The Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz 8 buttons for Mega Drive, Sega Genesis Original e Mini, Switch, PC, Mac, with 2 Receivers and Case was acquired in US Amazon, and redirected to Brazil through the Direct Shipments, this is the twelfth time I use the company's services. Package arrived tax free.
I have one Mega Drive III da Tec Toy, at Sega Genesis americano, and an Analogue Mega Sg, but this controller I purchased to use mainly with the MiSTer FPGA, I've shown you here in Skooter Blog.
The Retro-Bit Arcade Pad becomes a third wireless controller option 2,4 GHz para Mega Drive, joining the Joyzz of Krikzz and or 8BitDo M30, already shown here in Skooter Blog. And it has an interesting differential as we will see in this article.
Motivation
As I said in the introduction, the Retro-Bit Arcade Pad was purchased to be used primarily with my MiSTer FPGA. This is due to the differential that this controller has in relation to the Joyzz of Krikzz and or 8BitDo M30: it has a receiver with USB connector, in addition to the receiver with DB9 connector which is the connector used in the Mega Drive. This allows you to connect it to PCs, MAC, Nintendo Switch, Playstation 3, Sega Genesis Mini, Mega Drive Mini, and also to MiSTer, without the need for a DB9 to USB adapter, like the one I already showed here on the Skooter Blog.

Adapter cable to connect two joysticks Mega Drive (Sega Genesis) the PC via USB (Genesis to PC USB Cable BRAND NEW for Sega Genesis) connected to the original control of Genesis
So far my favorite controller for the MiSTer FPGA he was at Bluetooth version of 8BitDo M30. But Retro-Bit Arcade Pad takes advantage of using a proprietary protocol in the 2,4 GHz, avoiding the inherent latency of the Bluetooth protocol.
Choice of Retro-Bit Arcade Pad de Mega Drive
The Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz is not the only option of the Retro-Bit wireless controller 2,4 GHz. They also have a Sega Saturn controller version.
Ergonomically the Sega Saturn controller should even take advantage, but I never had a Sega Saturn, so this controller doesn't call my attention. Furthermore, the Mega Drive Controller comes with the DB9 receiver (beyond USB), which I can use on my Mega Drive, although this is not my main goal. Meanwhile, the Sega Saturn controller comes with a USB receiver and one in the Sega Saturn format, that doesn't fit on the Mega Drive. So I ended up preferring the Mega Drive version.
Note that the number of buttons on both controllers is the same, because the Mega Drive version adds L and R shoulder buttons, that didn't exist in Sega's original controllers. Furthermore, both versions have a SELECT button and a HOME button, unused on the original consoles, but useful on the other systems they support.
Por fim, it remained to choose the color of the Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz: opaque black, translucent black or Translucent Blue. I even find the translucent versions beautiful, but I ended up opting for the opaque version, what the original Mega Drive controls looked like.
Purchase of Retro-Bit Arcade Pad de Mega Drive
The Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz is available at US Amazon. At the time it was costing $ 29,99. So I decided to buy there and redirect to Brazil again using the services of Direct Shipments. I used Amazon's free shipping option, and paid $ 2,32 because of the California tax.
Redirect to Direct Shipments
A US Amazon Direct sends to Brazil. But, considering the current product price of $ 34,99, you must pay more than $ 86,66 between shipping and taxes. Are $ 27,51 shipping and more absurd US $ 59,15 to pay taxes in Brazil, that are applied on the value of the product and the freight. They reach almost 100% between federal and state tax.
So, it is much more advantageous to redirect with Direct Shipments, with the package being sent by ePacket, modality in which the chance of the product being released without taxes is great, especially when it comes to a small product, light and cheap like that.
A Direct Shipments He sent me two photos, one from the package on the scale and another from the product in the packaging. Check out:
- Amazon Bundle with Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz, in photo by Envios Diretos.
- Amazon Bundle with Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz, in photo by Envios Diretos.
The package with the Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz weighed a pound and three ounces (about half a kilo), including the Amazon box. The cost to send it to Brazil by ePacket was $ 23,99, already counting on the service value Direct Shipments.
The package was sent on 02/04/2020 and got my hands on 18/05, no taxes. Were 46 calendar days, somewhat above normal due to the pandemic.
Unboxing
A Direct Shipments took the packaging out of Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz from Amazon's cardboard box, that had a volume somewhat larger than necessary, and put it in a plastic envelope, more discreet:
- Direct Shipping Package with Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz.
- Direct Shipping Package with Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz.
