39 replies to this topic

[chrisbid]

an upset last round, the Master System showed there truly are no limits and beat the power of x

the updated braquet...

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

8 Nintendo Entertainment System - 1
9 Sega Saturn 3D pad / Sega Dreamcast (essentially the same design) - 12

5 Sega Genesis (six button) - 8
12 Colecovision - 2

4 Super Nintendo Entertainment System - 12
13 Atari 7800 - 1

[url=http://www.atariage.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=31867]3 Atari 2600 (CX40) - 10
14 Nintendo 64 - 4

[url=http://www.atariage.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=31959]6 Microsoft X-Box (S-type) - 5
11 Sega Master System - 7

7 Nintendo Gamecube
10 Atari Jaguar

2 Sega Saturn (Japan Style 6 Button)
15 Intellivision

next match

7 - Nintendo Gamecube

http://images.google.../controller.jpg

-vs-

10 - Atari Jaguar (pro)



this time around, no "none of the above votes", even if you dont like either controller very much, chances are it will be voted off later, so go ahead and cast a grudge vote

[Agent X]

Here's another match that requires some thought.

The GameCube controller is one of the most comfortable controllers ever designed. It fits so well in your hands! The button configuration is a mixed bag, though. I don't care much for the button shape and placement of the X and Y buttons. I often wish Nintendo went with a SNES-style face button layout, and also added a second trigger on the left side (similar to the Z button on the right side). Also, the digital pad should have been a bit larger. The button layout seems good for most of the types of games that Nintendo (first-party) makes, but some third-party games (particularly sports games and fighting games) suffer. Other than that, it's a very good controller.

I liked the original Jaguar controller a lot when it first came out. The ProController (which it seems like you want to use for this comparison) is a great improvement, with an additional three face buttons and two triggers. The button layout is much like the one used on the Sega Saturn. Too bad that the ProController came out so late in the Jaguar's active market life, and as a result few games were designed around its strengths. I liked the concept of the numeric keypad, and some of the games used it very well. While it helps that the keypad is present (as opposed to it not being there at all), it's not always easily accessible in the heat of battle.

This is really a hard decision to make, being a big fan of the Jaguar ever since launch...but I'm voting GameCube on this one, mainly because of the high comfort factor, and the fact that it has analog control whereas the Jaguar does not. If the ProController had an analog thumbstick or two added to it (like Sony did with the Dual Shock), then it would've won hands down. But sadly, the Jaguar's commercial market life was cut short, and that never happened. Who knows what could have happened if Atari stuck it out longer?

Ah, it's all water under the bridge now. Enough about that--just pencil in GameCube, and I'll save the wistful Jaguar "what ifs" for another day.

[JagMX]

this is a no-brainer - aside form the Jag being my fav system - that gamecube controller is HORRIBLE - nintendo has had a nabit of making terrible controllers ever since the dawn of the N64 -

Jaguar gets the vote

[liquid_sky]

the jag is the lesser of the 2 evils

[Trooper]

Well. I, and it seems as if though I'm quite alone thinking this, think that the GC controller is quite nice, the only problem is it wasn't designed with my grown-up hands in mind. If they had been a bit bigger it would have been a definit winner but for now I have to cast my vote on the Jag.

/Troop

[kisrael]

The GC controller, while not flawless, is probably one of the best controllers in history. Comfortable, built-in rumble, 4 ports on the 'cube itself, well-placed and grouped buttons, excellent shoulder buttons (not of DualShock 2's "every button is analog and mushy"). The D-pad is a bit small, I grant that much.

I haven't used the Jag controller, though it looks pretty damn limited, a day late, a dollar short. The keypad is amusingly retro. What games used it well?

So I think Agent-X had the fairest analysis; I haven't noticed it being bad for fighting games (well, Smash Bros is the only one I play, and that's more of a brawler) or Sports (works fine for Sega Soccer Slam and Blitz...) but I'll take his word for it.

And who the hell are you guys, Andre the Giant? I'm 5'11, normal sized hands, the GC fits fine. (without bending your thumbs the way DualShock2 does...though I think people should vote how it fits most people, not just themselves. Thus the original Xbox controller was probably too big, but I won't hold the fact that many people find the dual shcock uncomfortable against it in the voting...Troooper, I wish you'da reconsidered your vote, you seem to recognize some the the GC's qualitites...)

