SNES Online Bluetooth Pad with Analogue Super NT
If like me, you grew up with the Super Nintendo, then the official SNES Online pad was a must buy when it came out for the Nintendo Switch. An official Bluetooth SNES pad, why not?! Although It turns out, I never once used it on my Nintendo Switch or barely use the SNES online app truth be told. So, instead of gathering dust, I wanted to see if I could use it with my Analogue Super NT – which is my absolute favourite way of playing my SNES collection.
The Super NT is true to the original Super Nintendo console, with the same retro controller port. Which means the perfect tool for the job, would be a Bluetooth receiver that 3rd party accessories maker 8BitDo put together, to allow you to use Bluetooth controllers like the PlayStation DualShock 4s with an original SNES. It all worked pretty seamlessly, so check out this video showing set up and gameplay in action.
If you’ve found this page looking for info on the original SNES console. Then yes, this controller & receiver set up will work on the classic Super Nintendo & Super Famicom, no problems.
There has been a lot of questions on YouTube and social around how much latency is being introduced using Bluetooth instead of 2.4GHz set up. I’m no expert in this field and it’s actually very interesting seeing those with different opinions & stats arguing to and against this. What I will say on this topic, is that I have not experienced any when playing my fave SNES games which has even dampened the experience in anyway. If Bluetooth was that flawed to create Lag, I am pretty certain Nintendo wouldn’t have used it for its controllers for the Nintendo Switch. Besides, those using emulation will suffer potentially the same lag anyway, which is negligible.
Links below for reference.
Official Super Nintendo Online Controller – https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Nintendo-Switch-Family/Nintendo-Switch-Online/Exclusive-product-for-members-1437883.html
8BitDo SNES Bluetooth Receiver – https://www.8bitdo.com/retro-receiver-snes/
Analogue Super NT – https://www.analogue.co/super-nt
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Last year I did an unboxing video and review on an expensive but brilliant portable monitor from ASUS. Since it went live an entire community of people have come together asking about set ups and technical queries, so decided to do a couple of follow up videos to answer some of the queries.
First video is up now and we take a look at the communities questions on how this product works with games consoles. Without a doubt the biggest questions have been around using USB-C & DisplayPort for video in, rather than HDMI and how to connect for charging.
Typically, far too much time was spent on creating vector graphics to illustrate the connections but I wanted to be as crystal clear on what is and isn’t possible.
If you have found this page because you are looking to buy this portable monitor or something similar, then make sure you watch the original review video below.
We are not affiliated with ASUS in anyway and none of the products shown have been provided in exchange for our opinions or money. We just love tech, buy tech and especially love talking about the tech we enjoy using.
This video is actually the first we have edited using a new M1 powered Mac Mini with Final Cut Pro. It’s been pretty exciting actually. I think we will be doing a video covering the new Mac Mini performance soon.
- Edited on – Mac Mini 2020 M1 16GB Ram
- Filmed using – Sony A6600
- Edited using – Final Cut Pro
- Essential add ons – CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 + dock
- Vector Graphics – Affinity Design
- Intro Music – Drum & Bass from ZapSplat.com
https://www.asus.com/uk/Displays-Desktops/Monitors/ZenScreen/ZenScreen-MB16AC/
FYI the non-touch version of this product will also have similar functionality as featured above.
https://www.asus.com/uk/Displays-Desktops/Monitors/ZenScreen/ZenScreen-Go-MB16AHP/
Just published the latest video in the series, where I am restoring an imperfect Panasonic GameQ to hopefully a fully working one – giving New Hope to bringing it back to its beautiful self.
In Episode III we thankfully discovered that it was fully capable of reading discs and the drive tray functioned, despite being damaged. This damage resulted in the inability in opening and closing without being propped up from the inside. So, it was clear what needed to be done, replace the rails to support the drive on the inside and the actual tray too.
Replacement Rails – Due to the damage of the front of the drive tray itself too, it was obvious I needed to replace all three parts of the drive support; the left and right rails, as well as the drive tray itself. It will be a long time before all three of this genuine OG parts will materialise, so I am using reproduction parts. These 3D printed parts are available from Retro Refurb UK.
