NES30/SNES30 Wireless Controllers - Compatible with RetroN5!
Posted: June 5th, 2015, 1:46 pm
I can't actually find out where I stumbled upon this again, but NES30/SNES30 wireless bluetooth controllers by 8Bitdo now feature a mode that allows them to work with RetroN5. It requires you to update your controller with a new firmware (which is currently in beta-testing.)
Here are the links to download the firmware updates:
NES30 / SNES30: Download Here
NES30 PRO / SNES30 PRO: Download Here
I had a little trouble updating the firmware at first. Here's what I had to do:
1. Hold down the Select button for 7 seconds to reset the Bluetooth pairings for the controller. (The instructions don't tell you to do this, but my Update button was grayed out until I did this step.)
2. Hold down Start + L + R for 3 seconds. Green and blue LED's on the controller will start flashing.
3. Connect the controller with USB Micro cable to your PC. Windows will install the drivers automatically.
4. Run the update software found in the links above.
5. Select the correct firmware and click Update.
6. Wait for the update to complete.
To sync the controllers with your RetroN5, do the following:
1. Hold down Start + L to start the controller in RetroN5 mode.
2. On the RetroN5, you'll need to use another controller to start the pairing process. Go into settings, and under Controllers pick Pair RetroN Controller.
3. Hold down A + B + L + R to simulate the Home button to sync the controller.
4. If the process fails, try again. It took me a few tries before it worked.
I messed around with both the NES30 and SNES30 for about a half hour last night. I did encounter one issue where the NES30 cut out and I had to resync it. I have no clue if this was a fluke, or if this will continue to be a problem. I'll have to play around with it some more. Keep in mind that this is BETA firmware, so this may be a bug that will be worked out by the official release.
The controllers feel nearly exactly like original NES and SNES controllers (with the addition of X, Y, L, and R buttons on the NES30). It feels much better to play these classic games with these replicas than with the stock RetroN5 controller and its clicky sticks.
Here are the links to download the firmware updates:
NES30 / SNES30: Download Here
NES30 PRO / SNES30 PRO: Download Here
I had a little trouble updating the firmware at first. Here's what I had to do:
1. Hold down the Select button for 7 seconds to reset the Bluetooth pairings for the controller. (The instructions don't tell you to do this, but my Update button was grayed out until I did this step.)
2. Hold down Start + L + R for 3 seconds. Green and blue LED's on the controller will start flashing.
3. Connect the controller with USB Micro cable to your PC. Windows will install the drivers automatically.
4. Run the update software found in the links above.
5. Select the correct firmware and click Update.
6. Wait for the update to complete.
To sync the controllers with your RetroN5, do the following:
1. Hold down Start + L to start the controller in RetroN5 mode.
2. On the RetroN5, you'll need to use another controller to start the pairing process. Go into settings, and under Controllers pick Pair RetroN Controller.
3. Hold down A + B + L + R to simulate the Home button to sync the controller.
4. If the process fails, try again. It took me a few tries before it worked.
I messed around with both the NES30 and SNES30 for about a half hour last night. I did encounter one issue where the NES30 cut out and I had to resync it. I have no clue if this was a fluke, or if this will continue to be a problem. I'll have to play around with it some more. Keep in mind that this is BETA firmware, so this may be a bug that will be worked out by the official release.
The controllers feel nearly exactly like original NES and SNES controllers (with the addition of X, Y, L, and R buttons on the NES30). It feels much better to play these classic games with these replicas than with the stock RetroN5 controller and its clicky sticks.