I've had a retrocon for a while now, i love it. The only thing that really seems to be a problem for me is when you click the analog pads for the L3 and R3 buttons; you have to press really hard and most of the time the analog stick shakes when you press it.
Partly correct there.
I personally used a madcatz dual force 2.
But you dont want it to be "hard" to press buttons in a portable. Light touches are what you want so your hands stay rested. The madcatz boards are not overly complex and are pretty nice compared to other brands. But buttons are a bit "sticky"/hard. I would reccomend the other mini madcatz controller(I believe its madcatz) But i believe its clear if thats any help ill edit if i find a pic.
I have the RetroCon. I think it's a great controller except for the D-Pad. It really likes the diagonal directions. It's hard to hold just left or just right. Those tiny little analog stick are very well built though.
I think you are correct about the D-pad but the analogs are really small and would work great for a portable like ben's. you wouldn't have to make a custom analog stick. it's also thin so it wouldn't take up much space.
i'm useing the retrocon because when you get it apart you can use the front of the black part and screw it in then cover it then it is in the case good so when r3/l3 are pressed it don't move