Saturn Controller Roundup
Illusion of control is the tendancy for human beings to believe they can conrtol, or at least influence, outcomes that they demonstrably have no influence over. That won't be games then!
I thought it would be a good idea to give a nod to the controllers of the Saturn. Sure, Segata carries a massive white (mark II) controller (the holy grail of controllers in fact), but let us not forget the other models:
Name: Saturn 'Mark I' Controller
Regions: USA/Europe
Advantages: Big
Disadvantages: Feels cheap, unresponsive D-pad, not the Japanese controller
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| From The Saturn Junkyard |
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Name: Saturn "Mark II" Controller
Regions: Japan (original), Europe and USA later
Advantages: Widely regarded as the best controller ever made; Great D-pad, 6 button controller is great for Capcom fighters, nice clicky triggers, lightweight.
Disadvantages: Wasn't available on Dreamcast
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Name: Saturn 3D Control Pad
Regions: Japan, USA, Europe
Advantages: Amazing analogue sensitivity. Great for; SEGA Rally Championship, NiGHTS. Excellent triggers.
Disadvantages: Wasn't used to full potential...
The only known project to utilise the pull-out connector was for "Air NiGHTS" but apparently, the Wii version should do the same thing as it's had 11 years to improve... hmm, don't know about that.
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So, there we have it. Not really a comprehensive list, but I covered the main three. Stay tuned for more, this Saturnalia!
Great post! I guess most people ignore there were two different European Saturn controllers. Indeed the first one is dreadful, mostly because the original japanese controller was so smooth - why do they insist on making changes between markets?
ReplyDeleteThe analog, however, was precious and a forerunner to the Dreamcast pad we all love. It's a pity that the console didn't last long enough to take more advantage of it.
Be sure to feature the arcade stick and saturn driving wheel sometime in the future! cheers!
I have the arcade stick (official) and driving controller waiting :)
ReplyDeleteThe Dreamcast is often remembered for what it could have been. So much potential, years ahead of its time. A place in all our hearts :)