Retro-Bit Legacy16 Wireless

Retro-Bit has historically focused on classic game systems, producing controllers based on older gamepads with options that include wired and wireless connectivity, and USB and original console connections. It isn’t the first name you think of for modern, dual-analog gamepads, but that should change with its Legacy16 Wireless. This SNES-inspired controller features the two analog sticks and four shoulder buttons you need to play modern games, and connects to your Nintendo Switch, PC, and old-school SNES via a 2.4GHz wireless connection. The Legacy16 Wireless lacks advanced features, such as rumble or programmable buttons, but it’s an incredible value at $29.99. It's one of the best budget wireless gamepads we’ve seen yet, just trailing the all-around excellent 8bitdo Pro2.

SNES Controls With Contemporary Touches

The wireless Legacy16 is based on the SNES controller in size, shape, and layout, with additions for modern games. The gamepad's flat, pill-like shape isn’t quite as faithful to the SNES dog bone’s profile as the 8Bitdo SN30 Pro, but otherwise, it looks and feels similar. A plus-shaped direction pad sits on the left, and four face buttons are arranged in Nintendo's familiar layout on the right. Two, small analog sticks sit just below and between the direction pad and buttons, and two pairs of shoulder buttons sit on the top edge, just like the SN30 Pro. Start and Select (+ and -) are long, narrow, rubber buttons, with small, circular Home and Capture buttons above them. The controller is available in a gray that doesn’t directly ape the color palettes of specific 16-bit systems, and a more modern black.

The design is classic, and evokes plenty of nostalgia for anyone who grew up in the 16-bit gaming era. Of course, the process of growing up means growing bigger, and that means my hands are much, much larger than they were in 1992. As a result, the Legacy16, like the SN30 Pro, initially felt tiny and awkward to grip. 8Bitdo got around this problem by adding, large, modern gamepad grips to the SN30 Pro+ and the later Pro 2, but that concession also completely compromised the “Hey, this is just like a SNES gamepad!” impression. I respect Retro-bit’s commitment to the nostalgic style, and I got used to the Legacy16 after a bit of use. Still, the Xbox Wireless Controller, Switch Pro Controller, DualSense, and Pro 2 all feel more comfortable in my big mitts.

Connection Options

As a 2.4GHz wireless controller, the Legacy16 requires a dongle to work. Fortunately, it comes with two. One is a USB receiver that plugs into the Nintendo Switch dock or any other gaming device that has a USB port, including PCs, Macs, and Raspberry Pi gaming devices. The other is a Super NES receiver that plugs into a SNES controller port for use with the classic console (the actual, classic, SNES, not the SNES Classic). The USB receiver means you can’t use the controller with the Switch in tabletop mode, but that’s a relatively small compromise.

The Legacy16 has all of the physical controls needed for modern games, but that’s about it. It has none of the SN30 Pro's extra features, such as rumble, motion controls, or programmable buttons and sensitivity. It’s simple, and not very fancy, which is understandable considering its price.

Setup and Gaming Performance

I connected the USB dongle to my Switch dock, and played a few games with the Legacy16. To start, the controller and receiver quickly paired. They didn’t seem to come pre-paired, but the two immediately connected after turning the gamepad on by holding start and then pressing the pairing button on the receiver until the indicator LED rapidly flashed.

After that, the controller and receiver pair worked with both my Switch and Windows 10 PC. However, Windows detected it as a DirectInput controller rather than the more universally (on Windows) compatible XInput. This isn’t a problem with Steam games, because of Steam’s Generic USB and PlayStation compatibility modes, but you might need to do some configuring to get the gamepad to work with non-Steam PC games.

I played Monster Hunter Rise on my Switch with the Legacy16 and was pleased with the results. The controls were responsive, despite the buttons feeling a little spongy, and I had no issue performing wirebug stunts while fighting a Narcacuga. Although not as action-oriented, Disgaea 6 also felt good with the Legacy16; selecting units and navigating maps with the analog stick or direction pad worked well.

For 2D games, I played Demon’s Crest and Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest via Nintendo Switch Online. The direction pad felt comfortable and precise in both games, and my button inputs perfectly worked.

A Good Gamepad at a Low Price

The Retro-Bit Legacy16 Wireless is an inexpensive gamepad that works with the Switch, PC, or even your old Super Nintendo. It’s a bit small to maintain the nostalgic SNES gamepad feel, but it has all the physical controls you need to play modern games, and they all work well. It doesn’t have more modern features, such as rumble or motion controls, but for $30 we can’t complain much about that.

We still prefer the larger, more comfortable, 8Bitdo Pro 2 (an Editors' Choice pick) for most gaming, since it has those features plus rear buttons and extensive input customization. However, that's the difference between a $30 gamepad and a $50 gamepad. If you want wireless controls for your PC or Switch without spending much money (or wireless controls for your SNES at all), take a look at the Legacy16 Wireless. If you can spend a bit more, the 8Bitdo Pro 2 is a bigger, better choice.