The ASCII Pad is the best controller ever.

[MarioMania]

I have 2 Ascii Pad's for the SNES

The Ascii Pad 6 for the Genesis had a stiff D-Pad like the 3 Button Controller

[kainemaxwell]

Agreed 100%. Just bought a new ascii pad for my snes to replace an old worn down one. Now I have 2 and thrilled. How do you do the cable swap?

[InsaneDavid]

Agreed 100%. Just bought a new ascii pad for my snes to replace an old worn down one. Now I have 2 and thrilled. How do you do the cable swap?

Open asciiPad.
Open SNES control pad.
Disconnect cable from asciiPad.
Disconnect cable from SNES control pad.
Swap cables.
Close asciiPad.
Close SNES control pad.

Amazingly, it really is that simple.

[kainemaxwell]

Open asciiPad.
Open SNES control pad.
Disconnect cable from asciiPad.
Disconnect cable from SNES control pad.
Swap cables.
Close asciiPad.
Close SNES control pad.

Amazingly, it really is that simple.

Thanks! and there's really nothing extra to it to disconnect the cable from the inside?

[allyourblood]

Thanks! and there's really nothing extra to it to disconnect the cable from the inside?

Nope. It's a small plastic connector. No soldering or special tools required.

[kainemaxwell]

Nope. It's a small plastic connector. No soldering or special tools required.

thanks. be doing this after I find a basic snes controller to butcher.

[substantial_snake]

I LOVE this controller too! I am not a huge fan of the stock SNES controller but the ASCII Pad has become one of my all time favorites. I got a really nice deal on ebay for two great condition pads for 15 bucks. (or at least thought it was a great deal )

I love the six button layout but my favorite genesis pad is the PRO PAD 2/6. Its about the same size as the awesome "batrangs" but has all the functionality of the 6 button pads with nice individual autofire options. I know I plug this in every thread but I really love these genesis pads.

[portnoyd]

This thread is 100% accurate.

Have had 2, the same 2, since the ASCII Pad was released. Don't play SNES without it.

[RCM]

Never used one, but have held it in my hands. Nice, but I don't think it topples the Japanese Saturn pad. I doubt we'll ever get this one sorted out.

A nice controller for a solid system.

[thom_m]

It is indeed a great pad, although I prefer the Genesis 6-button controller (by a close margin, though). I don't know many more SNES controllers, but in my opinion it's the best pad avaiable for the system, and I don't play my SNES without it.

I've been trying to find another one for a while now, with no results. I was so glad when I found mine because, aside from being great, the ascii pad is also the first SNES pad I ever used, back in the 90s, in a rental store.

Open asciiPad.
Open SNES control pad.
Disconnect cable from asciiPad.
Disconnect cable from SNES control pad.
Swap cables.
Close asciiPad.
Close SNES control pad.

Amazingly, it really is that simple.

Thanks a bunch for that tip, man! I'll do it to my controller as soon as I get home from work today!

[Guyra]

Now I really want one or two of these... Ofcourse, I should probably get the system, first. :P

[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.

[Einzelherz]

I can't think of any SNES games I need turbo button pressing on except shooters. What do you all use the asciipad for?

[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.

[skaar]

I can't think of any SNES games I need turbo button pressing on except shooters. What do you all use the asciipad for?

Back then? Street Fighter II.

[kedawa]

Turbo fire in SF2WW is good fun. The hard versions of hundred hand slap, lighting legs, and electricity were almost impossible without turbo fire. It's a great way to give newbies a fighting chance.

[BetaWolf47]

A challenger appears...

Eff that. I have that, and the buttons are spongy and the dpad is crap. I'd have to say that the original Genesis 6-button controller is the best controller for a 16-bit system

[thom_m]

I can't think of any SNES games I need turbo button pressing on except shooters. What do you all use the asciipad for?

One example I can think of right now is to do bomb jumps much easier in Super Metroid!

That said, a question: I heard/read somewhere that the asciipad (which is licensed by Nintendo, AFAIK) was manufactured at the very same factory the original SNES pads were made - hence the similarities. I can remember which brand manufactured them, though.

EDIT: According to this thread (which I happen to have started and didn't remember!), both pads were made by a company called Mistumi.