Fixing Inputs on Retrobit Sega Saturn Pad

If your Retrobit Sega Saturn Pad feels like it's going bad, try this easy fix before giving up on it. Note: just to be safe, be sure to unplug any device before opening it up. :-)

[@rxzero00]

I actually did something else, because I realized that the issue was the inner cross part that touches the membrane, which in terms touches the contacts on the PCB, was being stress, bent and even snapped when I took it apart. So knowing it was plastic, I unscrewed the inner cross part from the shell and circular outer part and used plastic cement to reconnect the pieces of plastic back as plastic cement melts the plastics and bond them together. It worked fine afterwards. You might get away with super gluing it but I used plastic cement since I used it with model kits. The plastic cement I used was Tamiya Extra Thin Plastic Cement.

[@tappersreviews4677]

Very interesting. I will look into that for sure. Really like the controller overall, though.

[@rxzero00]

@@tappersreviews4677 I do too and I didn't grow up with a SEGA Saturn. I like it for a lot of things especially traditional fighting games like Guilty Gear, Street Fighter, and Darkstalkers. Heck I even used it for a Touhou game since it works well on shoot em ups.

[@johnhess9443]

mine showed up busted, looking forward to trying this. thanks

[@Mivaman]

I have now had the left shoulder button break on two different Retrobit USB Saturn pads. The soldered button mechanism inside the little metal housing gives out and won't push anymore. Does anyone know how I might locate a replacement part? I'm not even sure what to call this thing, let alone the specific model needed for this pad.

[@GuanGuanGhoo]

Welp good to see how it can be opened, because my bluetooth sega saturn controller dpad sayed after pressing down in pizza tower, goodbye cruel world.

[@smileychuy]

Thanks! The right button from my bluetooth retrobit pad broke and I was able to replace it with another Dpad from an older retrobit controller that I had lying around!

[@MsJamesblade]

me too!!!!, factory defect!?

[@j_eezus_christ_bro_chill]

"Fixing a $5 controller with iFixit's new $600 controller fix kit" nice

[@TheFrenchy82]

Thanks for the video....
I know those controllers are cheap (compare to the real deal, nowadays...) but Hell..
More attention to your quality assurance manager, Mr Retrobit !!!

[@hongkaiyuan]

What spray did you use to clean the contacts at 4:40?

[@tappersreviews4677]

Kaiyuan, it was just compressed air.

[@caviar_dreamz]

Wish SEGA put a little more quality and attention to detail into these controllers, the D-Pad is the most disappointing part. They should have had 8bitdo make them instead.

[@shaneobrien9315]

Retrobit did thats the whole problem., I went through three and right pad broke within hours on each

[@nexusprime2487]

At least 8bitdo have those diy kits that can make old controllers such as the Sega Saturn wireless.

[@intel386DX]

cool to see inside ! thanks!

[@spitzspitzer6117]

Is there any tutorial for the DB9 version (AMIGA) ? I mean +5v line

[@delaceylehane7758]

if you need to open it up to make it work it aint worth getting.
I bought two, by the way - a Saturn and a Mega-Drive/Genesis controller. Both connect to my mac fine, but none of the inputs register whatsoever in any program.
They do work fine on the Switch however, unless you're into fighting games like the SF2 collection, in which case you're better off with any other controller, as the D-pad just isn't responsive enough, and I can't even pull off a fucking hadoken. Also it only connects to switch if I connect first with another controller, then go into controller settings, choose the controller order thing, and then start mashing buttons on the retrobit for five straight minutes until it registers. And if you put the controller down for five minutes it'll disconnect and you'll have to do it all over again.
Conclusion: Retro Bit can get fucked. Cash grab products that look and feel good, sure, but are prone to error, are an effort to get working in the first place (if at all), and are way too costly considering all of this (EDIT: turns out it was the shipping that cost me. I'm in Aus. They're about 20 usd which is probably good value if you can make it work as it should)

[@ScanlineCity]

The only thing that would make this controller even better is if it had the traditional street fighter layout when using x-input on PC. X,Y,RB on top and A,B,RT on bottom

[@ej86]

I had another issue with mine where the retainer cross behind the D-pad, broke one of the directions (right). My remedy was swapping out the d-pad from one of my old SS usb pads. For some reason the retainer seems thin and get brittle over time with the Retro-bit variant.

[@mastuhyeet6422]

I got the same controller about a 2 weeks ago and the inner cross piece that contacts the membrane just broke (didn't snap just is starting to break). I really do like the feel of this pad, but I can't find any replacement parts from retrobit so I am pretty lost on fixing it. I was thinking of using super glue, but that doesn't seem like it'll hold. I saw someone mention plastic cement, but I am lookin for alternatives. I love this thing and I want to use it way more.

[@CrossingRover]

I know it's been a while, but reach out to RetroBit. They'll replace your controller because the first batch had a production defect.

[@mastuhyeet6422]

@Mats Yeah, I completely forgot about this for a month lol. I was planning on reaching out to retrobit as they said they would send out replacement (improved crossbars). If anyone else has a defective controller, they can go to retrobit's website and email them.

[@jrsomethingnumbers9704]

Old comment, but I just want to add to anyone reading this: You can use install an original Saturn D-Pad and it fits perfectly.