Retro-Bit Official Sega Saturn Controller Pad - Model 2

Pro: This is the perfect USB Sega controller, perfect 6 button for Sega Games. This controller feels amazing and the button response to the axis feels smooth. Super long cable.Cons: Very light , I can see the usb going bad in the future. I don't remember Saturn having the controller this light.Conclusion: Buy this controller. Its amazing. I should of purchase the see thru one too. Next I will purchase a N64 and Gamecube version from Retro Bit. Certain retro bit controllers have the amazing build quality. That is key to having a great controller.

I got this controller for one reason: the excellent d-pad. I use it to play shmups and retro games, mostly on Steam, but also occasionally on Switch and Retrocade. One issue is dealing with different button letters and layouts, but you get used to it, and most games are pretty customizable nowadays. The controller is quite a bit smaller and lighter than what people are used to nowadays (I'm fine with that- I actually like smaller controllers). The face buttons don't have the greatest feel initially, but get a little better over time. The shoulder buttons are a little oddly angled, but you get used to them.But what I came for is the D-pad, and this is where it delivers- it has a really good feel. I would say a little better than the Switch Pro's, and leaps ahead of PS4's and Xbox One's d-pad both of which are total failures for anything other than menu navigation in my opinion. So if you're looking primarily for a better d-pad, and don't want the hassle of recharging batteries and wireless connection headaches, you can't go wrong with this one...this version of the Saturn controller was one of the best non-analog controller designs ever.NOTE: I would take those one star reviews with a grain of salt...my bet is that they mistakenly put their review up for the Model 1 version on the Model 2 product page (Model 1 was known to have some issues that were improved for the Model 2, particularly regarding the d-pad). I believe the way to tell is that the Model 2 box will say "For PC, Mac, Steam, AND SWITCH"...the Model 1 isn't compatible with the Switch.

Maybe one and a half gotchas? Read on.I wasn't super thrilled with the Bluetooth version of this pad for PC use. That one didn't work particularly well wirelessly, but wasn't a bad controller if your intended use was on a Switch or retro console with their separately available Bluetooth receiver. Similarly, I didn't love this one at first either. I plugged it into my PC and found its button mappings to be inconsistent and hard to nail down.Even when using an external program to indicate which button I was pressing, mapping that button in game did not reliably produce the expected results. I set the controller aside and went back to using the Retro-Bit 8 button USB Genesis pad. It was only when I was preparing myself to write a disappointed review that I made one last ditch effort to nail down the problem. As far as I can tell that problem is...DO NOT plug this thing into a USB 3.0 port. That's the blue one, kiddies.For whatever reason, this pad misbehaves when plugged into a USB 3.0 port. If you're having issues, check your port, check the port that your hub or USB extension is plugged into. After that, make sure it's in X-input mode by holding Start and B for five seconds. The X-input switch will need to be done with each boot of your PC. Neither of these were issues with the aforementioned Retro-Bit 8 button USB Genesis controller, so I'm not entirely sure why this particular controller hates USB 3.0 and can't just be detected as an X-input device by default, but if you can live with the small issue of holding down two buttons for five seconds before beginning your play session, this controller is otherwise perfect. Very comfortable to hold, responsive and well built.Highly recommended for arcade or retro-styled games that don't require the now standard analog sticks for input.

It performs as expected.

I expected to receive a product that was on par with prior releases (I own older manufactured versions) but was disappointed in this recent Q1 2025 lot. Build quality is poor and not up to the standards of past units. The D pad is loose, one of the buttons got stuck, no feedback, and L and R buttons are gritty, not smooth like the original or older versions of this pad. I purchased two units and both products performed similarly and poorly, and I returned them.

Bought this to make some of my Sega games on PC feel a bit more authentic and it's been great for playing Saturn, Sega CD, Genesis and other games. I have not used an actual Saturn pad, but the feel of this one is quite good. Some say the D-pad is a bit looser than the original, but I found it to be responsive and usable regardless. The face buttons all feel good, but sometimes I notice they may not register unless you are very deliberate with the push. This may be from them having more travel distance than SNES controller's buttons that I am used to, but after a few minutes of play my hands are adjusted to them and the overall feel is comfortable. The controller is light in the hands and has a good feel and I have not noticed any discomfort when playing. Been using it daily for a month with no issues so far, great cable length and quality as well. I am curious to try out the wireless or others someday, would be neat to see them try to make the Saturn's 3D Control Pad someday, as if they can match this quality with it, I could see it being a nice option to have on hand for some games.

Great controller while it lasts..... This is cheaply made controller, and ultimately it will fail you. I had a controller for less than a year and it is already having connection issues. I really wish they made a quality version. I would be willing to pay much more for a better quality build.

Nice, beautifull and confortable. Good price too.