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Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/1515807
Retro-Bit Tribute 64 USB Controller Time for a trip down memory lane. If you’re looking for a nostalgic controller that works flawlessly with macOS and OpenEMU, the Retro-Bit Tribute 64 is worth the salt. It largely resembles an amalgam of Sega’s Dream cast and Nintendo’s N64 Controller. What’s great about this controller is that the plastic feels nostalgic and great to the touch. The buttons are incredibly responsive. The analog stick position is a bit wonky for a few games, but not everything can be perfect for this price point. We just wish there was placement for a rumble pack. Mac Specs: macOS. Check price: https://amzn.to/3H0ElCO If you have one… Google Stadia Controller The Stadia was supposed to be a standalone game streaming controller but it came packed with tons of flaws. Fully priced games, latency issues–everything seemed off. Stadia servers will soon kick the can, but the Stadia controller will still work just fine as a regular controller now. The controller in itself is surprisingly ergonomic, with some beautiful orange accents and a nice matte finish. Traditionally, you can update the Stadia controller and use it just fine over USB-C. But if you want to use it wirelessly, you’ll have to switch it to Bluetooth mode over Chrome using on the Stadia website and follow the instructions. Afterward, connect it to your MacBook by holding the Stadia Home Button and Y Button for 2 seconds. System requirements: macOS Monterey 12.13 or above. An improved experience since macOS Ventura Connecting a controller to a Mac hasn’t been difficult per se, but it’s just become a lot easier thanks to the redesigned System Settings app in macOS Ventura. Scroll far enough down on the list of options, and you’ll find a specific “Game Controllers” pane. From here, you can not only check battery life and which controllers you have attached, but you’ll also find options like button remapping and adjusting controller vibration. It’s still a far cry from PC-level customization, but it’s still a big step forward for Mac gaming. Our Criteria Gaming can be extremely subjective. You may like games and/or hardware that I’m not a fan of. And vice versa. For that reason, we identified we identified a set of criteria that every single one of our picks has to meet: Native support: This should go without saying, but each and every one of the controllers mentioned here has to be officially supported on macOS and does not require any hacks to function properly. Proven quality: Controller preferences can be subjective, but to keep this guide as relevant as possible, we only consider proven controllers with positive reviews from both professional reviewers and gamers. Pricing: We all want quality, but pricing also plays an important role. We always keep in mind price tags and bang for your buck. Some controllers may have a more limited feature set but are much cheaper than the competition. That is worth taking into account.