Defender
Next-Gen PS1, PS2, PS3, PS Classic, Switch & PC Wireless Controller
$44.99
- **NEW** Firmware Update Available – Download Below
- Please note that the USB wireless version does not have Sixaxis functionality on the PS3.
- PS3 only Bluetooth version with six-axis compatibility coming soon!
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DESCRIPTION
REVIEWS
Introducing the
Defender
by Retro Fighters

A wireless controller for PS1, PS2 and PS3?
...but wait, there's more!
Get ready to wrap your hands around this truly one-of-a-kind controller. Dust off your PlayStation 1, PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 consoles and get ready to experience your favorite games like never before. Make sure you grab the most comfortable seat in the house because with a wireless range of 30+ feet and a battery life of 10+ hours per charge, you'll be pulling all-nighters!

Say "No" to confinement
...and game from afar!
Fully loaded
Premium design and features baked in


Looking for compatibility?
We've got you covered!
PRODUCT SHOTS










features
- 2.4GHz Wireless technology
- Pressure sensitive buttons
- Turbo functionality
- Comfortable and responsive analog sticks
- Vibration feedback
- Compatible with PS1/PS2/PS3/PS Classic/Switch/PC
- Wireless range of over 30 feet
- LED indicator
- Includes both USB and PS1/PS2 receivers
- Includes USB charging cable
FIRMWARE UPDATE
SPECIFICATIONS
Heading #1 | Heading #2 |
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MANUFACTURER | Retro Fighters |
COMPATIBILITY | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 1, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PC |
RELEASE DATE | September 2022 |
COLOR | Black, Blue, Gray, Green |
ITEM DIMENSIONS | 5.5 X 4 X 1 (L X W X H) |
ITEM WEIGHT | 6.63 OZ |
UPC | 745808420994 (Gray), 745808421007 (Black), 745808421014 (Blue), 745808421021 (Green) |
PACKAGING | Retail |
WHAT’S INCLUDED | – Defender Wireless Controller – USB Wireless Dongle – PS1/PS2 Wireless Dongle – USB Charging Cable – User Manual |
REVIEWS
37 reviews for Defender
Customer Images






Matthew Anderson
Simply the best PS1 controller. The turbo function is fantastic for various uses. For Legend of the Dragoon it hits a 266% damage with magic items every time, and saves the button from wearing out. The 'Auto Punch' function is a nice touch as well, and perfect for RPG grinding. Connectivity is perfect and has not failed to sync a single time. Finally the USB dongle is a nice touch. My only grip is that it looks more like a switch pro controller than a PS1 controller, and I'm a sucker for retro looking devices. They grey is a nice touch however. OVerall I'm super happy and give it 9.5/10!

Karl Burnett
I sure dodged a bullet - the last Retro Fighters controller I bought was the original N64 controller and I absolutely HATED the d-pad. After watching a couple of reviews of the Defender I decided to order a blue one to use with my MiSTer. I then stumbled across a YouTuber's review and I was gutted to see that he described the d-pad as having "no feel". I tried to cancel the order as the d-pad is be far the most important aspect of a controller for me, but it was too late - and I'm glad - this controller is absolutely outstanding! The d-pad is much nicer to use than the official Sixaxis and Dualshock 4 controllers I have been using. It has a nice, light, clicky feel and is very responsive. The analogue sticks are perfect too and make playing Colin McRae Rally an absolute joy. This is hands down my favourite new controller for the MiSTer - I have not noticed any lag and it just feels fantastic in the hands.

Joshua Brogdon
FINALLY! AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! I remember when PS2 came out, wireless controllers were just becoming a thing. There were a couple of great controllers, but after successive PlayStations came out. You were lucky to find a used on or buy a crappy one that broke in five minutes. After 10+ years of searching, these controllers are the only ones you need to buy. I bought two of them.

Dániel T
The best PS2 controller.

Summer Robertson
My partner loved his blue controller! Thank you so much for the adjustment. Very quick shipping! Amazing service!

link3895@gmail.com
I'll admit, I haven't tried on my PS2 yet, or anything other than PC/Switch. But so far this is honestly the best controller I've used for either PC or Switch, so I'm willing to bet it'll be the same for PS1/2/3. The response time has no delays, comfortable sleek design, and overall just pleasing. I was also a Kickstarter backer, was eager for its completion and arrival, now just eager for the chance to use it with anything I play.

Sky B
I received this controller for backing its Kickstarter, and was not disappointed. The sync process is real fast, it resyncs instantly after turning it back on, and it was responsive up to about 20-30 ft. Compared to other controllers, the input latency felt pretty low. The D-pad has a center pivot, which is good for fighting games, and the triggers swoop way out compared to other PS controllers making them easier to press. The one minor issue for me was that the buttons were slightly mushy. Great controller, keep it up guys.

Steven Hoffmann
Outstanding! I was waiting half a year for this controller to release. When I opened the box and picked the controller up it was an amazing feeling it was so comfortable. Gotta charge it for 2 and half hours out the box to get your expected 10 hrs of battery life. Light will stop flashing when it's fully charged. Use the home button to change modes for system your using. I mainly used this controller on PC and on the Switch. For it to work on the Switch; Dongle must be plugged in the USB port by the Hdmi port not the outside of the Switch. It also is pretty much plug and play on PC. I recommend you to follow the directions to have a smooth setup. Now controller features: the analog sticks move like butter it's so smooth with little to no resistants. The L2 and R2 triggers can be a bit sensative if you accidentally tapped on it lightly but no problem. Buttons go down smooth and isn't very loud. The Turbo function I'm not to sure about it yet, I haven't played around with it. Controller connect to USB dongle is super insync with games. I have not noticed any delays. It's a great controller it's beats many controllers sold on Amazon and I have tried alot of controllers for PC in the past. This is worth more than 5 stars so far. Also the grey color is so nostagalic.

