Use XBox, PlayStation & Switch Controllers on Dreamcast & Saturn With Brook Gaming Wingman SD
77In this video, we unbox and check out the Brook Gaming Wingman SD adapter.
Brook Gaming has really stepped up their game in recent years with some really cool accessories. Their Power Bay for the Nintendo Switch is amazingly functional, and it just looks awesome. They've recently turned their attention toward the Sega Dreamcast and Sega Saturn with the Wingman SD. This is an adapter you can plug into either system and use modern controllers on your retro platforms. That's right, you can use an Xbox 360, Xbox one, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and many other wireless controllers now with your Saturn or Dreamcast.
The dongle itself has two cables coming out of it, one for the Saturn and one for the Dreamcast. The face has a micro USB input and a USB A port to connect your controllers via USB cable. The top of the unit has what they call the Brook button, this allows you to do things like pair controllers wirelessly, and remap button layouts.
Upon initially plugging it into my Saturn, I could not get any controllers, except for my PlayStation 4 controllers, to pair to the Wingman SD. Not my Xbox one controllers, not my Switch Pro controllers, not any third party controllers. I reached out to Brook and they suggested that I update the firmware, which I did. Voila, everything now worked wirelessly, except for my Xbox One controllers. For some reason I could never get these to pair wirelessly to the Wingman SD.
I started on my Saturn, and I had to start with my buddy Earthworm Jim. The button layout was a little weird to get used to initially, and I can see the benefit of eventually remapping the button layouts. Having the C button as the R1 trigger was definitely not something I preferred. The nice thing, however, was how responsive everything was, how comfortable the PS3 controller still was to me, and just how good the overall experience was. I had similar experiences with Street Fighter Alpha 2, and other games on the Saturn. In addition to the PS3 controller I also tried my Destiny Edition white controller for the PS4, which was also spot on period so far so good!
Up next was the Dreamcast. I actually paired up an Old Skool Double Shock 4 PS4 controller, and it worked like a champ. I was honestly surprised how well this worked. Just like on the Saturn, the Dreamcast felt responsive, it was comfortable to use, and a very pleasant experience. For racing games, such as Star Wars Episode 1 Racer, the analog stick actually does make a difference.
I finished up my testing with Sonic Adventures and my Switch Pro controller. Once again, pairing was super simple and the controls were very responsive. Now one thing to keep in mind is just because you have a new controller does not mean you will be able to unlock new capabilities that the designers did not put into the game. For example, you can't use the right stick to change camera angles if that's not how the game was designed.
Why it RoX:
- Compatible with two systems right out of the box
- Integrated vmu memory card for Dreamcast
- Compatible with a wide variety of controllers
- Adds Wireless functionality where it did not previously exist
- Firmware upgradeable
- Can be used wirelessly or with USB controllers
- Remappable buttons
What could be improved?
- My unit required a firmware update before it would work with anything wirelessly
- The stock button mapping could be better
- A bit on the expensive side
Should you buy one?
If you are like me and you are not a fan of the original Dreamcast controller, or if you have a desire to play your Saturn or Dreamcast wirelessly, the Brook Gaming Wingman SD is a really convenient device. It's responsive, you can upgrade the firmware, and overall it does a good job. I was a bit disappointed that it did not work with any of my controllers wirelessly from the box, but a simple firmware upgrade took care of that for me. The overall quality of the unit is high, and the performance is too. I just wish I could figure out why my Xbox One controller doesn't work.
#BrookGaming #WingmanSD #Dreamcast
The footage used in this review are used under the Fair Use laws, referenced below:
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/107
Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright.
The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors.
(Pub. L. 94–553, title I, § 101, Oct. 19, 1976, 90 Stat. 2546; Pub. L. 101–650, title VI, § 607, Dec. 1, 1990, 104 Stat. 5132; Pub. L. 102–492, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3145.)