Seriously, if a modern flexible (and comfortable for many) controller, with lots of useful controls and other features can't beat the Jaguar's, maybe ok for its time but only bringing a keypad to the table as something different than say the SNES (and also on the huge side) then this tourney is absolutely flawed. I could see the Atari 2600 stick edging out the N64, but this is really people voting 'cause they're biased against Nintendo or they're playing "mighta been" with the Jag.


One vote for the GC. (And it's funny that the people who give the fairest assesment of its flaws are the ones who vote for it, besides that the arguments were more emotional, except for the size thing.)

[Miqorz]

It's not secret Atari sucked at making a good easy to use controller/joystick..

So yeah I vote for Gamecube.

[kisrael]

PS, it wouldn't have made the difference, but in retrospect I shoulda taken the X-box controller over the SMS pad rather than abstain...neither are very innovative (which is really one of my most important criteria) but standards for controllers have risen ALOT since the SMS days.

[Gabriel]

The GameCube controller is yet another Nintendo invention designed for appearance first and with no concern for function. While it isn't the worst controller of all time, it's pretty damn close. If anything, it proves that Nintendo's invention of the SNES controller was a total fluke. Nintendo couldn't intentionally design a decent controller if their market share depended on it.

On the other hand, the Jaguar controller is an ugly son of a bitch that somehow miraculously feels comfortable and responds well to player command. I've spent many hours in flawless enjoyment of Tempest 2000 and Iron Soldier with the Jag controller, and, unlike the frustration produced by the NGC craptroller, it is transparent to gameplay.

There is no doubt whatsoever. Do the math. The Jaguar controller is plainly better.

[oesii]

My first vote in this contest, and I'll go with the Jag controller. I think it's one of those controllers that many people make fun of without really trying it out. Once you get to playing it's a comfortable, accurate controller.

The Gamecube controller feels like a lightweight toy to me and I also don't like the N64 pad, Nintendo needs to go back to the Nes/Snes pad

[Lost Monkey]

I don't find the D-pad on the Pro Controller to be responsive enough, but the GCN controller's D-pad is just a tad too small... so it is a good thing there is an analogue stick there too.

I still don't understand the GCN "size" issue. The part of the controller which fits into your hand is the same size as both the DC controller and the Jaguar controller.

Vote for GCN.

[kisrael]

Gabriel said:

The GameCube controller is yet another Nintendo invention designed for appearance first and with no concern for function.  While it isn't the worst controller of all time, it's pretty damn close.  If anything, it proves that Nintendo's invention of the SNES controller was a total fluke.  Nintendo couldn't intentionally design a decent controller if their market share depended on it.

"appearance first and with no concern for function"--please back up that claim with details.

The only way I see that as remotely true is with the D-pad, which is small.

* the main analog stick is very comfortable, soft but with good traction
* the buttons are well designed. You don't mix up A and B with X and Y--too many PS2 games having things randomly assigned to the 4 symbol buttons, and it takes a lot longer to remember which is which
* the "gas pedal" shoulder buttons are excellent...you can really tell if its down all the way, half way, quarter way, etc. Compare that to the PS2's "all analog" crap, where buttons don't have far enough to tell how far they are, so everything feels mushy--plus it's way too easy to mixup R1 with R2 and L1 with L2.
* for my medium large hands, everything is within very easy reach. I feel a lot more strain with the DualShock
* the yellow "C-stick"...they decided to make it an actual stick rather than have the 4 directional buttons, which means they have fewer buttons to work with (i.e. its harder to assign functions to directions) but there are enough buttons that it's not much of an issue.
* this stick is also terrific for FPS; comparing TimeSplitters on PS2 to TimeSplitters 2 on GC (haven't tried TS2 on PS2), the GC controller feels much better.

I admit that this stick isn't as innovative as the SNES (button crosspad, shoulder buttons) or N64 (analog stick w/o losing other stuff, 4 ports on the console). But it's really well done. I don't understand what you mean by "appearance over functionality"...I mean I think it looks good too, in a tonka toy sort of way.

I haven't used the Jag controller, but judging by it's functionality, it just looks like a competent crosspad controller. Plus the system didn't have 4 controller ports w/o a multitap. Seriously, besides extra buttons and the telephone pad, does this controller do anything that the SNES pad doesn't?

There is no way in the big picture the Jag controller is better than the GC's, unless you only play games w/ the crosspad, in which case the GC's controller's small D-pad might be an issue.

