Good Dreamcast Controllers

[Grasshopper]

Can anyone recommend some good Dreamcast controllers.

I'm not too keen on the standard controllers that came with my machine.

I've seen some good deals on Ebay and at Lik-Sang but you can't tell from the pictures how good they are for gameplaying.

I know the ultimate solution is to build your own controls but lack of time at the moment means that I'm going to have to live with off-the-shelf controllers for the time being.

Thanks in advance.

[Dave_K.]

You should probably ask for what pads to avoid...as pretty much all the 3rd party pads are easily hackable.  The Nyko Dreamcast are the ones you should stay away from as they use 2 different grounds.  Its possible to hack them, but just a pain with multiple ground wires rather than one daisy chained around to your buttons.

I recommend the MadCatz if you can still find them.  As the other thread mentioned, maybe you should find a site with detailed instructions first, and then buy that brand pad.  Check the console FAQ for more info.

[Grasshopper]

Thanks for your reply.

I'm not actually looking for pads to hack at the moment. I want pads for actually playing games (weird I know...).

I might just use Playstation pads with a convertor. However as convertors cost about the same as pads, I thought I'd explore using proper Dreamcast pads first.

I will hack some pads eventually. But I'm just too busy to build a new control panel at the moment and my existing panel is wired up for a PC.

[abrannan]

What sorts of games are you wanting to play?  I ask because certain pads work better for fighters, some work better for sports, etc.  I've found that the bulk of the controllers out there look and feel similar to the official ones so you may have some difficulty with this if you don't like that ega controllers.  The Quantum fighter pad has a more playstation feel, but the triggers pull "up" rather than "in".  They have six buttons on the face to allow for a SF style button layout.  Plus, as a bonus, they are easy to hack should you ever want to go that route.

[orntar]

i would say that this is a really subjective question. i hate ps controllers, (i almost gasped when i read your post). and i love the dc standard controllers. i have a madcats with rubber sides and 6 buttons, its cool too.

so i say stay with sega. they are better quality  . but still my opinion. make sure to get a cheapy for hacking tho  

[Grasshopper]

Thanks for the replys.

Well I've just bought 4 Mad Katz DC controllers off Ebay. They look pretty good from the photos (6 buttons!), and if they're not good for gameplay then I suppose I can always hack them at a later date.

Having said that, I'm still minded to hack some PS controllers and use convertors because this will give me some future proofing. The Playstation (and its successors) is likely to be with us for some time to come.

As far as DC vd PS controllers is concerned, I've just been comparing then again and I can see that the DC controllers do have some advantages. They are bigger and the analogue direction pad is better positioned. I think I was slightly prejudiced against them because they look a little dull and the ones that came with my DC are a little beaten up.

However, I think the PS controllers are better for hacking because they generally have more buttons and are more future proof.

With regards to what games I'm interested in playing, my taste is fairly varied and I don't wish to rule anything out. However I bought my Dreamcast primarily for playing ports of Naomi arcade games e.g. 3D fighters and Virtua Tennis 2.

[Dave_K.]

I recommend the PS One dual shock pads (original Sony ones and NOT 3rd party pads), they look identical to the Dual Shock 2 pads, but use digital buttons (v.s. analog).  Hacking one pair of these not only gives you access to PS2 games, but also (with converters) Gamecube, Xbox, and PC.  There aren't any good ps2 to dreamcast converters, so hacking the dreamcast madcats you have is really best for the dreamcast.  Use a common interface between your control panel and pad hacks so you can swap them out (I use 15pin molex connectors).

Happy hacking!

[Grasshopper]

Dave_K, can you clarify why the PS2 to DC converters are no good? Is it because not all the buttons are mapped properly, or is there another reason?

I don't care about analogue or rumble support as I'd only be using the converter with a hacked PS controller.

VMU support would be desireable but certainly not essential.

Thanks in advance.

[Dave_K.]

Dave_K, can you clarify why the PS2 to DC converters are no good? Is it because not all the buttons are mapped properly, or is there another reason?

I tried one brand of Playstation to DC converter when they first came out  on the market and it did not work consistantly (it would have problems recognizing the playstation stick was plugged in).  Anyway, now with the dreamcast joysticks costing less than these converter, its just easier to buy a dc joystick and hack it.  Just my opinion.

[Grasshopper]

Dave_K, can you clarify why the PS2 to DC converters are no good? Is it because not all the buttons are mapped properly, or is there another reason?

I tried one brand of Playstation to DC converter when they first came out  on the market and it did not work consistantly (it would have problems recognizing the playstation stick was plugged in).  Anyway, now with the dreamcast joysticks costing less than these converter, its just easier to buy a dc joystick and hack it.  Just my opinion.

Can you tell me what brand of converter you bought so that I can avoid it!
Thanks

[Dave_K.]

Can you tell me what brand of converter you bought so that I can avoid it!
Thanks

Sorry, I bought it in early 2000 and only kept it for a day and then returned it, so I don't remember the name.    I so remember the company came out with several more revisions (apparently it wasn't just me that was having problems).