UPDATE: Several people have asked me to test the latest (v 1.35) BattlerGC Pro firmware, as Retro Fighters has released a firmware to address latency. I've created a new box plot that shows the measurements of the updated firmware, and the results are better than the previous firmware! See here: x.com/dubesinhower/status/1878581290926068019 Or here: bsky.app/profile/did:plc:7umyx3dtysq2cxyuoewu4a6e/post/3lfldydolzx25
Nice video and just in time as I recently had a customer ask me about installing the 8BitDo Mod Kits in a couple of their controllers while I'm working on their GameCube so nice to get a heads up as to what I'm in for. Cheers!
Thanks for bringing back more short videos, ye def should cut some stuff from the lives and post, i really like yer videos, but, short videos (10~20min)are easier to watch
I've had the PowerA Gamecube controller for years and it's my favorite Gamecube style controller for Switch. if 8bitdo made a whole controller and not just a replacement PCB I might be more interested. Hall Effect sticks are a nice selling point, though.
There's a very nice 2.4GHz option from iNNEXT (sometimes sold as Saffun). It's shaped like a Wavebird and is available from Amazon and AliExpress, but unlike the Wavebird, it features rumble.
Apologies if I missed it, but Retro Fighters put out a firmware update that specifically says it helps with latency - just wondering if the tests in this video included that firmware update or not.
Would love to see updated figures after the firmware update. For Smash this controller sounds good, but latency that's worse that Bluetooth on a 2.4ghz controller is a deal breaker for me.
I have the retro fighter controller and love it. I’d prefer OG style triggers, but it’s a worthy trade off in this case. Bluetooth range has also been somewhat underwhelming, but I’ve not had issues with 2.4ghz. The fact that it works great on Switch (including gyro and all the other buttons not included on the GC controller) is a huge bonus as well, but the button layout is hit and miss depending on game. I’d love to try the 8bitdo, but the proprietary charging cable is a dealbreaker for me. I am not gonna go out of my way to keep track of one cable for a specific controller. If there was a solution for USB C, perhaps through custom controller enclosures, I’d be much more inclined to get one.
I LOVE retro fighters. I think they're doing the lords work. I have their n64 controller, ps1/2/3 wireless controller, dreamcast one and this. They have a battery life that goes on for days. My ONLY complaint is that the USB dongles should have their corresponding name/console printed or molded on it so I can see it easily. Or just stamp the system logo (or similar but legally distinct). Small complaint. They're the bees knees
I got the 8bitdo board when it released, wasn’t too bad to put together, did it on a brand new Smash controller, it works great but my only issue has been the A button was a bit more sensitive so playing Sonic Adventure at times was a bit of a nightmare 😅 otherwise most of the games i tested worked great with it.
test the miadore Wireless NGC Controller ... also sold under a bunch of other names since chinese and dropshipped often, i for one really like that controller since it also support Xinput mode on PC and offers all the additional buttons a Gamecube controller would be missing compared to modern Xbox or Switch Pro controller, i regular use mine on the Wii for Gamecube games and on the PC for well most PC games with controller support
You really should have tested the analog triggers with the double nozzle in Mario Sunshine. The double nozzle enables hover, and Mario's height is controlled by the analog trigger and is impossible with digital triggers.
Currently NYXI Warrior is by far the best Gamecube controller. Haven't tried this new retro fighters, but they have a long way to go if we compare the last one they made.
My battler GC Pro came with a dud GC Receiver, basically kept disconnecting randomly. Customer support sent me a new controller w/receiver since we didn't know which one was the issue. The new receiver works great so that was the issue. Just an fyi for anyone buying it, could be just a bad luck issue I had or could be more widespread.
Thank you! We just released a new firmware upgrade that improves the latency, it was posted a few days ago. Its available on our website on the BattlerGC Pro product page.
I got the Retro Fighter for Christmas. I can't seem to get it to connect without grabbing another controller to navigate to the pairing screen first. It automatically shuts off after 10 minutes. This is obnoxious. 8BitDo's controllers just... work out of the box.
