"SNES 2" Wireless controller
for raspberry Pi 3

A low power, customizable microcomputer available for less than $40, the Raspberry Pi's affordability and ease of customization make the platform popular for the making of low cost "retro" consoles for the curation and playing of classic games that do not require high power systems to run, typically on the "Retropie" emulation platform. The most current Pi platform, the Raspberry Pi 3, is also the first to offer integrated Bluetooth support. 

The mechanics of ux design

As a platform, Retropie features a streamlined, automated digital user interface that automatically organizes games based on platform and alphabetically. Users can simply scroll through to their platform of choice, and with a simple button press, move to a second level menu to select a game. 

A digital user interface, however, is only as good as the user's ability to interact with the design. This is where Retropie gets murky. Although Retropie is compatible with most USB and Bluetooth-based controllers, each console that can be emulated have different requirements for controls, and there have been some attempts to address this in a singular controller design, one this journal entry aims to improve on. 

The Perfect controller

Amongst interface designers, the controller for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System is largely considered to be the closest design to the "perfect" controller, and has served as the basis for every "ABYX" configuration controller since, including the modern X-box and Playstation controllers. Well balanced in size for both adults and children, the controller is responsive, with easily accessible shoulder buttons. 

While USB variants of this design are available for use with Retropie, there is one drawback: Many games, including PS1 titles, require a second set of shoulder buttons the SNES design lacks. 

The closest standard

A popular controller for use with Retrobit-based systems is the 8bitdo, a wireless Bluetooth design based on the SNES controller. Featuring a similar button layout, it adds a pair of control sticks and solves the shoulder button conundrum by essentially splitting the shoulder buttons in two, with the inner quadrants to the center of the controller serving as the "L2/R2" buttons. 

This design has some flaws, however. The controller is smaller than the SNES controller, making the inner shoulder buttons difficult to press without first pressing the outer buttons. The controller also features a low battery life, and a low quality Bluetooth connection makes it prone to disconnecting from the low-power connection on the Pi 3.

My solution

To address the deficiencies of the 8bitdo, this design journal entry proposes a controller design dubbed the "SNES 2." Utilizing a higher grade battery and Bluetooth transmitter, it would eliminate the control sticks, which is largely vestigial on the Retropie on the Pi 3 platform, as most PS1 titles do not require C-sticks, and the platform is a poor fit for emulating Nintendo 64 titles, which is the only other applicable platform that would require C-sticks. Removing the split shoulder design from the 8bitdo, it would move the L2/R2 buttons under the primary shoulder buttons on a curved, protruding bar, similar to the one found on the underside of the Wii U primary touchscreen controller. 

Dimension-wise, the SNES 2 would further mirror the original SNES design, providing a familiar and intuitive button layout well suitable to small and large hands alike.