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Using cursed controllers with all the best retro consoles is firmly a special interest of mine. However, I'm fully aware that not everyone wants to use antiquated wired gamepads, let alone daft mechanical gloves or pads with a big directional ball on the top, and I'd probably tell friends seeking a great PS1 controller to just use their DualSense.
Don't get me wrong, I fully believe using the original gamepad with consoles like the PS1 is part of the experience. I'm currently playing through Final Fantasy IX for a millionth time, and I've been switching between Sony's pre-DualShock Analog controller and ASCII's unique one-handed RPG pad. Those are both novel and faithful ways to play, but if it's familiar, contemporary comfort you seek, you'll want to pick up the 8Bitdo PS1 Retro Receiver instead.
I should clarify that the 8Bitdo Bluetooth Retro Receiver for PS1 isn't just a Dualsense adapter. If you're partial to the older DualShock 4 or even prefer an Xbox controller, the dongle will let you use your pad of choice wirelessly. It also works just as well with the PS2, so we're talking about a way to use modern controllers with two generations' worth of Sony hardware.
Recently, my friend picked up a PSOne console (the smaller version that's shaped like soap) to play some childhood favorites. To save money, they grabbed the system without any cables or controllers for around $15, making for a pretty inexpensive way to play some '90s gems without spending money on digital storefronts, and the fact that they've got one of my old CRTs to hand will save them from picking up an upscaler.
NES | $24.99 at Amazon
SNES | $24.99 at Amazon
Genesis | $19.99 at Amazon
Saturn | $17.99 at Amazon
GameCube | $24.99 at Amazon
The only issue my friend ended up running into was finding a reliable OG controller. I fix gamepads for fun, but upon picking up a second-hand pad that ended up being returned as faulty, they confessed they'd rather just use one of their wireless controllers. If I'd known this at the time, I would have just told them to pick up the 8Bitdo PS1 Retro Receiver, as it would have cut out some of the janky old hardware shopping.
Again, I think everyone should at least try out original gamepads for the experience alone. If you're bananas like me, you might even amass a collection of cursed controllers over several years, and there's a lot of fun to be had in tormenting yourself trying to navigate early 3D games with anything but actual sticks. But, at the same time, if you're actually just aiming for convenient access to some of your favorite adventures, and only ever use a modern pad like the DualSense, why not just stick with it?
Put it this way: I'd rather use the original gamepads when I can, but I still use the 8Bitdo Retro Receiver pretty often. Sometimes it's just nice not being tethered to a piece of '90s hardware with a wire, especially if I'm pitched up at a distance in the living room. The downside is that, if you're using it with an old PS1, you'll have to keep your DualSense charged using a separate USB power source, which could be annoying if you pick up a PS5 pad specifically for the system.
All of this is simply a massive PSA that you can use your DualSense with a real PS1 rather than wrestling with old pads. Closer modern remakes like the 8BitDo Pro 3 will work nicely too, but whether you're a creature of contempoary comfort or trying to ease in fresher-faced players to the world of early 3D gaming, Sony's latest controller will work with its first-ever console.
What's that? You're a Nintendo 64 kid? In that case, you'll want to check out the 8Bitdo N64 controller for a solid modern gamepad solution.
Planning on playing PS1 games on the go? Swing by the best retro handheld options for emulation systems and more. If you'd rather dive into your Steam backlog, the best gaming handheld picks will set you up with a portable pal.
