MiSTer FPGA Forum

Hi folks,

I'm currently using my 8Bitdo SN30 2.4G as my main controller on the docking station of the Analogue Pocket where it works natively without any dongles thanks to an individual firmware that 8Bitdo provides specifically for Analogue users.

However as I want to buy a MiSTer soon, I wonder how I'll be able to use it there.
There's this official 8Bitdo USB dongle but it doesn't seem to support non-BT controllers.

The controller came with a native SNES controller port dongle so I guess my choices are these two:

1. Get a SNAC adapter for the SNES dongle that came with it and use it that way.
2. Use it wired (not what I want tbh)

Anything else? Is the first option from above my best chance when it comes to "wireless but still as less input latency as possible"? At least with that specific controller?

Edit: Does that white dongle that comes with the ultimate controller works with the SN30 by any chance?

1. SNAC would only work on the SNES core, and notably can't drive menus.
2. Reflex Adapt via that SNES dongle would work (that's a MiSTerAddons product, https://misteraddons.com/products/reflex-adapt , can adapt just about any native controller to USB with minimal lag so long as you buy the right adapter cables for it) on all cores and in menus.
3. There's always just using it wired.

[Snac would do snes and nes with same snes controller, and adapter, works great.
Then another 2.4 controller with usb do file for other cores, and maybe a universal retro adapter or two , for ps4, and or Xbox controllers, is how it’s working here.

akerasi wrote: ↑Tue Oct 01, 2024 3:17 pm

1. SNAC would only work on the SNES core, and notably can't drive menus.

Oh yes, totally forgot about that. That's a bummer. Unless I get a BliSTer I guess wich comes with its own cons and pros.

akerasi wrote: ↑Tue Oct 01, 2024 3:17 pm

1. Reflex Adapt via that SNES dongle would work (that's a MiSTerAddons product, https://misteraddons.com/products/reflex-adapt , can adapt just about any native controller to USB with minimal lag so long as you buy the right adapter cables for it) on all cores and in menus.

Interesting, I look into this, thank you.

akerasi wrote: ↑Tue Oct 01, 2024 3:17 pm

1. There's always just using it wired.

Sure but that's not really an option since my TV is too far away from my couch.

Psygho wrote: ↑Tue Oct 01, 2024 8:48 pm

and maybe a universal retro adapter or two , for ps4, and or Xbox controllers

You mean something like an 8Bitdo USB dongle or a MayFlash one?

in mine case i have:

8bit do m30 2.4g genesis mini (not the BT verson!)
For Atari 2600 /atari 7800/ NES / famicon / Master system /Genesis /megadrive /32X / mega CD / genesis CD / and some other cores wich i can get away with the number of buttons and layout.

SNAC:
SNES SNAC + 8 bitdo 2.4 (not BT!) sn30 sfc combo (controller and retro adapter) for SNES and NES. (works both sides)

Dual schok 4 controller + 8bit do BT usb adapter (v1 or V2) for PSX core

Xbox one with 8bitdo v1 (before update Xbox controllers to BLE) or V2 adapter, after BLE update for some systems.

Brawler64 with 8bit do dongle v2 for n64

I do not use a generic BT module, but only 8bit do as the send less signals and thus have more respons and less lag.

Psygho wrote: ↑Wed Oct 02, 2024 5:34 pm

in mine case i have:

8bit do m30 2.4g genesis mini (not the BT verson!)
For Atari 2600 /atari 7800/ NES / famicon / Master system /Genesis /megadrive /32X / mega CD / genesis CD / and some other cores wich i can get away with the number of buttons and layout.

Wait, how do use it for that many systems? Isn't it very similar to the SN30 2.4G in that it should only work with the few SEGA cores?
Or is it a matter of the cores whether they implemented working with more controllers than usual? Since the NES one also works with SNES SNAC controllers for example?
But I just saw, while the SN30 2.4G comes with a dongle that plugs directly in the old SNES controller port, the M30 seem to come with a USB dongle.
Can you elaborate on that? Does it work like the other generic 8Bitdo USB dongle or can it only be used with the M30?

Psygho wrote: ↑Wed Oct 02, 2024 5:34 pm

I do not use a generic BT module, but only 8bit do as the send less signals and thus have more respons and less lag.

So you don't something like this generic WiFi/BT dongle that Taki bundled his mega pack with but rather use all your BT controllers with the 8Bitdo dongle V2?
And by V2 you mean that exact dongle I linked in the first post?
https://www.amazon.com/8Bitdo-Wireless- ... B09M8CVMYF

lordelan wrote: ↑Fri Oct 04, 2024 12:17 pm

Wait, how do use it for that many systems? Isn't it very similar to the SN30 2.4G in that it should only work with the few SEGA cores?

"Genesis Mini" version of the m30 was designed for the recent official genesis mini emulation consoles, it comes with a USB 2.4ghz receiver. It can also work in x-input (works best for Mister) and switch modes. So yeah you can use it on every core because it looks like a USB xbox controller to Mister. You won't get the zero-lag experience though (think it is measured around 10ms with the dongle, much better 2ms when wired.)

This 2.4 controller have very low lag, and is one of the best controllers. Outside snac. But be sure to set 1ms polling via script in mister !
Not all controllers are compatible, but the one mentioned in mine text are compatible with 1ms polling freq of the usb.

You program only the buttons you need. So in mine case for atari2600 only d pad , and one button, in mine case the one on outer edge.
For nes, dpad start select and 2 outer buttons. For sega 16 bit dpad, start, and the 3 big buttons . Etc, etc. Etc.

All the cores work with all the controllers. Snac is hardwired to core. But I can play nes with a Xbox controller is I wanted. Or whatever I have connected. Only not through snac. Just by usb.. so there come the rabbit out of the hole…

Yes if you have BT controller, I would use a 8bit do instead of generic BT usb module. I (there is) have less lag when I use 8bit do dongle , than the generic BT usb. Module.

The genesis mini controller comes with a 2.4ghz (non BT) usb dongle. There is a BT model, but they have more lag, then the 2.4 version..
I prefer 2.4 for controller, if I can get them, but playstation, xbox, switch , Wiiiu and so is only in BT , so when you want that to work you need a dongle or generic usb BT module.

You can not change input mode, it is fixed in x input.
https://download.8bitdo.com/Manual/Cont ... f?20231201

Great. Thank you guys!

Psygho wrote: ↑Fri Oct 04, 2024 11:47 pm

You can not change input mode, it is fixed in x input.
https://download.8bitdo.com/Manual/Cont ... f?20231201

You can change the mode the dongle uses, its just not documented. Especially important because a firmware update might reset the mode its using.

Hold menu + left, down, or up for 4? seconds to change. Though I don't recall which is which, there's separate x-input, switch, and genesis mini modes. On mister only x-input lets you map the minus and home buttons as separate buttons, so that is what I use.

In wired mode its always x-input and can't be changed.

Did not know , wil try with a spare controller!

I have a pair of the new translucent gray releases and they're genuinely very good, especially the NES one. They fixed the dpad it seems.
I've been using it in usb mode pretty much exclusively, been thinking about just soldering up a 10ft usb cable so that it's hard wired and has better strain relief around where the usbc port is.
No idea where to even start with that though sadly