Retro-Bit's "Big6" Controller is One D-Pad Short of Perfection | CGQ+

[@Linuxpunk81]

Wow seeing that red button original genesis controller really brought back the memories of playing it over my various friends who had one, I was a snes boy, but I loved playing genesis with my friends. Also your production value or whatever the lingo is, is so good! I love this new setup and approach! Your videos are very relatable to people of a certain age and I always feel like you could be a long list friend from another life because you remind of lots of people that I grew up with . Keep up the good work! 🖖

[@CGQPlus]

Thanks!

[@GameSack]

Forgotten Worlds works great with my original 6-button controller. Yes, you have to hold MODE, but I just tried it and it was fine.

[@legendsflashback]

The legend Joe

[@tomenza]

The dpad thing is such an annoying quirk with new dpads. I don't understand how the older systems are almost like lost tech that we can only dream to replicate

[@WhatsOnMyShelf]

It's also a wonder why these modern day platform engineers don't make it a priority, considering that there is a wealth of 2D and 3D games on their platforms. I mean dual sense must be a lot of effort to create, but a simple, responsive, and comfortable D-Pad should have been mastered ages ago.

[@Boswd]

I don't know if Microsoft has patenten it's design but IMHO that is the gold standard d-pad especially the latest gen. controllers. It's the best.

[@retrogamerrandomness1566]

I was curious about this controller, but not hotly anticipating it. I prefer the floaty dpad on the six button controller. I'm glad you made a review of this, it eases my mind.

[@InitialDL84]

I have Retrobit's Sega Saturn controller, and been using it for fighting and shump games on Steam and emulators and I love it. Especially the d-pad for fighting games. I wish all d-pads were like the Sega controllers d-pads.

[@chrilz1498]

This was a great review, Chris, and yes watching you play through stuff and toy with it was entertaining, haha. Thanks for giving it the rundown so we know whether it's worth it

[@acecarrera1]

Happy New Year, Chris! Good to hear your voice again.

[@vidviewer23]

I first read about this controller recently and had a bit of interest in it but decided to wait for reviews. Thanks for giving me your feedback. Definitely helps me make a better decision.

[@emarskineel]

The world’s greatest retro gaming KZbinr

[@CGQPlus]

I don't know about that, but I appreciate it!

[@TheyCallMeBruce13]

@@CGQPlus He's right actually

[@ryan.e.reinbold]

Oh yeah! Been looking forward to this review!

[@alexzapf6422]

Always love your honesty. You are the best reviewer and have the best videos.

[@CGQPlus]

Thanks very much!

[@Dark_Jaguar]

I have a tip for Forgotten Worlds. I've gotten mine to work just fine with six button controllers BUT there's a hangup. If you have any six buttons plugged into any controller slot, it won't work. So, if you had one plugged into port 2, that may be your issue. Hold down Mode on BOTH controllers and it seems to work just fine, or just unplug controller 2. I should note that the Mode button also functions as an additional button press, but developers weren't officially supposed to use it as one. Some did though. Metal Head on the 32X is an example, using it to switch views in-game.

[@GameSack]

Oh I just rememebered. Ghostbusters is a good game to try since your character will come to a dead halt if you accidentally press a diagonal.

[@rentoptional1524]

I have 2 Joyzz. I hope at some point Krikzz can make more because they are fantastic.

[@worsel555]

Preordered mine through Castlemania back when this was announced and still nothing in my hands yet! At least it's good to know that Start button was not really an issue.

[@ddarko08]

Same here! Funny their website still has it up as a preorder, estimated to ship “late October 2022” 😢

[@mopefiend]

Castlemania is the worst

[@worsel555]

@@mopefiend I have spoken to the owners before and they are very nice people but WAY over their heads. They expanded so fast but don't have anyone else working for them (It was a 2 person operation when I talked to the owner) so they get so far behind. I STILL don't have my controllers by the way.

[@sxcrux]

Now I'm craving an anchor steam beer... 🍺

[@fossil-bit8439]

I’ll take your word for it and just stick to my OE 6-button controllers. Thanks Chris!

[@byronlaw6491]

Great review. Thanks for doing this as I would have ended up blind buying. It’s price to get to U.K. is £28. I would have been happy play that if it was the ultimate pad but I’ll wait to see if it comes out here officially. SOR 3 has some cool 6 button features that are often forgotten about. Using composite on a 32X is really good. You get the old school look and dithering works but it eliminates the rainbow banding.

