Messiah's New Controller with a real D-pad!

[Jagasian]

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/1654/controller0jo.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Ok, I was one of the first people to buy Messiah's wireless SNES controller, and I loved everything about it except for its thumb-stick style D-pad. I dreamed of the day when Messiah would use a more standard D-pad, i.e., more like Nintendo's NES/SNES D-pad, with their wireless controllers. So I get an email today, about the upcoming NEX system, and it contains a picture of their new NEX system and its new controller with a "normal" D-pad!!! But sadly, it is obviously a wired controller. Still, it looks nice. So, Messiah, please, if you are reading this, make a wireless version of that controller!

Oh and for those who want to use older peripherials, maybe Messiah could also make NES controller extension cables, as they are easy to find for the SNES, but extremely rare and expensive for the NES.

[omnedon]

That pad is considerably different than the original NES pad. Have you actually tried it? (I haven't) It looks more like a Saturn or Genesis D-Pad than a NES D-Pad. It's circular while the original NES pad you prefer is not circular at all, and a raised 'plus' sign only.

I really like the Messiah 360 degree smoooooth D-pad myself. I'll reserve judgement on this other D-pad till I try it. like I did on the 360 pads. :) ( just like you, I know , I know :) )


Disclaimer- I sell Messiah products on my website, so bear in mind I'm not wholly impartial. That said I wouldn't have invested in wholesale quantities of the products, if I hadn't fallen in love with the samples. :D


Canadian pre order for the NEX opens soon with FREE SHIPPING in Canada. 8-)

[thegreatescape]

Any word on the wireless genesis controllers ? :)

[Mason P.]

I don't like the fact that the A B buttons are at an angle. I wanted them horizonal like the original NES.

Like the D-pad though.

mason

[Milk]

They can't use a cross-shaped D-pad because Nintendo patented that style and shape. Clever bastards. That's why all the other D-pads you see have details which make them slightly different from the NES design.

[GrayFox]

Me wants some wireless Genesis action.

Damn, I'd be all over that.

[Rabid Peanut-Butter]

Me wants some wireless Genesis action.

Damn, I'd be all over that.

Oh hell yeah.

[omnedon]

The angled buttons and shape make them very much like the sought after dogbones.

[Jagasian]

The angled buttons and shape make them very much like the sought after dogbones.

While the D-pad isn't exactly the same as Nintendo's, it is far closer than the current Messiah thumb-stick. 360 motions aren't needed for 99% of NES games because they were designed with the official NES D-pad. The thumb-stick causes problems for many different types of D-pad movements, such as double-tapping in games like Double Dragon to activate running.

Official Nintendo dogbone controllers are superior to the original NES controllers, though they lack the retro look that we all love. Messiah's latest NES controller seems to have the retro look combined with a dogbone. Again, please, pretty, pretty, pretty please with sugar ontop, make a wireless version of this new controller! I'll buy 4 for sure.

Make a SNES version and I will buy a crate full! Oh and don't forget NES controller extension cables. You'd make a killing! I see them sell for $15 to $20 a pair on Ebay, that is, when they actually surface on Ebay, which is something like a pair per month. How much could it cost to manufacture NES extension cables?

BTW, Messiah, will you be selling your new wired NES controller separately? I suggest doing so, as people who buy a NEX will need more than one controller and will most likely want matching controllers. Also, if sales of individual wired NES controllers is high enough, that should be enough marketing info to realize that selling NES extension cables will make money. After you make money off of the extension cables, you can make a wireless version of the controller :)

[Leroy]

I sent an email a few months ago concerning this.

Viola:

4) Are there any plans to release a wireless controller with a more traditional d-pad?

A: Yes. I've attached a picture of the wired controller that comes with the Generation NEX. There will be a wireless controller with this style d-pad also available.

[smokehouse]

Not to break totally off subject but I just wired a SNES controller to work on my NES. It’s awesome to use. All the control and comfort of a SNES controller but on NES titles. If you have a crappy old NES controller that you can spare, just cut the cord at the controller and do an inline splice, this also takes your controller wire to almost 18 feet!

Another thing, if you parallel the spliced cables (something I did not have the foresight to do) you can have a controller that works on both the NES AND the SNES!

[Jagasian]

I sent an email a few months ago concerning this.

Viola:

4) Are there any plans to release a wireless controller with a more traditional d-pad?

A: Yes. I've attached a picture of the wired controller that comes with the Generation NEX. There will be a wireless controller with this style d-pad also available.

Awesome! Do they mean for just the NES or also for the SNES?

[SkiDragon]

I own a dogbone controller, but do not prefer it. Here's why. On an original NES contoller or SNES controller, It is easy to operate two buttons without moving your thumb. For example, when playing Super Mario world, I hold Y to run with the tip of my thumb, and press B when required using the "knuckle" of my thumb. I use the same technique on the NES. However, the angle of the buttons on the dogbone, and this new controller, makes this nearly impossible. How does one hold B to run and press A to jump using one of these controllers? I think this new controller should offer a rotating button area, so the angle can be calibrated to personal preference.