Whilst the process itself of getting down to the drive and replacing the rails was nerve racking as it is, I encountered the issue where after replacing, the drive was now no longer able to open and close due to a loss of torgue. I tried many possibilities before coming to the conclusion that it was the torque, so tried replacing the drive band. –
I will be continuing my Panasonic Q series and releasing more videos in the future. I have plans to tackle the GameBoy player (crazy expensive), covering off some of the accessories for this unusual piece and restoring the less perfect parts.
What additions I have this week for my collection? Well, here’s a weekly overview of some of the pieces I’ve been able to find and add to the Randall museum of retro hardware and gaming.
ZELDA: link to the Past SNES BOX Only (eBay BuyitNow)
One of my saved searches on eBay is for “Nintendo Box Only”, so everyday I get an email to let me know about any new listings with these keywords. This is a great tool for finding specifics like this and highly recommend anyone else to use this system. This Zelda box is not exactly mint, but it is a condition step up from my current boxed copy and for the price I got it for, not a crazy purchase at all. Whilst there is plenty of copies of this game floating around, it’s definitely not a rare item, it is in this condition. My older box only I guess will be going on eBay too.
ZELDA: Link’s Awakening DX (eBay Auction)
It would seem I am quite the fan of the ZELDA series and that is true in some way, I am more of a fan specifically of Link’s Awakening. One of my favourite Game Boy games of all time and potentially my fave Zelda title for many reasons. I already have the non DX version in my collection but since playing the colour dungeon on the Switch release, I wanted to go back and try the Dx version.
I won this on action at a decent price. To me though, it’s not about grabbing a bargain or saving pennies (although that’s a bonus), I like to know exactly what condition a game is like. eBay is great for this. If the photos are blurry or missing an image of the back, I will stay clear. If I see an item at a decent 7/10, I will go for it. This particular one is just about a 7/10 but I am very happy to add it to my collection for sure.
Game Boy Play it Loud Hard Case
As luck beholds, only a week after I got the Play it Loud DMG, one of these empty cases came up as an auction listing and of course I went for it. The case itself is a really good case and display solution. The Game Boy has a raised platform so it sits proud at the top, plus space underneath for the booklets. Two compartments to the left side that can house 5 carts (3 at the top and 2 on the bottom) and a rigid holder for the 4x AA batteries. There’s even an embossed Nintendo Logo on the back.
Slowly I will restore this as close to the original glory. Manuals, included accessories and the artwork that slips inside. This hard case edition is not that common as the traditional carton boxes, so finding a source for the card inserts will be a tough step, I will possibly have to make them myself for decoration purposes.
Super Nintendo Entertainment System Controller: Switch Online (Nintendo.co.uk)
This official Bluetooth controller in the shape of the original SNES pad, is a little short on supply and spends most of its time “out of stock”. But if you can grab one, it’s well worth it. An official SNES pad for the Switch generation. Although the 8BitDo alternatives are awesome as well, it’s always great to have the official version.
It’s designed to work with the Nintendo Switch, but I am keen to see what other devices I can get to work with it. My hopes, is that I will be able to get a Bluetooth receiver for the original SNES and pair with my Analogue Super NT, for the closest to genuine experience in HD. I will of course, be sharing my findings on social, on here and maybe even a video if I think it’s worth it.
What stuff have you lot been busy collecting? Anything I clearly am missing and wanna show off? Give us a shout on social media to chat retro.
Saw this video from Colin at Does Not Compute on YouTube and it definitely got my excited. I am and always have been a huge GAME BOY fan. I still collect and play and play game boy games and currently working on a big SNES Game Boy Advance series project. I have done the classic Backlight and divert mod too to a few Game Boys now, including one for my own dear oldest brother Guy. The fact that the backlight kits are even a reality is an engineering feat itself in my opinion – bringing new life to older hardware is fun in so many ways.
As technology advances in all directions, it means certain components like better quality screens become available, at cheaper prices. Say a hi-res screen panel from a BlackBerry phone a few years back that cost hundreds of pounds, is now cheap enough for someone to utilise in updating a 1980s games console. So using modern components and a little engineering, clever souls can put together new advancements and package them up ready for guys like us to recreate. This new mod is bringing an IPS quality screen with improved colour contrasts to the original DMG bad boys and it looks so good.