[@mik8032]

Great stuff Chris The king is back

[@Bigoukun]

There is more generations than that of controllers. There is ones with the first look with better D-pad, and there is ones with the second look that have a crappier D-pad than any of the first-look ones. (And the same goes for the 3buttons controllers sold with the first wave of MegaDrive 2 here in Europe, don’t know what controllers the same wave of Genesis was sold with in the U.S.)

[@Bigoukun]

Oh, and being French, my MegaDrive was with an RGB SCART and not composite. It still not pixel-perfect, but it’s not composite either.

[@Hansuke14]

I have been using the 2.4ghz version of the Big6 and what I noticed immediately is I've been having so many accidental jumps when playing SF2. It's nice to know that this is a not just limited to my copy of the controller. I also noticed that when holding down B+C when playing MUSHA, the game automatically pauses randomly and this is a real deal breaker for me. Happens in both 3 and 6 button mode. Definitely considering a return.

[@scottreisig]

Fan of Lon, great format! Thanks for the review!

[@TheKayliedGamerChannel-YouTube]

Agree mirror cam FTW! Nice overview/review. I did like the Retro-Bit Saturn controllers a lot✌️

[@petemalogne5219]

the 3 button usb controllers that came w the first Genesis mini have the best dpads imo.. its my prefered controller w my MiSTer if I can pull a game off w only 3 buttons lol ..bummer the dpads a bummer on this one.. great review

[@jet9385]

I definitely agree. I love how massive the d pads on those Genesis mini controllers are. They're also fairly soft to my thumb, without being mushy.

[@NintenPizza]

I recently tested out the GEN 3-button 'Mini' pad last week for the MiSTer, and it's D-pad feels a little recessed, which causes my thumb to rub against the inner D-pad circular/mold-thing. Plus, i don't like the larger less snappier A, B & C buttons. It sure looks beautiful & fun though thanks to it's iconic 1989 red accented design, compared to the nearly all black boring GEN controllers that came after it. I just wish it had the 6-buttons D-pad and a bit more snap when pressing A,B & C.

[@kleev6576]

Man I didn't expect Retro Bit to fuck up the Dpad diagonals. Their Legacy16 has a perfect D-pad.

[@neoku84r.p.g93]

The music and the hockey game is ridiculous lol.

[@sparkster7744]

It would be interesting to try a few 3d printed membrane activators to see if the diagonal response improves or not!

[@yeolemillinial8295]

Original 6 button doad membrane fixes the issue if you swap it in so likely would work

[@stevezm100]

any homebrew fix for the d pad diagonal issue? when playing SFII I keep shouting out "I didnt do that" - my kids look at me funny

[@GamingDelight]

I'm still waiting on mine (except the one I pre-ordered months ago from CastleMania Games is the wireless one).

[@duhmez]

I have a tip for Axl uppercut if u have trouble. Doa dragon punch move, and it will also work as it stil registers the double tap when soin that.

[@MartiniGaming]

i actually don't have issues with the up and down when playing games. i do have issues pulling off 360s though. i also think the start button placement is dumb, but i don't accidentally press it. just feels off.

[@orlandovalerio]

Great video every time. Thanks.

[@orlandovalerio]

Do you have a link for that audio cable? Thanks

[@CGQPlus]

This is just one example, but Monoprice is a good brand and it’s less than 10 bucks. amzn.to/3xzyNub

[@KYBlueJedi]

How do you turn off the BIG6 controller?? It does not say how to in the manual. I'm guessing it waits for inactivity then shuts down.

[@CGQPlus]

I'm not sure since I have the wired version, but I would assume that it automatically shuts off after a period of inactivity, yes.

[@snakeeater7537]

I was looking for the mode button information he said would be in the description

[@CGQPlus]

I just added it!

[@josephchaparro1037]

Is there such a thing as a high quality shielded composite cable for the sega Genesis?

[@CGQPlus]

Funny you should ask, because I was trying to figure that same thing out last night. Seems like there isn't, though composite out of a Genesis is pretty poor quality so I'm not sure that the cable is ever going to be the weak link in the chain.

[@jacobprayer8656]

Could the d-pad from a grey labeled 3 button controller be out in the Big 6?

[@larrylaffer3246]

Finally a 6 Button Genesis Controller that'll actually fit in most people's hands.

[@JohnnyRebel1776]

Great channel and great review but, IMO I like the D-pad on this controller. I actually prefer it over the original feel. Just throwing it out there for anyone on the fence about it. Of course to each his or her own.

[@solofalcon]

any gaming magazine reads coming up?

