Why you possibly can belief TechRadar
We spend hours testing each services or products we assessment, so that you will be certain you’re shopping for one of the best. Discover out extra about how we take a look at.
Retro-Bit Sega Saturn Wi-fi Professional Controller: one-minute assessment
Retro-Bit’s Sega Saturn Wi-fi Professional Controller is a gamepad revival performed proper. It efficiently recreates the appear and feel of Sega’s unique unit, whereas including some very welcome trendy prospers that (principally) assist it to really feel like a strong modern possibility – particularly for some combating video games and retro recreation compilations.
The unique Sega Saturn controller has at all times been a winner in my ebook, with its six face buttons and superb ergonomic D-pad. That have has been replicated on Retro-Bit’s model, however you may also anticipate useful additions in a pair of Corridor impact sticks, set off buttons, and, in fact, wi-fi connectivity. In consequence, this could possibly be one of many finest Nintendo Swap controllers for you if you happen to get common use out of these Nintendo Swap On-line retro recreation libraries.
It’s additionally a powerful worth proposition, with a value firmly in that budget-friendly bracket, costing about the identical as a typical Xbox Wi-fi Controller. You’re getting compatibility with PC, Mac, and Nintendo Swap right here with the included 2.4GHz dongle. However the bundle additionally features a Sega Saturn-compatible V2 receiver, so if you happen to’ve obtained a Saturn mendacity round, this is a superb trendy wi-fi possibility for that system.
There are some gentle annoyances to wrestle with, specifically by way of so-so construct high quality and the thumbsticks being a bit of too small for my liking. The newly added Dwelling and Choose buttons within the middle are additionally positioned in reasonably cramped trend. However general, by way of retro-inspired controllers, Retro-Bit’s Sega Saturn mannequin is definitely among the many finest.
Retro-Bit Sega Saturn Wi-fi Professional Controller assessment: Value and availability
- $49.99 / £44.99 (round AU$78)
- Prices about the identical as an Xbox Wi-fi Controller
- Out there at Retro-Bit and Amazon
The Retro-Bit Sega Saturn Wi-fi Professional Controller is out there to buy now, both from Retro-Bit’s web site or Amazon, for $49.99 / £44.99. By way of pricing for PC-compatible gamepads, this falls squarely in vary of the Xbox Wi-fi Controller or the GameSir T4 Kaleid.
That is reasonably spectacular worth, given the pad’s wi-fi connectivity choices and good additions like Corridor impact thumbsticks although the retro nature of it makes it robust to suggest for a variety of genres, together with first-person shooters or technique video games.
However for among the finest combating video games like Deadly Fury: Metropolis of the Wolves or Avenue Fighter 6 (because of that six-button format), it’s an excellent decide. It’s additionally a effective selection for the numerous retro recreation compilations we see right this moment, together with Marvel vs. Capcom Preventing Assortment: Arcade Classics and Castlevania Dominus Assortment.
Retro-Bit Sega Saturn Wi-fi Professional Controller assessment: specs
Value | $49.99 / £44.99 (round AU$78) |
Dimensions | 5.91 x 3.54 x 1.18in / 150 x 90 x 30mm |
Weight | 13.8oz / 390g |
Compatibility | PC, Nintendo Swap, Sega Saturn |
Connection sort | Wi-fi (2.4GHz, V2 for Sega Saturn), Wired (USB-C) |
Battery life | 15-20 hours |
Retro-Bit Sega Saturn Wi-fi Professional Controller: design and options
Aesthetically, Retro-Bit’s Sega Saturn Wi-fi Professional Controller is designed after the console’s MK-80116 gamepad. All the unique colours are accounted for right here, from the pink Begin button and triggers to the inexperienced, yellow, and blue face buttons. If authenticity is the aim, Retro-Bit has nailed it.
The controller maintains that old-school ‘boomerang’ fashion silhouette that was widespread among the many fourth and fifth console generations (suppose the Tremendous Nintendo, Sega Mega Drive / Genesis, and certainly the Saturn). That additionally means shorter grips and face buttons which are on common bigger than what we see on lots of the finest PC controllers of right this moment.
Regardless of the retro design, the Sega Saturn Wi-fi Professional Controller nonetheless sits extremely comfortable within the arms – its edges completely rounded to permit for a cushty play place. All six face buttons are simply reachable, and the massive D-pad rests firmly underneath your left thumb.
Whereas I like the brand new additions to this controller, their placement is a bit of off. The brand new Dwelling and Choose buttons, in addition to the 2 Corridor impact thumbsticks, are a bit of too near the middle of the pad for consolation.
