight change to get used to in terms of the tactile experience of the L and R bumpers. Besides, as a gamer who loves Saturn, supporting this product sends a message not only to Retro-bit but to SEGA as well: there is still a market for these vintage consoles, and it’s one that is worth sustaining.

 

Overall product score: 9/10. Need a new Saturn controller? Go on, buy it.

 

For many more pics, including closeups of the packaging and of both the Black and the Slate Grey model, please visit the SEGA Saturn, Shiro! Facebook page.