RetroPie forum home
    • Recent
    • Tags
    • Popular
    • Home
    • Docs
    • Register
    • Login

    8bitDo FC30 controller - any good?

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved General Discussion and Gaming
    8bitdo fc30 pro
    25 Posts 14 Posters 8.8k Views
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • saccublendaS
      saccublenda @A Former User
      last edited by saccublenda

      @itsnitro Don't know, I was playing A Link to the Past and I was getting my ass kicked all the time. Connected the SFC30 with usb and started playing like in the old times. Turning off the wi-fi helped a bit, though.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • buddyscottB
        buddyscott
        last edited by

        I am curious as to how many are using a dongle and if that helps with the lag. I know the built in bt and wifi arent that great on the pi 3. I am looking at picking one of these up and am probably gonna get a dongle for it too just to be safe.

        saccublendaS 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • saccublendaS
          saccublenda @buddyscott
          last edited by

          @buddyscott I am using the built-in bluetooth on pi3, I will try a dongle to see if that helps.

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • G
            gorgar
            last edited by

            I initially had issues with the built-in Bluetooth and connecting with the 8bitdo but I don't know if that was the build at the time? I've been using a dongle ever since and never noticed any lag.

            caver01C M 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • caver01C
              caver01 @gorgar
              last edited by

              @gorgar By "using a dongle" do you mean you switched to a controller that has a dedicated wireless dongle, or that you switched to using a dongle for bluetooth, same controllers?

              My 4-player cocktail style cabinet built as a custom "roadcase"

              G 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • G
                gorgar @caver01
                last edited by

                @caver01 yeah same controllers with Bluetooth dongle.

                caver01C 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • windjammersfanW
                  windjammersfan
                  last edited by

                  I've been using the 8butdo FC 30 Pro and NES 30 Pro with Pi3 on board bluetooth and no noticeable lag. Not the controllers the OP asked about but probably very similar spec. I've found them both to be very good.

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • caver01C
                    caver01 @gorgar
                    last edited by

                    @gorgar That's good news! Would you mind sharing the make/model of the dongle you are using? Maybe it doesn't matter much, but I figure a known working device is better than gambling on something. Besides, there are plenty of BT versions out there!

                    My 4-player cocktail style cabinet built as a custom "roadcase"

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • EldrethorE
                      Eldrethor
                      last edited by Eldrethor

                      I have the FC30 Pro and the NES30 Pro, and I have a love-hate relationship with those controllers. On one hand, they're really sleek and sturdy for a third-party controller, and I don't notice any input lag, so they're the best retro controllers that you can get right now. It's great if you're putting together a full retro ensemble (NES case, controllers, theme, CRT, etc).

                      But on the other hand, my PS2 controller performs way better in every possible way. When I compare the two, the NES30's D-pad feels clicky but almost to the point where it's a tad too stiff, which is not how it was on the original NES controller (or any first-party controller for that matter). I also think that the face buttons are small, and the L2 and R2 buttons are hard to reach (no faults of their, as I can't see where else on the controller that they could possibly go). The L3 and R3 buttons are perfect for activating hotkeys, but I otherwise haven't had a practical use for the analog sticks. If I play a PS1 game that uses analog, I use my PS2 controller to make the experience feel more "original".

                      Overall, it's still a good controller for what it is, and most retro games play just fine with them (fighting games are horrible on those things though), but it's in no way mind-blowing. Still, it's the highest quality retro controller that I'm aware of, and it goes really well with a retro Pi case.

                      RumblinBuffaloR 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                      • M
                        mikechi2 @gorgar
                        last edited by

                        @gorgar @itsnitro What kind of games do you play?

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • ?
                          A Former User
                          last edited by

                          Mostly SNES Games. I do dive in a little bit into Game Boy, but that's about it.

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • RumblinBuffaloR
                            RumblinBuffalo @Eldrethor
                            last edited by

                            @Eldrethor said in 8bitDo FC30 controller - any good?:

                            But on the other hand, my PS2 controller performs way better in every possible way.

                            I've been looking at controller options and was thinking about giving the 8Bitdo model(s) a try. I've used the iBuffalo's to this point.

                            But I've read a couple times (and now here!) about the great performance of the PS2 controllers. I have access to a couple of these already - but what I don't know, is what adapter to buy to hook them up?

                            Would you mind sharing which adapter you use to connect them to USB?

                            Thanks!

                            edmaul69E 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • edmaul69E
                              edmaul69 @RumblinBuffalo
                              last edited by

                              @RumblinBuffalo on ebay the ps1-2 adapters in the clear blue plastic work great for me. They were listed as hde brand on the ones inside my pistation 1. Dont buy single controller adapters other than the radio shack because they are really still 2 player adapters with the second player as the only useable player.

                              RumblinBuffaloR 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                              • RumblinBuffaloR
                                RumblinBuffalo @edmaul69
                                last edited by

                                @edmaul69 Thanks! I saw those on Amazon (HDE brand - blue plastic) for about $4 + shipping. I think I'll give them a try.

                                edmaul69E 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • edmaul69E
                                  edmaul69 @RumblinBuffalo
                                  last edited by

                                  @RumblinBuffalo no problem. I havent done it but i believe there is a post to make the rumble work on them.

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                  • Lyle_JPL
                                    Lyle_JP @A Former User
                                    last edited by

                                    @itsnitro Nope, I solved my lag issues by disabling the wifi radio completely and by turning off threaded video. There is still lag compared to the genuine article, but no more than expected with any emulation. It seems to be just as good now as when I was using wired controllers.

                                    I will say that the NES30 is a little small for my hands. I may need to pick up the SNES-looking equivalent.

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • J
                                      jamesbeat
                                      last edited by

                                      Why on Earth would you play Robotron and Smash TV with a controller? :D

                                      I'd advise you to stock with wired controllers. They have the best performance and never need to be charged, and besides, they are more authentic.

                                      10' extension cables are your friend :)

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • First post
                                        Last post

                                      Contributions to the project are always appreciated, so if you would like to support us with a donation you can do so here.

                                      Hosting provided by Mythic-Beasts. See the Hosting Information page for more information.