What the Hardware? ep 001: Retroflag, 8bitdo M30, and RetroBit Saturn Pad Reviews

Today we have the first edition of What the Hardware? In this series I'll cover various pieces of gaming hardware and accessories. Neato!
Be gentle, this is old now and I didn't have good equipment when I recorded this.
In this video I take a basic look at the Genesis controller-design based Retroflag Classic USB Gamepad, the 8bitdo M30 (bluetooth) and the brand spanking new (as of this video) Retrobit Sega Saturn 2.4ghz officially licensed Saturn/USB controller.
One note about all three of these controllers - you can use them all either in xinput or dinput modes. I most often use them in xinput mode, but check your manuals, xinput isn't supported for all modes of operation!
Disclosure: I paid for all these so I have the right to HATE THEM. What, do you think I got sent these for free? I have like 2 subscribers! Anyway, the opinions are my own and were only influenced by my own experience.
How about checking out some of my other videos?
Midnight Resistance: Arcade vs Genesis: • Midnight Resistance Ar...
Top Ten Sega Master System Games: • Top 10 Sega Master Sys...
Strider: Arcade vs Genesis: • Strider arcade vs Gene...
Ys III: Genesis vs SNES vs Turbo CD: • Ys III: Wanderers from...
I got the handy dandy background music from the KZbin Audio library. It's Dorian by Andrew Langdon. The banging sound also came from the KZbin Audio Library. The electric Razor sound was from soundsilk.com.
The idiotic beep-boop and phone conversation noises came from my mouth and after much negotiation were used with my own permission.
#sega #segagenesis #segasaturn #retroflag #8bitdo #retrobit #controller

[@LegendOfGames]

I’ve had the M30 for about a year now and love it. I was thinking of getting the Saturn controller, but you’re making me think I better just stick with what I’ve got. Good review 👍

[@InglebardGaming]

Thanks, yeah, I still use the M30 regularly after all this time but barely touch the retrobit Saturn pad. I picked it up and thought about using it yesterday and after holding it for a few seconds thought 'naaaah' and went back to the M30 😁

[@InglebardGaming]

I hope so, but at this point I'm definitely not buying another. Maybe the ones they're adding analog controls to will be higher quality on the first try, I'd be willing to give those a shot.

[@theguest103]

@@InglebardGaming Yeah, I heard that the first batch of Retro-bit pads had bad quality control back in early 2019. Apparently it's a lottery which batch u get if you buy online, even in 2023! But, I bought a blue-transparent 8 button Genesis Retro-bit pad from Micro Center the other day and the Dpad feels way more tactile, durable and responsive than its Saturn counterpart in the Retro-bit lineup. The batch? April 2019..just a few months after its initial release in February 2019. I've really abused the Dpad on this blue transparent Retro-bit and it's taken it all like a champ over the last few months. Really reminds me of the durability of those original Sega dpads. Got an 8Bitdo M30 arriving tomorrow for comparison as well. Will be interesting to feel the difference.

[@NeonPizza80s]

Just got an M30 2.4ghz the other day and i'm just not a fan of the mushy face buttons, even the left D-pad Arrow feels mushier. Maybe I got a lemon. Regardless, RetroBit's 'wired' 6 button Clone controller feels snappier, tactile and far more premium in comparison.

[@ulfrinn8783]

i have the retro bit saturn controller, USB version and have zero complaints, its a fantastic controller.. in fact, now that you mention the side to side movement of the buttons, i just checked it with my other controllers and the buttons on mine wiggle noticeably less than those on my xbox one and PS4 controllers, superior d-pad too

[@InglebardGaming]

Sounds like I may have gotten a bit of a lemon. The dpad is still pretty good, but man do those buttons feel loose on mine. Thanks for letting me know how your USB version has worked out, I might try one of those out down the road.

[@ulfrinn8783]

@@InglebardGaming Aah, i made an error, I have the bluetooth version. I bought it with the intention of using it wired, and having a replaceable cable, and because it came with more buttons so i could use it with more modern games (currently playing through hollow knight with it) buttons do need to have some wiggle, if they are fitted too tightly, you'll have issues with friction against the shell, you may just notice it more because the buttons on the sega controller are way taller than those on modern controllers

[@InglebardGaming]

@@ulfrinn8783 For the button wiggle, height and stuff I was comparing that to my original Saturn controller and the 3D (NiGHTs) pad. The buttons on mine at least are way looser than either of those controllers. That's part of why I think the C button on my Retrobit controller gets stuck in the pressed position.

[@ulfrinn8783]

@@InglebardGaming how is the wiggle compared to an XBO or PS4 controller if you have one to compare to? mine feels pretty similar even given the greater height of the buttons. From my understanding, Sega actually gave Retro Bit the original tooling used to make the original controllers, so they should be identical

[@InglebardGaming]

I do have both an Xbox One controller and PS4 controllers. The wiggle on my Retrobit Saturn pad is way worse than either of those, it's not even close.

