I need some help with a controller.

[Genesis Knight]

My Majesco 6-button pads are going out, and I want to get an official Sega 6-button pad since everyone raves about them. Problem is, I'm not sure what listings on eBay are the ones I want. Could anyone help me in this respect with a sample auction or two?

[David J.]

They either look like this:
http://www.axess.com/twilight/console/detail/genesisb.jpg

And the wireless ones look like this, except the start button on mine are grey instead of red:
http://www.sega-16.com/Features/Genesis%20Accessory%20&%20Peripheral%20Guide/Mach_-_MD_Infa_red_controller_set.jpg

I'm writing a review of the wireless pads for the site.

The offical six button pads are pretty rare to find in my experence. Even rareer are the wireless ones and the arcade stick.

[Genesis Knight]

So is this one what I'm after?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sega-Genesis-Controller-6-Button-Authentic-Official_W0QQitemZ8271987123QQcategoryZ3642QQrdZ1Q QcmdZViewItem

Okay, my question is this: is it really all that better? I mean, I know everyone says so, but I could get two Majesco ones for this price. How much better is the d-pad? Is it going to give me an edge or not?

[David J.]

If you want the REAL deal, yes that's your pad. It has a better D-pad, but I'm the only person to like the majesco/interact pad.

[Obviously]

They're a lot sturdier than the Majesco pads which are made a lot more cheaply and feel like they're third party controllers. The Sega ones are just less likely to break on you over time. Also as mentioned the D-Pad feels a little loose on the Majesco pad and it's a lot better on the official Sega one. The Majesco pads on the other hand are available on eBay in bulk for like a few dollars so it's a win/win situation.

Neither of them will really give you an edge over the other in gameplay in my experience.

[Joe Redifer]

Be careful, the ones with the BLUE start button are the Japanese pads, and they are smaller for tiny little Japanese hands. If you have big, manly American hands, you'll need the ones with the grey start button. Notice the difference between the pictures of the one on eBay with the blue button and the one near the top of the thread with the grey button.

I would not be caught dead with Majesco anything. It's like buying generic.

[MegaDrive20XX]

And dont forget, if you find one with a RED Start button, you have just found the European.

and Yes they ARE worth it! I just picked up two from Ebay...and i swear to god, I will never EVER touch a Majesco pad again!!

[David J.]

The Majesco pad IS a third party pad. It's a rebadged interact pad.

I'm eyeing two more six button wired controllers, and two arcade sticks.