[Brian R.]

JAGUAR

The GameCube controller is a tiny, tinny toy. It's terrible. Horrible. What was Nintendo thinking?

The Jaguar controller fits comfortably in the hands... especially the pro controller. The keypad gives a range of options.

The GC controller is.. again, tiny, tinny, and basically a multicolored mess.

[Brian R.]

P.S. What is a "GCN?" I've seen this elsewhere and have no idea what it's supposed to mean. GameCubeNintendo? Huh? Shouldn't it be NGC?

[PuddWakkr]

I don't really care for either of these two controllers very much. I hate the Jag controller less than I hate the GC one. Nintendo had a good thing in their Snes controller and then they got goofy.

My vote is for the JAG.

[kisrael]

Brian R. said:

P.S. What is a "GCN?" I've seen this elsewhere and have no idea what it's supposed to mean. GameCubeNintendo? Huh? Shouldn't it be NGC?

GCN is the "official" abbreviation. I think the more obvious "NGC" was "already taken" by "NeoGeo Color" or "CD" or something.

You guys are all nuts, by the way. I guess this board is more about
"Atari Age" than "Modern Gaming".

I mean, "tinny"?? You guys and your frickin' andre the giant hands.

[liquid_sky]

id never heard the NGPC called the NGC

[kisrael]

liquid_sky said:

id never heard the NGPC called the NGC

shrug, that's just the story I heard. "GCN" is the "offical" abbreviation. Some people think it's a japanese thing maybe. I usually use "GC" myself.

[Brian R.]

kisrael said:

Brian R. said:

P.S. What is a "GCN?" I've seen this elsewhere and have no idea what it's supposed to mean. GameCubeNintendo? Huh? Shouldn't it be NGC?

GCN is the "official" abbreviation. I think the more obvious "NGC" was "already taken" by "NeoGeo Color" or "CD" or something.

You guys are all nuts, by the way. I guess this board is more about
"Atari Age" than "Modern Gaming".

I mean, "tinny"?? You guys and your frickin' andre the giant hands.

By "tinny," I mean the cheap, thin plastic feeling the controller has. Doesn't feel like it has any substance to it. To me, it really feels like a cheap toy, not a controller for an advanced game console.

[liquid_sky]

probally some slightly engrish explanation, as nintendo is the particle of the phrase game cube and in japanese the particles ususally go at the end of a sentence.. but that means the snes in this thinking would have been the "Entertainment System Nintendo Super"

Hurts the brain trying to think of a reason why its the GCN

[kisrael]

Brian R. said:

By "tinny," I mean the cheap, thin plastic feeling the controller has. Doesn't feel like it has any substance to it. To me, it really feels like a cheap toy, not a controller for an advanced game console.

Whatever. I don't want a brick. You think it's lighter or thinner than, say, the dualshock?

And I still don't see how the Jaguar's is better overall. Seriously. People seem to take offense at anything that doesn't look like it was designed in 1980s Russia.

[liquid_sky]

[quote]People seem to take offense at anything that doesn't look like it was designed in 1980s Russia.[/quote]


Mne nasrat', chto ty dumaesh'
(sorry, dont have russian font support)[/quote]

[Starscream]

While I think both suck ass, I gotta vote for the Jaguar. The GC controller is the biggest turd ever produced. The short time I had my GC, I bought 2 controllers(Nintendo brand) that were both screwed up right out of the package. They are flimsy, I will also say too toy like, I will also agree looks before function, and the absolute worst button layout ever, and in no way, shape or from did I even find it remotely comfortable. I'd find more comfort getting pulled from the back of a semi by my balls....down a dirt road....100mph.....in Alaska.

[Ze_ro]

Damn, this is a hard choice... I actually like a lot of the ideas that the Gamecube controller brings to things (such as buttons that have an obvious importance to them... A is obviously going to be a more important action than Z). However, the Jaguar controller is probably the controller out of all of them that best fits my hands. I truly don't understand why people used to complain about the Jaguar controller. The number pad may be an antiquated idea, but it's great in my opinion... you'll NEVER have a lack of buttons in any game, and you never have to resort to "scrolling" through weapons in games like Doom or Iron Soldier.

So anyways, my vote goes with the Jaguar controller. The Pro-Controller is even better.

--Zero

[chrisbid]

cube - 4
jag - 8