The Buffalo SNES controller is the only third party controller that is worth getting over an adapter IMO.
http://www.amazon.com/Buffalo-Classic-USB-Gamepad-PC/dp/B002B9XB0E
Shoulder buttons are the only real negative of the controller. Thankfully SNES games rarely used them.
If you want a Genesis/Saturn style controller, Sega actually makes official USB versions which you can find on eBay. If you want an SNES controller, the Buffalo classic controller is supposed to be really good. It's made by a Japanese company, as opposed to the Chinese variants that flood the market and are reported to be poor quality.
Don't buy cheap ass SNES controllers, buy the only good one that is as good as an original Nintendo SNES controller: The iBuffallo SNES controller
Yeah... A bit pricey. Joystick seems fine. SNES works too. Gotta get a Genesis or Playstation next.
I have this one and it works great with EmulationStation/RetroPi
Sure.
So I used this as a guide.
The petRockBlog and /r/raspberry_pi were also helpful resources.
I bought a Raspberry Pi B+ Complete Starter Kit, 2 Buffalo Classic USB Gamepads, and Zune A/V Output Cable. The A/V cable has to be compatible with a Zune, some A/V cables like this won't work. I learned that the hard way. I also bought a Mini Wireless Keyboard. A keyboard is required for the setup (any keyboard will do). I got the mini keyboard so I could have a keyboard in my car to troubleshoot potential issues while on the road. It's optional, but I recommend it.
Then I just followed the guide (mentioned above) to set up the RasPi with RetroPi, then plugged in all the cables, and bam I had a retro game console in my car.
NOTE: Instead of the 2.5A Power Supply included in the kit I used a standard micro usb cable plugged into a USB slot in the center console to power the RasPi.
Nope, not wireless. Just normal USB SNES controllers. I got both mine yesterday, I'm super pleased. Wish the cord was longer, but I guess I can get an extension. It's a great controller though, I think it's probably worth it to spend the couple extra dollars over the Tomee, at least according to the Amazon reviews. It's definitely a little nicer than the retrolink.
Pi Zero Kit - $37
USB Controller - $17
Total: $54 + tax
Round it off to $60 with tax, and I'd say that is around $50 since I didn't pick the absolute cheapest options. I'm certain that the $50 price point is more for people who don't have to pay online tax. This is basically the minimum needed to get going with RetroPie, and unless you are trying to do PSX, you really don't need the Pi3.
I have this one, but I bought it years ago to play SNES games on my MacBook and I didn’t pay more than $15. Buffalo iBuffalo Classic USB Gamepad for PC https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002B9XB0E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_cKEkFbANS8Z0E there are plenty on there, just look around.
I assume you've used the Buffalo SNES controller?
http://www.amazon.com/Buffalo-Classic-USB-Gamepad-PC/dp/B002B9XB0E
It's the only decent third party controller that I know of.
I ordered this one (https://www.amazon.com/Buffalo-iBuffalo-Classic-Gamepad-BSGP801GY/dp/B002B9XB0E/ref=pd_sim_147_5?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B002B9XB0E&pd_rd_r=Y5YDSB555AHQ95JCWJE6&pd_rd_w=2VFop&pd_rd_wg=sRE4T&psc=1&refRID=Y5YDSB555AHQ95JCWJE6) and I've never had any problems with it.
The iBuffalo controller is extremely well made, I got one a while back, and its good for emulation, as long as the system doesn't need analog sticks, and for some indie games. Plus it only costs $11, plus shipping, at Amazon, so its already cheaper than some adapters and the price of a SNES controller.
Also, this is just for me, the Buffalo controller really does feel a lot like the SNES controller, not exactly, but pretty darn close for a third party USB controller.
Really, I think this debate comes to whether you had an SNES or not as kid/teen. Personally, I didn't have an SNES, so the minor difference in the controllers isn't a huge issue for me, but from what I've seen from others, it is a bigger issue.
Oh, and here's the amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Buffalo-Classic-USB-Gamepad-PC/dp/B002B9XB0E
I just purchased one of these
I was very weary of the shitty $8 clones, especially since on Amazon there's like 50 different sellers all selling different controllers despite being on the same listing.
I'm very happy with this controller. The cable isn't stressed coming out of the controller, the buttons feel very good and clicky, not mushy.
edit: Also, despite it being sold by all Japanese import sellers, it's still made in China.