[@AnthonyRiddle]

I've been forced to become a controller collector over the past few years. I've got 6 controllers specifically for playing PC games and emulators on my laptop. I have multiple official controllers for each of the consoles I have (all consoles except one from the past three generations). And now I have each of the official controllers for all the mini consoles I now own. I bet I have around 25 controllers. I like having a variety and I also like using the right controller for the console I'm playing

[@InglebardGaming]

I don't even want to count my current controllers, lol. I've gotten so many new ones over the last few years just to check them out.

[@sarahpod]

What dongle do I need to buy in order to connect my M30 to an original SEGA Saturn? Thanks.

[@InglebardGaming]

From what I understand it's possible, but the results kinda suck. Here's a link (with info and a video) showing it in action: segaxtreme.net/threads/8-bitdo-m30-controller-on-saturn-is-possible.25040/

[@PeeGeeThirteen]

The 8bitDo is durable, i used it for over 2 years playing SFV and it still works great. I received 2 Reyro-Bit pads and sadly 1 of the 2 waa dead on arrival

[@InglebardGaming]

I still use the 8bitdo M30 pretty regularly for lots of retro stuff. It's become the default controller on my Raspberry Pi 4 Lakka build. Still working like a champ after about 2 years here as well. The Retrobit controller was incredibly disappointing, especially after all the hype.

[@kaerithmallock]

The 8bitdo last one year for me, now the dpad is stuck in each direction I select and I have to move it back manually, it has become unplayable, it was fantastic all this time, I'm scared to open it and to finish to destroy it while attempting to fix the problem

[@daverhodus]

Does the d-pad on your M30 squeak when you press on it? That's the only problem with mine.

[@InglebardGaming]

No, the d-pad on my M30 doesn't make any noise, it still looks and feels brand new after about 9 months or so of use. I've been using it very often lately, as well, and have used it when playing the games for pretty much all of the videos I've been doing.

[@InglebardGaming]

Hmm, mine still doesn't squeak but good to know there's an easy fix if it does, thanks for sharing that!

[@daverhodus]

@@pablokks I sold mine and got a Hori Fighting Commander.

[@AlbertTheFinal]

fool, that pad is trash

[@gabnrami]

Ive read a lot of bad comments about the saturn pad, however the classic genesis from retrobit seems to have better comments. I ordered one i hope it is not bad quality like the saturn version, im so disapointed !

[@InglebardGaming]

Good luck with the Genesis pad, hope it works out for you. Let me know how it is!

[@grgmj1980]

My cpu all of a sudden stopped recognizing my Retro flag 6 button controller.

[@InglebardGaming]

I haven't had issues like that with mine, but I haven't used a whole lot over the last two years. When I want to use a Genesis styled controller, I just stick with the 8bitdo M30. I'll mess around with the retroflag one some more and see how its held up.

[@BLKBRDSR71]

I just broke my Retro-Bit Saturn USB pad today. The flap on the rocker is what broke. Their's 4 of them up, down, left, and right. Guess I've been pressing allot of right on the pad. I just ordered the 8BitDo M30 as a replacement. After owning the Retro-Bit for over a year, it's time for something new.

[@InglebardGaming]

Sucks to hear that broke. I think you'll love the M30, though, I still use mine all the time.

[@BLKBRDSR71]

@@InglebardGaming Thanks, I was also going to add my Retro-Bit had the R trigger stuck at times so I know what you meant when you said your C button would get stuck. Those triggers are so mushy. Great review man.

[@InglebardGaming]

@@BLKBRDSR71 I'm not a huge fan of the triggers myself, but at least mine don't stick. I really wish that controller had been higher quality.

[@Bajso84]

Same happened to me with Retrobit, only after a few hours. The dpad cross cracked.

[@InglebardGaming]

Wow, crazy. I really expected more from those Retrobit controllers.

[@TONBOX777]

Does M30 has bootlegs on the market? Just want to know to avoiding it.

[@InglebardGaming]

I can't definitively say there aren't any, but I can tell you that I've never seen one. You can buy directly from them and they also sell directly on Amazon if you want to be 100% certain.

[@8bvg300]

Just picked up a wireless retrobit pad for 12 bucks on Amazon. I don't think there can be too much to complain about for that price

[@InglebardGaming]

Good luck with it. Mine has never fully worked right. All three retrobit pads I have each have unique problems.

[@andrewisjesus]

The sega saturn model 2 controller is vastly superior to the m30

[@InglebardGaming]

I respect your opinion, but I disagree. The Saturn controller is great though, don't get me wrong, definitely one of my favs. But for Saturn controllers, my favorite is the 3D analog controller.