Shannon O
Recently bought a PS2 Slim, also decided to turn on my PS3 for the first time in years and like clockwork I find out about Retro Fighters just before the release of the Defender PlayStation game pad. I bought one as soon as I saw they were available. Works great with both systems. No lag or delayed inputs. I intend on buying 3 more in the near future.









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Simply the best PS1 controller. The turbo function is fantastic for various uses. For Legend of the Dragoon it hits a 266% damage with magic items every time, and saves the button from wearing out. The ‘Auto Punch’ function is a nice touch as well, and perfect for RPG grinding. Connectivity is perfect and has not failed to sync a single time. Finally the USB dongle is a nice touch. My only grip is that it looks more like a switch pro controller than a PS1 controller, and I’m a sucker for retro looking devices. They grey is a nice touch however. OVerall I’m super happy and give it 9.5/10!
Rock-solid 4.5/5 controller. It is ALMOST a perfect replacement to the original dualshock 2.
The only thing holding this back from being absolutely flawless are a couple minor things.
I’ll list off every aspect of it separately so you can get a full understanding of what you’re getting here:
Shape: 9/10, fits my hands perfectly, my index fingers rest perfectly on the triggers and my thumbs on the d-pad and face buttons.
It feels super secure in my hands and doesn’t feel like it’s going to shift around in my hands as I play.
The materials are great, it doesn’t feel cheap at all.
Only gripe is that it is a bit on the small side, which isn’t a problem for me personally, except for the analog sticks feeling just a tad too close together. People with larger hands will probably find this controller to be too small.
I would suggest to make this controller slightly wider; stretch out the center of the controller but keep the sides exactly the same.
Button Feel: 10/10. All of the buttons and triggers and analog sticks have a perfectly tactile feel. No changes needed here.
If you’re familiar with OEM nintendo gamepads made since the wii era and especially the switch pro controller, then you’ll feel right at home with this.
Features: 10/10.
First, pressure-sensitive buttons are here. They work great, the sensitivity seems to be a little more sensitive than an OEM dualshock 2 in good condition, which honestly is a good thing.
Second, this controller has no right being this dang versatile. I mean, PS1, PS2, PS3, AND PC support!? This right here is outstanding. The controller Emulates the XBOX 360 controller when connected to a windows PC, and, works exactly like a real XBOX 360 controller does.
Third, it has turbo/rapid-fire button functionality which certainly can’t hurt.
Fourth, The bluetooth/wireless connection works great, it connects quickly without issue.
Fifth, input latency is exactly what it should be: not noticeable at all. I’m very sensitive to input lag and I can tell you the controller isn’t any slower than an OEM controller. With my PS2 connected to a CRT, it felt exactly the same as my OEM dualshock 2.
Sixth: USB-C connector for charging! Thank you Retrofighters for not using a micro usb connector.
Seventh: The color options here are great. I love the translucent blue one and got that one, it reminds me of my ocean blue dualshock 2 from back in the day.
Now to address my one major gripe with this controller, and that is the trigger and analog stick sensitivity calibration.
This controller, at least my particular unit, exhibits a sub-optimal calibration with the analog inputs; the triggers and the analog sticks.
My controller’s analog inputs are too sensitive; they reach 100% before being fully tilted/pressed.
The sticks are registering 100% at about a 50% tilt, and the triggers at about an 80% press.
This was true using it on both my PS2 and PC. I also made sure to update the firmware on the usb dongle.
I’m not sure if this conservative calibration is intentional, it could be there to reduce faulty controllers from the factory. If it is intentional, it’s overkill and it’s hindering an otherwise perfect controller. If it’s unintended, then they need to make efforts to improve the analog calibration.
For PS2 games, this calibration issue isn’t a big deal as almost no PS2 game requires super high levels of analog precision.
But it’s advertised as a PS3 and PC controller as well, which is where you’re going to notice this the most and it definitely leaves a bit to be desired there.
If Retrofighters fixed these things, this would legitimately be an 11/10 controller, no question.
Phenomenal PS2 wireless controller, I purchased 4 of these because they were that great! Unfortunately I didn’t realize retrofighters had an entire website for them and purchased them off amazon. Pros: The controller and plastic doesn’t feel cheap, the buttons are pressure sensitive, and it’s wireless! It uses a usb-c charging cable, the battery life is over 8 hours per charge, the joystick feels good, and it comes with a turbo function!
The only slight con I can give this is the controller is slightly less sensitive than an original ps2 controller (meaning the joystick when moving a character from slow to moving fast has a smaller window in the joystick than the original ps2 controller). But overall this is the best aftermarket controller I have found, and I use these over my original ps2 controllers daily!
Overall I would rate these 9.5/10 stars!
(Would give them 10/10 of they would work on slightly improving the controller sensitivity, and possibly adding in a battery level button or light to tell the remaining charge of the battery)
-Best regards, DJ H
I got this to replace a PS3 controller that died on me and am more than satisfied with the purchase. It has a nice, sturdy feel to it and the controls are responsive. I’d definitely recommend this controller to anyone looking for a new controller for one of the older PS systems.