Unboxing the Retro-Bit Japanese-Inspired Saturn 2.4GHz Wireless Controllers & How to Update Firmware

In this video we unbox the Retro-Bit 2.4GHz Wireless Japanese Saturn Controllers that are officially licensed by Sega and show you how to update the firmware.

While I wasn't an owner of a Sega Saturn back in the day, I've come to really enjoy the system now. It's more of a 2D than 3D system, but there are some amazing titles for this system. I love playing Earthworm Jim 2 through the system, along with some awesome Street Fighter games too. The original Saturn controllers may be both challenging to find, along with expensive. Thankfully, Retro-Bit has partnered with Sega to bring some of the best controllers for the Saturn since the originals were released in 1995, and some even include wireless functionality like the ones here. The 2.4GHz wireless Saturn Controller has been out for sometime, but Retro-Bit recently expanded their offerings with ones which recreate the look and feel of the Japanese controller options.

Like their other 2.4GHz controllers, these include the controller itself, a USB dongle and a dongle which fits the original Saturn controller port. The USB dongle allows you to use these controllers on a wide variety of devices. The Sega Genesis Mini is supported, of course, as is the Nintendo Switch, Windows, Mac OS, Android, and other devices as well. That really adds a lot of versatility to these controllers.

Retro-Bit occasionally provides firmware updates for their controllers and dongles, and the dongles included with these controllers did have a firmware update available for download and installation.

To Update the Firmware:
Installation Instructions
1. To prepare for the installation of firmware, please connect the included Micro USB® cable into the receiver and then connect to your PC while holding down the pairing button on the receiver. Continue to hold the pairing button (the LED will blink for a while and then turn off - THIS IS FINE) after which you will need to allow the device to install itself onto the PC. Your Windows PC will notify you that the device has been fully installed after which you may proceed.
2. Extract all of the items of the .zip file into the same folder. Do not move or change any of the included files.
3. Open the included updater called DFUTools.exe (you may need to run as Admin).
4. On DFUTools, select the firmware file via Open File (this will be the file named SEGA_Saturn_Receiver_v1_01.bin)

5. Select ‘Download’ on the update software and then hit OK after the warning pops up.
6. Once completed, close the software program and safely remove the receiver from your PC (click on the USB® tray icon and select ‘remove safely from PC’).
7. Connect as normal to your console and play.

Why it RoX:
- I am in love with the Japanese-inspired looks
- Adds wireless functionality to the Sega Saturn
- USB receiver also included
- Awesome storage case
- Battery life and range are both very very good
- Officially licensed by Sega
- It feels exactly how you would expect a Sega Saturn controller to feel in the hand

What could be improved?
- More responsive in USB than Sega Saturn mode
- More color options would be nice
- Updating to USB-C would enable faster charging
- No rumble

Should You Buy One?
I really do like the original Saturn controllers from Retro-Bit, but the white Japanese controller, man, I LOVE this thing! It is the same controller I previously reviewed, but the styling just takes it to another level. It's comfortable, responsive, and works on so many devices, it's awesome. Plus the firmware update does improve latency and responsiveness. In all, this makes a great controller even greater.

#SegaSaturn #RetroBit #WirelessController

The footage used in this review are used under the Fair Use laws, referenced below:

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/107

Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include—

(1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
(2) the nature of the copyrighted work;
(3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and
(4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.

(Pub. L. 94–553, title I, § 101, Oct. 19, 1976, 90 Stat. 2546; Pub. L. 101–650, title VI, § 607, Dec. 1, 1990, 104 Stat. 5132; Pub. L. 102–492, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3145.)