10 Best Controllers For RetroPie (Wireless and Wired)

In the world of retro gaming, there aren’t frequent retro gamers who haven’t pre-owned RetroPie in some form or pattern. It is mostly the first thing on the list of building your first single-board computer or SBC. It is a front end management application for installing retro games. It was made mainly for the Raspberry Pi range. However, it runs on different rostrums as well. You can customize it repeatedly to revisit your old favorites and new classic games. A game console is only as good as its controller. If you have picked the wrong controller, then no matter how good your game looks, it will feel unsatisfactory, and you won’t be enjoying the game properly.

Providentially there are considerable controllers supported by the RetroPie, making it simple to find the best controller. But not all the controllers are developed equivalently. Which controller is best for you depends on what do you want to play, how you like to play, and most importantly, how much are you willing to spend on it?

Most of the controllers available are USB only, but few wireless options are on our list. With our list of the top 10 best controllers for RetroPie, you should be able to go through the details and decide for yourself which one you would like to play with RetroPie. Let’s find out.

Best Controllers for RetroPie in 2020

If you are a dedicated gamer, you must know that it generally devours a substantial amount of money to invest in consoles and equipment, including gaming controllers. A suitable controller is necessary for the view of how you play online.

#1. 8Bitdo SF30 Bluetooth Controller

The 8Bitdo SF30 is one of the best Controllers for retropie in wire-free gaming. It has established itself in the gaming community as a reliable brand with a retro-themed controller with plenty of buttons to make your gaming more enjoyable. It’s a high-quality SNES style controller, and you easily connect it to your gaming console through Bluetooth or USB Cable as well. It is a combination of a retro color scheme and modern analog sticks. You can purchase it online at the cost of 4,199/- INR.

#2. Xbox Elite Wireless Controller

Xbox Elite Wireless controllers for retropie allows you to customize your controller. For instance, you can swap out the thumbtacks, directional pads, or paddles as well. It adapts your hand size, including the configurations that help improving accuracy, speed, and reach with the thumbsticks of different shapes and sizes. One can purchase the controller online at the cost of 10,990/- INR.

#3. Logitech F710 Gaming Controller

Having this game controller guarantees that your gaming sessions are running smoothly and are quite enjoyable. Designed in the same way as the PS2 gamepads, this controller is quite approachable along with well-placed buttons, which make your gaming effortless. It offers two analog sticks and ten programmable buttons. You can easily connect it through MAC OS, Raspberry Pi, and Windows machines. It supports a USB cable connection, and you can get this online at 2,734/- INR.

#4. PS4 DualShock 4 Gamepad

It is the most popular choice among the Raspberry and PC users. It’s a wireless gamepad. Also, it allows you to configure the vibration feedback to build up your gameplay. For PC users, it offers both Bluetooth and wired connectivity, or you can choose a USB Bluetooth adapter. Still, since Raspberry Pi 3 is equipped with Bluetooth modules, there is no need for USB adapters. You can acquire this gamepad online at 4’999/- INR.

#5. Xbox Wireless Controller

Same as the Elite controller, you will need to plug in the Xbox Wireless Controller to use it with your RetroPie. With a better directional pad, this controller is well suited for retro gaming. It has a fingertip vibration rejoinder so you can feel every jolt and crash. It offers impressionable thumbsticks and an upgraded D-pad for better preciseness. It is compatible with Xbox One and Windows 10. This controller is available online at the cost of 6,499/- INR.

Also Check: Best Overclocking Software

#6. Xbox One Wired Controller

If you are looking for an affordable X-box Style controller, then Xbox One Wired Controller is the right choice for you. Featuring a soft-touch rubberized surface matched rumble motors and 3.5 mm stereo headset jack that boosts your gaming experience. It also offers exactitude-adjusted analog sticks, a plus-shaped D-pad, and a classic button layout as well. You can get this impressive yet affordable controller online at 1,199/- INR.

#7. Logitech F310 Gamepad

Wireless game controllers could be a preference, but it only doesn’t always mean superior, notably in consideration of interference. If you go for a direct-wired connection, the Logitech F310 game controller has nearly most of the features of the Logitech F710 at a lower price. It features two analog mini-sticks, two-button/trigger combos, a D-pad, action buttons, and the back, starts, and mode buttons. You can get this controller online at 2,095/- INR.

#8. Wii U Pro Controller

Wii U Pro by Nintendo is contrived for contentment and convenience. It offers dual analog sticks and an appropriate button design for a smooth gaming experience. It allows Bluetooth connectivity. The battery can run up to 80 hours on a single charge for the uninterrupted gaming time. The controller is compatible with an assortment of Wii Pro games, though it is not quite suitable for the Wii console system. You can purchase the Wii U Pro Controller online at 5,074/- INR.

#9. iBuffalo SNES Controller

The Buffalo controller is available with USB Cable connectivity, and the setup is quite simple. To operate, you only need to plug it in your console, and just like that, you are good to go. The controller is a twin of the SNES first edition controller. The buttons are steadfast, and they can hang tough through numberless hours of gameplay. The directional pad clicks freely, upholding the easy movement for your gameplay. This gamepad can be acquired online at 7,300/- INR.

#10. PS3 DualShock 3 Gamepad

Designed and developed by Sony, DualShock 3 is the official controller for the PS3 console. It has pressure sensors built into the action buttons, and it consists of highly advanced SIXAXIS motion sensor technology for the eye-catching gaming experience. You can charge this controller through a USB connection. The PS3 DualShock 3 Game controller is available online at 1,190/- INR.

What is The Best Controller to Use with RetroPie?

Many people love gaming, and they spend most of their time playing and reviewing games. Some people even make a career out of it and become professionals by playing the game and streaming it online. People are crazy about games, and the games are next to every gamer’s heart. Without having fun to play or watch, life would be very much uninteresting. Gaming usually devours a significant amount of time and money as well. We were talking about the RetroPie pie games and the best suitable controllers to play it with. In our opinion, some of the best available options are; DualShock 4 wireless controller for PS4, Logitech F310, Wii U Pro, Nintendo Switch Pokken Tournament DX Pro Pad Wired Controller, Retrolink Nintendo 64 Classic, PS3 DualShock wireless, iBuffalo Classic, and many more.

How many controllers can connect to RetroPie?

It is one of the most frequently asked questions on the internet. Well, the answer is yes, multiple controllers can be connected to Retropie through Bluetooth, but it depends on the game configuration. Open Settings on your game interface and search the option “Wireless Controller” then enter the mac address. Furthermore, it will ask you to select the security settings. Then start configuring the first setting for the first controller, the second setting for the second controller, and so on. You can connect up to four gaming controllers to RetroPie. It allows you to customize the game so that the number can be two, three, or four based on your requirement.

Wrapping Up

Deciding which gaming controller for RetroPie will be best for you is a personal decision. While selecting a controller for yourself, you need to keep in mind some of the crucial aspects such as your preferences and needs, how much you are willing to spend, what kind of controllers you have been using in the past, and many more things. Also, keep in mind other essential facts like what kind of retro gaming you are going to do, your gaming console setup, and PC. So basically, no one can suggest you better except yourself. Please go through all the mentioned options and details in this post and then decide for yourself or take advice from a friend based on the suggested options in this post. Thank you for reading our post. We hope you find the best.