Genesis and SNES Controllers

[substantial_snake]

I just picked up my first Super Nintendo today and realized that my large hands really despise the OEM controllers for the system.

On that same note I picked up a genesis a short while ago and the only controllers I found comfortable were the original three button and the six button wireless controller. The three button is starting to develop the "press down, move right" issue and the wireless controllers won't work reliably with where I have the system now.

So I've been looking at third party alternatives with the SG Pro Pad 6 and SN Pro Pad seeming like perfect fits for what I'm looking for.

Does anyone have any thoughts about these or about any other larger controllers for the Genesis and SNES?

[dra600n]

You might be more comfortable with one of those SNES turbo controllers. They're a little bigger than the OEM ones, but I'm not sure by how much.

As for the Genesis - their controllers suck. If the wireless controllers work well for you when they're in range, maybe you can find a compromisable way to position the receiver with where you sit, or sit closer to the receiver. Since those controllers use RF, the range isn't that great (not sure if the Wii is RF, though I believe it is, I lose signal when I sit on my couch so I have to either move the TV closer, or sit closer).

[maxlords]

I used controller extensions for the wireless adaptor for the 6 button Genesis ones. As for the SNES.....no idea...I have fairly big hands and I've always found the standard ones to be fine. I use the wireless Konami Hyperbeam ones now....they seem pretty great :)

[allyourblood]

While I like the original SNES controller, I do think it's a bit on the small side. You should definitely try the SNES asciiPad; the input buttons are pretty much the same size, but the controller is a little wider and taller and feels a bit better in my hands. Check it out if you can. The best part is that the overall construction and inputs (d-pad and buttons included) feel identical to the Nintendo pads, so you don't sacrifice any quality by "upgrading".

[Nescollector]

While I like the original SNES controller, I do think it's a bit on the small side. You should definitely try the SNES asciiPad; the input buttons are pretty much the same size, but the controller is a little wider and taller and feels a bit better in my hands. Check it out if you can. The best part is that the overall construction and inputs (d-pad and buttons included) feel identical to the Nintendo pads, so you don't sacrifice any quality by "upgrading".

I second the asciipad, it's a bit bigger and an excellent controller. Just bought a new one of ebay awhile back, just to have a backup :)

[kedawa]

If you get an asciipad for SNES, swap the cord with a nintendo controller. The first party pads have much longer cords, and they snap right into the asciipad circuit board.

[Nescollector]

Great tip kedawa :)

[thegamezmaster]

While I like the original SNES controller, I do think it's a bit on the small side. You should definitely try the SNES asciiPad; the input buttons are pretty much the same size, but the controller is a little wider and taller and feels a bit better in my hands. Check it out if you can. The best part is that the overall construction and inputs (d-pad and buttons included) feel identical to the Nintendo pads, so you don't sacrifice any quality by "upgrading".

I agree. I have three and love them. Those and my Capcom Fighter Joystick.

[substantial_snake]

I use the wireless Konami Hyperbeam ones now....they seem pretty great :)

The "radar dish" for this was one of the coolest looking things I found around and would of totally suckered me in as a kid. However it makes me wonder weather the dish gives it a greater reception range then many of the other IR controllers of its day. :)

I ended up going with the SGPro Pad 2 for my Genesis. Its slightly smaller then the 3 button pads but still significantly larger then the 6 button pads, seems like a quality product with one review backing it up but I wont really know till I get it. I went with both an asciipad due to a lot of people here suggesting it and a SN Pro Pad since the common complaint for the controllers was that they were "too large" for may accustomed to original pad so they sounded perfect for me. lol

[kool kitty89]

I don't love the SNES controllers (in part because of my big hands, but also the ergonomics in general), but they're OK overall. (one of my biggest complains is the convex A/B buttons -or all 4 for JP/Euro controllers- . . . but modding one for all 4 concave works great -it actually makes the controller feel more comfortable to hold oddly enough, with the normal layout, A/B feel cramped and too close to the bottom edge, but with concave they feel about as usable as Y/X)

The Shoulder buttons are also a bit inconvenient and the D-pad isn't ideal, but it's usable. (more so for less worn controllers -where the d-pad tends to be slightyl stiffer/springiner and less likly to bottom out with theor thumb in the coners)

In any case, it's better than the Playstation controllers (well, their shoulder buttons are a bit better, but the D-pads and buttons are worse on Sony's . . . that old original US dual analog pad also is a good bit more comfortable too -long enough grips for larger hands).


There's a good chunk of 3rd party controllers to go for with the SNES too, including some rather large ones good for big hands. (there's one styled after the model 3 button genesis controller, but it's a bit uncommon -I've seen some on UK Ebay at OK import prices -but it's probably going to run around $15 US shipped, and you'll need to be a bit patient to actually find one)


As for the Genesis, getting some more controllers is a good idea (lots of good options for 3 buttons -though it's a bit random to find different models without looking at them in person, plus many prefer the 6 button pad -it's actually not much smaller overall than the 3 button but with a different shape, and a good bit larger/thicker and more compared to the SNES pad -the MODE button is actualyl more comfortable to use than the SNES shoulder buttons or Saturn shoulder buttons interestingly -at least for me, and that's either model of the Saturn pad save the 3D controller -the triggers are very comfortable to use in that case, better than the Dreamcast for that matter).

You might also be able to rectify the old 3 button pad you have (presumably an old red letter model or one of the early black models that still used the simple plastic pivot mechanism).
You could try basic things like layering a bit of paper in the female pivot point/socket inside the controller, or build up the pivot point on the D-pad end with some plastics glue. (model glue, plastic cement, even super glue could work if you're careful -make sure it's dry before you re-assemble it in all cases)

The paper/padding option is probably the quick/easy (and more foolproof), but less permanant solution. (worst case would be wearing out the paper and needing to add more -not like ruining things with glue or such ;))



As I impled above, there are a number of different 3 button models (some different 6 button models too), and there's a range of different internal mechanisms (many of which are not discernable from the outside appearance -some people can tell by the feel of the d-pad though).
Most consider the best mechanism to be the ball bearing mounted pivot, though there's a rather neat (but uncommon) meachnism that may be even better which uses an odd through-board d-pad assembly with the rubber dome switches located on the back side of the circuit board. (the d-pad works backwards with a rod going through the PCB and rocking/pivoting a rount platic plate that pushes the switches on the back side, I've never used one of these, so I can't comment on how well they really work -apparently that odd late model 6 button controller used on some Genesis 3s also uses a similar mechanism, but that controller is generally crap across the board and not a useful comparison -the earlier majesco 6 button pad is well liked by some though, some prefer it to Sega's earlier one and others don't, but most at least consider it OK)

[marumari]

Since those controllers use RF, the range isn't that great (not sure if the Wii is RF, though I believe it is, I lose signal when I sit on my couch so I have to either move the TV closer, or sit closer).
Both the Wii and the PS3 use Bluetooth for controller<-->console communication. The 360 uses some proprietary protocol that communicates on the 2.4Ghz band.

The Wii is kind of a special case, though. Although it uses Bluetooth to communicate (ie, when you press a button), it uses an IR emitter on the sensor bar to detect where the remote is pointed at the screen. Depending on distance, how high you have the sensor bar turned up, and the ambient light conditions, the pointer can definitely cut off if you're too far away. :)

[marumari]

(double post, due to errors... oops!)