Comparing the traditional Backlit & divert mod DMG to the new IPS panel
The full kit takes away a lot of the pain points that a lot of people face when doing the traditional backlit kits. In fact, you remove the entire front PCD where the original DMG screen is permanently attached too. Removing the risk of damaging the original screen and creating the vertical lines seen or breaking it completely, as the old screen is quite fragile. Some will argue though that as you are removing half of the original hardware, you may as well just buy a Raspberry Pi kit like the RetroFlag ones. But, I definitely see the value in this for enjoying original Game Boy cartridges without adding to the frown lines on my soon to be middle-aged face. Check out the video below from ‘
Availability is still rolling out I believe so not widely available in the obvious and usual modding stores yet, but I have found it on eBay here in the UK already for £55. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Game-Boy-Backlit-Screen-LCD-IPS-Color-Kit-Speaker-DMG-Original-V2/254556087461?hash=item3b44b9a4a5:g:wQYAAOSwI5FeguKh
Love collecting? Are you a fellow model? Reach out on instagram or twitter and share with us your cool stuff.
I’ll say this loud, “I love my Nintendo Wii!”, it’s a great console. It’s not what I play everyday. The first reason I love my Wii is because you can get your mates around and have some good old fashioned multi-controller fun. Sure I could buy a switch and some controllers and get in the modern era, but thats expensive when I only play it after a few drinks.
I bought my Wii at a car boot for about £15 all in and I bought my Wii balance board for £5, both items were an absolute bargain. However this is not the reason I love it.
I love it because it is helping me get healthy, once a day for 20 minutes, I’ll have a round of Golf, a best of 5 sets on the tennis, baseball and bowling. Sure these are not providing me the full excercise potential of any of these sports, but given the current Covid-19 pandemic we’re all cooped up and can’t go much of anywhere. If you have a Wii stuck in the loft or in a cupboard somewhere, dig it out and have some fun. You might find that it encourages you to get out and about once the pandemic is over.
The Tribute 64 by RetroBit is maybe not a recognisable form factor for the classic Nintendo 64 controller that everyone knows. It’s actually taking inspiration from the Japanese only released Mini 64 by Hori.
It offers some improvements over the traditional controller and a massive one to start with, a better analogue stick.
- GameCube style thumbs stick. The GameCube still thumbstick foxes everything wrong with the N64 one. Shorter, wider and didn’t wear out so quickly to create that loose wobble that plagued the originals so much.
- Compact traditional gamepad design – As iconic as the trident design is and had logical reason, it ended up being next to pointless as very few games were D-Pad only. This traditional layout is more fitting for Mario 64 sessions, although the actual compact design may put off others with larger mitts.
- Bigger face buttons – definitely makes the experience less fiddly and natural to play on. Also helps those already mentioned with larger hands.
- Better shoulder buttons – technically the shoulder buttons would normally be L & R, but where do you put that Z trigger button? Well, you have both sets of shoulder buttons at the top (like a DualShock pad). One set is L&R, the other Z&R. Sorted!
- Still compatible with mem cards and rumble pack. Fully compatible with the original memory cards and rumble packs. Albeit, with a working rumble pack in the back, the balance is way off, but it always was on the originals too.
The Tribute 64 is at a very affordable price tag too of only about £20 or $25. If, the build quality lives up to the original Hori, then this is an absolute bargain. Highly recommended grabbing some for Smash Bros or Mario Kart sessions, especially after some beers.
There’s even more colours on the way soon too. Retro Bit who make the Tribute 64, ran an online poll to see what additional colours customers would like to see. Surprisingly, number one was the traditional grey pad. These are set to launch in Spring 2020.
I’m actually really disappointed not to see the Smoke Grey coming myself, but at least I can grab an Ocean Blue one now to match my Funtastic N64 console.
Tribute 64 controllers are available online at Amazon for only £18. Bargain.
Source- http://retro-bit.com/tribute64
Amazon – Retro-Bit Tribute 64 for Nintendo 64 – Ocean Blue https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07N7RYX7L/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Kl6rEbCRQBMRY