Unboxing & Review - Retro Bit 2.4GHz Wireless Sega Saturn Controllers for the Saturn and USB Devices

4 years ago
62

In this video, we unbox and test out the Retro-Bit Sega Saturn 2.4GHz wireless gamepad controllers.

The 2.4GHz controller is available in two colors, the blue that you see here, and a smoke gray. Either version includes both a Saturn and USB dongle, USB charge cable, instruction manual, info card with where you can follow Retro-Bit on social media, and an awesome storage and transportation case. This is the same sort of case that Retro-Bit used with their Genesis 2.4GHz controller, and it's absolutely beautiful.

Ergonomically, the 2.4GHz controller is virtually indistinguishable from the Bluetooth controllers. One difference, however, is the lack of rumble support in the 2.4GHz version. I'm okay with that as most Saturn games, in fact, I think all Saturn games, were devoid of rumble feedback. As I'm looking to use this mostly for my Saturn, I'm okay with them removing this to help keep costs down.

The face buttons, d-pad, and triggers all feel virtually identical again to the Bluetooth controllers. Pairing to either dongle is super easy. I was able to switch back and forth from USB to Saturn receivers in a matter of seconds. As I see myself using this mostly with my Saturn, that is what I went with for testing first. Platformers work great with the controller, however, I did run into some issues playing Street Fighter. For some reason, I couldn't get all of the inputs to respond as desired & found this to be rather unusual.

Over on the Switch, none of those issues arose. I was able to pull off the moves and everything in Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection on the Switch, no fuss, no muss. On the Sega Genesis Mini, the same thing. I don't know if it's something specifically with the Saturn version of Street Fighter if I was being too fast or too slow with my inputs, but I didn't run into any of those issues with the USB dongle.

Why it RoX:
- Adds wireless functionality to the Sega Saturn
- Two color options
- 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?
Having tested every single Retro-Bit controller that they have released underneath the Sega partnership, the 2.4GHz controller works very well. I love the fact that I can now play my Saturn wirelessly, and if I so wish, I can also play it on my Switch and my Sega Genesis Mini. I think if you are a fan of the Sega Saturn controller there is a lot for you to like here. Now I challenge Retro-Bit to make a wireless 3D Saturn controller, which could be very interesting.

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.

The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors.
(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.)

Loading comments...