[@CGQPlus]

I've been recording the gameplay footage for one for a while now. Just need to finish it up.

[@ninjasec]

@@CGQPlus yes

[@timothydougherty1309]

I had this similar issue happen to me as I was playing Mega Man: The Wily Wars. I kept accidentally sliding down in front of snake Man to be hit by him. Frustrated, I swapped to my M30 2.4, and had zero issues after that.

[@theconsolekiller7113]

Right. Was just going to post this. The 8bitdo M30 is currently my favorite all around controller for old systems on emulation, with the best dpad Ive used. Its a little crunchy at points but has just the right amount of give and feels perfect to me. These retrobit controllers seems to have pretty bad Dpads.

[@NintenPizza]

What a bummer. If Retro-Bit fixed the D-pad issue, and placed the start Button(Along with making it convex shaped) in the middle this would of been my to-go-to Genesis controller, even if it doesn't look anywhere near as cool as the red accented 1989 Original 3-button. The M30 on the other hand feels a bit awkward to use. Reaching to press the C button feels cramped with my right hand, and i feel mixed with the softer D-pad style. Overall, i still prefer the retro-bit 6 button clone controller.

[@theconsolekiller7113]

Interesting review. Assumed the dpad would be pretty bad on this but ordered it because Im curious about testing some of these different controllers and the form factor seemed nice. I have a retrobit 6 button genesis style controller and the dpad is pretty bad. Theres no texturing on the pad, but the main issue is that its so easy to hit false diagonals. I can only use it for certain games like Adventure Island for NES where you dont have any crouching or diagonal inputs that would mess you up. It works fine for games like that, but thats really limiting its use. The 8bitdo M30 is the best sega style controller Ive used so far, and it has turbo functionality which is huge if youre using it for emulation. For some reason Retrobit refused to add turbo settings on thier controllers. Id reccomend those checking this video to get the 8bitdo M30. The 2.4 gz version apparently has the least input lag and works on PC. Both versions work awesome for me, as Ive beaten hundreds of games with those controllers on this channel. The M30 has that soft texturing on the dpad and I never hit false diagonals on that pad. Turbo is also super quick to turn on and off for any button. Only issue is that it would be nice to have lights that show what buttons have turbo activated, but its a small complaint. Retroflag also has a 6 button genesis style controller with turbo. Recieving that in the mail soon. Interested to see how it compares to the M30, which is one of the only 6 button genesis style controllers I could find that offered turbo, which is pretty essential for a controller that I want to use across many consoles on emulation. Its my main controller.

[@CGQPlus]

I agree 100% on the M30. Great controller.

[@theconsolekiller7113]

@@CGQPlus Yea, theyre awesome. I ended up ordering multiple of them as back ups. They last me a few years which is great for the price. They still have the best feel of any of these controllers Ive tried. Alot of these controllers have false diagonal issues for me. Its also hard to find 6 button saturn or genesis style controllers that have turbo.

[@yeolemillinial8295]

I got a krikzz joyzz, I love it for wireless and it feels like it has less lag than my 8bitdos. I been using big 6 more after swapping the membrane out from a 6 button due to the size though

[@theconsolekiller7113]

Nice. I ended up getting the Big6 controller, holding it briefly and deciding I liked the smaller shells on my Retroflag genesis style controller and M30, but maybe I should mess with it more. The lack of turbo is also disapointing.@@yeolemillinial8295

[@NintenPizza]

I feel like the M30 is too cramped, my right thumb always squishes into my hand when reaching and pressing the C-button. And the D-pad? it just doesn't feels as tactile and satisfying to the touch. Although, I really like how the White Variant looks though with the coloured buttons. It looks fun unlike the Big6.

[@alfredocanas6802]

I like to test dpad accuracy with the NES Contra to test dpad sensitivity, with the switch pro controller sometimes triggers the UP direction and when you need precise gaming it could be a little annoying so I guess I should get one to really check how it performs.

[@CGQPlus]

Yeah, I definitely could have used Contra: Hard Corps to test this one.

[@MRMIdAS2k]

Just thinking, would it be possible to take the D-Pad out of an old 3-button pad, and mount it in this new 6 button pad, and would that improve the feel of it any? If so I'd definitely give this a buy cos I have a bunch of old D-Pads lying about after various controller repairs and cannibalisations.