How is the Retro Fighters' dpad? With all my Retro Fighters controllers (I have two Defenders and the older BattlerGC), I get constant diagonal inputs on them while holding up. Unfortunately it makes them unusable for games like Resident Evil, where I need precise dpads. They don't have the individual switches like this new one does, so I'm a little hopeful, but still reluctant to spend the money.
I'd say the d-pad is big improvement over the original GameCube one! I never tried the original BattlerGC, but I tested out RE2 & RE4 on GameCube & RE1 on PC with the d-pad and it feels great! It has little tactile buttons on the d-pad similar to GBA SP or an Xbox One controller, so I don't think it's likely to get false diagonals
Retro Fighters is out of the box and ready for an extra $10, with a better battery. How exactly is 8bitdo considering itself viable, especially when the receiver is out of stock and stupidly not bundled to ensure a GC will accept this?
They know a lot of retro buyers are purists that only want the original thing, it's pretty much why they've gotten lazier and lazier as they've gone on with these bundles. The N64 one still has no adapter or setup utility for people using it on the original console.
@WildVoltorb that's fine, but if this is meant to be sold as a specialty item it shouldn't be compared to a consumer grade one in my opinion. And that weak battery ruins the point of it anyway. I love my GC controllers, but I'm happy to let 20 year old tech stay as it is and look to something new personally and for the price difference the effort isn't worth it when those controllers in my collection still work fine and the Smash Bro ones are still available.
I got it because I bought the blue retro by laser bear that allows me to have any Bluetooth controller connect to it. When you have a lot of friends and family over for some GameCube the cables really get in the way and really risk damage to the console if someone trips. The 8bitdo controllers feel pretty much like a 1:1 oem GameCube controller. And if you have controllers you can Replace the oem boards for $25 a piece and resell the old ones. So essentially it’s actually cheaper to go that route than paying for the retro fighter.
@@TheLeadG You still need the laser bear upgrade which is around 70 from what I can tell for an older version and $100 for their most up to date model, which is the same as 4 8bitdo receivers. Also needs to be installed which isn't hard but still not something you open a box and get at, and thats before considering your controllers if you want genuine shells. I will still take 4 plug and play options that work on 4 generations of nintendo hardware plus PC if I need to pick, but thats my opinion as someone who can solder and what not if I have to but also know my time is more valuable to me than the maybe $50 or unlikely but possible $100 I will save with a bunch of mods and time spent reselling stuff over just buying 4 controllers.
Don't buy the battlergc pro. I bought 1 and it was drifting the first day (wouldn't stop unless I power cycled) they sent me a second one and that one had connectivity issues
The 8bitdo mod kit should never be recommended. The hall sticks can't be calibrated, and are horrible out of the box. Calibrating on Switch does nothing of value, and even if it did, calibration is forgotten at power off of the controller. Absolutely awful solution.
I guess this is going to push me to get that GC Battler controller. It'll play better for Switch games at least. Also the longer battery life is going to be great. I need a new Switch controller. I don't want to wait on the inevitable stick drift for my joycons...
retro fighters needs to get their shit together with their pre-orders. I'll stick with 8bitdo hardware, they don't pull any pre-order bs, timely firmware updates, excellent build quality, and offer spare parts.
I really hate the trend of everything Bluetooth. They have lag, they are unreliable, a lot of button combos to remember, batteries that will die eventually,. and worst is that you need to remember to charge them to gain the only "benefit" of being wireless. Having a battery in the controller means you will be in an endless cycle of having to plugging it in to charge and unplugging it to prevent the battery from getting damaged , I much rather prefer to use wired controllers It's fine for third party wireless controllers to exist because having options are always good. But the ones I can't stand are the one that replace the pcb, I know they are "reversible" but do anyone think that people will actually keep track of the OG parts for years to come?
Well for me I got the blue retro by laser bear. Having bluetooth controllers is really advantageous. First off the lag is not bad. We are talking about less than half a frame. That’s not a lot of lag. Secondly what button combos? All I have to remember is to put them in android mode (hold start and b) Yes Bluetooth controllers need to be charged lol I’m not sure what the contention is there I have 3 of these and haven’t had to recharge them yet after quite a while. Thirdly, I do keep the oem parts. However these parts at some point will stop working. We are likely going to have to rely on reproductions in the future just due to the fact that these sticks will wear out eventually. Me going Bluetooth actually preserves controllers because I’m not taking more OEM parts or controllers off the market anymore.
