Controllers Pair as Player 2 (LaserBear GameCube internal v3.2, RetroScaler N64 external)

[moose-juice]

br_debug_trace (2).bin.zip

Answers checklist.

• [x] I have read and will follow the terms above.
• [x] I have read the documentation BlueRetro wiki and the issue is not addressed there.
• [x] I have updated my BlueRetro to latest version available.
• [x] I have searched the issue tracker for a similar issue and not found a similar issue.

BlueRetro firmware version

25.04

BlueRetro firmware specification

HW1 & HW2

BlueRetro firmware variant

System specific

BlueRetro hardware type

External adapter dongle (1 port only) + Internal GameCube board from LaserBear v3.2

Manufacturer

RetroScaler, LaserBear

System used

Nintendo 64, GameCube

Bluetooth controller brand & name

Nintendo Switch Online N64 Controller, 8bitdo Ultimate, 8bitdo Pro 3, Sony DualSense

What is the problem? (only list ONE problem per report)

• controller pairs with dongle in Port 1 (no dongle for GameCube; internal), but pairs with Player 2 LED (or Port 2 on GCN)
• Games that don't recognize Player 2 don't recognize the controller. How can I be paired as Player 2 if the dongle is in Slot 1?

What did you expect to happen?

Pair as Player 1

Attach BlueRetro debug trace here

No response

[moose-juice]

Actually, no game recognizes the controller! Even if the dongle is in the P2 port, the P2 LED on the controller is the only one lit and no inputs are recognized whatsoever.

[moose-juice]

Debug trace from my LaserBear internal GameCube v3.2 adapter: br_debug_trace (3).bin.zip

Updating the issue to clarify that this occurs with both the external RetroScaler N64 hardware, as well as the LaserBear internal GameCube hardware (v3.2). For clarification, I reproduced on the latest firmware for both, i.e., 25.04.

Additionally, I have reproduced on beta2 firmware for the GameCube hardware (hw2 25.10).

Lastly, clarifying that the issue is not specific to Nintendo Switch Online controllers, but rather any controller I have tested with, which always pairs as "Player 2," including:

• Sony DualSense
• 8bitdo Ultimate (X-Input)
• 8bitdo Pro 3 (Switch or D-Input)

[darthcloud]

You likely have a rogue Bluetooth device in your house that is connecting to BlueRetro before your controller.

Things like LED strip or audio device often does this.

To identify: Check on you phone or computer if you see a device appearing when you go into "pairing new device". Then start BlueRetro, you should see that device disappear from your phone/pc pairing list after a minute.

[moose-juice]

that

Using my phone and PC, I can't see the device "disappearing," but I believe you are right. However, it's next to impossible to identify what the offending device is.

I see a "DUALSHOCK 4 Wireless Controller" available on iPhone/Mac, and a "Wireless Controller" on PC. It remains available even if I pair something with BlueRetro.

I've unplugged every LED light strip I own, unfortunately to no effect.

Surely there must be some way to determine which device the BlueRetro is trying to pair with, and to "blacklist" it somehow?

[moose-juice]

I found the culprit, finally. It is the 2.4ghz wireless dongle that comes with the GameSir G7 Pro controller. When the controller is off, but the dongle is receiving power, it broadcasts as some sort of wireless controller. I assume it must be listening for the controller to wake up and pair too.

Having the ability to blacklist certain devices, by Bluetooth MAC address or some other ID, would be a great way to mitigate these issues.

I will also open a support case with GameSir to suggest they change this behavior.