New Sega Saturn controllers

matchaman

I wish 8bitdo did them instead. They could but they didn't and I don't understand why. They still can of course...

Beldar

@bobharris Yes, I got the Retrolink Saturn controller to work with Retropie. I had no trouble with that, just plug and play. It was the quality of the controller physically that was the problem.

Beldar

@matchaman I tried hard to like 8bitdo. They make some really neat looking stuff and their build quality is really nice. My problem is their d'pads are super stiff and crispy. I don't have the reflexes I did 25 years ago, so I need all the mechanical advantages I can get.

BobHarris

@beldar By the way I agree the Dual Shock 4 has a great dpad, but did you know there are differences even between Dual shock 4 v2 controllers? I noticed it yesterday. Last october I went to Japan and bought a DS4 v2 there. Yesterday I bought a second DS4 V2 here in the Netherlands. The Japanese dpad surface is super smooth, mirrorlike..feels soft to the touch and very slippery (which I like, because your thumb has to slide over it). It felt like that from the start, not through use. The European dpad has more of a matte finish and does not feel near as smooth. I never get these differences for each market. Of course it could also be a minor update within the DS4 design, but that's hard to tell.

SgtJimmyRustles

The original sega saturn 3d controllers remind me of the original xbox duke controllers. They look uncomfortable.

Beldar

@bobharris That's interesting about the regional differences in the DS4. I have two of the updated version from local stores here in the USA. They both have the smooth untextured d'pads as well as a slight cutout of the touch pad that allows light through. Otherwise, the seem identical to the original version to me. I really enjoy them, they don't exactly feel retro, but the are high quality and get the job done.

barbudreadmon

@sgtjimmyrustles said in New Sega Saturn controllers:

The original sega saturn 3d controllers remind me of the original xbox duke controllers. They look uncomfortable.

The first xbox controller was inspired by the dreamcast controller, and the dreamcast controller was inspired by this Saturn 3D controller.

edmaul69

@barbudreadmon i think the xbox “duke” controllers were tested by Shaq. I have small hands and the duke controllers didnt bother me. The design of every xbox controller made are comfortable to me and keep my hands from cramping unlike a lot of controllers. If people think the duke was uncomfortable they should try using the analog controller for the Sega Saturn that was used for NIGHTS into dreams. That thing was bulky as hell. Not comfortable at all. I dont think the dreamcast controller is comfortable at all either.

quicksilver

@edmaul69 I liked the "duke" xbox controllers too. I have long fingers so most controllers are uncomfortable and leave my hands feeling cramped after a short while. The Xbox 360 controller with the battery compartment square in the middle of the controllers I find very annoying. For the xbox one they moved the battery compartment to be flush inside of the controller, this was a lot better for my hands. But still not as nice as the original xbox controller. But I can see how most people didnt like it.

edmaul69

@quicksilver im waiting for the “duke” xbox one controllers to come out. I also love that the jewel is an lcd screen that does the original xbox boot video. In march i am buying it.

SgtJimmyRustles

@edmaul69

I kinda doubt it's going to happen. I owned an original xbox, but I had the smaller controller, the one that was based on the xbox japanese controller.

Edit:

I stand corrected. Looks like you get your wish.

https://twitter.com/SeamusBlackley/status/951919306593337345

edmaul69

@sgtjimmyrustles the March announcement was made yesterday. So i am 100% certain it is happening.

SgtJimmyRustles

@edmaul69

Yeah, I looked it up and saw it.

Beldar

I picked up each of the current "dual-link" controllers I could find. I tested them with games appropriate for their respective systems.

I tested the NES clones with Megaman and Gun Nac. While they don't feel exactly the same as the originals, they preform surprisingly well. The A and B buttons are slightly off set, but I actually find that more comfortable. I do not like the Start and Select buttons being moved upwards, but they work fine. The d'pad and buttons are actually really responsive and feel pretty nice.

The SNES clone is almost as impressive as the NES version. It's far closer to cloning the original and has identical button layout. It is fully functional and plays just fine. My only complaint is that the buttons have a slightly loose rattle to them, but it makes no difference in play. I tested these with Street Fighter II and Final Fight.

Now the Genesis/Megadrive clones... Marvelous! They are quite similar to the original model except the mode button is a little different. The d'pad is the best feature and feels very nice. The buttons are a little crispy, but I remember the upper row on the originals feeling like that when they were new. I tested these on a variety of games. Street Fighter, several shmups, and Streets of Rage.

I am honestly surprised at how decent these are compared to the heaps of cheap junk you can find on Amazon. If you need clone controllers for emulation or the original hardware, these are pretty satisfactory. I would rate the SNES and NES controllers 4/5 and the Sega clones a full 5/5.

denzilla

@matchaman said in New Sega Saturn controllers:

I wish 8bitdo did them instead. They could but they didn't and I don't understand why. They still can of course...

Man, I'm not. Not interested in replacing my controller every couple of years cause its soldered in battery isn't holding a charge.

BobHarris

@beldar So I thought there were regional differences between dual shock 4 v2's (Japan having the better dpad). There aren't. It was just a fluke. That dpad wasn't supposed to be in that V2 at all. I've found out that a lot (maybe all) of V1 dual shock 4's have that superior dpad. Apparently Sony thought they improved the dpad design in the V2 by making it more matte and grippy. But for me the older dpad plays miles better so I bought some broken V1 controllers to harvest those dpads. :)