![Neo Geo CD Wireless Controller](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.timeextension.com/f25b4636c65c2/neo-geo-cd-wireless-controller.900x.jpg)
Accessory maker 8BitDo's next venture is going to be of particular interest to SNK fans – the company has resurrected what many consider to be the greatest Neo Geo controller of all time.
The result of three years of hard design work, the 8BitDo Neo Geo CD Wireless Controller is a 'from the ground up' recreation of the original pad, which launched alongside SNK's Neo Geo CD hardware revision in 1994.
The pad was famous for its clicky and responsive micro-switched D-pad, which would later find its way onto the Neo Geo Pocket series of handhelds.
8BitDo has "redesigned and manufactured the no-longer produced classic click-style joystick," ensuring that "all important details have been captured and remade: the clicky feel, sound and feeling of the original." This is likely to be of utmost importance to fans, as the pad which shipped alongside the Neo Geo Mini micro-console lacked the micro-switched stick, and was pretty dire as a result.
The $34.99 pad comes with Bluetooth, 2.4g and wired support, and will be compatible with Windows, Android and the Neo Geo Mini micro-console. There's a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery inside, and the pad will also offer Turbo functionality and button mapping. Finally, L and R shoulder buttons have been added for a more 'modern' feel.
![Neo Geo CD Wireless Controller](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.timeextension.com/23361c1087c7a/neo-geo-cd-wireless-controller.900x.jpg)
It will ship as a standard version alongside four 'limited' editions (featuring King of Fighters characters) on August 15th, 2023. Pre-orders open today.
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Comments 10
This is a day 1 purchase for me as I love clicky NEOGEO digital sticks. Please can we have Switch support too though?
I would kill (lots of naughty in-game baddies) for a left JoyCon with one of these sticks and wireless so that it worked with the FlipGrip for shmups.
This is great news love the Neo Geo cd controller switch compatibility would be amazing seeing as I have a lot of Neo Geo games on it but I suppose this would work with the 8bitdo wireless adapter
I’ve been playing a lot of diagonal-isometric games (earthbound, Mario RPG) with a d-pad and it’s been driving me insane trying to walk diagonally. This looks like my salvation.
YES!!! I only ever tried a Neo Geo controller in stores back in the day, but I did have a Neo Geo Pocket Colour, and I adored the stick on my unit.
Yup, Day 1
What a cool surprise, though not a huge surprise since 8bitdo has already done a PC Engine/TurboGrafx 16 controller. Neo Geo CD was probably the next logical step, though with more effort on their end having to figure out how to do that stick right as opposed to the typical membrane D-pad. And I love my 8bitdo controllers and just picked up two of their Ultimate C wired pads which were quite a good deal. The D-pad on my SN30 Pro Plus has been fantastic(mostly), coming extremely close to the usability of the Saturn controller's D-pad. The only downside to it, and I don't know if it affects the never controllers since they seem to use a different membrane, is that the rubber of the membrane is weak and will tear, which means some maintenance is required. I still have to test the Ultimate C controllers to see if the D-pad and its positioning match up to the SN30 Pro Plus. Back to this Neo Geo CD pad, this could be excellent provided the feel of it works for me, but I'm very excited for this one. And it looks like it will be easily serviceable too. The shoulder buttons will be handy as well. I'll want to check reviews when they're available, but 8bitdo has a great track record and my own experiences have been positive, so I suspect the question won't be if I get one, but how many.
Excellent news for us Neo Geo Mini owners! Hopefully broader console support can be added via a firmware update in the future.
@sdelfin Yeah, I am super excited to use this on PC with SNES emulation. The micro-switch joystick is going to be amazing, and the added shoulder buttons make it literally perfect for a SNES layout. Being able to scale up Mode-7 and go widescreen with SNES games now in emulators means it'll be a pretty special experience, at least for me it will be!
I have many 8bitdo controllers suitable for SNES games, but I really can't go past the micro-switch joystick.
I'm definitely tempted by the limited edition designs. I think I'll be wanting two units. One all-black original, and either the Iori or Kyo edition. Probably Iori, because I do like those purple flames
this is
A) one of the coolest controller designs ever made imo
and
B) one of the hardest controllers to LOVE, and ive tried. it's the fire buttons im afraid. 😐
C) I'll take two.
@AJB83 I'm glad to see that others are very excited about these too. Yeah, it is just about perfect for SNES, unless someone doesn't quite like the angle of the buttons. I think most people should be able to adapt quite well. Like you, I have other controllers that can do the job well, especially with those two Ultimate Cs I just got, but the idea of that stick really appeals to me the same way. I've noticed what a huge difference the controller makes for fighting games and I have high hopes for these to be ideal for that. And those limited controllers do look tempting, and KOF 97 was a big game for me so I'm considering that as well. And, yes, the purple flames look cool.
I really wanted to love the Neo Geo CD controllers that came with the mini. It's so attractive and feels great... except that puzzling decision to use an analog stick instead of microswitches. This announcement is unexpected, and I'm there day one for it!
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