Sega Genesis Controllers

[Flack]

What's the lowdown on Sega Genesis controllers?

I've seen both 3-button and 6-button controllers at thrift stores, as well as ones with joysticks attached. Whch are original, and which are third party sticks? Can all games be played with the three button controllers? If not, which use more than three buttons?

And finally, that joystick sure looks like an Atari joystick plug. Can you use Atari sticks on a Genesis? Genesis pads on an Atari? Genesis pads on my C64 would be awesome!

[anagrama]

The 3-button ones are the originals, though they came in several slightly different varieties. The 6-button pads were released alongside SFII:SCE, and were utilised by several of the later ('93 onwards) games. AFAIK, the 6-button pads aren't compulsory for any games, but just make things easier.
They replaced the 3-button pads as a pack-in with the Genesis/Megadrive II at some point around '95-'96.

The official Sega arcade stick was released in both 3- and 6-button versions, though the 6-button ones are pretty rare. Any other sticks you've seen are likely to be 3rd-Party.

And yup, they'll work fine on a 2600, C64, Amiga, Master System almost all the time [there's a handful of SMS games with compatibility issues].
I *think* the only 9-pin joystick plug that it's not compatible with is the MSX. [I haven't got an MSX, but I'm pretty sure I remember hearing that somewhere]

[Gast]

I wouldn't recommend using Atari Sticks with you Genesis - I tend to miss the Start Button...

[suppafly]

however playing MARBLE MADNESS with the atari trackball controller is WAY cool

BTW i also have the original genesis 6 button arcade stick...it isnt rare...got 2 of them (new and boxed) for 20 US on ebay

[anagrama]

however playing MARBLE MADNESS with the atari trackball controller is WAY cool

BTW i also have the original genesis 6 button arcade stick...it isnt rare...got 2 of them (new and boxed) for 20 US on ebay

Ah well, maybe it's just the Megadrive one that's harder to find. I can't say I've been searching particularly hard, but I've never seen a MD one in the wild.

[Kejoriv]

I like the 3 button genesis controllers so much more than the 6 button controllers. The 6 button controllers are useless. I have never played a game where all 6 buttons were used. Its like playing Tetris with the Steel Batallion controller.

[suppafly]

6-button controllers useless? Try playing Street fighter 2 with the 3 button controller!

[Raccoon Lad]

You need the 6 buttons for Comix Zone too.

[Push Upstairs]

Streets of Rage 3 is better with the 6-button pad as well.

Honestly, a 6-button pad is the way to go. It will function as a 3 button when the games dont support the 6 butons and function as a 6 button when the games require it.

[gleavepaul]

[quote="anagrama"]
They replaced the 3-button pads as a pack-in with the Genesis/Megadrive II at some point around '95-'96.

[quote]

Ive never seen the 6 button ones as a pack in with the md2

[roxybaby]

I don't know about the Genny/MD II, but I think the CDX came with a 6 button controller.

[Gast]

Ah well, maybe it's just the Megadrive one that's harder to find. I can't say I've been searching particularly hard, but I've never seen a MD one in the wild.

I'm not sure on that... I saw lots of them back when they were new and just recently got one for cheap. They're not to desirable for gaming uses though. The buttons are way to... Weak.

I don't know about the Genny/MD II, but I think the CDX came with a 6 button controller.

Hm. The MultiMega (PAL CDX) came with a three button Controller...

[The Manimal]

Genny 3 came with a 6 button controller.

[Flack]

This was my thrift store find of the week. Dunno if it was a great price, but I needed one and it seemed reasonable.



$12.96 for the Sega and the Sega CD together, $3.98 for the 6 button fighting stick, .49 for the regular 3 button controller.

[Push Upstairs]

Looks like a good score to me.

Does the system have all the cords?

[anagrama]

They replaced the 3-button pads as a pack-in with the Genesis/Megadrive II at some point around '95-'96.

Ive never seen the 6 button ones as a pack in with the md2

I'm 90% sure it was. The majority of MD2s came with 3 button pads, but I think it was from the Virtua Racing pack onwards that 6-button pads were included. I'll check my records tonight.

[anagrama]

I don't know about the Genny/MD II, but I think the CDX came with a 6 button controller.

Hm. The MultiMega (PAL CDX) came with a three button Controller...

Are you sure? The ad poster that was included in some games around '96 shows a MultiMega with a 6-button pad. Again, I'll check it tonight.