Retrobit's box ended up crumpling a little in the corners with the mistreatment of the Post Office. At that point a cardboard box was better than an envelope. But the controller case, plastic and with acrylic lid, stayed intact:
- Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz, on its packaging.
- Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz, on its packaging.
- Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz, on its packaging.
- Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz, on its packaging.
- Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz, on its packaging.
- Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz, in the case that comes with it.
- Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz, in the case that comes with it.
- Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz, in the case that comes with it.
Inside the acrylic box we have the Wireless Retro-Bit Mega Drive Controller, and the two receivers: DB9 e USB. The controller follows the original SEGA model of 6 buttons, adding the shoulder buttons L and R, in addition to the SELECT and HOME buttons. Hidden under the frame we still have the USB cable for recharging the controller, and firmware update, both the controller and the receivers. Por fim, we still have the instruction manual and a thank you card for the purchase.
- Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz, in the case that comes with it, with its two receivers.
- Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz.
- Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz.
- Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz.
- Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz.
- DB9 receiver, for use on the Mega Drive.
- DB9 receiver, for use on the Mega Drive.
- Receptor USB, for use in other systems.
- Receptor USB, for use in other systems.
- USB cable for controller loading and firmware update of the controller and its receivers.
- Instruction manual and thank you card.
- Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller Instruction Manual 2.4 GHz.
- Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz, with its case and accessories.
- Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz, with its case and accessories.
The first impression when picking up the Wireless Retro-Bit Mega Drive Controller It is very good. Note the quality of the product. I really liked the D-Pad, do START e dos 6 front buttons. L and R I found it a little strange, for having switches with a little mouse button click, instead of those softer rubber switches on the other buttons. At this point I prefer the soft L and R 8BitDo M30.
Also check out the video of unboxing and testing of the Wireless Retro-Bit Mega Drive Controller:
Test of Wireless Retro-Bit Mega Drive Controller
After unboxing, I updated the firmware of the receivers and soon I already put the Wireless Retro-Bit Mega Drive Controller for work.
On PCs it works in D-Input and X-Input modes, and the LED on the top side of the controller shows a red or blue LED, to indicate which mode is being used, respectively. But I did not do more tests on the PC because it is not my focus.
- Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz, with its case and accessories.
- Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Mega Drive Controller, operation.
- Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Mega Drive Controller, operation.
- Arcade Wireless Retro-Bit Mega Drive Controller USB Receiver, running on my PC.
On Analogue Mega Sg it worked normally, so much no way 3 buttons with blue LED, and in the mode of 6 buttons with red LED. But, the L buttons, R, SELECT and HOME have no function. So I think the 8BitDo M30 remains more advantageous on this console, having a button to access the menu and having L and R with the same functions as C and Z.
- Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Mega Drive Controller, connected to the Analogue Mega Sg.
- Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Mega Drive Controller, connected to the Analogue Mega Sg.
No Playstation 3 the Wireless Retro-Bit Mega Drive Controller also it worked perfectly. Just the button mapping is kind of bizarre and non-intuitive, with circle in A and cross in B, square at Y and triangle at X. This controller is a really cool option to play Street Fighter, where luckily the buttons can be remapped. I played with him for a while Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix and I liked the result.
On MiSTer FPGA the Wireless Retro-Bit Mega Drive Controller shone. In X-Input mode it is possible to map all 11 buttons, inclusive o HOME. So, I took the opportunity to configure HOME to access the OSD menu.
I ended up not even testing on my other compatible consoles: Mega Drive III da Tec Toy, Sega Genesis americano, e Nintendo Switch, because I’m not currently interested in using the Wireless Retro-Bit Mega Drive Controller on them.
The fact that the controller is 2,4 GHz and having a USB receiver also makes it easy to switch MiSTer FPGA for or Playstation 3 and vice versa, because just change the receiver, no need to pair again. Having to re-pair when changing consoles is something that I find quite inconvenient on Bluetooth controllers, so much that I left one Dualshock 4 only for MiSTer, and when I play with it on the PC I prefer to leave it wired so I don't have to re-pair it on MiSTer afterwards.
- Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Mega Drive Controller, connected to the MiSTer FPGA.
- Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Mega Drive Controller, connected to the MiSTer FPGA.
8BitDo M30 vs. Krikzz Joyzz vs. Retro-Bit Arcade Pad
And the big question is: which of the three is better: 8BitDo M30, Joyzz of Krikzz ou o Wireless Retro-Bit Mega Drive Controller?
