Using save states with 8BitDo gamepads un-pairs the controller

Middcore

I have two 8BitDo NES30 bluetooth controllers using Retropie 4.1 on a Raspberry Pi 3, using the re-made SD card image.

Trying to use the save state features causes the controller to disconnect, and it can't be reconnected unless I go into Bluetooth configuration and remove and re-register it completely.

I found a thread on the Retropie reddit from several months ago that mentioned a similar problem, but for that person the bug occurred only when trying to load a blank save state. For me it's when doing anything related to save states except changing the slot. I can pick between slots with Hotkey+left/right, but Hotkey+R1 to make a save state does nothing most of the time or sometimes disconnects the controller, and Hotkey+L1 to load a save state always disconnects the controller instantly.

(The Hotkey is bound to Select, as is the default.)

Any way around this? It essentially makes save states unusable.

pjft

Have you checked if that happens with a different hotkey?

Could it be that they set of keys resets the 8bitDo?

Middcore

@pjft said in Using save states with 8BitDo gamepads un-pairs the controller:

Have you checked if that happens with a different hotkey?

Could it be that they set of keys resets the 8bitDo?

I have not tried using a different hotkey. How do I change it? The NES30 controller doesn't really have any other unused buttons anyway. Edit: Could I set another button COMBINATION as the "hotkey"? Like for example R1+L1 together? Or does the hotkey have to be only one button?

I have found nothing in any documentation anywhere to suggest that the NES30 has a "reset" key combo.

meleu

@Middcore said in Using save states with 8BitDo gamepads un-pairs the controller:

It essentially makes save states unusable.

I have to disagree with this sentence. You can use save/load state through RGUI.

About the NES30, the manual says that if you press Select for 2 seconds the controller enters in paring mode. Maybe it's not your case (as you are using other combinations with no problem)...

Well, I couldn't find the on the web the same manual as the one that came with my NES30, but I remember that Start+R (and other combinations too) had a special function... Maybe Select+R and Select+L has a special and undocumented function...

Middcore

@meleu said in Using save states with 8BitDo gamepads un-pairs the controller:

@Middcore said in Using save states with 8BitDo gamepads un-pairs the controller:

It essentially makes save states unusable.

I have to disagree with this sentence. You can use save/load state through RGUI.

Could you please elaborate on how I can utilize this to make use of save states? Having a keyboard or other input device connected solely for this purpose is not really an option for me.

It appears I would need a joypad button or button combination mapped to enter the RGUI menu... and then I fear I would run into the same problem, because there appear to be some button combinations which for whatever reason unpair the controller.

meleu

@Middcore said in Using save states with 8BitDo gamepads un-pairs the controller:

Could you please elaborate on how I can utilize this to make use of save states?

Select+X in default configs. I use it frequently with my NES30 with no issues.

You'll see the RGUI menu, and you'll see an option to save/load state. Try it and see ;-)

Rave

Hello,

I have both a NES30 and a SNES30 (that are technically the same anyway), I had a problem first time I used them with strange disconnection when trying some combination.
It was due to an old firmware issue. Once updated to the last firmware the problem disappeared and the combination:

SELECT + R1 = Save state
SELECT + L1 = Load ave state

work without problem.

Maybe it is not related but check anyway if you have the last firmware on your 8bitdo controller

As mentioned by @meleu you can also use the GUI.

Hope it help

meleu

@Rave Yep, maybe it's the firmware thing.

@Middcore I forgot to mention, I tested those combinations to save/load state on my NES30 last night and everything runs fine. Check the 8bitdo site to see how to update your firmware.

Cheers.

BenMcLean

Whoah, holding select for 2 seconds to enter pairing mode is pretty bad. Like 20-30 seconds would be better (or even some more complex button combo) so you dont do it by accident.

Maybe theres custom firmware thatll change it?

Middcore

How old a firmware version are we talking about that had this problem? I got the controllers in August 2015 and updated them to whatever the latest firmware version was at the time.

The idea that Select for 2 seconds starts pairing mode is weird to me, I didn't have have to do that when I initially paired the controllers with Retropie... just had to start them in the right mode.

In any case I'll see if there's newer firmware I can install, thanks for the suggestion.

Middcore

Update: Installed the newest firmware for the controllers (4.0), whereas apparently I was previously on 2.65 or something like that.

One controller works and the bug even seems to be fixed.

The other controller now won't connect to Retropie at all.

Edit: Took me like an hour of fiddling but both controllers now connect properly and the save state bug is gone! Had a devil of a time getting Retropie to let me register and connect both pads at once for some reason.

Thanks for the suggestion to update the firmware, I had completely forgotten that I had done it when I first got the pads and I honestly wouldn't have thought a small Hong Kong company like 8BitDo would keep working on new firmware updates for so long - pleasantly surprised to be wrong. At least in the end the fix turned out to be relatively simple!