What was the MODE button for?

[5233]

On the 6-button Genesis controllers, what was the purpose of the MODE button?

[Dant]

It was to force the controller into a 3-button mode for the few games that had trouble with the 6-button mode.

[17daysolderthannes]

it launches the nuclear warheads, shhhhhh.

it does actually have added functionality on the 32X, like changing views in Shadow Squadron.

[Golpezas]

It is used for disable X, Y, Z buttons.

Its original manual says that disabling is necesary when playing Arch rivals, Forgotten worlds, Golden axe II and Ms. Pac-man.

[The Sports Guy]

Yup. It won't work correctly with Ms. Pac Man or Golden Axe II, I haven't tried the rest.

[Scooter]

I think Decap Attack has problems with a 6-button pad too.

[A Black Falcon]

Sunset Riders also requires it, if you want to play multiplayer. Single player works fine without holding it down, I think, but you can't even select 2 player mode unless you held down Mode at boot. King of the Monsters requires you to hold down M at start too. Also I found that with my EA 4-Way-Play, I needed to hold down the Mode button on any 6-button controller plugged into the third port in order for that controller to work correctly, oddly enough. This is true in NHL '97, at least. Holding Mode was not necessary for controllers in the other three ports.

Also, some games do use the Mode button as a button ingame as a normal button that does something. The ones I know of that do this are as follows:

Technoclash (Genesis)
The Lost Vikings (Genesis)
Battlecorps (Sega CD)
Shadow Squadron (32X)
Star Wars Arcade (32X)
Metal Head (32X)

The Mortal Kombat games (MK3 and UMK3 perhaps? I forget) with Kombat Kode entry screens may use Mode as well for kombat kode entry. I'm not certain about this, but I think they might.

[Melf]

Forgotten Worlds goes straight to the "game over" screen unless you hold the mode button down at boot up.

[Joe Redifer]

Yup. It won't work correctly with Ms. Pac Man or Golden Axe II, I haven't tried the rest.

Unless you have a broken pad, the MODE button absolutely restores functionality on those games. Hold the MODE button down when you turn on the Genesis. Once you see a screen be it the SEGA logo or even the TMSS license screen, you may let go. You can't just randomly press MODE at any time to revert back to 3 button mode.

[goldenegg]

Unless you have a broken pad, the MODE button absolutely restores functionality on those games. Hold the MODE button down when you turn on the Genesis. Once you see a screen be it the SEGA logo or even the TMSS license screen, you may let go. You can't just randomly press MODE at any time to revert back to 3 button mode.


I think he was just confirming he tried those games and they don't work in 6-button mode, incase someone doesn't believe the original documentation.

[Joe Redifer]

I hope so, I wouldn't want anyone to think that those games can't be played with a 6-button pad no matter what.

[TmEE]

And if you don't want to power off the MD when you're run into 6 button compatibility, pull the controller out, press down mode and plug the controller back in.

[matteus]

strangely i've never experienced any 3/6 button issues and yet I played forgotten worlds as a kid...

[Golpezas]

Inserts also says Alien 3, John Madden Football (1), Pif-fighter, Decapattack and Jordan vs. Bird are not recommended for play with the Sega Six Button Control Pad.

I've had problems playing Forgotten worlds, Golden axe II and Decapattack.

[EddieJ1984]

Also it is used in WWF Royal Rumble for the six an tag match to change your partner.

[goldenband]

Another one for the list: IMG International Tour Tennis works fine with a three-button controller or a MK-1653 six-button controller (with or without MODE). It does NOT work with my MK-1470 six-button controller, regardless of whether I hold down "MODE" or not.

(Of course, the game's completely broken to begin with, so it really doesn't matter that much.)

[MN12BIRD]

Wow I never knew the mode button could be used to disable 6-button mode on power up! Well I might have heard that somewhere before but thought it was incorrect. I figured people just assumed it was for 3/6 button mode. But I noticed it doesn't toggle and I figured that was what people expected. I just knew it was used in certain games as an extra button. If I remember After Burner on 32X can use it to fire a missile.

Now I wonder why Sega put a 3/6 button switch on the 6 button arcade stick if the mode button could do that. I figured you needed that switch to use it on the mentioned games like Golden Axe II. I guess it's just easier than holding down something while you turn on the Genesis.

[Chilly Willy]

In Wolf32X, MODE toggles the automap.

[Jared]

I had problems with the 6 button pad playing Castlevania Bloodlines. Had to reset and hold the mode button down to play.

[Zz Badnusty]

Herzog Zwei would not function with any 6-button pads.
I tried everything (at least I think so) with the mode button and could not get the controller to operate properly.
Had to dig out a couple 3-button pads.

[Chilly Willy]

I had problems with the 6 button pad playing Castlevania Bloodlines. Had to reset and hold the mode button down to play.

Weird, I've never seen a problem playing Castlevania Bloodlines with a 6 button controller. :confused: