Best Directional Pad

[Kogen]

Some people seem to think that Sony makes a good d-pad, others want to believe that Nintendo knows how to make gaming hardware, and a seldom few claim that TG-16 is even worth looking at without laughing uncontrollably.

So in an effort to gather undeniable, empirical evidence, we will poll various gaming enthusiasts to see which directional pad is truly the superior design.

Directional pads chosen will be of common/revised designs. For example, no Genesis controller, only Japanese Saturn.


Candidates:

• Nintendo Entertainment System
  
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• SEGA Master System
  
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• Turbo Graphics 16
  
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• Super Nintendo
  
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• SEGA Saturn
  
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• SEGA Dreamcast
  
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• Nintendo GameCube
  
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• Microsoft XBox 360 (Transformable D-Pad)
  
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• Sony PlayStation 3 (Dual Shock 3)
  
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• Other
  
  .

[sheath]

I would have voted for the Master System, Genesis, TurboPad, and Saturn D-Pads as a group if I could have. But since this poll only allows one choice, I am stuck not voting.

The Nintendo, Dreamcast, Gamecube and Playstation "pads" cause uncomfortable rubbing against the plastic shell of the controller. The 360 Pad is just hard to use due to poor sensitivity.

[Crackdown]

Saturn, no contest

[Tanegashima]

Saturn followed by Neo Geo CD...which isn't up there...

[eddiespruce]

I would've voted for the Genesis controller, but since it's not there, I went with the Saturn, which is just as good.

[AlecRob]

6 Button Genesis

[Kogen]

Saturn followed by Neo Geo CD...which isn't up there...

I thought it was an analogue stick.

[kokujin]

Saturn, then PSX.

[eddiespruce]

I thought it was an analogue stick.

The Neo Geo CD controller has a microswitched digital stick, known by many as the "Clicky stick". I believe the Neo Geo Pocket Color has a same one, and I have to say, it's really good, and very precise.

[GohanX]

and a seldom few claim that TG-16 is even worth looking at without laughing uncontrollably.

Hey, now. The TG16's controller isn't going to win any "best of" design awards, but it's a pretty comfy control pad. It's basically a better version of the NES control pad.

Speaking of NES, I really love the NES2's dogbone controllers, they are so comfortable! I'm not sure why the dpad feels different from the SNES, as it looks the same, but it controls like butter.

[Chilly Willy]

Genesis/Saturn tied for first. NES/SNES tied for last. The SMS dpad isn't that good, so I'm glad they made such incredible strides for the Genesis dpad. The TG16/PCE dpad is about the same as the SMS. Both are MUCH better than the NES/SNES.

Also not on the list, but good is the Jaguar dpad.

[ItellYaHuat]

Genesis D-pad hands down. Oddly enough, some of the ones I have are stiff but the rest are nice and loose. Don't know if they get stiff overtime (mine are clean though) but I have a sneaking suspicion that that's just how some of them were made. I'll go for Saturn next since it's the next best thing. The SMS shouldn't even be up there. It's not much of a D-Pad at all as it looks more like a saucer.

Edit: I was referring to the 3-button pad ones that are stiff. The rest are identical to the 6-button pad d-pads.

[DarkDragon]

6 button Genesis, best. Dreamcast, worst. I'll always be a big fan of the Playstation controller. Dreamcast and Gamecube are so hideous looking.

[FamiDriveDuo]

ssps2pad_screen001.jpg

FUCK YEAH

This controller ruined almost every other pad for me. I used this with every system i can, even wore the membrane out



Oh..

Turbo Graphics 16

1299344440334763.jpeg

[Olls]

Saturn.