Buffalo Classic USB Gamepad for PC

I bought this controller because I, like most other reviewers use SNES Emulators a lot and wanted a more authentic SNES experience. Having previously used generic PC USB controllers in the veign of a PS2 controller, you never get the feel of an official SNES controller even if you have the basic button layout. I have also never owned a SNES although I had enough friends who had/has one to get a feel of the controller, though I haven't handled an official one in nearly 10 years.If memory serves, this controller feels at least 99% identical to an official one, though I can't comment too much on the authenticity or do a direct comparisson, although there's enough feedback elsewhere praising it's authenticity including a Youtube video review where a guy spends a good part of it picking up this one and the official SNES controller and playing with the buttons commenting that they feel identical. (As well as the other reviews for this product. Even if you're interested in retro gaming, but never owned any of the old consoles I would recommend this because the clicky-ness and responsive-ness of the buttons and D-Pad are very impressive. (no nasty mushy or spongy D-Pads or buttons here). Setting the controller up is a snap. It's a generic DirectInput device so Windows will recognise it and know exactly what to do with it straight away, it also claims to be compatible with Windows versions from Windows 98 through to XP though my box has got extra stickers put on to include Windows 7 - 10. (this is a technology that has been perfected years ago but I'm glad they haven't locked compatibility behind a reliance on proprietry drivers which cause issues with other hardware or software or make the controller unrecognisable by other devices like Android Tablets etc.). After connecting the controller, it's a case of mapping the buttons to the ones on the controller in your preffered emulator. I have tried this out so far with Super Mario World, Yoshi's Island, Micro Machines, Super Mario Kart, Street Fighter 2 Turbo and F-Zero and haven't stopped being amazed at how good this controller feels for these games, it is so natural you will feel like your PC, laptop or tablet has been transformed into a SNES. There are 2 (very very, VERY) minor nitpicks that I have for this controller. They have zero impact on the actual use of the controller but I feel it worth mentioning for some reason. 1:I would have liked Windows to recognise the name of the controller rather than only reffering to it as a "USB, 2 axis 8 button gamepad" (though this might make the controller less compatible with other devices as another controller that I have which Windows does show the name of doesn't work with Android). 2: I personally would have liked a font for the Start/Select (and Turbo/Clear Buttons) which was more like the one present on the official SNES controller, for some reason the bold non-italic font is mildly bothering to me. (this is actually because this is modelled after the Super Famicom, the Japanese SNES whch uses that font... oh well) 3:This is a Japanese product, therefore, it ships from Japan, if you have an Amazon Prime membership or a pending free trial, I would probably recommend using it if the seller will let you, I used a cheaper seller so I couldn't anyway but the controller took about 2 and a half weeks to get to me from when I ordered it. Unfortunately, most Japanese sellers I've seen on Amazon only use basic airmail rather than paying the extra couple of hundred Yen to upgrade to registered airmail which is so much more reliable and you can track where your item is as well as reduces delays. This just means you either have to wait, or shop elsewhere if you want it fast. (so worth the wait though). The box and manual are also in Japanese so if you can't read or interpret it (I'm semi-fluent in Japanese and struggle with the explanation of how the Turbo and Clear buttons work), though there's enough English on the box to help you out. In conclusion, if you are looking for a controller for your SNES emulator which provides an authentic experience, look no further. Seriously, the only way you will get a more authentic experience is with an official SNES controller and a pad converter. (but would it be worth it?) . Would I recommend this controller? YES! if you use a SNES Emulator, this is a worthy addition to your gaming arsenal, I would only not recommend it perhaps if you have a decent enough controller that you use for your emulators or maybe if you really, really despise the SNES controller, or if you honestly looked at this, read all about it and didn't get the urge to buy one.