[@yeolemillinial8295]

It's not, at least not the first model but the second model 3 button maybe. I swapped the membrane from an og 6 button and put that in the big 6 and it fixed it, I would keep the doad itself just swap the membrane

[@lovelorn88nick]

THIS is the kinda video I wanted, not a advertisement... and not some video just saying DONT BUY THIS, smh. This is a indepth video, early impressions but still.. wondering how it'll hold up though too Been using it for I'd say about 4hrs total and yeah, my only complaint is the dpad with the up and down when you press right or left. Other then that I love it

[@FallicIdol]

The button layout was perfection though

[@Ravenprose]

I had a Genesis 6-button controller just like the Big6. It was some random third-party controller with purple buttons but it worked perfectly with Street Fighter. I preferred it over Sega's official 6-button pad.

[@WhatsOnMyShelf]

Is that the competition pro of the one made by Capcom?

[@Marc_Araujo]

...needs more Lightening Force.

[@iKevinF]

I just received the Big6 wireless version and played some Mortal Kombat 2 and didn’t notice the d-pad issue you mentioned, however I didn’t think to actually test for it. After seeing this video, I’m gonna test it again with street fighter 2.

[@iKevinF]

@@Alexipso Possibly. I tried it also with my regular 6 button retro-bit controller and I couldn’t notice any difference. Very happy with it.

[@firstlast8114]

Nice capture

[@enriquepinero707]

Now someone needs to make a Super Famicom controller, with six perfectly aligned face buttons, L, R buttons, two perfectly placed analog stick (like 8bitdo's SFC 30 Pro, and two programmable back paddles, sold with and without handles.

[@jqr8049]

How do you like the d-pad on the original 6 button controller by Retro-bit? I also hate overly sensitive diagonals. Thanks for the review!

[@TwistedIdentity]

I have one coming tomorrow so I'll see how it acts but you may have just gotten a lemon. I bought two of their 6 button controllers (2.4ghz and then a wired one) and neither have the issue. I do however have three of the Hyperkin Squire controllers, one has that diagonal problem you're talking about and the other two don't. I'd contact Retro-Bit and see if they can swap it.

[@MegaZAPHOD]

So, it's been 7 months. How did it hold up, and what about the d-pad? I ask because I'm thinking about getting one.

[@chocolocojames213]

Maybe bring back a new version of the Sega Genesis arcade stick with six buttons next 😄😄😄

[@coreybookman5823]

Personally I do have the wireless controllers I like to keep them in a special carrying case I have with my rgb equipment that’s made for traveling. At home I use a crt with the real deal controllers but I like to bring a genesis to places and I’d rather bring the wireless controllers and rgb equipment ( rgb cable and retrotink 2x ) for whichever modern tv my friend or family has then lug a crt and or deal with wherever there tv is positioned to there couch or chairs

[@exodous02]

It seems that the wireless versions had production problems, everyone is getting their wired ones but no one is getting their wireless ones. I have a MegaSG but I also want to use it on systems with USB also. I have never had any luck with bluetooth, unless you use it on a phone might as well use RF. I use Linux and MacOS so there isn't a lot that is easy to set up but RF controllers always work. I have really liked my wired one from retro-bit, a blue one, for my MegaSG. Feels exactly like my original I got with my CDX. I do like the lager 3-button size controllers though.

[@grgmj1980]

Waiting on the usb version

[@yeolemillinial8295]

Swapping the membranes from an original 6button into the big 6 fixed the problem with the d pad for me.

[@NintenPizza]

What about replacing the Big6's D-pad membrane with the 'Retro-Bit' 6-button's?

[@yeolemillinial8295]

@@NintenPizza if it fits right go for it. doesn't really fix the issue i was referring to though (as the big6 tends to press to the side when your pressing down far too easy and the membrane for the d-pad seemed to be the issue for me)

[@WhatsOnMyShelf]

I think it was you who convinced me to get the Tatsujin pad. I got two since these things disappear and what if it breaks. I love that 6-pad pad, but have always been curious about the Competition Pro Series III. Have you ever tried that controller?

[@TheKayliedGamerChannel-YouTube]

Just my 10cents worth - I used Competition Pro type in the past, they seemed fine, dpad was a lot stiffer than these newer controllers, which may be better and I liked the Autofire options too! ✌️.

[@WhatsOnMyShelf]

@@TheKayliedGamerChannel-KZbin Dang. It looks nice. I like controllers with physical turbo switches. Digital ones where you have to hit a button or sequence several times is slow. I'd still like to get the Competition Pro 3 and take a look around inside just to see if anything could be swapped or modded to supporting a floaty pad.

[@blake6615]

Did that commercial guy say "See-ga Megadrive"??

[@CGQPlus]

Hahah, yup. It's an Australian commercial. They call it See-ga down there.

