A Kickstarter for a wireless controller that hooks up to both a PlayStation 2 and PS1 console has flown past its pledge goal of $20,000 with one week to spare. Designed by a family-owned business named Retro Fighters, 1,875 backers have so far raised more than $125,000. Named the Wireless Defender, the pad connects to the two consoles via a wireless receiver placed in the port where you would normally connect the default wired controllers. The product is expected to ship in January 2022, with a $34 pledge rewarding you with the controller itself, wireless dongle, instruction manual, and a USB charging cable.
Since the stretch goal of $120,000 has been reached, Retro Fighters will expand the controller's compatibility to the PS1 Classic system, Nintendo Switch, and PC and MAC via the USB attachment. Available in classic gray, black, transparent green, and transparent blue, the team has a "100% working pre-production prototype ready to go! All molds, PCBA's and internal components are ready. We are in the final testing phase and then we will start production."
The device is said to hold more than 10 hours of battery life and has a wireless range of over 30 feet. Again, pledging $34 nets you the complete bundle (you can choose your controller colour), with higher tiers including more pads. This is the fifth successful Kickstarter from Retro Fighters, meaning the project won't suddenly disappear into thin air. "We pride ourselves on listening and communicating with our fellow retro gamers and creating products designed to maximize the gaming experience. We strive to provide daily excellence in customer service and operational execution."
Are you interested in picking one up? Remember, the Kickstarter sticks around for one more week. Share your overall thoughts in the comments below.
[source kickstarter.com]
Comments 24
I'm assuming this is the same company that made a Dreamcast pad recently. If so I can confirm that the quality is excellent.
https://retrofighters.com/our-collection/strikerdc-dreamcast-controller/
Finally! I have both a ps1 & ps2 and the official controllers are reaching the end of their productive lives, great to finally have a high quality alternative i can use.
Anyone know if I can yank face buttons from a Dualshock to put in this bad boy? Not a fan of the generic look.
They don’t ship to the UK 🥴 but do Ireland and the rest of Europe wtf 🤦🏻♂️
Did they say it's going to work with the PS Classic? Nice! I hacked mine and added like 120 games. This might work well with it.
@Jacko11 I mean…. I’m guessing there’s a reason for that which begins with Br and ends in exit.
@nessisonett yeah just saw a comment from them saying it’s due to VAT regulations 🙄 can’t wait to leave this 💩 country
@Jacko11 Their Dreamcast and N64 controllers are available on Amazon UK so hopefully it will be the same for these.
PS1 and PS2 games are ugly and nobody wants to play them
I really really really want a transparent blue one like that but for the PS5 Well if SONY made one that is I had a PS2 pad transparent blue(dark blue tho like in that pic) And I LOVED that pad
@johncalmc LOL, okay pal.
Edit: Jokes on me, didn't realize you were a writer for the site.
@johncalmc Embrace your heritage or else!!!!
This is a great idea! Now, can someone please create a device that allows me to play PS1 and PS2 games on my PS5? Anyone?
@johncalmc I bought a PS1 last week 🤷🏻♂️
@__jamiie ah good stuff, nice one for the heads up
@Jacko11 if I can find a way round it I’m disappointed they can’t ? As if they are the only company in the world who can’t ? It will get sorted
@johncalmc LOL the same could be said about snes and nes games, the graphics are crap but people still love playing them even decades later!
i still have a working logitech wireless ps2 pad that i've had for years, it's designed similar to this one, think i got it for £30 or around that.
Oh cool it's like the wavebird!
@nessisonett that's what I was thinking as well😁
I recently bought the Turok collection for Switch over UK. Man, the costs for that are incredible
this is sooo cool
i soldered an adafruit Bluetooth key into an old snes controller. il look into these thanks
I mean for $34 I might just buy one.
I have both the wired and wireless N64 controllers they released and they are all around pretty good and have heard good things about the Dreamcast controller too. So I would imagine these may be similar in overall quality. I may pick this up at some point.
I've never had any issues buying from abroad after the new EU regulations eg. limited run and play Asia have zero issues. Seems kinda weird no UK shipping.
Guess I'll wait for sale on the item.
I would have supported them but the Kickstarter ended by the time I tried.
Hopefully I can still acquire a controller when they go live.
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