Dual Turbo Wireless Remote System for Super Nintendo

The Acclaim Dual Turbo wireless controllers were officially licensed by Nintendo back in the day, and they look very much like an original SNES controller. The cross-shaped d-pad is stiffer, and the X and Y buttons are convex rather than concave, but the overall design is pleasantly familiar. The buttons are very responsive, and the controllers would be a joy to use except for one serious flaw. They use an infrared signal which is so weak that you have to point them dead directly at the receiver. If you angle them even slightly away, the signal loses integrity, so if you are holding a button down steadily, your game will react as if you were continually letting go of it then pressing it again. This can be fatal in a game like Super Mario World, where you if you keep the down button pressed in order to make Mario duck, his head will suddenly pop up unexpectedly and he'll get killed. I've seen this problem with four different Acclaim controllers, two of which were in like new condition, so it's not something that only develops after heavy use. The Acclaim receiver is designed to plug directly into both controller ports on the front of the SNES, and it says right on it not to use any adapters with it, so you can't attach extension cables in order to move it to a position where it might get better reception; you would have to relocate the whole system.If this signal issue is a big problem with your particular setup, then I recommend trying Docs wireless SNES controllers instead, if you can find them. They are not as nice to hold as the Acclaim controllers, since they are bigger and have uncomfortable ridges on the bottom. Plus the buttons click annoyingly and tire your thumbs out more. But even though they also use infrared technology, the signal strength is outstanding. I have no problems with it even when the footboard of my bed is blocking the line of sight to the receiver. I should note that the receiver that came with my Docs wireless set is a rectangular unit that's very similar to the one that comes with the Acclaim Dual Turbo. Some Docs sets come with a different type of receiver that has cords attached. I've never tried that one so I don't know if it's as good. But at least the cords would allow some leeway for where you place the receiver. Plus you could use that type with the later, smaller SNES systems, whereas the ones that have to be plugged into both ports might only fit the older, larger version SNES like I have.In sum, I have yet to find a wireless SNES controller that I consider completely satisfactory, but both the Acclaim Dual Turbo and the Docs wireless are worth a try. Unless your budget is very tight I'd recommend either one over the new Retrobit SuperRetro controllers, which in my tests had great reception but little else to recommend them (see my review of those for more details).

Works great. Perfect for any retro collection

They were a bit dirty but I love these controllers and they were about half the price of new ones. :)

Finally I can play games upstairs. Controls work well

I recently bought these and have been using for about a month now. The battery life is good, the controllers will shut themselves off if on too long without activity, and while they aren't exactly like a nintendo made snes controller, they're close. The only thing I don't like is the receiver. The controllers act like remotes for a tv, in that if you aren't pointed in the direction of the receiver, then you get no signal. This has gotten annoying a few times. I wouldn't let that stop you from buying these though, they are awesome. Plus, comes with turbo.