Re: Retrofighters StrikerDC Wireless Limited Edition in Black - Only 2,000 being made
Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2024 9:08 am
So I used the new wireless controller over the weekend and found it to be quite good. Pairing was easy, just plug the dongle into the controller port, power on the DC and hit the button on the dongle to start pairing. It does feel good in the hand, the ergonomics are better than the OEM controller and they are slightly improved over the wired StrikerDC. The controller has a bit of weight to it thanks to the built in vibration motors and rechargeable battery. As a result it doesn't feel as cheap as the wired version.
The analogue stick is better although I still prefer a little bit more resistance, but the rubberised thumb pad is superior to the hard dotted convex plastic on the OEM controller. The triggers have a wider design with a slight angle to them which makes them easier to use, but again, I'd like a litle bit more resistance.
The LR shoulder buttons are okay, they have barely any travel though and it can be too easy to accidentally press them. The d-pad is very good, as are the face buttons, no complaints at all and there was no noticeable lag in use.
I had to check the vibration was active in a couple of the games as at times I didn't notice it but when it comes on it's good and not as clanky sounding as the OEM jump pack.
I did have one issue where the VMU wouldn't load my save file of Sega Rally 2. I think the connection terminal on the dongle for the VMU may have been a bit loose as the VMU slipped in and out easily. This is the opposite of the wired StrikerDC which was tricky inserting VMUs as it was a little tight.
Games I played with it were Dead or Alive 2, Looney Tunes Space Race, Sega Rally 2, Under Defeat, Vampire Chronicles, Tokyo Highway Challenge, Ikaruga and Power Stone.
Overall I quite like the controller, I think it's good value for money and gives the DC a true native wireless controller that is VMU compatible. I do miss the VMU screen though, it's part of the experience of using the DC. The wired StrikerDC controller stills looks like a Dreamcast controller because the VMU can be attached directly. If you don't care for the VMU screen then it's probably going to be a great option. I could probably get used to this over time.
The analogue stick is better although I still prefer a little bit more resistance, but the rubberised thumb pad is superior to the hard dotted convex plastic on the OEM controller. The triggers have a wider design with a slight angle to them which makes them easier to use, but again, I'd like a litle bit more resistance.
The LR shoulder buttons are okay, they have barely any travel though and it can be too easy to accidentally press them. The d-pad is very good, as are the face buttons, no complaints at all and there was no noticeable lag in use.
I had to check the vibration was active in a couple of the games as at times I didn't notice it but when it comes on it's good and not as clanky sounding as the OEM jump pack.
I did have one issue where the VMU wouldn't load my save file of Sega Rally 2. I think the connection terminal on the dongle for the VMU may have been a bit loose as the VMU slipped in and out easily. This is the opposite of the wired StrikerDC which was tricky inserting VMUs as it was a little tight.
Games I played with it were Dead or Alive 2, Looney Tunes Space Race, Sega Rally 2, Under Defeat, Vampire Chronicles, Tokyo Highway Challenge, Ikaruga and Power Stone.
Overall I quite like the controller, I think it's good value for money and gives the DC a true native wireless controller that is VMU compatible. I do miss the VMU screen though, it's part of the experience of using the DC. The wired StrikerDC controller stills looks like a Dreamcast controller because the VMU can be attached directly. If you don't care for the VMU screen then it's probably going to be a great option. I could probably get used to this over time.
