3-button controller dpads

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08-11-2009, 12:31 PM
Genesis32XCD

3-button controller dpads

I took apart two of my Genesis controllers to wash them when I found out why one controls much better than the other. The dpads are completely different.

Left="good" pad, Right="bad" pad

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The controller on the left has the type of dpad that's on the 6-button controllers and Sega Saturn controllers (where the dpad and the white part "sandwiches" the casing). It controls much better than the one on the right, especially when hitting diagonals.

The "good" controller also has the case/buttons in matte black and has a textured feel, compared to the "bad" controller with it's glossy case/buttons and smooth feel.
08-11-2009, 01:22 PM
sketch

That's a pretty cool experiment. I didn't realize there were structural differences between 3 button controllers. Funny how you never know what's going on behind the scenes.
08-11-2009, 02:04 PM
Ace

I hate the original version of the 3-button controller simply because of that damn D-pad. It's too wide, too stiff and is often oversensitive or unresponsive. I only have TWO controllers with the shitty D-pad that work fine, and both are the ones that came with the Japanese MegaDrive. Their cords are ridiculously short(though not as short as the PC Engine/TurboGrafx controllers), but I sit close to my consoles, so that's not a problem.
08-11-2009, 03:34 PM
Why-Disciple

How do you tell which one is which when you buy them?
08-11-2009, 03:49 PM
Aarzak

I find it insulting that Sega continued to pack 3-Button pads with the Genesis all the way up until they stopped production, while Japan had the 6-button pad packed-in with the console as soon as it came out.
08-11-2009, 04:10 PM
Cornugon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aarzak

Japan had the 6-button pad packed-in with the console as soon as it came out.

They had? :daze:
08-11-2009, 04:23 PM
chinitosoccer

IM sorry Genesis32XCD but your "good D-pad" controller look like a pirate one, quality of the plastic components left a lot to be desired, i dont know if your controller is a clone, but i have several pirate Megadrive/Genesis joysticks and they come with that same tiny d-pad shape, on the other hand trigger buttons response is good but thats only while they have little wear.
08-11-2009, 05:14 PM
retrospiel

No these are legitimate, and they are indeed good and definitely MUCH better than the earlier variants. My EU PAL controller collection has maybe four or five variants of the 3-Button-Controller so I do share your observations and appreciate the time you took to picture them and share your findings with us.
08-11-2009, 05:16 PM
kool kitty89

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aarzak

I find it insulting that Sega continued to pack 3-Button pads with the Genesis all the way up until they stopped production, while Japan had the 6-button pad packed-in with the console as soon as it came out.

The Genesis 3 came with 6-buttons (turbo as well), inclusing some odd 3-button shaped 6-button pads. (which actually look almost ideal)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baloo

I use this kind of 6-button controller:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...genesis302.jpg

Not that one pictured on the box. I think it's rather uncommon, as I had a tough time finding a picture of it. I have two.
08-11-2009, 08:38 PM
roguetrip

Quote:

Originally Posted by kool kitty89

The Genesis 3 came with 6-buttons (turbo as well), inclusing some odd 3-button shaped 6-button pads. (which actually look almost ideal)

Wow, I just bought that controller on the picture of the box off chasethechuckwagon for like $10 shipped new. Its not too bad, dunno if its as good as my original 6 button SEGA controller though (better D-pad on it). I know the one I just got is smaller than my original 6 button controller and maybe the smallest SEGA Genesis controller I've ever seen!
08-11-2009, 08:51 PM
NeoVamp

The first model 3button Joypad's were notoriously painful for the fingers,
I should know i got one in my Sonic The Hedgehog set.

then a year or 3 later i visited my cousin and he had a Megadrive II set with SOR2,
and i was all like "hey these pads aren't raping my fingers!"

so yeah Sega obviously improved them somewhere a long the way.
08-11-2009, 09:51 PM
Genesis32XCD

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinitosoccer

IM sorry Genesis32XCD but your "good D-pad" controller look like a pirate one, quality of the plastic components left a lot to be desired, i dont know if your controller is a clone, but i have several pirate Megadrive/Genesis joysticks and they come with that same tiny d-pad shape, on the other hand trigger buttons response is good but thats only while they have little wear.

It's legit. The circuit board says "SEGA" and the year "1993", so it must be one of the later models.
08-11-2009, 10:34 PM
Baloo

Quote:

Originally Posted by kool kitty89

The Genesis 3 came with 6-buttons (turbo as well), inclusing some odd 3-button shaped 6-button pads. (which actually look almost ideal)

They are pretty ideal. I must say though over time the D-pads get a little clicky and one of mine has actually tilted to the right a little, so it can be a bit finicky.
08-11-2009, 10:40 PM
Ace

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aarzak

Japan had the 6-button pad packed-in with the MegaDrive 2.

