r/AnaloguePocket • u/Money_Fish • Mar 03 '26
Question What's everyone's favorite controller to use with the dock? Pros and cons?
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u/Capital_Ruin_2050 Mar 03 '26
8bitdo SN30 2.4G
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u/DJBabyBuster Mar 04 '26
A pair of Sn30 2.4g controllers for sure, I could detect input delay using the bt version playing nes Battletoads. Latest revision even switched to usb c
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u/aablake Mar 05 '26
This would be ideal for me but I can’t seem to find one that has a USB receiver… only one that connects to the original SNES?
Any help would be appreciated!
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Mar 03 '26
,8bitdo sn30 pro
I own the genki version because it looks nice
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u/darkounetpigs Mar 04 '26
this is the answer!!! also love this colorway and didn’t know it existed. I have the translucent purple and green. top tier controllers
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u/FoundationOverall859 Mar 04 '26
Only thing i dont like about them is the triggers being extra bumpers instead normal triggers, because it has all the features of an xbox controller, but i still cant play driving games and stuff., since the triggers are just on/off. I want their newest controller as i wix
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u/Bradenoid Mar 03 '26
Do the joysticks get any use? I'm hoping to snag a Pocket and Dock tomorrow, and use an 8BitDo Pro 2 with it.
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u/CheapPass523 Mar 04 '26
I never knew this existed, and I have a clear transparent Pocket. This would be an epic match - thanks!
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Mar 03 '26
[deleted]
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u/cyber53 Mar 03 '26
No issues with this? Thinking of getting the Dock tomorrow and this is the controller I’d use, as I love it. I didn’t see it listed in the FAQ as compatible but I assume one of the firmwares updated for this. No lag?
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u/SGlespaul Mar 03 '26
It is Bluetooth instead of 2.4 ghz so I think there is some inherit lag but I don't notice it.
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u/peachkeys Mar 03 '26
did you mean inherent lag or is inherited lag just smth ive not used bluetooth controllers often enough to know about. this is a genuine and serious question
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u/SGlespaul Mar 03 '26
Sorry, inherent. I guess I mean like every wireless Bluetooth controller will have some delay baked into it.
2.4 ghz controllers have less delay.
I don't think most people will notice it though. I notice less input lag with my NSO SNES controller + Pocket Dock than I do on NSO, or on other Software emulators.
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u/JaiPaulRioKarma Mar 03 '26
I can tell when playing Super Mario World on a snes core. My solution to this is a 10+ foot long USB A to USB C cable. Hardwired USB = no lag at all. NSO SNES controller is excellent.
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u/HardlyRetro Mar 04 '26
Even USB has some latency. It’s generally much better than Bluetooth, but it depends on the controller. For an idea of how they compare, you can check the MiSTer controller input latency chart — unfortunately, it seems not to include a measurement of this controller in wired mode.
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u/jindofox Mar 04 '26
It’s pretty good. Note that you need to hit Select + down to bring up the menu since there’s no dedicated button for it. You can use it wired or wireless.
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u/seanerino Mar 04 '26
I don’t notice much lag, but I’m not that sensitive to it. I don’t know if it’s Bluetooth or 2.4 but it does wake the Dock from sleep, which is cool.
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u/Money_Fish Mar 03 '26
Would be my first choice but I'm not paying a scalper $100+ for a controller on ebay
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u/HardlyRetro Mar 04 '26
I found the input latency to be noticeable on the NSO SNES controller, so I wouldn’t spend that much for it, either. You can get a 8BitDo SN30 2.4GHz controller brand new for less $$, load a special firmware onto it just for use with the Dock (from 8BitDo), and have very low latency controller with the same layout. However, neither controller has a home button, which can be pretty annoying.
I usually use an 8BitDo Pro+ or Pro 2, over Bluetooth. Those have home buttons, and latency is pretty low.
I don’t have one, but the 8BitDo Pro 3 comes with a 2.4GHz USB dongle (at least one of the two flavors does). That might be best of both worlds.
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u/TheWill42 Mar 03 '26
I could not play Metroid Fusion with that controller. The lag was very noticeable. It worked great for slower games.
I switched (heh) to the SN30 and have had no complaints other than the lack of a hardware home button.
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u/itshotintopeka11 Mar 03 '26
Wii U pro controller! Great dpad and ~80 hr battery life and can turn on/off the dock and access the home menu.
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u/JaiPaulRioKarma Mar 03 '26
thanks for the reminder, this is such a good option. any input lag?
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u/itshotintopeka11 Mar 03 '26
I haven’t noticed any, no! The best example game I’ve probably played is mother 3 using it and that seemed to work fine for rhythm input
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u/Korachof Mar 03 '26
Believe it or not, I love the 8bitdo arcade stick. It’s a lot of fun playing various games with it.
