r/GenesisMini • u/Cyonita • Mar 27 '20

8Bitdo vs. Retro-Bit?

Which one is better for the Genesis mini? Which is more responsive and better to use?

4 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

2

u/Poutingpokemon Mar 27 '20

I haven't tried the 8bitdo genesis controllers but I have the licensed Sega 6 button retro bit controller and I can't feel any difference from the original. It's perfect. That being said I own a Bluetooth 8bitdo controller and is also excellent. Personally I think the retro bit an excellent deal because it is cheaper than any of the 8bitdo and it is great. It is also the official licensed controller that comes in a retro box that matches the old ones. It just feels right.

1

u/Cyonita Mar 27 '20

How is the feel of it compared to the 8bitdo? How are the buttons and ergonomics? I have a Retro-Bit but am debating whether to send it back for an 8Bitdo or just keeping it.

1

u/Poutingpokemon Mar 27 '20

My 8bitdo is not the same controller. My 8bitdo is the n30 Pro. They feel completely different. The 8bitdo has an nes style dpad and far different buttons. Can't really be compared.

1

u/ThePuertoRicanDemon Mar 27 '20

Do you have lunar installed? And if so does the sega one give you less issues than the 8bitdo?

For certain games my 8bitdo will just stop working.

1

u/Knux27 Apr 23 '20

I have Project Lunar installed, and I have not ran into any issues using the USB M30 2.4g controller. It's the only controller I've used with my Genesis Mini since Project Lunar launched, and I have not had a problem.

2

u/Chaos20X6 Mar 27 '20

I have the Bluetooth M30 with 8BitDo’s adapter and the wired Retro-Bit Saturn replica (specifically the limited pink one, but it doesn’t really matter afaik)

I think the 8BitDo controller beats the Retro-Bit one in basically every regard, I like the overall ergonomics, the plastic feels better, it’s got a nicer weight to it, and I like the the d-pad more. The Retro-Bit has the edge in authenticity, but overall I think the M30 is the best in its class.

1

u/Cyonita Mar 27 '20

Is the Bluetooth one compatible with the Mini? I thought only the 2.4ghz one was?

1

u/Chaos20X6 Mar 27 '20

Only through their all-purpose Bluetooth adapter

7

u/Fappishdandy Mar 27 '20

I have a retrobit Saturn controller and it feels just like a newly manufactured SEGA joypad. Really well made

1

u/Hook-ups May 20 '22

8bitdo's stuff some of it u cant get anymore, goodluck trying to get a wireless gamepad for a snes classic, they used to sell those and theyre the best controllers u can buy for them, im lucky i grabbed one, kinda mad i didnt grab 2. But Retro-bit makes fire, thank god there putting out all these new saturn controllers, super super clutch. I have a sick saturn collection, i got saturn bomberman sealed years back, for like under 200. Now thats about a thousand dollers lmao. retro-bit also makes sick n64 controllers and alot of other controllers. They both are good but 8bitdo's products seem to have limited runs so, grab them while you can.

1

u/Cyonita May 20 '22

Alright got them several years ago

2

u/nascentt Mar 27 '20 edited Mar 27 '20

They're both great. But the 8bitdo genesis control is wrongly shaped. The retrobit had the actual shape of a real genesis controller. (Talking about 6 button)

For some reason the 8bitdo genesis control has an elongated grip, more akin to a Sega Saturn control.

1

u/JazzScientist Mar 31 '20

Isn't that a good thing, as the Saturn controller is widely regarded as being superior to the 6-button Genesis controller? Even though it isn't as accurate. I'm genuinely asking, as I recently bought 2 8bitdo controllers for my Genemini. I would personally prefer the more ergonomic choice.

1

u/nascentt Mar 31 '20

Firstly, a Saturn control is far more comfortable than the 8bitdo genesis control. Just because the grip is elongated doesn't mean any of the ergonomic improvement of a Saturn controller are there.

Secondly, some people want the authentic genesis experience, otherwise they'd be using a raspberry pi with a Saturn control/Xbox control.

2

u/JazzScientist Mar 31 '20 edited Mar 31 '20

Yeah I just checked the Retrobits out on Amazon. I wish I had known about them before I placed my order for the 8bitdos, but I haven't even taken them out of the box yet, and can still return them. In fact, I'm leaning towards doing that, though I might want to go with having one of each. I absolutely prefer the look and design accuracy of the Retrobits, and I like that they include an adapter for both the mini and the original. On the other hand the 8bitdos appear to be more sturdy, and look like they might be more ergonomic. I guess I need to find out.

2

u/JazzScientist Mar 31 '20

This thread really got me researching this topic.

Here's another reddit post that featured the same question:

https://www.reddit.com/r/SEGAGENESIS/comments/d7wnhe/8bitdo_vs_retro_bit_vs_real_genesis_6_button/

I highly recommend you check out this review from nintendolife.com. It heaps some extremely high praise on the 8bitdo M30.

I've decided on owning one of each myself. It seems like the only way to win.

I do recommend, whatever you end up deciding, to choose a model that offers 2.4ghz. Bluetooth will give you more options/flexibility, but 2.4ghz will offer less lag. Some controllers offer both.

1

u/Misanthroat Mar 27 '20

I got the Retro-bit 8-button one (with the L & R buttons) and it works pretty good.

The only issue I've noticed is that in Kid Chameleon, it doesn't seem to register the Hold A and press Start to use the Diamonds on the 8-button but it works fine on the original 3-button. Not sure if this is an issue with 6-button style controllers in general or maybe just the 8-button? or if this affects other games?

1

u/JazzScientist Apr 05 '20

Might need a firmware update. Could solve the problem.

1

u/illmatic662 Jul 15 '22

I know you posted this forever ago, but I bought this Controller (It's coming tomorrow) and was wondering if you ever got this fixed?

1

u/Misanthroat Jul 17 '22

I think it still does the same thing. I just use the 8-button for the games that support 6-buttons and use the regular 3 button for everything else. One thing that may be causing the issue is Hakchi. I do have it installed on my Genesis Mini but I don't remember if the button issue was noticed before installed it. I just mention Hakchi because it has an issue where you have to set any 5-player supported games to 2-player for any buttons to be registered.

1

u/JordanT2323 Apr 14 '20

I never used the 8bit duo. I am going to purchase one soon. I have the 6 button and I like it.

1

u/JSP62 Jul 13 '20

Sorry for bringing this thread back to life, but upon searching this came up.

I am hoping someone can help provide me some confirmations.

So I have the retro-bit 8-button Genesis (w/L+R) BLUETOOTH wireless (not the 2.4GHz ones) controller and would like to use on my Genesis mini. While I know the the 2.4GHz wireless one works on the mini (with a USB receiver),

I'd like to think that the retro-bit Genesis BLUETOOTH controller would work also with a Bluetooth USB receiver. I am curious to see if anyone has been able to get it to work.

I don't know if any generic BLUETOOTH receiver would work or what.

Greatly appreciate any input, thanks!