The Best Controllers You've (Probably) Never Used - Retro Bird 

Games played: Radiant Silvergun (using a grey Sega Saturn controller) (0:00), Nights into Dreams (using the Saturn 3D analog controller) (1:25), Advance Wars 2 (2:20), Metroid Fusion (3:10), Donkey Kong '94 (4:55), Raiden (6:30), Virtual On (7:50), Street Fighter Zero 2 (9:30)

Been watching since you had 127 subscribers. Thanks for being a constant force of good vibes for a long long time. Keep doing what you're doing and you'll get 100K subscribers one day.

One uncommon controller that I am a huge fan of is the Virtual Boy controller. Dual Dpads sounds weird at first, but it works so well!

We need a Retro Bird/Game Sack crossover to start the RCU (Retro Cinematic Universe)

Never seen any of them! Had a few joy sticks for NES, but they were hard to use! I liked the turbo controller back in the day 😁

Great video! I have the Hori GameCube controller for the GameBoy Player. It was my controller of choice for both 2D GameCube games and playing the GameBoy Player. Hori makes some real quality controllers! I actually had never even heard about the Super GameBoy controller. That looks amazing, too! You piqued my interest in getting an arcade stick, though. As a child of the '90s, there was just something satisfying about those arcade joytsticks and clicky buttons! There is one controller that I used many years later that I would give an honorable mention: the Sega Saturn 3D controller. It is a very rare controller and was originally bundled with Nights Into Dreams. I actually snagged one many years ago at a retro game store and it just feels "good" to use. Granted, it feels like it was built with Nights in mind, but it can be played with any of the few full 3D Saturn games. The analog stick has kind of a unique feel that I have never seen replicated since. It almost feels like a prototype Dreamcast controller.

The HoriPad Cube is one I really love that I never see anywhere

this reminded me that the Hori controllers for the super famicom had the same ergonomic back as their gameboy player counterpart

Great video! My favorite childhood controller was always the Street Fighter 2 genesis controller. It probably wasn't that great but I didn't know that lol

Never had any Hori pads. I do have Twin Sticks, but not the Saturn version, have the Dreamcast version instead. I would like to have a Saturn version too. Recently bought the very weird Dreamcast Mission Stick. Hope to get the Panther too.

Donkey Kong 94 is such a masterpiece and exactly what i would use the sgb controller on. Then again it was the first videogame i ever owned myself

I got the HORI Gamecube controller to play Zelda 1+2 from Collector’s Edition. It is great for GB Player as well. Would love the back panel on my SNES controllers Thanks for more great content!!

For me was a weird joystick for Famicom knock off. It was weird in all ways but was the only affordable game system I could ask my dad for, given my grades. Hey, where's the master system video you promised?

I think a worthy honorable mention for a gamecube controller is a gba (for gba player). It may not have the larger d-pad that the hori does, but at least the muscle memory is the same as playing the gba standalone. I think the two issues I've had personally with the gamecube controller d-pad (in regard to using it with the gba player) is its placement and stiffness rather than the size itself. (A note on the "stiffness". It seems a little inconsistent across the board of controllers I've used over the years, some have been better than others. Even with my personal controllers, one wired purple one seems a bit more stiff in the bottom-out of the press compared to my wavebird controller. Maybe I'm alone in this experience?) I know the gba isn't a perfect solution since it needs batteries, but it's what I had growing up and still have and it works for me just fine. Also the L and R buttons are great imo for fast twitch movement in games like the Mega Man Zero series. That said, I'd still like to get my hands on a hori controller one of these days. Great video as always, looking forward to the next one. ^_^

You're a 100% right about the Virtual On controller. That game set the bar for the ultimate arcade experience and I wasted many arcade tokens getting whooped in head to head. P.S. You got me with the genuine button mashing on the arcade stick. I was that kid. Cheers

I believe the children are the future.

I've heard of all except the Sega PlayStation gamepad. Sadly I don't own a single one of those. I wouldn't mind owning that Super Gameboy controller.

I love your humor man

I recently bought an arcade stick and now Street Fighter 6 a totally differnt beast. 👍

My weekend has been made! 👾❤

I've had quite a few controllers that were great. But the SNES controller is perfect. So for modern games I got one of those 8bitdo SNES style ones but with analog stcks and it connects to everything. I use it ALL THE TIME now! For pc and all my modern consoles. I carry it around with me on the daily...

I just sold off my saturn and all my games.Dumped a decent amount of money into it considering the ridiculous prices nowadays. I gave it a go and wasn’t impressed but i agree the controller was very nice for it’s age. I really liked the 3d control pad i got one with the nights into dreams bundle (in Japanese of course.) that console could’ve been much better but oh well, I’m just rambling at this point.

Great video. I love controllers!

You know, I actually got that mad catz n64 controller alongside ocarina of time pretty late in the n64's life. All out joysticks were a floppy mess so it actually was kinda nice lol.