Corrected. All Japanese MegaDrive 1s came with the 3-button controllers with the nasty D-pad.
08-11-2009, 11:05 PM
Jesse813

Its True the D-PAd on on my Jap MD1 3 Button controller is total garbage.
08-11-2009, 11:23 PM
Aarzak

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...genesis302.jpg

Yep, that's the pad that came with my Genesis 3 when I bought it off of Toys 'R Us in the Spring of 1999, not the one pictured in the box. Speaking of the latter, that is just simply a re-branded Interact third-party Genesis pad with a "Sega" logo on it. Some Genesis 3's came with the former, others with the latter apparently. But the bulky one was never sold outside of being packed-in with the Genesis 3, while the re-branded one was sold by Majesco (via Sega branding) by itself.
08-12-2009, 12:08 AM
Baloo

Yeah, for some reason I have the same one, my first controllers were that 6-button and a 3-button ASCII pad that's now very beat-up and barely responds. I managed to get a second one not too long ago for about $5 from a DP member. I was surprised they were that uncommon, they're probably the best-looking and I would bet the best version of the Genesis 6-button. Shaped like the original 3-button ones, well-shaped buttons, only the D-pad gets a little worn and clicky after use.
08-12-2009, 02:28 AM
sketch

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aarzak

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...genesis302.jpg

Yep, that's the pad that came with my Genesis 3 when I bought it off of Toys 'R Us in the Spring of 1999, not the one pictured in the box. Speaking of the latter, that is just simply a re-branded Interact third-party Genesis pad with a "Sega" logo on it. Some Genesis 3's came with the former, others with the latter apparently. But the bulky one was never sold outside of being packed-in with the Genesis 3, while the re-branded one was sold by Majesco (via Sega branding) by itself.

I've got the one pictured on the box. I bought it in 2003 or so. It's an okay controller, but the d-pad sticks a bit. I prefer "real" Sega branded ones.
08-12-2009, 05:24 AM
TmEE

I have only seen such controllers as on the left pic.... I've yet to see the ones on right, but I can expect the d-pad to suck if it does not get some treatment since its exactly like nearly all pirate (FC) controllers.
08-12-2009, 06:02 AM
kool kitty89

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ace

Corrected. All Japanese MegaDrive 1s came with the 3-button controllers with the nasty D-pad.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesse813

Its True the D-PAd on on my Jap MD1 3 Button controller is total garbage.

Hmm, is it any different from the early US model 1 controllers (red letter)?
I thought they were too stiff at first, but after playing with it for a while, I actually like it a lot, more than the standard SNES D-pad at least.
08-12-2009, 07:38 AM
Tanegashima

I still need to get a Genesis 3 just for kicks.
08-12-2009, 01:22 PM
Ace

Quote:

Originally Posted by kool kitty89

Hmm, is it any different from the early US model 1 controllers (red letter)?
I thought they were too stiff at first, but after playing with it for a while, I actually like it a lot, more than the standard SNES D-pad at least.

They're identical. The only thing that changes is that there's a 2-tone Sega Genesis logo instead of the Sega logo in the center of the controller, the "computer video game control pad" writing from the Japanese MegaDrive 3-button controller is removed entirely, the Start button is white instead of blue, and the controller cord's longer(the Japanese MegaDrive's controller cord is about a few inches longer than the TurboGrafx/PC Engine controller).
08-13-2009, 05:44 AM
chessage

I've just checked the date code on my two three-button controller variants (both are white label). The one with the old d-pad, short cord, and flat grill-lined grip is dated September, 1992. The one with the new d-pad, long cord, and rounded grip is dated July, 1994. The change must've occurred along with the release of the six-button controller.

BTW, the d-pad on the updated three-button controller seems to be better than the d-pad on the six-button controller.
08-14-2009, 06:52 AM
Chris

THREE VARIANTS OF 3 BUTTON CONTROLLER

The one on the left is my favorite 3 button as well and my least favorite is the very first Genesis controller, the one with the red markings on it, the one pictured on the right is identical to the original 3 button other than the red markings as far as I can tell but is much nicer to use.
03-18-2010, 03:23 AM
BetaWolf47

I noticed recently that I have one bad controller and two good ones. The texture on both of them is the same. Neither of my good ones have matte finish. There's a surefire way of telling which is which, I believe. It's the controller plugs. Can anyone else confirm this difference?

