My concept for a great DDR controller!

[Gemini-Phoenix]

After seeing some weird Japanese mini-controller for Bust-A-Move 3 (Bust-A-Groove), I got thinking about what would make a great DDR pad...

I came up with the following (Crude) design...

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/4180/ddrcontrollerconcept5rq.png (http://www.imageshack.us)


Similar to a standard arcade stick, but with only a select few buttons only... Each button would be operated by one fo four fingers, which would stay on the button all the time, therefore minimising the time which it takes for you to press the button (as there would be no movement involved, and thus eliminates the chances of mistakes too)


If such a controller exists, then please, feel free to disregard this. If not, then please let me know your opinions.



The problem I seem to find when playing DDR, is my fingers tend to get confused with multiple-button presses such as up-right / Down-left / Right-left Etc...

Although a controller is alright, I think a specific controller such as this would help a lot more, similar to Pop 'N' Music or Beatmania...

[Lothars]

I see what you mean, I think that controller is a great concept,

[youruglyclone]

if anything I think a standard controller suffices since
/\ is up
[] is left
X is down
O is right

so it's pretty easy to play with both sides of a standard controller

now someone made a pressure sensitive mad maestro controller

[norkusa]

The problem I seem to find when playing DDR, is my fingers tend to get confused with multiple-button presses such as up-right / Down-left / Right-left Etc...

Then you should play with a dance pad instead! It's the only way to play DDR.

[Gemini-Phoenix]

The problem I seem to find when playing DDR, is my fingers tend to get confused with multiple-button presses such as up-right / Down-left / Right-left Etc...

Then you should play with a dance pad instead! It's the only way to play DDR.

Dance mats tend to be very unresponsive, and slow too. The controller is a lot faster - Especially on some of those later stages which go at 100 miles per second!

[Mr.FoodMonster]

Hi, my names Ryan, I play DDR with my feet.

Do that.

Its much better.

[McBacon]

I agree, DDR is with your feet, Konga is with bongos, Taiko is with Drum Sticks, Samba is with maracas, if a arcade game involving fast finger reflexs to music is made, it should be given a different name.

[Mr.FoodMonster]

That game is called BeatMania or Pop 'n Music.

And yes, the cheap mats arent worth a damn, but you have to be willing to drop some cash on stuff. I bought a $100 dance pad, and its lasted me close to a year already.

[Daria]

Bah, not everyone likes to get up and dance in front of other people. Sometimes it is a lot more fun to play with a controller. I also quite like your design. Do you plan on building one?

I also thought the greatest DDR controller was the one for the PSX that looked like a mini-dance pad but you played with your fingers. It was just- pardon the girly expression -so cute.

[Gemini-Phoenix]

Bah, not everyone likes to get up and dance in front of other people. Sometimes it is a lot more fun to play with a controller. I also quite like your design. Do you plan on building one?

I also thought the greatest DDR controller was the one for the PSX that looked like a mini-dance pad but you played with your fingers. It was just- pardon the girly expression -so cute.

I was sort of inspired by the Pop 'N' Music controller, which has a symetrical layout more or less.

Unfortunately, I haven't the resources to actually make one, but anyone else is welcome to try - I'm sure it wouldn't me too hard to do - Just a case of getting an old PlayStation pad and wiring the respective wires to a few arcade cab buttons and making some sort of cab for it.


Dance mats are useless if you can't be bothred to get up - Maybe you're too tired, or perhaps want to play whilst in bed... Or maybe if you're fat. Lol.


The design was also only a rough quickie. I think if the buttons were in a more of a curve it would be more ergonomical and easier on the fingers...

Ie, how your fingers would lay on a standard keyboard if you placed them on A, E, R, G and H, U, I, L

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/7905/ddrcontrolleralternateconcept8.png (http://www.imageshack.us)


I also mirrored the buttons - So the up and down buttons are the same each side, but the left and right buttons are specific to the sied they are on


Alternatively, I suppose the design below would also work just as well...

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/4718/ddrcontrollerconceptii3rc.png (http://www.imageshack.us)

[XxMe2NiKxX]

I don't see the point in playing DDR with any sort of controller. The objective is to use your body and get some damn excercise. Those crazy guys in the guitar aren't going insane with a PS2 controller, they're demonstrating the real physical skill involved in DDR, as opposed to the timing aspect, which, any musician will tell you, isn't hard at all to grasp.

[petewhitley]

Konami already did this back in 2001 in Japan. HERE'S (http://www.toysnjoys.com/access_ps2/ddrcontroller.jpg) a link to the box art (and not, it's not a photoshop job, I've seen them myself).

[Sylentwulf]

I could never understand the concept of playing DDR with a controller. Seems kinda odd to me.

[RetroYoungen]

I could never understand the concept of playing DDR with a controller. Seems kinda odd to me.

I always saw it as a way to help to learn some of those really fast songs that would take a LONG time to get right with your feet, not just because of the amount of arrows or anything, but they're moving so fast it's hard to keep track of the steps themselves. Then you go to the arcade/break out the heavy-duty industrial-strength pad and let 'er rip!

I must say though that I don't really like the controller idea. The way the PS1/2 controller is set up is perfect for it, easily identifiable in terms of what's up and down, left and right. That other controller, the official one, makes sense too, but if the standard controller does it so well then it's just a marketing thing.

[Gemini-Phoenix]

Konami already did this back in 2001 in Japan. HERE'S (http://www.toysnjoys.com/access_ps2/ddrcontroller.jpg) a link to the box art (and not, it's not a photoshop job, I've seen them myself).

http://www.toysnjoys.com/access_ps2/ddrcontroller.jpg

Yeah, but that's still a controller operated using thumbs. And you still need to move your thumbs to operate it.

My design is a slightly larger arcade stick type affair - Something you'd have on your lap and bash with your fingers (As if you were typing)


And has anyone ever tried tackling those later levels in Donkey Konga where you have to memorise the notes? Pure impossible using the bongo's, so that's where the controller is better in that respect... Same goes for DDR...

[SamuraiSmurfette]

There's also this one, made by Naki.
It was available in North America
http://www.8bitjoystick.com/archives/photos/MiniDancePad.JPG

[Gemini-Phoenix]

There's also this one, made by Naki.
It was available in North America
http://www.8bitjoystick.com/archives/photos/MiniDancePad.JPG

Ah, the finger pad. That's all well and good, but all that does is simulate a dance mat, but with fingers... Plus the buttons tend to still be fairly unresponsive (As on a real dance mat) on that particular pad...

Use that too much, and next thing you know it you'll be drawing little faces on your hands and talking to them... :roll:

[petewhitley]

There's also this one, made by Naki.
It was available in North America
http://www.8bitjoystick.com/archives/photos/MiniDancePad.JPG

Ah, the finger pad. That's all well and good, but all that does is simulate a dance mat, but with fingers... Plus the buttons tend to still be fairly unresponsive (As on a real dance mat) on that particular pad...

Use that too much, and next thing you know it you'll be drawing little faces on your hands and talking to them... :roll:

Dude, if that's not what you're looking for, I guess I'm just lost on exactly what kind of interface you're talking about. You basically want to modify a Pop'N'Music controller into a DDR controller. I suppose you can find someone somewhere to do it ...

[AFGiant]

this guy doesn't have trouble confusing his fingers.

http://www2.collegehumor.com/movies/134182/