8BitDo has DIY kits that can turn your favorite retro controllers wireless

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8BitDo makes some cool controllers, but due to pesky copyright laws, they can’t be exactly the same as your old-school SNES or NES controller. Never one to be thwarted by something as silly as a possible lawsuit, 8BitDo has done the next best thing by building the boards needed to make your retro controllers wireless.

How awesome would this have been growing up? I can’t be the only one that pulled multiple consoles from their resting place due to a long, knotted grey cord. This DIY kit requires almost no skill, as all you’ll really have to do is remove a couple screws to open up your gamepad and then replace the circuit board that controls everything with the new Bluetooth-enable version.

Still on the fence? Check out this video to see just how easy it is to convert your controller over:

READ MORE: 8BitDo launches new gaming controller focused on accessibility

For controller opinions, 8BitDo is selling kits for the original SNES controller, the SNES Classic controller, both the OG and Classic versions of the NES controller, and a kit for the SEGA Mega Drive controller.

With your new Bluetooth-enabled controller, you’ll be able to use it with basically any device that accepts a Bluetooth gamepad, including the Nintendo Switch (which has a great sale right now!) and Windows PCs.

Going to give this a try? Have any old controllers you want to experiment on? Let us know in the comments.

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Josiah Motley

Former KnowTechie editor.