The three are great controllers, comfortable and allow you to play for a long time without getting tired. What I can do is point out the advantages of each, as I had already done in the article 8BitDo M30:
advantages of 8BitDo M30:
- Home button to bring up the menu Analogue Mega Sg directly;
- Turbo function can be activated individually for each button;
- shoulder buttons;
- USB out even;
- lowest price;
- The screen printing does not come out.
advantages of Joyzz of Krikzz:
- Longer Battery Life;
- Battery Nokia BL-4C;
- format identical to the original;
- mode 2 buttons for Master System games;
- Application flashcarts that provides information on status of the controls;
- always immediate synchronization.
advantages of Wireless Retro-Bit Mega Drive Controller:
- shoulder buttons;
- USB out even;
- lowest price;
- The screen printing does not come out;
- always immediate synchronization;
- Receptor USB, beyond DB9.
Considering advantages and disadvantages, my choice for the MiSTer FPGA is Wireless Retro-Bit Mega Drive Controller, hair usb receiver. The Joyzz have fewer buttons, and the 8BitDo M30 have L and R, but just cloning C and Z. Both do not have USB receivers. The 8BitDo M30 Bluetooth circumvents the button issue, but it has the overhead of the Bluetooth protocol. The turbo function of M30 not much use in MiSTer, that has its own turbo system internally, and works for any controller.
On Analogue Mega Sg I prefer the 8BitDo M30, for being the only one with the HOME button to bring up the menu, and for having the Turbo function.
In the original console the fight is bigger and then it is difficult to define a winner. The Joyzz is at a much higher price level, so it's hard to justify it, but it is worth mentioning that he is the only one with the 2 Master System buttons, which allows you to play those Master games where the Mega Drive controller doesn’t work. The 8BitDo M30 takes advantage of the turbo and shoulder buttons. The Wireless Retro-Bit Mega Drive Controller does not bring greater differentials, but it is the only one licensed by SEGA, for those who value it. Anyway, all three are good wireless controller options for the original console.
traces
These are the trace information package Direct Shipments, from the USA to Brazil, According to the USPS:
May 18, 2020, 5:24 pm Delivered BRAZIL Your item was delivered in BRAZIL at 5:24 pm on May 18, 2020. May 12, 2020, 1:25 pm Processed through Facility CURITIBA, BRAZIL May 11, 2020, 10:23 am Processed Through Facility BRAZIL May 8, 2020, 9:26 am Departed SAO PAULO, BRAZIL May 7, 2020, 4:34 pm Arrived MIAMI, UNITED STATES April 14, 2020, 11:30 am Departed ATLANTA, UNITED STATES April 10, 2020, 8:50 am Departed LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES April 10, 2020, 1:44 am Arrived LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES April 4, 2020, 2:09 pm Processed Through Regional Facility LOS ANGELES CA INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER April 4, 2020, 8:07 am Arrived at Regional Facility LOS ANGELES CA INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER April 4, 2020, 8:07 am Departed USPS Regional Facility LOS ANGELES CA INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER April 4, 2020, 8:06 am Arrived at USPS Regional Facility LOS ANGELES CA INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER April 4, 2020, 6:51 am Accepted at USPS Origin Facility RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, SUCH AS 92688 April 2, 2020, 6:46 am Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, SUCH AS 92688
And these are the trace information package Direct Shipments, from the USA to Brazil, According to the post office:
18/05/2020 17:24 [REMOVED] / SP Object delivered to the recipient 18/05/2020 11:16 [REMOVED] / SP object out for delivery to the recipient 15/05/2020 14:23 INDAIATUBA / SP Objeto encaminhado de Unidade de Tratamento em INDAIATUBA / SP for distribution Unit in [REMOVED] / SP 12/05/2020 13:55 CURITIBA / PR Objeto encaminhado de Unidade de Distribuição em CURITIBA / PR for Treatment Unit in INDAIATUBA / SP 12/05/2020 13:53 CURITIBA / PR finalized Customs supervision 11/05/2020 10:52 CURITIBA / PR Objeto recebido pelos Correios do Brasil Informar nº do documento para a fiscalização e entrega do seu objeto. Click here My Imports 04/04/2020 14:09 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / Objeto encaminhado de País em ESTADOS UNIDOS DA AMÉRICA / countries in International treatment unit / BR Informar nº do documento para a fiscalização e entrega do seu objeto. Click here My Imports 04/04/2020 06:51 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / Objeto postado Informar nº do documento para a fiscalização e entrega do seu objeto. Click here My Imports
Table-Summary
Por fim, This is the table-summary of purchase:
Product Name: | Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz 8 buttons for Mega Drive, Sega Genesis Original e Mini, Switch, PC, Mac, with 2 Receivers and Case |
Name Original: | Retro-Bit Sega Genesis 2.4 GHz Wireless Controller 8-Button Arcade Pad for Sega Genesis Original/Mini, Switch, PC, Mac – Includes 2 Receivers & Storage Case – Black |
Store: | US Amazon |
Value: | US$ 29,99 |
Current value: | US$ 34,99 |
Payment Method: | Credit Card Mastercard Inter |
Shipping Type: | Free Shipping |
Shipping Fee: |
|
Package Home Country: | USA |
Purchase Data: | 23/03/2020 |
Submission Date: |
|
Data Delivery: |
|
Time in Transit: |
|
Declared content: | game accessory |
Type Marked Content: | Gift |
Declared Value: | US$ 29.99 |
Taxed: | Not |
Taxable Value: | – |
Tax Value: | – |
Final Considerations
The Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz is an interesting alternative to a wireless Mega Drive controller. It is the only option licensed by Sega, and follows the same format as the 6 original buttons. It competes with two other weight options which are the 8BitDo M30, similarly priced, and the Joyzz, which is considerably more expensive. Its differential is to have two receivers, a DB9 for the original Mega Drive, and a USB for the Mega Drive Mini, Nintendo Switch, Playstation 3, PCs, MACs, and other.