I still get to play on SNES consoles and I'm familiar with the weight and feel of an official control pad. This replica from Buffalo although really, really good, is not quite spot on. The D-pad is slightly more raised, and it's a little bit clicky! its lighter too, and the plastic perhaps cheaper. Also the cable is not as long as on a traditional SNES controller, maybe slightly over 2 feet long... however don't let those things get in the way, this replica is accurate when playing games! Finding diagonals are no problem, you'll be performing hadoukens and spinning-bird kicks with ease. The face and shoulder buttons are great; they're just the right thickness and feel like they do on an old SNES joypad, and the Start & Select buttons have that SNES fleshy-plasticy feel down to a tee! I'm not a console purist, though. I appreciate emulation (been using it on and off since 2002) for giving me the chance to play games I was never able to find then and couldn't afford now. The downside to emulation of course, is using a keyboard instead of a joypad, which makes playing console games a pain in the backside; as a result I've never really had much fun playing emulated SNES games (apart from RPG's and Bomberman). This controller brings all those glorious SNES days back! Finally I can last more than five seconds on Super Ghouls & Ghosts (12 seconds now!), but what's really interesting is that my feeble 'can't play console games with a keyboard' brain is properly freed up to appreciate those awesome SNES graphics and sounds again. Street Fighter II (and Turbo, and Alpha 2) play sublimely. Contra III, which is a mess on keyboard and no mistake, is just superb with this controller; the difference is like night and day. The ability to edge your way with pixel perfection around a Mario Kart track, or weave through a space minefield whilst powering up a super shot in R-Type III... all that muscle memory is there just waiting to let rip again. For the price of a few pints at the pub; this is a purchase and a half! Just one caveat then: If you're a dyed-in-the-wool SNES purist who insists on 100% authenticity; then steer clear. If you're a casual/regular gamer who loved the SNES/16-bit days and you want to experience that again, this is a great device. I tested the Buffalo controller on a Mac running OSX El Capitan. The emulator was OpenEMU. All I had to do to get it running was open the Preferences window in Open EMU and map the controls to the Buffalo controller, which took all of 10 seconds. It can also be similarly configured to emulate your Megadrive, NES, Master System, PC Engine, GBA controllers. Loads of fun. There are Bluetooth versions of this controller that will do the same thing, but they cost well over twice as much. It only took two days for standard free delivery, too. Excellent service!

It seems like old is gold lately, with design, fashion and grooming all taking a turn back to years gone by for inspiration. Gaming is no exception, and with solutions like the Raspberry Pi optimising affordability and portability, there's no better time to recreate the experiences we had as kids, jumping on mushrooms, thwarting Dr Robotic's evil plans, and reaching the last stage of the lion king for the 50th time, yet still failing to find the right combination of buttons to chuck that darn Scar over the ledge! But the experience just doesn't quite feel right with a chunky X-box controller, for an immersive retro gaming experience you simply can't beat the simplicity and practicality of the old Snes controller. Remember when controllers had less than 50 buttons and no analogue sticks, yet the games could be just as difficult... if not more so? This controller is about as close to the SNES as I could find. What's more it's solid, durable and you can really feel the old 'click' when you press the buttons just like the classic controllers of the 90s. I was torn between this and an earlier looking NES based model, but with only the A and B buttons, it would have been difficult to use with the 3 button mega drive games, so this felt like a more rounded solution. I used it with a Raspberry Pi and the RetroPie software, and once that was set up the controller itself was literally plug in, configure... Play. Easy! Why not 5 stars? I thought the UK price was a bit high, for the patient amongst us it seemed that you can request this from a seller abroad and pay £4 no postage and packaging fees, bargain! I however am not as patient and wanted it the next day with prime... Still a 200% markup (just over £12 in total) felt a bit excessive. As for the hardware however, a top controller, 100% recommended. I have had mine for 3 weeks now... And have been using it non stop, there have been no signs of defects or loss of performance during this time.

I've bought cheap third party pads before and they're often shoddy and somewhat imprecise in terms of control. This pad isn't like that. The buttons and d-pad are responsive and feel like a quality build that you would get from a genuine SNES pad. I've done Ryus moves consistently and without problems. It feels comfortable to use and the pad itself feels rigid, unlike other cheap pads. The cable length is good and feels sturdy enough at the pads end. I've been using this for a few months and it's still going strong. The only fault I could find, although it feels trivial to me, is that there is a mark on the plastic near the d-pad about 3/4s of an inch long. Otherwise, in terms of build quality, it is flawless. The box says that it works on Windows 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000 and Me. I got the pad to work on Windows 10 also. I never had any problems trying to use the pad for the first time, as sometimes you need the right software and it's not immediately obvious what you need. The turbo/clear buttons also work fine. For the price, this makes this the pad to get.

I purchased two of these gamepads to use with my Raspberry Pi 2, which I use to emulate various old games consoles. They are perfect! I simply plugged them in and they were recognised by the system and worked straight away. No software installation or fiddling with any settings! The build quality seems very good and, although I have only used them for a few weeks so far, I suspect they are likely to last a long time. There is no "clicking" or uneven resistance developing in the buttons or d-pad as sometimes happens after some use. The pads feel sturdy and solid when held and have been dropped a couple of times (in excitement!) and have suffered no ill effects. So if you want specifically a USB version of the SNES pads, or just generally a really good gaming pad, then you should definitely go for these! I have not come across anything that looks better. Good value for money for what I paid too (£9.95 each).

Quality ok. A few months in though the direction pads are starting to wear out.

These controllers suffer from a "phantom input" issue, i.e. the D-PAD registers inputs when there are none. For more information you can Google the threads on Reddit and the RetroPie forums about this issue, which remains unresolved. I would avoid these controllers, if for no other reason than to send a message to Buffalo that design defects like these are unacceptable.