6 hours of battery life for 8BitDo? Are they sure it's not a PlayStation controller? That's pathetically low. That alone disqualifies the 8BitDo kit from my own consideration.
i mean it makes sense at the end of the day ur shoving a battery into a controller that was never intended to be big enough to include a battery. that's why the wavebirds are bigger. sony doesn't have that excuse they're just dipshits 😂
UPDATE: Several people have asked me to test the latest (v 1.35) BattlerGC Pro firmware, as Retro Fighters has released a firmware to address latency.
I've created a new box plot that shows the measurements of the updated firmware, and the results are better than the previous firmware!
See here: x.com/dubesinhower/status/1878581290926068019
Or here: bsky.app/profile/did:plc:7umyx3dtysq2cxyuoewu4a6e/post/3lfldydolzx25
can you also do input latency tests for the two controllers in PC mode?
hey there,
BattlerGC 2.4ghz also this laggy?! How did they manage to make it slower than BT? what might be the problem technically?
The cost of a OEM wired controller + 8bitdo mod kit + a 8bitdo GC receiver would probably cost the same as a Wavebird Controller
Anyone wanting this already has 2-4 worn controllers tho, no one is buying a new full price gcc to instantly replace the insides.
You can also get an ExtremeRate shell and the 8bitdo modkit for under 50$. But no rumble...
@@surfingraichu7594 I think he's talking about used controllers because I didn't think they still sold new wavebirds.
retro fighters for the win - if you're into ergonomics, convenience, and functionality that is
Thank you for the in-depth review and feedback!
I 2iah you guys made a wired version
Nice video and just in time as I recently had a customer ask me about installing the 8BitDo Mod Kits in a couple of their controllers while I'm working on their GameCube so nice to get a heads up as to what I'm in for. Cheers!
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for bringing back more short videos, ye def should cut some stuff from the lives and post, i really like yer videos, but, short videos (10~20min)are easier to watch
Thank you. This is amazing info and comparison. We need a lot more in-depth and detailed comparisons like this.
I've had the PowerA Gamecube controller for years and it's my favorite Gamecube style controller for Switch. if 8bitdo made a whole controller and not just a replacement PCB I might be more interested.
Hall Effect sticks are a nice selling point, though.
Came to see the comparison of the controllers and got a great box plot bonus explanation \o/
There's a very nice 2.4GHz option from iNNEXT (sometimes sold as Saffun). It's shaped like a Wavebird and is available from Amazon and AliExpress, but unlike the Wavebird, it features rumble.
My preference is the NYXI Warrior.
Apologies if I missed it, but Retro Fighters put out a firmware update that specifically says it helps with latency - just wondering if the tests in this video included that firmware update or not.
The latency firmware update was posted a few days ago, we appreciate it!
Would love to see updated figures after the firmware update. For Smash this controller sounds good, but latency that's worse that Bluetooth on a 2.4ghz controller is a deal breaker for me.
I prefer the 8bitdo kit because I like the og design
You sir have great taste in home audio, i have the same rp-600m's but the ii's that came out this year and they're excellent
I have the retro fighter controller and love it. I’d prefer OG style triggers, but it’s a worthy trade off in this case. Bluetooth range has also been somewhat underwhelming, but I’ve not had issues with 2.4ghz.
The fact that it works great on Switch (including gyro and all the other buttons not included on the GC controller) is a huge bonus as well, but the button layout is hit and miss depending on game.
I’d love to try the 8bitdo, but the proprietary charging cable is a dealbreaker for me. I am not gonna go out of my way to keep track of one cable for a specific controller. If there was a solution for USB C, perhaps through custom controller enclosures, I’d be much more inclined to get one.
I LOVE retro fighters. I think they're doing the lords work. I have their n64 controller, ps1/2/3 wireless controller, dreamcast one and this.
They have a battery life that goes on for days.
