18 replies to this topic

[chrisbid]

In the first match, the PSX Dual Shock ran circles around the OA (original analog) 5200

so here is the updated braquet...

1 Playstation Dual Shock (1 & 2) - 6
16 Atari 5200 - 0

8 Nintendo Entertainment System
9 Sega Saturn 3D pad / Sega Dreamcast (essentially the same design)

5 Sega Genesis (six button)
12 Colecovision

4 Super Nintendo Entertainment System
13 Atari 7800

3 Atari 2600 (CX40)
14 Nintendo 64

6 Micorsoft X-Box (S-type)
11 Sega Master System

7 Nintendo Gamecube
10 Atari Jaguar

2 Sega Saturn (Japan Style 6 Button)
15 Intellivision


NEW MATCH

8 - Nintendo Entertainment System



-vs-

9 - Sega Saturn (3D Controller) / Sega Dreamcast







again, all you have to do to vote is just post your preference. Use whatever criteria you want.

LET'S GET IT ON!

[liquid_sky]

the sega controller.. the regular nes just was too small and dug into my hands like a splinter

[kisrael]

liquid_sky said:

the sega controller.. the regular nes just was too small and dug into my hands like a splinter

Dreamcast...though I think it's incorrect to lump it in with the Saturn 3D, the VMU was a really interesting and cool idea even if it never reached its full potential.

[Agent X]

kisrael said:

Dreamcast...though I think it's incorrect to lump it in with the Saturn 3D, the VMU was a really interesting and cool idea even if it never reached its full potential.

I agree with kisrael here. The Dreamcast controller and Saturn analog controller have some similarities, but some noticeable differences as well. The most obvious differences are that the Saturn analog controller has two more fire buttons, and the Dreamcast controller has two expansion slots for a VMU or other device (Jump Pack, microphone etc.). The Saturn analog controller has an analog "rocker" of sorts, while the Dreamcast controller has a more traditional analog thumbstick.

Both of the above Sega controllers easily smoke the rather uncomfortable NES controller, so Sega wins my vote here. If I have to pick between the two Sega controllers, though, then I'd go with Saturn analog controller. As nifty as the VMU was with the Dreamcast, the Saturn controller is more functional when it comes to actual control, with a better digital pad and two more fire buttons. I never could figure out why Sega made the Dreamcast controller with two less buttons than its predecessor, especially when so many gamers loved the Saturn's configuration.

[kisrael]

Agent X said:

I never could figure out why Sega made the Dreamcast controller with two less buttons than its predecessor, especially when so many gamers loved the Saturn's configuration.

I'm a big believer that more isn't always better in terms of buttons...too many buttons that are too similar are confusing.

Even SNES vs Genesis, SNES was smart enough to arrange its buttons into a second crosspad, and then introduced well-differentiated shoulder buttons.

[Ze_ro]

I'd definitely have to say the Saturn/Dreamcast pad is better. Way more comfortable, and way less sharp edges.

As for the 6-button issue, I'm torn. I'm a huge fan of fighting games, and frankly, trying to play Street Fighter with a SNES or Dreamcast pad sucks. Using shoulder buttons for any part of Street Fighter just doesn't work well at all, and it ruins the game just a slight amount (I still play them, but it makes them more frustrating when trying to do a super combo that requires me to hit the L trigger). However, for basically every other game, the 4+2 layout works better. Trying to play my Saturn games (I own no Saturn fighting games unfortunately) I constantly have no idea which buttons to use in a game... none of them ever seem to have any obvious importance, so when I try to navigate menus, I'm constantly screwing things up and accidentally cancelling choices without realizing it. I supposed it could be argued that the menus for games like this are at fault by not making it obvious that X cancels back to the main menu, but anyways... Shoulder buttons almost always have a minor importance in games (ie, scrolling the screen in Mario World), or have a distinct left-right application (ie, tilting your racer in F-Zero) that is more obvious than using Z and X on some 6-button pad.

One of the things I really like about the Gamecube controller is the fact that every buttons seems to have an immediate priority. The A button is obviously going to be assigned to the most important action, and the Z button to the least important... it takes a lot of the guess-work out of the controls that a 6-button arrangement has had a harder time with. Unfortunately, I don't look forward to playing Capcom Vs. SNK 2 EO with the GC controller......

--Zero

[Mustangarrett]

DC... its one of if not my fav. controler... fits like a glove.

[JagMX]

Saturn's/DC's

[Scooterb23]

DC controller for me as well...the main reason is how easy it was to play Crazy Taxi with it

[PuddWakkr]

DC Controller

[Raijin Z]

NES. Try marathon gaming with a DC pad. If you're not a bloated fat fucking blob, it hurts.

[chrisbid]

current score

NES - 1
Dreamcast/Saturn 3D - 8

[kisrael]

Raijin Z said:

NES. Try marathon gaming with a DC pad. If you're not a bloated fat fucking blob, it hurts.

I'm not that much of a bloated fat fucking blob, but the only part I find painful is overuse of the "gaspedal" shoulder buttons.

[Gabriel]

Well, its the comparison of a marginal controller (at best) to a total crap controller.

The Dreamcast pad is better. Despite the cord that gets in your way no matter what. Despite the unresponsive analog buttons and stick. Despite the controller mounted memory cards and jolt packs. Despite its abnormal size. Despite the fact that it just sucks.

But at least it isn't a pointy rectangle with the responsiveness of a brick, which the NES control pad most closely resembles.

So, yeah, Dreamcast is better in this choice for the lesser of two evils.

[sdstuff64]

I too would go withthe Dreamcast controller,it just feels a lot better.

[Clock]

I hated the DC controller due to it's bulk, but I played and played and fell in love (sort of). (Never used a Saturn controller - no comment)

Nes controller was simple yet uncomfortable.

My vote goes to DREAMCAST

[kisrael]

Clock said:

I hated the DC controller due to it's bulk, but I played and played and fell in love (sort of). (Never used a Saturn controller - no comment)

Nes controller was simple yet uncomfortable.

My vote goes to DREAMCAST

The NES pad never struck me as uncomfortable, or unresponsive...I think the biggest question is in terms of historic impact, do we like it that from the dawn of the NES 'til the appearance of the N64 over a decade, control pads were absolutely the norm? (And the way all these pads might be favoring left handers is a little strange too, though I've heard someone argue that it better complements the type of precision needed)

[JaySeaver]

Dreamcast. I never did like the NES controller, but that's in part due to it being the first left-handed pad thing I was ever subjected to. I do rather like the Dreamcast one, though.

[chrisbid]

BETTING ENDS!!!

Final Score

NES - 1
Dreamcast/Saturn 3d - 12