Prime Day kicks off next week, and I'd normally advise picking up retro console bits and bobs during the sale. However, I figured I'd check in with a slightly hidden deal on what is my favorite retro controller overall, the Gulikit Elves 2 Pro, as there's a coupon camping out on one of its various Amazon listings.
The specific Gulitkit Elves 2 Pro listings in question brings the Sega Saturn-inspired gamepad down to $37.99 from $39.99. All you need to do is click the coupon price check box on the page, and voila! You've just bagged yourself a solid Bluetooth controller that you can pair with various classic systems via an adapter.
This isn't a massive discount on the Elves 2 Pro by any means, but it is a handy one. If you use price trackers, they aren't going to pick up on these kinds of coupon discounts, so keeping this almost hidden saving in mind before considering Prime Day offers next week will better help you assess any subscriber savings.
I've tested dozens of retro controllers for every classic console out there, and the Gulikit Elves 2 Pro remains my overall favorite. That's perhaps because I'm a sucker for a Sega-style disc d-pad, or maybe it's the white versions Saturn-inspired get-up. One thing I can say for certain is that its excellent buttons, hall-effect joysticks, and wide Bluetooth compatibility mean it pairs fantastically with everything from the SNES and Genesis/Mega Drive to later systems like the PS2, but you will need additional dongles.
8Bitdo Retro Receivers | View at Amazon
Blueretro adapters | View at Aliexpress
Of course, if you've got a modern emulation-based setup with a gaming handheld perched on a Steam Deck dock, or even just a gaming PC at its core, you'll be able to hook straight up via Bluetooth. If you're keeping things authentic with a real retro console, though, you'll want to check out the various wireless adapters available.
I've tested most of the dongles out there by the likes of 8Bitdo and Blueretro with the Gulitkit Elves 2 Pro, and the combination is pretty effective. The gamepad synced remarkably quickly to my Sega Mega Drive via a Retro Receiver, and while using Bluetooth naturally introduces more latency compared to something like the 8Bitdo M30 2.4Ghz, I honestly couldn't really detect any lag during normal play.
I've even spent a chunk of time playing Saturn, N64, PS1, and PS2 games using the Elves 2 Pro, and it's remarkably versatile for something that looks like a 16-bit pad. That's largely thanks to its neatly placed full-sized thumbsticks, which provide controls that are well-suited to 3D outings while not hampering the inherent 2D abilities of its fantastic-feeling d-pad.
The only real caveat that comes to mind compared to using a more contemporary pad is the triggers, as they're strictly digital. That does mean you'll still have to reach for a GameCube pad if you want to, say, run and squirt in Super Mario Sunshine, and it's not ideal for shooters with modern gamepad sensitivities. However, it's still serviceable in those scenarios, and if the Elves 2 Pro was the only gamepad to hand, you'd still be able to easily play years' worth of games on old systems without a hitch.
Ergonomically, the Elves 2 Pro feels very '90s too, which could be a good or bad thing depending on your preferences. I happen to enjoy the flatter, 16-bit back of retro controllers like this, but if you're used to extended grips on new Xbox or DualSense designs, I can see why your hands might be more prone to cramping after longer sessions. That said, keeping things low profile helps this pad travel remarkably well, meaning it also makes for one hell of a controller for your backpack.
This won't be the last time I harp on about the Gulikit Elves 2 Pro, but doing so before Prime Day kicks off is important. Ideally, I'd like to see it drop under $30, and if that happens, I'll be back here filling you in on the record lows. If those discounts fail to kick in, however, and you don't want use a "wait and see" approach, you can at least grab a few bucks off right now, and that could be invaluable if you're picking up some new tech before diving into classic capers over the summer season, be it while travelling or hidden away in your retro gaming cave.
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