8Bitdo NEOGEO Wireless Controller for Windows, Android, and NEOGEO mini with Classic Click-Style Joystick - Officially Licensed by SNK (Black Edition)

I have not used a “retro” controller in many years so when I first picked it up, it felt a little strange with how flat or thin it was. This is probably due to the controller having a pair of shoulder buttons instead of triggers like the standard Xbox and Playstation design. After a few minutes of usage my index and middle finger quickly got accustomed to the design. My only minor complaint here is the location of the button for selecting between wireless or Bluetooth which resides at the back of the controller. My middle finger naturally rests where the button is located but never pressed it by mistake. I chose the Terry Bogard version primarily because it was on sale for $19.99 at time of purchase. While the KOF 97 art is great, having pixilated flames printed on the controller actually doesn’t look that great in person. My personal preference would have been for the non graphic controller and maybe a good alternative would have been different color versions or probably higher resolution art from KOF13 etc. Still, it is great that these options are even available. I have never used a NeoGeo controller before so I can’t compare it to the original but my god this thumb stick is amazing for playing retro games, particularly fighting games. After a few play sessions I was able to easily pull of special moves in fighting games in either direction. This is pretty decent as I don’t always want to pull out a big arcade stick anytime I want to have a quick play session. The thumb stick is satisfyingly clicky and uses a 4 way restrictor gate. The thumb stick itself is made out of hard plastic so it should not wear out like the average rubber thumb stick. There is a single protrusion made at the top of the stick for grip and it works well as my thumb never slid off the stick during my play sessions. The buttons on the other hand took a while to get use to as they are much bigger than an average controller. Strangely, I had a harder time pressing two horizontal buttons simultaneously like “C” and “D” when compared to an Xbox or PS equivalent. It has six buttons in total so it should work great for indies or retro games with similar button layouts. It would be great to see an updated version of this in the future with six face buttons and extra triggers. Before purchase I had seen mention of dead zones in some of the diagonal directions of the thumb stick. Fortunately I did not experience this so they issue may have been rectified or I was just lucky with the unit I got. The unit was plug and play on Ubuntu 23.10 and worked flawlessly wired, wireless or with Bluetooth. A USB adapter is also provided for connecting the wireless adapter to a NeoGeo mini console. I have tested this on some NeoGeo classics on PC like KOF98 Ultimate, Metal Slug X, Samurai Showdown collection and various indie games. I am currently having another run through of an indie gem named Iconoclast and having a blast as the controller just feels natural. I have never played a real NeoGeo console and probably never will so I am glad that this controller exists. For the hardcore enthusiasts, it may not replace your arcade sticks but it is good “pad” alternative and is also excellent for indie and retro games.

Although I'm an SNK fan, I never got to actually try out the Neo Geo CD console or its controller as of the time of this review, so I can't really make much of a comparison on how well this controller holds up to the original NGCD controller. But what I can definitely say is that this controller works very well! :) The micro switch thumbstick is very responsive and has a very nice clicky feel to it, which I imagine is on-par with the original controller. The buttons are also very responsive and all work well. I don't know how well it compares to the original pads, but from what I've seen, it's pretty close, if not identical. I've tried a couple of neo geo games on PC with the controller and they all work fantastic. I've also tried out some steam games with it and they worked pretty well too. :) Obviously this controller won't work well with certain games that require more than six buttons (considering the controller only has four face buttons and two shoulder buttons.) but I got this controller with the intention to use it more on neo geo games and games that use six buttons or less, so this is not a dealbreaker for me. I've heard mixed opinions on the neo geo mini controllers that are replicas of the NGCD controller. As with the original pad, I've never got to use one of those as well, so I also cannot make any comparisons with those too, but if you were disappointed by how those versions were built, I think you will be very happy with this new controller as an upgrade to those mini pad controllers. :) Especially since this controller can also be used on the neo geo mini itself! (I'm assuming it can be used on the Neo Geo Arcade Pad Pro as well, but I'd look this up just in case as I don't own that console either.) As of this review, the controller is advertised to work with Windows PC, Android devices, and Neo Geo Mini. From what I heard, a beta firmware was released that allows it to be used on the Nintendo Switch and Analogue Dock, but I'd advise you to google for more information on that department. Would be great for them to eventually release firmware updates to officially support those systems. Also heard the controller works great for the Mister. Overall, this is a fantastic replica of the NGCD controller and definitely one I'd recommend for any SNK fans out there. :) Although I'd recommend just getting the standard version of the controller as oppose to the special edition that have character sprites from the king of fighters games printed onto the controllers.

I've had the 8BitDo NeoGeo controller for a little over a week using it with my Steam Deck via bluetooth and my Nobara Linux pc with the 2.4 GHz dongle and both connections work just fine on PC. The build quality is really great. I've had it for over a week and I have yet to charge the battery. The NeoGeo pad itself looks very just like the original 1994 pad from what I've seen. I haven't tested it out on my Android phone yet, but as previously mentioned, compatibility on PC is not a problem. Overall, the 8BitDo NeoGeo pad very much worth the 30 bucks I paid for it. I recommend it if you want a tactile arcade joystick feel when playing vintage games.👍

**Review of the 8Bitdo NEOGEO Wireless Controller** The 8Bitdo NEOGEO Wireless Controller is a game-changer for retro gaming enthusiasts. Its extensive compatibility with Windows, Android, and NEOGEO mini makes it a versatile addition to any gaming setup. The excitement around this controller is well-deserved, given its impressive capabilities and broad compatibility. ### Key Features: - **Compatibility**: Works seamlessly with Windows, Android, and NEOGEO mini, making it a versatile choice for various platforms. - **Design**: Perfectly crafted for classic games, it brings the authentic arcade experience to your fingertips. - **Versatility**: Supports a wide range of consoles, including SNES, Genesis, Saturn, and PSX, ensuring you can enjoy your favorite games across different systems. ### Performance: The controller's responsive buttons and ergonomic design provide a comfortable and immersive gaming experience. Whether you're reliving the glory days of arcade gaming or diving into classic console titles, the 8Bitdo NEOGEO Wireless Controller delivers exceptional performance. ### Conclusion: The 8Bitdo NEOGEO Wireless Controller stands out with its extensive capabilities and compatibility. It's a must-have for anyone looking to enhance their retro gaming experience, offering the perfect blend of nostalgia and modern functionality.