[theguyonthecouch]

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/1654/controller0jo.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
So, Messiah, please, if you are reading this, make a wireless version of that controller!


Or Messiah, make a wired version of this d-pad for the SNES :D

[Leroy]

Awesome! Do they mean for just the NES or also for the SNES?
Well just NES for now to tie in with the new system.. but he never said it WASN'T going to happen for SNES.

[kainemaxwell]

I definitly like the look of the NES and SNES controllers!

[§ Gideon §]

I own a dogbone controller, but do not prefer it. Here's why. On an original NES contoller or SNES controller, It is easy to operate two buttons without moving your thumb. For example, when playing Super Mario world, I hold Y to run with the tip of my thumb, and press B when required using the "knuckle" of my thumb. I use the same technique on the NES. However, the angle of the buttons on the dogbone, and this new controller, makes this nearly impossible. How does one hold B to run and press A to jump using one of these controllers?
I concur. The same complaint has come against the DS when playing GBA games. It seems to me that, with Messiah's controller, the A button should be where the B button is and the B button where Select is.

[omnedon]

I think this new controller should offer a rotating button area, so the angle can be calibrated to personal preference.


Some already complain that the current ones are too pricey for their tastes. Let alone adding more difficult to implement features (and likely raising it even more).

[Jagasian]

The A/B button layout is the same as on an official SNES controller. Millions of people including myself never had any problem using both at the same time, especially in games such as Super Mario World. You can't please everybody all the time, so I guess it is best to stick as closely as possible to the original controllers while making improvements such as 2.4Ghz wireless. This new NES controller design looks like a step in that direction. I will give it a try, even though I am extremely picky. I will post a review, from the point of view of somebody who prefers an official SNES controller for any digitally-controlled games (that is games that don't use an analog stick).

From the look of the D-pad, this will be a huge improvement over Messiah's first NES controller.

[§ Gideon §]

The A/B button layout is the same as on an official SNES controller. Millions of people including myself never had any problem using both at the same time, especially in games such as Super Mario World.
You can't use A and B at the same time in SMW. Think about it. (Or, read Dragon's post.)

[SirDrexl]

Yeah, games for the SNES would use Y as the run or shoot button, and B for jumping.

[Nirvana]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but is there a place where I can buy these?

[DreamTR]

www.playmessiah.com

or check on eBay, they are all over the place, including pre-orders for the Generation NEX.

[Nirvana]

Thanks! I really like the design of that controller.

(Edit: Damn. I just noticed they don't have that particular design on the site yet. Hopefully they put it up, because I am really willing to buy that for whatever price they put on it.)

[evil_genius]

Wireless Genesis would fucking rock. I don't play my SNES much.

[SkiDragon]

Yeah, games for the SNES would use Y as the run or shoot button, and B for jumping.

Exactly. Imagine having to use B to run and A to jump on SMW for SNES. Would you like that?

[QBert]

I have never held a 3rd party controller on any system that felt close to the real thing, and let me tell you these things surpass the original controllers in almost every way! The freedom of wireless is a beautiful thing to have 20 years later on system such as the NES. The controller is thicker than the old rectangle one, but it's not a bad thing at all. They are contoured to fit nice and are really comfortable to hold, for hours of game play. The buttons have pretty fast response times, almost perfect but just not as fast as a wired controller, which is to be expected, however game play is not affected any. Oh and the turbo button is a fun bonus too! They are simple to turn on and off and work great. You can turbo one button or both and activate or disable the turbo within seconds. The slow feature is....well, you don't use slow anyways right? Wink
Batteries so far have caused me no troubles and I believe they will last for some time. There is also an auto power off after 10 mins which is nice.
The 360 degree D pad I prefer over the 4 way NES for comfort, but for accuracy my first choice is the original pad. Although I do have a beef, it's only a small one. Wink
It is incredibly touchy!! If your finger is just barely touching the pad, your character will move. As you would expect of course, I'm just comparing it to the original NES controller. I used to be able to at least feel my finger against the D-pad and not have my man move. They are just touchier than the 20 year old ones, it's minor, I'l live.
Other than that as any 360 degree pad compared with a square one, is a little harder to work with tight corners where you have to make a 90 dergee turn, but again, thats to be expected.

I bought a NES and a SNES controller and will be purchasing at least one more of each, if not the lunchbox kit with two inside. Smile

As I said before it's great to have a really responsive and durable controller 20 years later for such consoles that are still enjoyed today.

Qbert

[phreak97]

ill never prefer a third party controller to an original.

i bought to official dogbone controllers, and never looked back.

[Jagasian]

ill never prefer a third party controller to an original.

i bought to official dogbone controllers, and never looked back.

I have the same feeling about controllers, but wouldn't it be nice to have a controller exactly like the official Nintendo NES and SNES controllers... but wireless? I have an attachment to the shape, size, weight, layout, style, and feel of the official NES and SNES controllers... but I have no loyalty to the wire :)

Maybe Messiah will consider making NES extension cords. They are impossible to find anywhere, and when they turn up, they are expensive. Compare this to the SNES extension cords, which are easy to find and are inexpensive.