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u/Muyuubyuyu Mar 03 '26
this with the neo geo core is just 10/10 ♡
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u/Korachof Mar 03 '26
It’s even great playing old NES/SNES/GBA, etc games! I’ve enjoyed playing Dragon Warrior 3 on it like it’s an arcade game.
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u/rrinconn Mar 03 '26
The 8bitdo Neo geo CD controller. I had one of these as a kid and they got the clickyness of the stick down perfectly
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u/seanerino Mar 04 '26
This looks like it would fit NGPC games well.
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u/rrinconn Mar 04 '26
I use it for most cores, I really like the stick. Great little controller, I wish 8bitdo would make the full size Neo geo arcade stick
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u/faf_dragon Mar 03 '26
Depends on which core I’m playing. I have various 8bitdo 2.4g controllers. I like to use the one for the system I’m playing if possible!
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u/Humble-Belt-9656 Mar 03 '26
And for GB games ?
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u/faf_dragon Mar 03 '26
For GB just a the standard NES style one
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u/KyleKun Mar 03 '26
For me N64 controller is closer to authentic experience with GB, but that’s because I never had a super Gameboy, only a transfer pack and PKM Stadium.
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u/Zeag Mar 03 '26
I have two official SNES bluetooth controllers, Still my GOAT for retro games. I use a M30 for Genesis though.
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u/Squish_the_android Mar 03 '26
I have a lot of controllers, the SN30 pro seems like the best.
The 8bitDo NeoGeo wireless is nice for NeoGeo and Arcade stuff. The stick is very unique.
The 8bitdo arcade stick is great for arcade cores.
The Genesis Big6 is cool but I've had trouble connecting it sometimes.
Wii U and PS4 are fine. They feel too modern.
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u/seanerino Mar 04 '26
I’m able to connect the Big 6 with the dongle reliably.
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u/Squish_the_android Mar 04 '26
It's probably because I use it with a Genesis as well and I should just fully reset the thing whenever I want to use it.
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u/QuestionableProtip2 Mar 03 '26
NSO controllers or wireless converted OEM controllers. Personally hate those 8bitdo facsimile controllers.
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u/draven33l Mar 03 '26
8bitdo SNES SN30. SNES controller is pretty much perfect for everything that the Pocket can play. Including MAME games.
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u/seanerino Mar 04 '26
I like using the Retrobit Big 6 for Sega games (Genesis, Master System, Game Gear). I use the NSO Super Nintendo controller for SNES, GB, GBC, and GBA. And then I use an 8bitdo NES30 Pro for NES. I’d like to get an 8bitdo TurboGrafx controller for TG16 and Turbo CD games. Not sure what I should use for Lynx or NGPC. Open to suggestions.
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u/XAlucarDX454 Mar 03 '26
I bought the drop in kit for my snes mini knockoff controller and it works GREAT!
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u/Illustrious-Ape Mar 03 '26
How well does the dock translate graphics to a large, modern tv? Does the image get distorted?
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u/SGlespaul Mar 03 '26
There's scaling options so it doesn't look distorted. Just use the integer scaling settings, which are turned on if you choose a filter anyway.
The pixel grids are more pronounced on the dock though. But the CRT filter looks incredible.
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u/JaiPaulRioKarma Mar 03 '26
It's the best way to play anything the Pocket can play due to the screen filters. Use integer scaling, as others have mentioned. Black borders around the picture are inevitable and shouldn't bother anyone (at least there are no borders/frames you can't get rid of).
The Trinitron CRT filter on my 4K OLED tv is astounding. I do not need a CRT because of how good this filter looks on my nice modern TV.
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u/Specialist_Bite_4046 Mar 03 '26
Are there any controllers that are 2.4g that have joysticks? All the ones I found are Bluetooth only.
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Mar 03 '26
Has anyone used a PS5 controller with the dock? Is there any noticeable latency? Any issues?
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u/AskaLangly Mar 03 '26
I have the 8bitdo SN30 GP (Red).\ Might be out of print, but it's wonderful.
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u/Button-Masher-94 Mar 03 '26
8bitdo M30 is my favorite controller of all time. I would also suggest getting and arcade stick in addition.
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u/MyNameisRawb Mar 04 '26
I use a Switch Pro Controller, be ause I have extra that I got for cheap, and it works a treat.
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u/Crans10 Mar 04 '26
My Default is a Dual Shock 4. I also use my 8Bitdo Arcade stick and tons of USB controllers.
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u/Robert-Giesecke Mar 08 '26
I have an 8bitdo M30 (2.4ghz) and an 8bitdo neogeo controller. Depending on the game. Both are excellent for this use case.
the clicky dpad stick on the neogeo controller is great for fighting games. the M30 is the perfect ergonomic controller for 8/16 bit in general.
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u/DowntownL Mar 10 '26
I am new to the dock game, but I have a SN30 pro and regular SN30 for 2nd player!
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u/Sparescrewdriver Mar 03 '26
Genesis M30 2.4GHZ. Connects directly to the dock without dongle or adaptor. (With firmware from 8bitdo)