[Review] 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 – Direct Shipping via Amazon

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.

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:

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:

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:	Free (US Amazon to Direct Shipments) US$ 23,99 (Direct Shipments To Brazil)
Package Home Country:	USA
Purchase Data:	23/03/2020
Submission Date:	27/03/2020 02/04/2020
Data Delivery:	31/03/2020 18/05/2020
Time in Transit:	4 days 46 days
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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