I have used all 5 before. Sadly though I can say I only own the Old Skool version of the Hori GameCube controller and 3 different arcade sticks. I also own 2 of those Dreamcast/Saturn adapters by Brooks. On another note be careful with Brooks products some are great but some are bad. For example those USB adapters you show are bad. I do not recommend them at all they add a lot of lag to the button inputs.

I love the faces, man! Too funny

Show 'em off, I'm impressed!

Glad to see you back. Hopefully you had a nice break. But why you gotta come back and flex how much cool stuff you have, just seems rude! JK Glad to have you back. I watch your videos every Friday night while I'm doing bookwork at my job.

I didn't know about the Sega Playstation controller... Just bought one 😶

I got my son the hori GameCube in the long ago.

Tate PS1 monitor is a baller move.

PSOne in TATE mode is wild.

10:42 Oooops. Showing off your lack of Street Fighter knowledge their Bird. You can rotate faster by mashing the buttons and get more hits when using that super.

oh my, ps1 lcd tate

I own all 5

What game is that?

What... what did you do to Timmy?

First!

Thanks for another cool video big dog. I never feel like you are a show off, you come off as quite humble and simply passionate for what you do and what you want to show us!

2:49 - "Let's just hope we don't see it's (Gameboy Player) start up disc being encased and graded" - one of your best jokes, sir. Loved it

I missed you buddy, your videos bring me joy when I need them most. Glad you got a well earned vacation and welcome back

Someone had a nice vacation lol. Welcome back

Need to get me one of those Wu-Tang w shaped controllers for the PS1. I’m sure it’s horrible to actually use, but Wu-Tang ain’t nothing to f’ with, so I should probably just get one 🤷🏻‍♂️

One of my favourite controllers will always be the Tonka Dig'n Rigs keyboard attachment. Just straps over your keyboard and bingooo look mom I'm forklift certified. So much nostalgia from playing with it when I was a little (and not so little) kid and it's even kind of funny to try to figure out how to use it with different pc games.

Welcome back! 🍌

I've become a big advocate of Namco's PS1 neGcon controller. It was really well-respected by developers at the time, and you can find support for it on a bunch of racing games, even on the PS2. How well it's utilised depends on the game, but I'd say it's a must for Ridge Racer Type 4 fans. Having intricate control over how quickly you turn into corners, and how hard to lean into drifts, adds a whole new layer of depth to the game, and you're also able to map acceleration and braking to the analogue triggers, which makes the game feel refreshingly modern. If you can find one, buy it.

Had a Hori Gamcube controller when I had a GameCube. I never had an SG Commander. I currently have a (purple) Saturn controller for my PS2. I never had a Virtua Twin Stick. Would have been awesome for Virtual On. I have MANY arcade sticks. Mad Catz and some custom arcade sticks. All I use them for are fighting madness!I have changed the PCB to allow many to be universal from 360-PS5.

Fjb

Something that I call "The Lexus of PS2 controllers": The officially licensed wireless Logitech Dual Action controller. That controller looks cool, feels great, and works even better. AND incredible battery life on 2 AAs.

I was hoping to see the Saturn controller make the list, didn't know about the PS2 variant though. Great video, can't wait for more!

I love my hori Rap 4 Pro Arcade stick… it’s works on all platforms

Apple Pippin... Still never seen one in person yet

I have the Retro Fighter StrikerDC for the Dreamcast, and I quite like that one, it feels a bit more modern than the standard DC controller (which I've also grown to like). I want to pick up the PS2/PS3 Retro Fighters gamepad eventually that came out a few months ago.

Another great video! I’ve always been a fan of dragon warrior/quest. I remember when the 8th game came out that they released a special slime ps2 controller. I really wanted it but didn’t have a way of getting it. It’s too expensive now but I still remember it.

I have the Hori. I had no idea it had become so sort after in resent years.

If you could see me I am putting on shades and saying, my games don't come with controllers! (They are prebuilt as I only play on handhelds!) Anyway, if I did have a controller it would be the Super Game Boy Controller. Wait I still have the original NES Controller that I use and still works! So I guess I'm not fully handheld (taking my shades off) Play games or watch another Retro Bird Video? Now there's a hard question to solve!

I've got a Saturn and I love the controller. My Saturn Twin Stick is the best controller I've ever used, it makes the experience with Virtual On so much better (and actually, there's a couple more games, like Gungriffon 2, which can use it). I also could not imagine playing my Saturn fighting games without my vintage Hori fight stick.

None of these surprised me - except the Saturn PlayStation controller. What?? Lol. Now I’ve gotta have one…. Great!

I only Own a the arcade stick. But I own 3 of em. Hahaha but I've tried that Hori GAMECUBE controller. It's nice unfortunately I don't have the GBA player

Just started watching a month ago and now im addicted to your bannaner filled videos,keep up the good work!

