Retro-Bit SEGA Mega Drive Wireless Controller review – “Best for SEGA fans, not too ideal for modern games”

by

  • The Retro-Bit SEGA Mega Drive Wireless Controller looks and feels like the OG SEGA controller
  • Pairing with your phone might need a bit of tinkering
  • Ideal for SEGA fans looking to capture that old-school feeling and not much else

Nostalgia holds a significant and deceptive charm – when handled skillfully, it can transform even ordinary experiences into extraordinary ones in a player’s memory. However, miss the crucial elements and the experience can quickly become disappointing. Navigating the classic atmosphere in gaming is a delicate task, which is why I admire Retro-Bit for recreating that iconic Sega sensation with their Mega Drive 2.4GHz BIG6 Wireless Controller.

The authentic controller, true to memory, is adorable yet chunky and devoid of unnecessary features. Its goal is to recreate the sensation of delivering a powerful blow in Mortal Kombat or dishing out pain against Mr. X in streets mysteriously teeming with anger.

Is it performing its intended function exceptionally, or is it more of a desirable additional feature rather than an essential one?

The main appeal here is, of course, how the controller looks – and yes, it boasts almost exactly the same appearance as the SEGA Mega Drive controllers of old. The BIG6 variant – as the name suggests – sports six buttons now though, which is a handy feature to have when you’re sweeping through Sixth Street in
and in desperate need of more buttons (more on this later).
Testing it out on my Android phone was super wonky at first – I couldn’t pair the receiver with my controller, pressing and holding down buttons did nothing, and all the flashing lights only added to my overall confusion. Pairing shouldn’t have to be this difficult – especially with the plug-and-play nature of mobile – but after resetting the controller twice with a pin in the back, I was finally able to get to work.
After that, it was an almost pain-free experience. Lags weren’t an issue, but as you might expect, using an old-school controller that’s meant for old-school games is likely not going to fare too well on RPGs that have overly complicated controls.

As an example, Zenless Zone Zero offers numerous options that a contemporary controller manages effortlessly. However, despite having extra buttons, the BIG6 was not up to the task.

To ensure your controller functions properly while gaming, don’t forget to toggle the mode of the directional buttons based on what game you’re playing. Pressing Start + B will allow you to switch between D-Input and X-Input modes. It’s crucial to get this right, as selecting the incorrect mode can prevent your controller from working entirely.

In Dead Cells, I couldn’t navigate using the directional buttons when the wrong control mode was activated, while Streets of Rage 4 inadvertently made my D-Pad cause continuous running up and down on its own.

With Sonic Mania Plus, it functioned flawlessly no matter which D-Pad setting was used, and honestly, just turning it on and grasping the controller transformed the entire gaming experience compared to using the GameSir G8 Galileo.

What’s The Verdict?

There’s just something inexplicable about playing an OG SEGA game on an OG SEGA controller, and it painted my whole session with nostalgia from start to finish. Sure, the Retro-Bit isn’t the most comfortable and ergonomic thing to have in my hands – it’s got no Hall Effect sticks, no fancy settings, no apps to customise it with or any other modern thingamajig.

All it has is its overall feel, but that alone somehow makes up for every other missing thing.

This gadget doesn’t deserve the highest rating because, being someone who spent a significant part of their childhood on the Mega Drive, I find it difficult to recommend it wholeheartedly to others who didn’t have that experience. It seems this is the main issue with this peripheral.

This experience is primarily a walk down memory lane with a strong dose of nostalgia, offering little more than that. If you’re not particularly interested in that sort of thing, then there’s not much incentive to choose this controller over others available on the market.

This gadget isn’t easy to connect and it’s not particularly light or convenient to carry, like the CRKD Atom Bluetooth controller, for instance. However, it does have a vintage appeal, which seems to be exactly what Retro-Bit, given its name, is aiming for.

In essence, the Retro-Bit SEGA Mega Drive Wireless Controller is an authentic homage to the original SEGA controller, infused with some contemporary updates. It’s perfect for those who wish to relive the past or simply add a unique, retro-styled tech accessory to their collection that serves as a captivating conversation starter.

BUY LINK

Read More

2025-04-08 14:18