The Buffalo USB SNES Controller is one of the best USB SNES controllers I have had the pleasure of using, combining solid build quality with a design faithful to the original Super Nintendo controller.



I think few would disagree that gaming often crosses over into the domain of home theater. Many people game on their HTPCs and getting a good controller is half the battle.

I purchased the Buffalo USB SNES controller from Amazon. Click Here for more information.

Having owned a used a number of controllers over the years, I wanted to relive my childhood by getting a solid USB Super Nintendo controller. Typing “SNES controller” into eBay and you get a whole host of cheap controllers for around $5-10. However, over the years, I’ve realised that quality is important in gaming peripherals and I couldn’t risk getting a terrible d-pad.

What’s in the box?

The Buffalo controller comes with the bare minimum, packing in the controller and a small manual entirely in Japanese.

And that’s ok.

This controller is incredibly simple to use so the manual is more of a obligatory inclusion than a necessity.

Design

My memories may be a little fuzzy regarding the original SNES controller from my youth but this one feels just about right. The controller isn’t super heavy but not ultra light either, like I found the Retrolink ones to be.

It feels well made enough that that you won’t break it during a furious Street Fighter 2 round.

It’s clear that Buffalo have tried to remain true to the source. The controller has all the SNES buttons: Face buttons, Start, Select, d-pad and shoulder buttons. However, Buffalo have also added turbo and clear buttons to replicate rapidly pushing the same button over and over again.

The cable is 1.8m long, which is great for setting at your desk or in front of your TV. However, with wireless controllers being commonplace, it is a small source of frustration. I guess you could argue that it adds to the retro charm however.

Compared to an original SNES controller, it’s essentially identical apart from the turbo buttons and Buffalo branding. It really feels like using the original controller which is awesome.

Using It

The Buffalo USB controller is dead simple. All you need to do is plug it in. That’s it.

Both Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 detected it and installed drivers. Various games and emulators let me map it without any trouble.

During my gaming tests, everything responded perfectly and I didnt encounter any lag or missed keys. The buttons have good tactile feedback to them so you know when they’ve been pressed. I can assure you that the d-pad, often the biggest disappointment of any controller, feels great here.

There is a minor issue however. Whilst the d-pad is great, pressing on is makes a popping sound. This means the d-pad doesn’t feel as solid as the original controller but doesn’t impact gaming performance.

Getting One

I purchased the Buffalo USB SNES controller from Amazon. Click Here for the current price.

Share Your Experience!

Have you got a Buffalo USB SNES Controller? What do you think of it?