Today any computer is capable of running a good number of emulators . In this way, it is not difficult to relive those moments when you enjoyed like never before with your console when you were a child. Or maybe you haven’t tried any of the old glories of video games and want to seize the opportunity.
Whatever the reason, the important thing is that any PC or laptop can easily be turned into a retro console. And beware, there are emulators for Android, so Smart TVs with Google’s operating system for smart TVs, or an Android TV Box for example, can also be used to play old games.
Essential controls to use with an emulator
The variety of consoles that have appeared in the history of videogames has allowed us to enjoy the most varied entertainment systems. The problem is that manufacturers have never agreed when designing the most important element to make the most of a console: the control knob.
To this day, using an Xbox One controller or a PS4 controller doesn’t make much of a difference. Yes, it is true that for some users one model is more ergonomic than another, or the press is more pleasant… But the distribution of the buttons and triggers is so extremely similar that there are hardly any problems to adapt from one console to another.
And this is the most important element when it comes to enjoying any of the emulators available on the market. More than anything because, if you are a true gamer, you need to play with the original controller, or an equivalent with the same design, in order to enjoy the best experience. We already anticipated that before the console controls varied in their appearance in a very remarkable way from one generation to another.
For this reason, and to make things easier for you, we have prepared a selection for you with the best controllers that you can buy depending on the console you want to emulate. To say that we have separated this compilation into sections, so it will be easier for you to locate the model that best suits your needs.
Controllers for Nintendo emulators
We start with the best controllers to enjoy Nintendo emulators. We already anticipate that the Japanese entertainment giant is an expert when it comes to creating impossible-looking joysticks. So if you want to enjoy old gems like the Nintendo 64 or the Nintendo GameCube to the fullest, you will need the following controls.
RunSnail SF30 Pro
8BitDO is one of the great references when it comes to buying a controller to emulate retro consoles. Its prestige is high (personally I have the model that heads these lines and I am very happy with its performance), so you will find several solutions from this firm in our compilation.
To say that this RunSnail SF30 Pro is a very similar to the Super Nintendo controller. Taking into account that the button configuration of the SNES and the NES is almost the same, we consider that with this remote you will have more than enough to enjoy the Famicon and Super Famicon emulators.
Qumox 64 remote
In this case, we present a remote control from the manufacturer Qumox that perfectly simulates that of the emblematic Nintendo 64 console. In this way, it has the same distribution of buttons so that you can give more cane than ever to the most cutting-edge titles of this desktop console , like GoldenEye or Mario Kart 64. It should be noted that this control for Nintendo 64 works by USB, a lesser evil considering its great similarity.
Exlene remote
Another of the Nintendo consoles that stood out for using a controller with a really strange design was the GameCube. A device that was not very successful in the market, despite having some of the best games in the history of Nintendo in its catalog. Now, with this command, you can once again enjoy its most cutting-edge titles.
QUMOX 2in1 Remote MotionPlus
Without a doubt, one of Nintendo’s most successful desktop consoles. The Wii got millions of families to play video games, something impossible years before its launch. And being able to enjoy their most successful titles on your computer is priceless. Of course, do not hesitate to bet on this command, you will not be disappointed.
Controllers to emulate Microsoft consoles
Second, we go to the controls for the different consoles that Microsoft has been launching. You could really use the Xbox One controller, but due to the difference in the position of two buttons, we give you two options if you are a very purist gamer.
Gam3Gear Gamepad
You may not remember it, but this is the original Xbox controller. See the two little buttons next to the right stick? They are the equivalent of the upper triggers that the Xbox One controller has. But, if you want to enjoy an emulator of the original console, and want to live a one hundred percent realistic experience, bet on this model.
Original Xbox One controller
Without a doubt, one of the controls with the best design is the Xbox One. A joystick that will be used for all kinds of titles, so we recommend using it both with the Xbox 360 emulator, as well as for any other game.
Remote to emulate Sony consoles
The Japanese manufacturer is the only one that has not been lurching with respect to design. It is true that its command has evolved from the beloved PSX, but the distribution has been almost the same at all times. For this reason, added to the fact that the Dualshock 4 is a marvel at an ergonomic level, we recommend using the PS4 controller to enjoy any of the Sony PlayStation console emulators.
Controls for all types of emulators
We have left this little disaster drawer until the end where we will find controls for those different consoles that need a very particular button configuration. Let’s look at the different options.
Neo Geo Mini remote
Without a doubt, the best controller you can buy to emulate the Neo Geo console is this model, which was designed to be used with the Neo Geo Mini console, but it works perfectly to enjoy your favorite emulator.
Competition Pro Extra USB Joystick
The truth is that we have not found an Atari remote that is not connected for the original console. And the idea of having to use a USB adapter has not seemed interesting to us, so we wanted to recommend this alternative that will not disappoint you at all.
8BitDo M30
The war between SEGA and Nintendo was really interesting. But we all know who won the battle. Luckily, with this 8BitDo M30 remote you can enjoy all the consoles that the Japanese giant launched, since the distribution of the buttons on the different consoles was very similar.
Mayflash Arcade Joystick
We close this compilation with a model that will delight the most nostalgic. Yes, you can once again enjoy games like Double Dragon or Metal Slug with the best controller for it.