Issues aren’t too unhealthy with the sticks (regardless that they’re a bit smaller and shallower than what I’m used to), however you’ll actually need to stretch your thumbs so as to attain these central buttons, to the purpose the place I typically discovered myself trying down on the controller to register their place relative to my thumbs.
Construct high quality can also be one thing that I want was barely higher. It’s not overtly nasty by any means, however the controller does really feel fairly hole, and you may hear the D-pad shaking about while you rock it round in your arms. The face buttons additionally really feel barely unfastened, and the sticks are noticeably notchy as you progress them round.
Retro-Bit Sega Saturn Wi-fi Professional Controller: efficiency
Fortunately, a few of these design shortcomings don’t do a lot to smash an in any other case comfy and responsive play expertise. This controller is a very good match for combating video games, as talked about earlier. The six-button format is nice for Avenue Fighter 6, and permits your gentle, medium, and heavy inputs for each punches and kicks to be reachable together with your proper thumb.
That additionally frees up the bumpers and triggers for different inputs or macros. Within the case of Avenue Fighter 6, that meant simple macroing for actions like Drive Impression, Drive Rush, and throws. And for Deadly Fury: Metropolis of the Wolves, which is a four-button recreation, these additional two face buttons got here in useful for throw and REV macros.
Serving to this alongside is the actually glorious D-pad. At first, I used to be uncertain of it, as, just like the face buttons, it’s fairly loose-feeling. However throughout play, it feels exceptionally tight and responsive. Directional inputs for particular strikes merely weren’t a difficulty right here, because of its rounded nature, and I discovered I might pull them off far more reliably than with conventional four-way D-pads discovered on different controllers.
Preventing video games apart, the Sega Saturn Wi-fi Professional Controller was additionally a superb selection for retro (and retro-styled) video games and compilations. I had a blast enjoying by way of beat-em-up Streets of Rage 4 with this gamepad. Facet-scrollers actually profit right here too, with the likes of Touhou Luna Nights, Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Assortment, and Nintendo Swap On-line video games together with Tremendous Metroid and Shinobi 3 feeling well-suited.
Then again, I might argue that the controller isn’t one of the best match for extra modern video games, significantly first-person shooters. The thumbsticks, whereas a pleasant addition, merely don’t have the smoothness to supply a satisfying play expertise. Their relative closeness additionally implies that your thumbs could barge into one another as you rock the sticks round.
Ought to I purchase the Retro-Bit Sega Saturn Wi-fi Professional Controller?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Retro-Bit Sega Saturn Wi-fi Professional Controller assessment: Additionally take into account
If the Sega Saturn Wi-fi Professional Controller isn’t fairly what you’re searching for, take into account these equally priced alternate options.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Sega Saturn Wi-fi Professional Controller | GameSir Tremendous Nova | Horipad Turbo |
Value | $49.99 / £44.99 (round AU$78) | $44.99 / £49.99 / AU$89 | $29.99 / £29.99 (round AU$47) |
Dimensions | 5.91 x 3.54 x 1.18in / 150 x 90 x 30mm | 6.1 x 4.2 x 2.3in / 156 x 106 x 59mm | 6.1 x 4.7 x 2.5in / 155 x 119 x 64mm |
Weight | 13.8oz / 390g | 9.3oz / 263g | 12.3oz / 350g |
Compatibility | PC, Nintendo Swap, Sega Saturn | PC, Nintendo Swap | PC, Nintendo Swap |
Connection sort | Wi-fi (2.4GHz, V2 for Sega Saturn), Wired (USB-C) | Wi-fi (Bluetooth, 2.4GHz USB dongle), wired (USB-C) | Wired (USB-C) |
Battery life | 15-20 hours | 15 hours | N/A |
How I examined the Retro-Bit Sega Saturn Wi-fi Professional Controller
- Examined for per week and a half
- Performed totally on Nintendo Swap and PC
- In comparison with the Xbox Wi-fi Controller and the Horipad Turbo
I examined a wide range of video games, each previous and new, with the Sega Saturn Wi-fi Professional Controller on each PC and Nintendo Swap over the course of per week and a half. Whereas I sadly don’t have a Sega Saturn available for testing there, I obtained loads of play time with combating video games like Avenue Fighter 6 and Deadly Fury: Metropolis of the Wolves.
I additionally performed a lot of retro collections, together with Marvel vs. Capcom Preventing Assortment: Arcade Classics and Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Assortment.
First reviewed April 2025
