Video: Modding Old Retro Controllers to Work on Switch with 8Bitdo DIY

What for?... that controller is super uncomfortable 😳🙃

Honestly, I Appreciate the past - but no need to relive it. This is just romanticizing archaic 1980s industrial design.

Alex from Nintendo Life sent me.

I'm not a modder personally, but I appreciate how simple this is to do. If my NES controllers ever trip, I'll might give this a go.

@Agramonte I agree with that sentiment lol! For someone out there, it's all about authenticity. To each their own, right

@MeloMan 100%... to each their own (and hands)

@Agramonte I still consider the Saturn and Mega Drive controllers the best and most comfortable for 2D games.
I've got one of these MD DIY things ordered, waiting for it to arrive. Hopefully, it will work as advertised.

@Verg By the SEGA Saturn you already getting the modern curved grip design. So sure that one makes more sense than the NES brick.

Good luck!

@Agramonte Well, say you want an authentic NES experience in Shovel Knight, and want to use an NES controller with the game. Or maybe play The Mummy Demastered with a SNES controller to make it feel more like Super Metroid. Sure, you can buy 8BitDo's controllers for that, but this is for people like me who prefer how Nintendo's controllers feel.

I grew up with a SNES controller in my hands so to me that's my controller of choice for anything 2D and the SN30 Pro already provides me that feel on Switch (though admittedly the D-Pad is a bit more clicky on the SN30 Pro so it's not 100% authentic). To each his own but that's just me. Conversely I know plenty of people who have no trouble with Sony's Dual Shock controllers, or even the vanilla PS1 controller, but me I never liked that controller, especially the control stick placement on those. Yet others have no issue, so it really goes to show, anyone can get used to any setup. That won't change my mind about Nintendo's controllers always having been the best though.

I want my SNES controllers to still work on my SNES so I wouldn't want to mod those to work with my Switch.

I just received my mod kit last week for the SNES pad. It was fairly simple, although I forgot to transfer the d-pad rubber part initially. I have to say, it was pretty cool playing MK8 Deluxe on the Switch with an SNES controller - it worked much better than I expected!

@Agramonte I can't think of a modern controller that is better for 2d games than the SNES and NES controllers.

Xbox One the dpad isn't lined up with the face buttons, and the face buttons are convex and beady, making them uncomfortable for extended platformer play where you hold one button down to run.

PS4 is probably the best bet, but it's face buttons aren't as responsive as older controllers for rapid presses in shmups and run n guns. It feels awkward holding those big grips when you aren't using the triggers at all.

Switch pro controller has a poor dpad for 2d games, and has the same non symmetrical problem as Xbox.

NES controller is so lite and convenient. The precision of its dpad is perfect for Pixel perfect jumps. The face buttons are really some of the best ever made for rapid presses. I have modern controllers for Sony and Microsoft systems that have already had their face buttons wear out, but my NES ones I got in 87 still work perfectly.

SNES is like the NES but with more options and now a rounded design since having shoulder buttons requires you grip the controller differently. (That's the main reason the brick shape wanst really a problem on NES). The face buttons aren't as responsive as the NES, but they are still miles ahead of modern controllers.

I've tried using modern controllers for retro games many times, and it always feels awkward. They are just too big and clunky for 2d precision. Playing Punch Out, Ninja Gaiden, Adventure Island, Galaga, Commando, etc on a modern dual stick controller, makes the games feel impossible to play well.

Don't get me wrong, I own a Dualshock 4, Xbox One, and a Switch controller. I love them all for modern games. I wouldn't use an snes30 pro when I play Battlefield, because it's just not a good option when I have a DS4 that performs better at the game. I wouldn't use a DS4 to play Mario 3 because it's just a worse option than my NES controller.

Just can't sacrifice my old controllers.

@KayFiOS Because the games you mentioned are authentic NES or SNES games? I bought the 8bitDo SNES Controller for the switch but never touched it since I have joy cons and a pro controller. This might change with the online service and "real" old games

@mazzel Maybe my choice of words could be better, but I meant you can give them more of a classic feel.
Personally, I've been trying to find a way to use the NES Classic controller with the Switch for Mega Man Legacy Collection or for when Shovel Knight gets a physical release, but every method I've seen requires hooking up a Classic Controller to a Wii Remote, and connecting it to 8bitdo's Bluetooth adapter. Call me picky, but the fact that I need to use a Wii Remote makes me feel like I might as well play Shovel Knight on my Wii U, which is on death's doorstep as it is.

I get your Point
You would need an NES to USB Adapter to hook up your Controller to the dock... or NES to Bluetooth

Or you give this Bluetooth Kit a try, you Keep at least the Shell and the Buttons...

@KayFiOS Doubt Yacht Club were modding NES controllers in 2014 for their PC Work Station or WiiU Dev-KITs. So the "authentic" Shovel Knight experience is closer to a modern controller Seeing that is what they had to make and test it.

I mean, you free to play however you want. But there is a reason why
controllers are not flat squared off rectangles.

@Tim_Vreeland Oh sure... I just find sometimes when romanticizing an era we become detached form history. This pure rectangle design lasted 1 generation. It was the SEGA Genesis (boomerang) controller that became the foundation for modern controllers. SNK rejected the hand controller concept completely with their NeoGeo console.

I have a 8Bitdo SN30 Pro I use as my PC travel controller - that is just a refined SNES. So my comment is on the NES design that is on the picture. I keep that (with the Sega-MS and NEC Turbo16) matchbox controller design in the dustbin of history. I just find it awful to hold.

Unfortunately, counting delivery, it’s £28, not counting a SNES controller, which is at least £15. I’ll stick with joy cons and hopefully get the GameCube controller with smash

@Agramonte As long as there's an option to press Up+B to use Subweapons, Shovel Knight is definitely playable with a NES controller. A SNES controller might be better if you don't want to pause to switch them out, though.