Game boy player was a great idea, but they flopped the execution. Being able to run GBA games off hardware with a gamecube is awesome. The problem is thats where it ended. Why not have some resolution options so it isnt stretched and distorted? Imagine being able to play GBA games natively in 480p off hardware. Such a letdown in my opinion.

I bought saturn style controllers when I got my genesis mini 2. I mean, how could I not! I did try them out on my PS3 for fighting games. I like the ergos, but man...figuring out the button mapping took some work.

Retro Bird Happy You’re Back

Hmm... The only different controller I have is an 8bitdo controller I bought for my switch.

The Capcom Soldier gamepad for the 3DO...if you know, you know.

Let's gooooo

the steel battalion controller is great but the RNG in the later 2/3 of the game make it SO frustrating not worth it but im glad i had it

I swear you provide the best gifs ever with your facial expressions 😂 😂

Ikaruga? Don't you mean.....Bomp.....bomp bomp bomp.....bomp bomp bomp.....E-KA-RU-GAAAAAA.

Best controller I ever had was actually a madcatz microcon for gamecube. I already loved the GC controller, but the microcon was so perfect for my tiny hands. Didn't know there was a home twin stick for Virtual On. Even if its not the DC version, VO is my favorite cabinet of all time. The hotel we stayed at on our vacations when had an Oratorio Tangram for probably 6 years in a row and there was not much that made me feel cooler than jetting around with the twin stick.

The Bird is the Word. That PlayStation Saturn controller looks very nice. I want one.

Oh man, somewhere someone probably IS getting a gameboy player startup disc graded

One of my favorites growing up was the xbox controller that blew sir onto your palms.

Smashing buttons like when playing tmnt 2 arcade as a kid! That s nostalgia!

I'm about to pre-order the nitro deck for my birthday, it looks really great 👍

That's a goal of mine is to build a arcade Stick for my personal use.

I want an Arcade Stick for PS2, PS3 and Dreamcast.

I have a Street Fighter 4, stick for PS3...feels great

i liked what he had to say.

Always enjoy your content Retro Bird, thanks for all that you do!

This GameCube "SNES like" controller will probably work great with Zelda 1 and Zelda 2 on that Zelda Collector's Disc for GC and because most Wii consoles got GC compatibility, you know what I'm thinking about :)

After several weeks away, the R. Bird has returned!!

That Capcom arcade stick looks fun!

Don’t own any but the Saturn one and the gamecube snes one look cool

Another amazing video! Keep ‘em coming!!!

N64 Hori controller would be a good one to add to this list

I’m a arcade stick user 100%

I scored a mint Sega Genesis SG pro pad 6 button controller for $1 at the local flea market, it's a performer folks

Very cool topic as always and well addressed, you're consistently making some of the only videogame content I care about anymore my dude, I really appreciate what you're doing.

I kill for a virtual on controller for my DC 🥺

Your videos are top notch and enjoyable! Been binge watching and now subscribed! Keep up the good work and thank you for the videos!

Would love to hear your thoughts on a leverless, hitbox-style controller in the next vid. Some say no dpad is heresy, but its ergonomic, wont give you thumb indents and theyre surprisingly easy to use once you get accustomed to them

TIL that in the GB Donkey Kong you can go up ladders with the hammer. I had no idea

First, I have only Play with Pad. I have realized the Existenz for Arcade Stick, but don't have the Money back in the Day, so I have no try it. Until I was in Japan and Experience the Real Arcade Feel and I like it a lot! So in this moment, I like to try Arcade Stick, but it take a time to have the same or over Play able like the Pad. Today, I play almost with Arcade Stick! 👍😲

now im confused, the gamecube dpad IS bad, but i enjoyed my gameboy advance ... nothing makes sence any more

Super informative and entertaining as always! Keep up the good work as long as it makes you happy!

The fact that the HORI GCN pad keeps the original button layout is a deal breaker. If they had made it more like an SNES button layout, it would make fighting games such as Capcom VS SNK 2 EO actually playable.

My top recommendations are the negcon and jogcon for Ridge Racer Type 4, and the hori mini controller for most N64 games (it has a GameCube style analogue stick and is really cute). Also if, you're not japanese, the 6 button mega drive pad is a revelation.

I do have a fun and affordable suggestion for the N64 - my joystick was getting really weak over the years, so I decided to look into something that has a more durable joystick like the GameCube controller, and I ended up getting what I guess is called the iNNEXT gamepad? Anyway, it's quite different in appearance from the regular N64 gamepad (it kind of reminds me of the Dreamcast) but it actually feels great and plays quite well. The joystick can be a little more sensitive, but it hasn't been too big of an adjustment for me. Also for a long time I've wanted to get some kind of arcade pad, I'm hoping I can get one someday!

Oh man I want that Saturn PS2 controller SO BAD. The price is nuts now tho haha. I also want one of the Super Game Boy controllers. So awesome.