The build quality and responsiveness is awesome. However - every so often it'll randomly trigger the right input on the d-pad. Looking around this appears to be a common issue with these controllers. It's so annoying when you randomly move / turn to the right. I also have to unplug it from my Android box when not in use as it randomly scrolls through menus or skips videos forward.

I grabbed these for a RetroPi/Emulator pc project I've been planning. Honestly, I was hesitant ordering these as I've heard poor reviews for other retro style USB brands, but the reviews on this product seemed positive so I ordered 2 of them. I have to say now that I have one in my hand, they seem well made and the buttons are responsive. Although they feel a little lighter than the original SNES/Famicom, they work as described. I plugged one into my PC, and Windows 10 recognized it right away, and within a minute I was playing. When I opened the box, I was actually very impressed by the packaging they came in. I was expecting something cheap looking and thrown together, but the box and plastic insert looked legit and they even placed a Thank You card in the shipping box, which was a nice touch. Also, they were shipped from Japan to Canada with no tracking number and a 2-3 period for delivery (Expected delivery Feb 22-March13). I was a little put off by this, but I've ordered from that side of the world before so I knew what I was in for. I am happy to say they arrived prior to the quoted expected delivery date. All in all I am happy with them. For the price, they seem well made, and have a good length cord. I'd recommend these to anyone looking for a solid usb retro snes controller

Sencillamente se siente como el control original! El material es ligero pero a la vez no lo es tanto, y su peso se siente como el de Nintendo, permitiendo inmediata comodidad. Los botones son responsivos, no hacen ningún tipo de click ni tardan en volver a su posición: El juego es natural y el control no interfiere con la manera de jugar; además a un muy buen precio! No le veo pero, está muy bien y los extra botones que trae son de utilidad!

I've got an original SNES usb controller that I bought from Infinite Nes Lives for 50 bucks. The quality of that controller is flawless but the price tag was tough to swallow. I wanted a 2nd SNES pad for 2 player action but just couldn't bring myself to pay another 50 dollars so I did some research and discovered the buffalo brand has quite a following from new and old gamers alike. For the price, I couldn't say no and decided to get one. I'm happy to report that it performs flawlessly and feels great. Side by side comparisons vs the original Japan controller (as most likely noted by numerous reviewers here) are that the buffalo controller is slightly lighter, slightly thinner and vs the original famicom pad, the dpad is slightly elevated on the buffalo controller. The differences are marginal and the only REAL noticable difference to my seasoned retro gaming hands is the lighter weight of the buffalo controller. I have ordered a roll of lead tape and will weigh out a strip of that and apply it onto the inside wall of the back half of the controller shell to match the weight of the original controller. Other than that minor nit-picking there is very little to complain about. If I had to change anything, it'd be to have the turbo buttons moved further up towards the top of the game pad. It's easy to accidentally press them instead of start/select. I don't actually use them so I may end up just removing the buttons all together. I've attached numerous photos comparing the weight of the 2 game pads and thickness at various parts of the controller. Bottom line is that if you want a near 100% authentic replica of the original super famicom game pad, look no further. Yes there are minor differences but the price gap between a real one and this one is FAR beyond the point of diminishing returns in my opinion unless you're a collector, which in that case, you most likely already have one or more of the original game pads anyways.

Just a forward, I have not touched an official SNES controller in over 15 years, but when I picked this up, I got an overwhelming rush of nostalgia. This feels exactly like I remember, the button pressure, the material, the build quality all superb. The only difference I have noticed was that the Y and X buttons are not concave like they were on the original NA SNES. Not a huge deal to me, but it may throw some off. As far as I can see with images, all of the face buttons seem to be convex on the JP Super Famicom controller, and this is a Japanese product, so from what I can tell, it is accurate for that market. The install on an up-to-date (as of July 2018) Windows 10 machine was quick and easy. No additional software was needed, and Windows picked it up right away and installed the needed drivers. I was able to then map the buttons in SNES9x with no issues. I also noticed on the packaging that it is Android compatible I will try this on my Note8 (2017) and update my review (see photo). The input is 1:1 from what I can tell. I do NOT notice any delays or missed presses. So far I have tried Super Mario World, Street Fighter II Turbo, and Mega Man 2 (The Turbo was tested on Mega Man 2 with no issues). I was able to play all of them as well as I could back in the day (See: not great). The price may be a bit much for some ($15 at the time of purchase) but I feel that it is worth it if you are looking for an authentic controller experience. Overall this is a great controller, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to emulate NES/SNES games on a modern machine.

I can happily say I love this product! The build of this controller is both firm but also well made. The controller itself feels nice in the hands, and the plastic used to make the controller is definitely a premium build. The buttons used feel nice and responsive and don't feel mushy or unusable. The length of the cord in a very nice length and is perfect for retro gaming. Pros: Premium build Responsive Nice feel Solid Works right out of the box Cons: Takes forever to arrive I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants some nostalgia with a controller, or just somebody that wants a controller that you can plug in and play!