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/3...ollerplugs.jpg
03-18-2010, 10:42 AM
N.Saibot

omg, and I thought the 3-button controllers always have that
bad D-pad! I took my controllers apart more than once already
and they all have variations of the bad D-pad. It is still pretty
much OK for games I play with it, but the 6-button D-pad is vastly
superior. Never new they made 3-button controllers with the better D-pads...

And as I owned my first Mega Drive it was an asian model 2 with
packed in 6-button controllers : ) I never saw the original ones till
these days, when I bought a Mega Drive again.
03-18-2010, 10:51 AM
TmEE

I want one of those BAD 3buttoners, I only got the GOOD ones... aswell as some funny knockoff pirate pads which are prettu good. I'll take photos if I don't forget...
03-18-2010, 12:00 PM
N.Saibot

Quote:

Originally Posted by TmEE

I want one of those BAD 3buttoners, I only got the GOOD ones... aswell as some funny knockoff pirate pads which are prettu good. I'll take photos if I don't forget...

I can trade my bad ones for your good ones. I have two fully functioning bad 3-buttoners.
03-18-2010, 01:38 PM
Scooter

I believe the CDX came with a packed in 6-button control pad. But then given what they went for new at retail, they damn well better have.
03-19-2010, 12:10 AM
Elliotw2

Huh, I have a red letter 3-button Genesis controller, but it has a striped controller plug, and it has the white start button. It also has the "bad" D-pad. I seem to have a set of strange controllers on my Genesis.
03-19-2010, 12:56 AM
m68k

The best 3 button I have is a genuine Sega MegaFire. The D Pad is perfect. Its really hard to explain. Its not loose, and makes a pleasant click sound.
03-19-2010, 04:07 AM
EddieJ1984

I have a good 3 button controller, and it has the same plug as the bad one.
sadly the buttons dont press good anymore :(
and stupid me didnt know the older dpads werent good so i bought the original black and red off ebay......and then thought maybe it was just that one that has the stiffish dpad, so I bought another 3 button controller at a game trader......stiff dpad as well.
I will find another good 3 button pad dammit! but i just recently got the original 6 button, so im happy, but would still like a good 3 button pad
03-19-2010, 02:39 PM
Sparksterz

So am I the only one on this board that prefers to use the 3 button pads over the 6 button ones!?
03-19-2010, 05:14 PM
EddieJ1984

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparksterz

So am I the only one on this board that prefers to use the 3 button pads over the 6 button ones!?

The 3 button pad with the good dpad is awesome, and I used it all the time over 6 button pads (then again i had the crappy later model of 6 button and a 3rd party one)
03-19-2010, 06:52 PM
N.Saibot

I like to use the 3-button controler too, even with the "bad"
D-pads. They are not as good as the ones on 1st party 6-button
controllers, but then again, what is? Still pretty good D-pads, a
bit too big for me, so it takes more time for the thumb to reach
from left to right and I have to press a bit harder...
But in the end that bad D-pad is still good, the one on the 6-buttoners
is just magically awesome, so everything is worse than that.
03-19-2010, 08:15 PM
kool kitty89

Quote:

Originally Posted by TmEE

I want one of those BAD 3buttoners, I only got the GOOD ones... aswell as some funny knockoff pirate pads which are prettu good. I'll take photos if I don't forget...

I believe the "bad" version is similar to the original red letter controllers, which I like personally. (stiff D-pad works well) One difference with the red letter ones is the glossy d-pad, which I also like.

I haven't seen a "good" late model 3-button, but I think the "good" one is closer to the 6-button's pivoting mechanism.

From the pictures, the "good" ones have an identical cord to the original 6-button controller.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elliotw2

Huh, I have a red letter 3-button Genesis controller, but it has a striped controller plug, and it has the white start button. It also has the "bad" D-pad. I seem to have a set of strange controllers on my Genesis.

All re-letter ones should have flat connectors with little grip ridges on it, very similar to Atari 2600 controllers.
03-20-2010, 06:12 AM
Yfrid

am i the only one with the d-pad rubber on the back side of the pcb?
http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/8...cn0516d.th.jpg http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/429/dscn0519r.th.jpg http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/6652/dscn0514b.th.jpg
03-20-2010, 08:03 AM
TmEE

I'd like THAT controller in the previous post.
03-26-2010, 09:18 AM
wip3outguy7

I, too was unaware Sega made a 3 button controller with a "floating" d-pad. I owned several 3 button controllers with my Genesis as a kid and all were the "bad" ones. The controller given to me just a week ago when I purchased my new Genesis was also a "bad" one. Makes me want to go back to the retro store and see if they will swap. The bad ones are murder on your thumb.
03-26-2010, 10:16 AM
BetaWolf47

The floating ones are great though. Sega was ahead of the game in this regard. Some companies use that type today though, like Logitech.

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