My ONLY complaint is that the USB dongles should have their corresponding name/console printed or molded on it so I can see it easily. Or just stamp the system logo (or similar but legally distinct).
Small complaint. They're the bees knees
The hunter does say it's name on the dongle I think, mine isn't nearby to check but I am positive that was a thing
Can't understand why holding start isn't universal for off . Each controller needs a manual next to it because OMG
waiting for those official NSO gamecube controllers that were rumored. Hopefully they're in the pipeline for early in the switch 2 lifecycle.
Fingers crossed
I got the 8bitdo board when it released, wasn’t too bad to put together, did it on a brand new Smash controller, it works great but my only issue has been the A button was a bit more sensitive so playing Sonic Adventure at times was a bit of a nightmare 😅 otherwise most of the games i tested worked great with it.
I'll always prefer the feeling of the original GC controller, so I'd indubitably choose 8bitdo.
test the miadore Wireless NGC Controller ... also sold under a bunch of other names since chinese and dropshipped often, i for one really like that controller since it also support Xinput mode on PC and offers all the additional buttons a Gamecube controller would be missing compared to modern Xbox or Switch Pro controller,
i regular use mine on the Wii for Gamecube games and on the PC for well most PC games with controller support
You really should have tested the analog triggers with the double nozzle in Mario Sunshine. The double nozzle enables hover, and Mario's height is controlled by the analog trigger and is impossible with digital triggers.
Can you look into the Saffun Wavebird clone controller. I hear it's pretty good but would love a video review
Currently NYXI Warrior is by far the best Gamecube controller. Haven't tried this new retro fighters, but they have a long way to go if we compare the last one they made.
I don’t like the clicky buttons.
How do you know is the best if you haven't tried the new Retro Fighters one? Do you happen to have a link to a video of someone comparing those?
ive used both
I perfer the 8bitdo for normal gaming.
but for smashbros I perfer retro fighters
My battler GC Pro came with a dud GC Receiver, basically kept disconnecting randomly. Customer support sent me a new controller w/receiver since we didn't know which one was the issue. The new receiver works great so that was the issue. Just an fyi for anyone buying it, could be just a bad luck issue I had or could be more widespread.
Hopefully Retrofighters can push out a firmware update to fix the bad latency. I can’t stand the D-pad on the original controller.
Thank you! We just released a new firmware upgrade that improves the latency, it was posted a few days ago. Its available on our website on the BattlerGC Pro product page.
Why in the world haven't they made a update to the 8bitdo PCB for USB-C? lol
Not a fan of how the retro fighter controller looks
battler gc pro is amazing and has replaced my original gc controller
I got the Retro Fighter for Christmas. I can't seem to get it to connect without grabbing another controller to navigate to the pairing screen first. It automatically shuts off after 10 minutes. This is obnoxious. 8BitDo's controllers just... work out of the box.
How is the Retro Fighters' dpad? With all my Retro Fighters controllers (I have two Defenders and the older BattlerGC), I get constant diagonal inputs on them while holding up. Unfortunately it makes them unusable for games like Resident Evil, where I need precise dpads. They don't have the individual switches like this new one does, so I'm a little hopeful, but still reluctant to spend the money.
I'd say the d-pad is big improvement over the original GameCube one! I never tried the original BattlerGC, but I tested out RE2 & RE4 on GameCube & RE1 on PC with the d-pad and it feels great!
It has little tactile buttons on the d-pad similar to GBA SP or an Xbox One controller, so I don't think it's likely to get false diagonals
@@KurusKururu That's really helpful, thank you!
We're talking $$$money
Just gwt a wavebird :]
Those controller port adapters are ugly tho
Retro Fighters is out of the box and ready for an extra $10, with a better battery. How exactly is 8bitdo considering itself viable, especially when the receiver is out of stock and stupidly not bundled to ensure a GC will accept this?
They know a lot of retro buyers are purists that only want the original thing, it's pretty much why they've gotten lazier and lazier as they've gone on with these bundles. The N64 one still has no adapter or setup utility for people using it on the original console.
