The Controller Chronicles

[Satoshi_Matrix]

For a while now, I've started a few review series on my youtube channel. Among them is a series I call the Controller Chronicles, named of course after the long running public broadcast of yesteryear, The Computer Chronicles.

This series aims to showcase the best gaming controllers on the market with some thoughts on their design, performance and pricing. You can expect more of these such reviews in the future, so stay tuned! If there's anything you'd particularly like me to cover, let me know and I'll try to get around to it. Of course, I can only review controllers I own.


The newest entry in this series is the HoriPad Mini 64.
http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7189/6886099447_04ee7bb126.jpg
Video review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rft8c7nW3A

Previous reviews:

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mal30tnkpq1rc7qlzo1_500.jpg
Hori Pocket [PS1/PS2]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnI27j2MLoU

http://www.nyko.com/$assets$/247c5add-b6ed-4f3c-b9af-ec7f3ac3b61d/wii_wirelesskama_01.jpg
Nyko Kama Wireless Nunchuck [Wii]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtC-OWpVwzw

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/03ND_FGGNp0/0.jpg
HipGear Xbox ScreenPad [Xbox]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03ND_FGGNp0

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/415J8GUp-KL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
Generation NEX Wired Controller [NES]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gssmeCizWPI

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/f1s8TjvOpp8/0.jpg
Wico Command Control Balltop [Atari 2600]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1s8TjvOpp8

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Atari-Wico-Command-Control-Joystick-Bat-Controller-used-/00/$%28KGrHqMOKicE4swcc4t2BOL,5tY2Jw~~0_35.JPG
Wico Command Control Bat [Atari 2600]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mn-8Nst4iQ

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n2PiK3QtxBI/0.jpg
Hudson Joycard Sansui SSS [NES]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2PiK3QtxBI

http://www.shopncsx.com/images1/products/detail/HP2260.jpg
Hori Real Arcade Pro 2 SA [PS2]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roIa9SC6LKk

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7247/6879871566_9dd584f20a_z.jpg
Super Hori Commander [SFC]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWcNpGP-J54

http://melchiormphilips.com/SNESWiki/images/thumb/6/60/SNES-Controllers-NTSC-and-PAL.jpg/256px-SNES-Controllers-NTSC-and-PAL.jpg
SNES & SFC Controller Differences
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIorZopj4SY

http://di1-4.shoppingshadow.com/images/pi/3e/39/d8/22210431-260x260-0-0_Logitech+CDLS+PRECISION+CONTROLLER+2+4GH+XBOX+CD LS.jpg
Logitech Cordless Precision Xbox Controller [Xbox]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNMjsaVYZdo

http://media.gdgt.com/img/product/23/hzn/cordless-precision-controller-for-playstation-3-1vbs-460.jpg
Logitech Wireless Precision PS2 Controller [PS2]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKkGWYg7G9A

[dgdgagdae]

Maybe I'm more sensitive to it than others, but I find these too hard to watch with the camera moving all around. A tripod would make a world of difference. They look interesting otherwise, but I stopped watching.

[A.C. Sativa]

Huh, I never knew that a Super Famicom pad was smaller than a U.S.-spec SNES pad. And I used to have one of those Logitech XBox controllers, wish I could find one today, the S-type controller for mine is pretty much shot and those are impossible to find around here.

[LimitedEditionMuseum]

That hipgear is cool. Where can they be found besides eBay.?

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Maybe I'm more sensitive to it than others, but I find these too hard to watch with the camera moving all around. A tripod would make a world of difference. They look interesting otherwise, but I stopped watching.

I apologize. My older videos were recorded with the camera in my hand. The newer entries are all tripod mounted. I've been thinking of going back and re-recording the handheld based ones specifically for people like you, but I don't think the majority of people particularly mind. Still, if you can try to stomach the handheld camera movements, I feel my videos are unique in that there for the most part, there are no other video reviews out there for the vast majority of them.


Huh, I never knew that a Super Famicom pad was smaller than a U.S.-spec SNES pad. And I used to have one of those Logitech XBox controllers, wish I could find one today, the S-type controller for mine is pretty much shot and those are impossible to find around here.

Eh? The Super Famicom pad isn't smaller than the SNES pad - they're the same. The difference between them is the buttons and the cable length. As for the Logitech Wireless Xbox Pad, try ebay. They were sold in some number. Expect to be around $20 for one, but remember it's useless without the wireless receiver.


That hipgear is cool. Where can they be found besides eBay.?

I have an Xbox one for sale, brand new. PM me if you're interested.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

another day, another video!

This time it's the SGB Commander for the Super Famicom/SNES.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a2/SGBCommander.png

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sX_aiUU38Lw

[GiguFusc]

How about the classic 'Competition Pro'? One of the best joysticks on 8 and 16 bit systems. :)
5849

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I'd love to get my hands on one of those. It looks so cool.

[GiguFusc]

Be careful if you try and buy one - there were a LOT of copy cat ones that weren't as good. In fact, if memory serves, even the later versions of the same stick weren't as good as the originals. They put a further 2 small buttons on the upper lip (just below the stick) which made them less comfortable to hold. But mos importantly was the spring inside - the originals were wound to perfection whereas copies and later versions weren't.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MjUxWDQwMA==/$(KGrHqNHJCEFCbSOBOWyBQtLgZ5qd!~~60_12.JPG
Honeybee Competition Pro Control Pad for Sega Master System
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbZLH7vuQYU

http://www.bomberoza.net/data/collections/consoles/accessories/sega-md-pad4.jpg
Sega MegaFire Controller for Sega Genesis/MegaDrive
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BTlnAFVHj4

[Koa Zo]

Holy crap, so jealous you have that Master System Competition Pro!
I'm also a controller aficionado, and have just been delving into the Master System over the past couple years. Done a good bit of searching and never saw that one before.
Just recently got a NES styled Master System pad from the UK, no manufacturers marks so I have no idea who made it.
The Hori Master System pad is my favorite that I own.

[A.C. Sativa]

Eh? The Super Famicom pad isn't smaller than the SNES pad - they're the same. The difference between them is the buttons and the cable length.

I didn't watch the video at the time, just the screenshot of it made it look like the SFC pad was smaller. Anyone know why the Japanese controllers always have a shorter cord? I mean, wasn't that the case with the NES too, and maybe some other systems?

[Tron 2.0]

I didn't watch the video at the time, just the screenshot of it made it look like the SFC pad was smaller. Anyone know why the Japanese controllers always have a shorter cord? I mean, wasn't that the case with the NES too, and maybe some other systems?
PC-Engine controllers are the same with a short cord.Still living space in japan is very small,hence the reason why japanese controllers have a short cord to begin with.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

In most cases Japanese controllers use very short cords because living conditions are generally smaller and the distance from a tv is shorter. It's also cheaper to produce controllers with shorter cords. It's extremely annoying as nearly everything you buy from Japan will have less than six feet in the cord no matter what. Controllers are bad enough, but the worst offenders are power supplies. You can buy Famicom psus that have a 3 foot cord. THREE FOOT CORD. Good LUCK if you want to put it in any sort of entertainment cabinet.

[kedawa]

I thought it was because the japanese kids sit 10cm from the tv screen.

I have a hard time believing that living rooms in japan are narrower than I am tall.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

You'd be surprised. Japanese living spaces are often rather cramped. I don't like super super long controllers, but the ones that are 3 feet are too short as well.

Hurray for soldering skill with it comes to my MegaFire.