The ASCII Pad is the best controller ever.

[GrandAmChandler]

Officially licensed, semi-auto, auto-turbo. semi-slo mo, auto-slo mo.

For the best system ever.

Discuss.

-GAC-

[skaar]

Nothing to discuss. I agree with every piece of my body.

THIS IS TRUTH.

[bickman2k]

What's there to discuss? /topic

[skaar]

I was disappointed with the ASCII Super Advantage, as I loved the NES Advantage to pieces.

[fahlim003]

Officially licensed, semi-auto, auto-turbo. semi-slo mo, auto-slo mo.

For the best system ever.

Discuss.

-GAC-

I got one of these for free and considered selling it. Boy, what a mistake that would've been. I think it's fine substitute for the normal SNES pad and to add auto-fire in the mix makes it appealing even moreso. If only there were more games that actually used auto-fire on the Super.

[allyourblood]

You're preaching to the choir, gentle friend.



I like 'em so much I bought the company.

I mean, two of them. I bought two of them.





(But best system ever? Close, but not quite!)

[InsaneDavid]

Swap out the short cable with a standard SNES control pad cable and THEN you have the best SNES controller ever.

[Gameguy]

I got one in a bulk lot of stuff and I'm keeping it, I haven't used it much but it's a good controller.

What do people think about the Ascii pad for the Genesis? I have one somewhere but haven't used it in years so I forgot what it's like, I think it's arranged like a SNES pad but it's for the Genesis. Is it as good as the SNES Ascii pad?

[Cobra Commander]

I bought 2 myself. Haven't used an actual SNES controller since. Still got em, still use em! It's my favorite controller ever.

[allyourblood]

Swap out the short cable with a standard SNES control pad cable and THEN you have the best SNES controller ever.

This is correct. The swap takes mere seconds.

What do people think about the Ascii pad for the Genesis? I have one somewhere but haven't used it in years so I forgot what it's like, I think it's arranged like a SNES pad but it's for the Genesis. Is it as good as the SNES Ascii pad?

While I love the SNES asciiPad as an upgrade to the standard SNES controller, I don't like what was done for the Genesis version. They basically tried to turn it into an SNES pad, but it doesn't feel that way at all. It feels cumbersome to me. The Sega Genesis 3 and 6 button controllers are perfection and simplicity distilled; no need for improvement. Once manufacturers figured out that 6 face buttons were possible, and largely preferred, the four-face/2-shoulder design began to seem backward. The original Super Nintendo's controller is wonderful, but when fighting games took off, 6 face buttons was where it was at.

TL;DR: SNES asciiPad, "yay". Genesis asciiPad, "nay".

[Damaramu]

A challenger appears...

[Leo_A]

If only there were more games that actually used auto-fire on the Super.

That's the entire reason why the controller has the functionality; the game doesn't have to have auto-fire built into it since the controller now does it.

[Amos]

OP speaks the truth, and I'm pleasantly surprised that so many people are aware of its greatness. (I have two of 'em.)

The best thing about this controller is the fact that the functionality is so easy to understand. The layout is elegant; you can literally just glance at it and know immediately which buttons are set to rapid-fire, which ones are on auto and which ones are unmodified. None of this "flashing lights" stuff. After using it for just a short time, I found that I could easily toggle auto- and rapid-fire for specific buttons without even taking my eyes off the screen. And yet, with all the extra features, it still has almost the same layout as the stock SNES controller and feels very similar.

[kainemaxwell]

The ascii pad is an example of a perfect controller that fits in your hand and has extras that dont make it feel wonky in your hands.

[fahlim003]

That's the entire reason why the controller has the functionality; the game doesn't have to have auto-fire built into it since the controller now does it.

The point I make is that most games would could potentially need or use auto-fire already have it built in; Sunset Riders, Contra 3, Space MegaForce, Axelay, & Super Nova (aka Darius Force). Actually, Contra 3 could be useful with auto on weapon change to increase the already effective software auto-fire.

[tom]

How can that be the best controller, the controls are 'THE WRONG WAY 'ROUND', and it doesn't even work on the best ever console, the VCS.

[BricatSegaFan]

Another vote for the Japanese Saturn pad. Its perfect in every way.

[LaughingMAN.S9]

Another vote for the Japanese Saturn pad. Its perfect in every way.

Count me in the Saturn camp.


No d pad, either before or after has even come close to matching the level of excellence

[Drixxel]

On the topic of ASCII-branded controllers, anyone have any experience with the PSX ASCII Pads, the ones with turbo and slow-mo specifically? I remember reading a lukewarm review eons ago that took issue with how narrow/crowded the shoulder buttons are, but something about this particular controller shape and the disc d-pad seems really appealing and comfortable. If anyone's given one of these things a try, I for one would love to hear what your impressions are.

[wiggyx]

I've got a few of the PS1 pads but the D-pads on mine look a little different.



It's nice for fighters since the D-pad actually allows for rolling motions. Not as high quality as the SNES pad, but still solid.