Top positive review
38 people found this helpful
5.0 out of 5 starsNot perfect, but the best inexpensive SNES-style USB controller that I've found.
ByDr. Dakotaon June 27, 2017
This is the best inexpensive SNES-style USB controller that I have found.
Is it as good as an original SNES controller? No. The buttons are not as perfect as an original SNES controller, and it's a little lighter. Some reviewers have complaining of "ghost D-pad inputs," and I have experienced that before. So, it's not a perfect controller by far! But, it is good for the price and overall certainly good enough. Just please don't expect perfection...I'm actually not sure where exactly you can get a perfect SNES USB controller, anyway.
Since it's the best value I've found, I still give it 5 stars. This is my default controller for RetroPie.
Now, you might be comparing the two "Buffalo Classic USB" controllers offered on Amazon (as of late June 2017) and wondering what the difference is between the BSGP815 (this product listing) and the older BSGP801 (Buffalo iBuffalo Classic USB Gamepad for PC BSGP801GY). I own them both.
>Size/shape: As far as I can tell, they're the same size, shape, and roughly the same color. The gray is a little grayer on the 815 and the gray is a little whiter on the 801, but I'm not sure which one more faithfully matches the official SNES color. The cord on the 815 is a few inches longer, but they both have decently long cords. I'm estimating, but maybe ~6 feet (72 inches) for 801 and ~6.5 feet (78 inches) for 815?
>Feel: They are very similar. The 801 is a little "louder" when you press the XYAB buttons versus the 815. That may convey a better feel along with the haptic (sound) feedback, perhaps? Hard for me to definitively tell. Performance difference? Also hard for me to definitively tell. If you want a quieter controller, though, get the 815.
>Compatibility: The 815 is officially compatible with newer operating systems (Windows 10/8/7/Vista/XP/2000/Me) and the 801 is officially compatible with only Windows 7/Vista/XP/2000/Me. I have not tested all these, so I don't know if it's true.
>Writing on them: The model numbers are on the back of each model, and the 801 says "iBuffalo" on the front whereas the 815 only says "Buffalo." I've included a picture of both controllers.
So, they're good controllers. Just don't expect perfect "SNES feel" and you will be pleased with these--especially if you have tried some of the other poor-performing USB controllers.
The only sort of addendum to all of this is there is a bluetooth wireless SNES USB controller that seems to have very good reviews. I have not tried it, but it is worth a look: 8bitdo SNES30 Wireless Bluetooth Controller Dual Classic Joystick for IOS / Android Gamepad - PC Mac Linux (Note it's roughly double the price of the Buffalo controllers as of this writing, and all wireless controllers inherently have yet another variable to contend with: wireless signal issues.)
Hope some of this helps! Happy gaming! 
