Review of my d-pad controllers.

[Ulfrinn]

So, I've been buying up random controllers, mostly for retro-gaming, and modern 2D platformers. About a month ago I ordered the RetroBit official Sega licensed bluetooth Sega Saturn controller. And today, I got a Sony brand PS classic controller, which is their new production PSX controller, but with some upgrades, and a USB cable. The other controller that arrived today is a Nintendo brand bluetooth SNES controller for the Switch.

The SNES controller cost more than the other two combined, since I did not have a Switch account and had to buy it off eBay. I am not very fond of the controller. The d-pad is very stiff. It may loosen over time, but I found my thumb kept bottoming out on the face of the controller before registering left on the d-pad, so you have to rest the bend of your thumb in the middle, or play fingertip down. I could get used to it, and break it in, but the real disappointment is that the USB-C port is charge-only. I have bluetooth, but since I sit at a PC I prefer to plug my controllers in and not deal with charging or latency.

The PS Classic controller I got for $10, also from eBay. Brand new sony manufactured. I love the d-pad on it way more than the SNES. I do not know why Sony changed d-pads, but the one on my PS4 is nowhere near as good. The build quality on it is at least as good as the original, and what is really cool is that the USB cable isn't soldered to the circuit board inside, but connects via micro-USB. You can open the shell, unplug the micro USB cable from inside, and replace it. I may put a nice braided cable on it. I love this controller.

My third d-pad controller, but it probably won't be my last, is the RetroBit Sega licensed bluetooth Saturn controller. This is by far my favorite controller to play with assuming the game I play doesn't require a thumbstick. I have even looked specifically for new PC games that are good to play with a d-pad just so I could use it for more than retro gaming. It truly is an enjoyable piece of hardware. I recommend the "Gamecube" mapping on steam and outside of steam though. That is, X, A, B along the bottom 3 buttons, and LT, Y, RT along the top row. Besides having bluetooth which wasn't on the originals, this one also has rumble too. The PS4 easily has the best d-pad of all modern console controllers when it comes to digital movement, but the PSX controllers d-pad EASILY beats that of the modern PS4, and the Saturn controller d-pad EASILY beats all of them.

The games I've tested these on have been retro games. SNES, Genesis, and PSX titles mostly. And modern games I've played with them include Hollow Knight, Graveyard Keeper, Brawlhalla, and Street Fighter V. All controllers have the same number of buttons. Combo moves were WAY easiest to execute on Street Fighter using the d-pad. Using a thumbstick in Brawlhalla and Hollow knight I have had the occasional issue of randomly attacking in a direction I did not intend to. I've had zero such issues playing any of these games with either of these controllers, so there is definitely an advantage to them.

If you haven't tried a controller with a really good d-pad such as the PSX or Saturn controllers have, then you are missing out because nobody makes a controller for consoles in the last 15-20 years that have had a d-pad good enough for these game types.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

DS3 and DS4 from Sony, not generics from China or other brands, all have a decent D-pad

Another good controller is this one...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RYW3FF4

[Snow]

Цитата допису Bad 💀 Motha:

DS3 and DS4 from Sony, not generics from China or other brands, all have a decent D-pad

Got both. Love both.

[Ulfrinn]

Цитата допису Bad 💀 Motha:

DS3 and DS4 from Sony, not generics from China or other brands, all have a decent D-pad

Another good controller is this one...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RYW3FF4

Decent, sure. the PSX/PS Classic controller has a good d-pad though, not as mushy feeling as the PS4. And the Saturn controller has a great d-pad. The PowerA Fightlpad and the 8bitdo M30 both have the same Saturn style d-pads as well. The PowerA looked interesting though because it does have four shoulder buttons, and the face buttons are all the same size which is nice.

I am not sure if the photo will work correctly, but this is the layout I use for most games. Some games that use L2/R2 to attack (some PSX titles for example), I'll swap the triggers and bumpers.

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/571796193424834602/684113974651912235/unknown.png

[Ulfrinn]

Also, besides the Saturn d-pad being way better, it goes beyond the d-pad itself to make it the best d-pad controller. That recess all around the d-pad means your thumb doesn't come into contact with the controller shell to bottom out pushing left or down. It's a great design from every aspect.

[Ulfrinn]

After playing with the SNES controller, it seems to be less stiff with fewer errors. I am still thinking of taking the rubber out of a used SNES controller and see how an already broken-in membrane feels in this controller. But, even though I can get to where I can somewhat comfortably play SNES games with it, I go back to my Saturn controller and it's just still so much more amazing.