I purchased it for use mainly with my MiSTer FPGA, because it is an option of 2,4 GHz, with USB receiver and 11 functional buttons. The controllers of 2,4 GHz tend to take advantage of latency, because they use proprietary protocols that can be faster, not subject to the overhead of the Bluetooth protocol. But, recent tests has shown that the Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz it's not that fast, losing to the 8BitDo M30 Bluetooth, which has the same number and arrangement of buttons. It still loses to the Dualshock 4 version 2, also in Bluetooth mode.
In the face of such tests, I'm reconsidering if it's really worth playing with Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad Mega Drive Controller 2.4 GHz, or continue playing with the 8BitDo M30 Bluetooth. I'll keep an eye on the new tests. Anyway, the biggest latency is still that of the LCD TV. And who really wants / needs latency below two digits needs to use a CRT TV and wired control. I still prefer the comfort of wireless controllers in most cases.
I already considered purchasing a second 8BitDo M30 Bluetooth or second Retro-Bit Wireless Arcade Pad 2.4 GHz for the second player. Mas se antes já era difícil receber visitas que gostam de consoles antigos, agora com pandemia e isolamento isso ficou impossível. Então posso adiar bastante os meus planos.
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I still prefer the 8bitdo controller because of the grip. What influences, in my case, is that I played Mega Drive more with the controller 3 buttons, in a neighbor of mine who had the console. When I went to play with 6, did not like, I found it very small, bad to hold, and the buttons very close together, making it easy to trigger wrong by accident.
The 8bitdo controller solves all of these problems and still has the best grip of all the retro controls I've ever used, and there were few.
I also prefer. And after the latency tests showed that the 8BitDo m30 Bluetooth is even faster than this 2.4G from Retro-Bit, I ended up going back to the Bluetooth m30.
I have the 2.4Ghz Mega, is noticeably faster than their bluetooth, that I have on NES and SNES. For the retrobit to be slower than BT, Wow, made a bad mistake in the hand.
I also have the 2.4G Mega I use in the Mega Sg, but to use them on MiSTer I would have to use an additional DB9 -> USB converter, which in turn has its own latency. I would still lose the Home button and the L and R would have the same function as C and Z. Not worth it.
Yeah, thought they had a USB receiver for 2.4Ghz, but looking at the page now, not. The turbografx mini comes with a USB receiver and is 2.4.
Indeed there is a 2.4G version with m30 USB receiver, but they advertise as being only for the Genesis Mini and the Nintendo Switch. I asked the staff on the Discord server Classic Gaming and they say it works on MiSTer and Windows too.
Hello, good afternoon! Congratulations on the always excellent blog! Lots of useful information! A doubt, I don't know if you recently purchased something through Direct Shipping. They no longer have the option of ePacket shipping? In that case you would recommend Priority, First Class ou Express? A hug!
Hello, good afternoon. Thank you. The ePacket was extinguished by the USPS. The option for packages up to 2 pounds with lower tax risk is now First Class, which also enters Curitiba. For heavier packages I recommend Priority, that enters Rio de Janeiro, but then the risk of taxation is already considerably greater. The Express enters São Paulo and I don't see any advantage in it, because it is more expensive and in practice it can be even slower than Priority. The Post Office rolled 3 weeks to release an express package I recently received, after I have already paid the tax and postage. Hug.