There's a huge modding scene for the oem gamecube controller
@WildVoltorb that's fine, but if this is meant to be sold as a specialty item it shouldn't be compared to a consumer grade one in my opinion. And that weak battery ruins the point of it anyway.
I love my GC controllers, but I'm happy to let 20 year old tech stay as it is and look to something new personally and for the price difference the effort isn't worth it when those controllers in my collection still work fine and the Smash Bro ones are still available.
I got it because I bought the blue retro by laser bear that allows me to have any Bluetooth controller connect to it. When you have a lot of friends and family over for some GameCube the cables really get in the way and really risk damage to the console if someone trips.
The 8bitdo controllers feel pretty much like a 1:1 oem GameCube controller. And if you have controllers you can
Replace the oem boards for $25 a piece and resell the old ones. So essentially it’s actually cheaper to go that route than paying for the retro fighter.
@@TheLeadG You still need the laser bear upgrade which is around 70 from what I can tell for an older version and $100 for their most up to date model, which is the same as 4 8bitdo receivers. Also needs to be installed which isn't hard but still not something you open a box and get at, and thats before considering your controllers if you want genuine shells.
I will still take 4 plug and play options that work on 4 generations of nintendo hardware plus PC if I need to pick, but thats my opinion as someone who can solder and what not if I have to but also know my time is more valuable to me than the maybe $50 or unlikely but possible $100 I will save with a bunch of mods and time spent reselling stuff over just buying 4 controllers.
Don't buy the battlergc pro. I bought 1 and it was drifting the first day (wouldn't stop unless I power cycled) they sent me a second one and that one had connectivity issues
The 8bitdo mod kit should never be recommended. The hall sticks can't be calibrated, and are horrible out of the box. Calibrating on Switch does nothing of value, and even if it did, calibration is forgotten at power off of the controller. Absolutely awful solution.
I guess this is going to push me to get that GC Battler controller. It'll play better for Switch games at least. Also the longer battery life is going to be great.
I need a new Switch controller. I don't want to wait on the inevitable stick drift for my joycons...
retro fighters needs to get their shit together with their pre-orders. I'll stick with 8bitdo hardware, they don't pull any pre-order bs, timely firmware updates, excellent build quality, and offer spare parts.
RetroFighters are great, but I still wouldn't use any controller on GameCube except OEM.
I am not a fan of any of the Retro Fighters controllers I've used. They all feel so cheap and too light.
I really hate the trend of everything Bluetooth. They have lag, they are unreliable, a lot of button combos to remember, batteries that will die eventually,. and worst is that you need to remember to charge them to gain the only "benefit" of being wireless.
Having a battery in the controller means you will be in an endless cycle of having to plugging it in to charge and unplugging it to prevent the battery from getting damaged , I much rather prefer to use wired controllers
It's fine for third party wireless controllers to exist because having options are always good. But the ones I can't stand are the one that replace the pcb, I know they are "reversible" but do anyone think that people will actually keep track of the OG parts for years to come?
Well for me I got the blue retro by laser bear. Having bluetooth controllers is really advantageous.
First off the lag is not bad. We are talking about less than half a frame. That’s not a lot of lag.
Secondly what button combos? All I have to remember is to put them in android mode (hold start and b)
Yes Bluetooth controllers need to be charged lol I’m not sure what the contention is there I have 3 of these and haven’t had to recharge them yet after quite a while.
Thirdly, I do keep the oem parts. However these parts at some point will stop working. We are likely going to have to rely on reproductions in the future just due to the fact that these sticks will wear out eventually. Me going Bluetooth actually preserves controllers because I’m not taking more OEM parts or controllers off the market anymore.
6 hours of battery life for 8BitDo? Are they sure it's not a PlayStation controller? That's pathetically low. That alone disqualifies the 8BitDo kit from my own consideration.
You can just change the battery.
i mean it makes sense at the end of the day ur shoving a battery into a controller that was never intended to be big enough to include a battery. that's why the wavebirds are bigger. sony doesn't have that excuse they're just dipshits 😂
6 hours is more than enough time for a game session or 2, it doesn't take that much effort to keep it charged in-between
I wonder if you could use a much bigger one and fit it where the rumble motor would normally go.