I mostly like the feel of this controller. It's lightweight but feels robust, all of the buttons are high quality rubber domes with tight tactile feedback, and despite the decidedly retro form factor it's comfortable to hold. What lets me down is the joystick. I use an arcade stick for fighting games, and I think the joystick in this is *so close* to replicating that same feeling in a pad. I think the diagonals could stand to be a bit bigger, and the deadzone smaller. Someone could probably get used to this, though, and between the feedback and the square gate I would choose this 9 times out of 10 compared to a normal gamepad. I still have consistency issues with quarter circles and DP inputs, but how much of that is the controller versus my own unfamiliarity with pads for fighting games I can't say. Otherwise, it feels like a high quality controller for retro games, and I'm looking forward to using it more where it's appropriate.

This controller is outstanding. Fantastic look, feel, and responsiveness. Excellent build quality. Has “clicky” buttons that provide far better feedback than the original USB C wired controllers made for the Neo Geo Mini. Zero input lag noticed and I even have mine going through a HDMI matrix and a Kramer VP-729 (output via VGA) to play at 4:3 640x480 on my CRTs. Includes the USB C to USB A adapter, so you’re all set right out of the box! Overall, a big upgrade over the original controller for the Neo Geo Mini and now no cord dangling around. I got the Terry Bogard edition. Only quirk is that the button layout is different than the stock Neo Geo Mini controller. Something to get used to, but does not detract one bit from this otherwise flawless design. Highly recommended for Neo Geo Mini owners and it also works with many other consoles and PC emulation too and has the choice of using the 2.4 GHz dongle or Bluetooth.

This is my new favorite controller not just for NEOGEO but also for Atari 2600. I absolutely LOVE the "clicky" directional pad. I use it for playing Atari 2600 games that reward quick control inputs such as H.E.R.O. as the tactile feedback from the click stick is perfect. It also feels very sturdy. Solidly made. I think it will last a long, long time. I've used it for hours at a time and never had an issue with battery life. The built in turbo mode (the button with the star icon) is excellent. I honestly have nothing at all bad to say about this. I don't normally write reviews but I felt compelled to do so because this is an OUTSTANDING product. I also own another 8BitDo controller (the M30) and it's just as high quality as this. This company knows how to make an excellent controller. Absolutely love it!

I own pretty much every 8bitdo model in the market except the tiny ones. I got used to celebrating every new 8bitdo purchase and this is no exception though I’d like to point out a few things based on my experience. Packaging is fine, white box with a pull away art cardstock cover, displaying the game character, Terry Bogard, in my case. Nothing special here. Controller, usb c cable, and usb dongle in the box. Same as previous models. I wish size were a bit bigger, but specially I find it a little too low-weight for my taste which makes it feel a bit cheap. The buttons were not as responsive playing metal slug which I tested it with. I noticed some slight input lag. They don’t show up or stand out at all. Just sitting there, with a pale matte finish which makes it look dull and I was starting to get slight cramps and fatigue after 30 minutes or so due to the controller’s ergonomics. The stick is clicky, registers all inputs easily but I wish it had a longer travel distance from the center. Just my personal taste. Height is ok. Connectivity was a breeze on Pc. Just plug in the dongle and pair in less than one minute and you’re good to go. The way they printed the KOF characters on the plastic gives it an extra positive point as it is not made with cheap decals but some other kind of printing that will not be peeling off and will definitely be sweat-proof. I would give this product 4 stars and I will absolutely keep collecting all new 8bitdo controllers and accessories to come in the future.

Ce petit pad fonctionne à merveille avec la Neo mini. Il est très réactif en 2.4ghz . J'ai possédé le pad Neo Geo CD original (qui avait fini par rendre l'âme) et je lui préférais les énormes manettes, car il ne brillait pas dans les jeux de combat. L'ergonomie et la précision sont ici au rendez-vous. J'espère qu'il sera aussi plus solide que le pad SNK d'origine qui contrastait avec la longévité mes arcade sticks Neo Geo qui ont 30 ans !

Une manette de bonne qualité mais une autonomie de batterie très faible. Je joue 2heures maximum avant recharge. Je revois mon commentaire car je pense que la manette se déconnecte simplement en sans fil car elle perd le signal du dongle (2.4ghz). Sur Raspberry sur RGBPI-OS la détection Bluetooth n'est pas possible malgré la mise à jour de la manette.

Ravi de retrouver les cliquetis de l'époque Neogeo cd et la jouabilité propre à ces manettes ! La finition globale est de bonne qualité, on reconnaît un produit 8Bitdo au premier coup d'œil. Ah si on avait eu la possibilité de jouer sans fil à l'époque... Bien que cela ne nous a pas empêché de passer des heures mémorables avec leurs pendants filaires il faut admettre que le sans fil est un luxe dont on a dû mal à se passer aujourd'hui ! Je recommande vivement ce pad qui fait du Néo-rétro absolument incontournable.

Great controller for my snk mini arcade, love the clicks stick, well made 10/10

Fa quello che deve fare nel migliore dei modi. Pratico e di facile utilizzo. Consigliato