[@GameSack]

@@CGQPlus Yet the rest of the commercial featured an American accent. So bizarre.

[@RicardoRandom691]

Your problems with the new dpad sound like mine with Retrobit's OG six-button controllers, which is the one thing I dislike about what otherwise are perfect controllers. The dpad on the Genesis Mini 2 is noticeably tighter, and I enjoyed that a lot more. I wonder if controller surgery might be doable between the two. Probably not due to differrent membranes, but maybe...

[@GhibliNova]

Licensed fits because they cut corners to lower cost. Cheaper plastics, parts etc.

[@JasonScalici]

Any chance the podcast being made available on Pocketcasts?

[@CGQPlus]

I'll look into it tonight!

[@CGQPlus]

pca.st/tsxloeb4

[@bonesjackson81]

The wireless Big 6 is the longest preorder I've ever known. I almost don't care anymore!

[@DancesRainyStreets]

Paprium, more than six years ago. I've even moved to another home since then. Maybe someone will get the game someday.

[@jd213_]

I've seen a lot of complaints about Retro-Bit's various Sega controllers. Some people seem to like them, but they're definitely hit or miss in my experience. My own wired 6-button controller's D-pad right signal randomly stopped working. I was admittedly using it in a padhack, but it was working fine for a while after the hack, plus the PCB has huge test points on it as if it was specifically made with padhacking in mind.

[@jet9385]

I've bought a ton of these Retro Bit Sega controllers over the years, and I've never had any issues with them. They do seem very very hit or miss. Hopefully I never get a lemon.

[@SteveBrandon]

I really want Retro-Bit to do a new version of the official 6-button joystick for the Genesis but I understand "retro gamers who still own a Genesis and a Genesis Mini and who honestly prefer sticks to pads" are probably too niche a market for even Retro-Bit to cater to.

[@celebrity292]

The D-pad sucks on the ones released when the first genesis mini came out. Up barely registers or it'll press right instead . And yeah it messes with fighting games alot

[@Fahrenheit38]

So many of these modern controllers miss the mark with the dpad. Spent a lot of time with that Defender controller lately and get accidentally diag inputs on it a lot.

[@pooksthepossum]

I hate this controller. Playing Sonic, moving left or right, I accidentally always go into a ball because I "roll" to down direction. So annoying. Same thing with Down A for spinning into a ball. Accidentally hit right or left and stop spinning and start walking. RetroBit is RetroShit. BrawlerGen by Retro Fighters saved me. I returned the RetroShit after 3 days.

[@JJernqvist]

*Also known as Coury Carlsson setup

[@CGQPlus]

Pretty sure he got the idea from Lon, as well.

[@JJernqvist]

@@CGQPlus Yeah, but Coury made it cool

[@biggtastee2401]

I play SEGA Genesis through composite because that's how I did it as a kid. These RGB people take it too far. Nothing is perfect.

[@justintubbs8872]

Still to early I'm going to wait awhile , come back a year later and do a review on how well they hold up with serious game play

[@flyingonblades]

Yes!!!

[@XxLordDarthVaderxX]

Come on dude. there is no cable too long, just use velcro wraps from office depot if the cable is too long for some set ups.

[@jacobprayer8656]

Genesis composite is horrible. I have a converter for the model 1 that allows S-Video. That is very good. No jailbars etc

[@MrStrangermoon]

ı dont know street fighter but in mortal kombat games 3 button contorler works too. a+b is x b+c y a+c z something ı tested on ultimate mk3. basicly not need 6 button contorller on mk you dont use z too any move only back side kick . most of spcial moves requre x or y. this important bcouse pressin a+c not possible with one finger. others can easly do. diagnols realy importan on sparkster game fllying every rotation any accident can kill you. there is a same big mega drive game pads removable jotstick on diagonls and 6 button. it was not first time. and that one better than orginal one bcouse of removale stick. it was clored blue signs not red and turbo button on back. it was coming with chinise and korean mega drive 1 ones.

[@Real_The_Goof]

Only.. SeaGa Megadrive? Sea Gah? WTF?

[@CGQPlus]

Australians.

[@larrytaylor2692]

So many controllers could be great but they all have horrible dpads. Microsoft finally got it with the Xbox one controller but they weren’t reliable. Now they still have the same reliability but they changed to that dub circle style dpad it’s ok but the cross is the best to me.

[@Superdimensional]

Please don’t stream in composite. We didn’t like it then and even went for S-Video… let’s leave it in the 90’s where it belongs.