I've heard tales of the legendary Saturn pads but never actually held one in my hands so I don't know.
I also didn't like the Madcatz SF4 fightpads.
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Hori Fighting Commander, the best retro controller ever?
- Thread starter CrashPrime
- Start date
I also didn't like the Madcatz SF4 fightpads.
hey_it's_that_dog
benevolent sexism
Mine has lasted over 450 hours of SFV, and that's the older model with more reliability issues.
I have the new one too and I think the dpad is crisper and the buttons have just a slightly lower profile which shaves milliseconds off of their activation. The only thing I really prefer about the old model is the ergonomics. It does a better job naturally aligning my index finger with the right shoulder buttons in a very comfortable way.
40 bucks for a great pad is worth it IMO even if it does need replacing every 2-3 years.
Triforce141
Member
There's never any love for the PC Engine/TG16 controllers
It feels like an NES / Master System controller done right, snug fit without sharp corners, good dpad and even built in turbo function for those who want to cheat
Yeah, I love it. In hindsight I wish I got two when Gamestop was doing their fire sale. But the new version they're releasing with DX is only $25 so maybe I'll get one of those.
LuciusAxelrod
Member
I love my Fighting Commanders. I wouldn't even consider a retro controller unless it has six face buttons.
pretty done
Member
This, but I have the older model with the rotating dpad. I think vanilla DS4 beats it out tbh
Also recently got the XBONE Elite so I'm eager to try out that pad on a platformer. It feels really nice and clicky.
I'm going to go against some of the comments about the older model (FC3) because man do I love that this. I have a newer model as well, and I actually don't think it's nearly as good as the older one. The really cool idea of letting the d-pad be rotatable does introduce some issues with it traveling on its own even when completely "locked", but it's still such a fantastic controller. Probably the most usable one I've ever had for fighting games since the Japanese Saturn pad.
Dreams-Visions
Member
lol @ the wiiu pro controller being 2 tiers above the xone elite controller.
Lasthope106
Member
I'll probably get a couple for the SNES Classic. Any store that is selling them in the US?
The iBuffalo SNES controller is horrible. I bought a few and they suck. Way too light and flimsy and the dpad hurt my finger because of how sharp it was. Never again.
The iBuffalo SNES controller is horrible. I bought a few and they suck. Way too light and flimsy and the dpad hurt my finger because of how sharp it was. Never again.
pretty done
Member
I find they both have their uses. Those circle dpads are great for games where you have inventory or something like that on the dpad. The classic plus style is obviously way better for dpad movement imo.
tomwhite2004
Member
The model 2 Sega Saturn pad is the best there is, the first one is nowhere near as good.
thepenguin55
Member
The Pokken Tournament has a terrific d-pad and on the Switch it's compatible with pretty much any game that doesn't require stick inputs. Oddly enough, it's kind of a terrible controller to use with Pokken Tournament because using a d-pad to move in full 3D will always feel bad but whatever...
That controller sucks, have it.
Bought the regular one, much MUCH better.
That part that rotates seems to come loose way too often.
What a stupid design.
ExitPlanetDust
Member
What makes these two so great is that the d-pads "float". The d-pad you interact with is actually connected to a lower d-pad by a short shaft. The second d-pad is what makes contact with the rubber membrane and the board. This rocking motion gives the d-pad a preciseness not usually found in circular style pads. There is also something about the size of both d-pads and the distance between them that just... works.
It's disappointing that other pad makers haven't figured out this formula yet. The old Nuby Tech Street Fighter Anniversary pads came close, but the lower d-pad was too thin and the two d-pads were too far apart. The model 2 Saturn pad feeling was there, but the diagonals were horribly imprecise.
katsubento
Member
How have I not seen this!
I have 3 of these. One I travel with, one permanently plugged in and another brand new one in box in case mine ever break. Great controller for use with fighting games or 2D side scroller. I had the rotating Dpad version and it always came loose... horrible idea
I'm a little worried that the next console (ps5) will get a similar style controller but it won't be as good :/ kinda like how the 360 madcatz controllers never made it to xbone or ps4
I'm a little worried that the next console (ps5) will get a similar style controller but it won't be as good :/ kinda like how the 360 madcatz controllers never made it to xbone or ps4
Lazy vs Crazy
Member
Hori made an awesome Gamecube controller made for the Gameboy Player. Best buttons I've ever felt, I think.
CrashPrime
Member
The Pokken Tournament has a terrific d-pad and on the Switch it's compatible with pretty much any game that doesn't require stick inputs. Oddly enough, it's kind of a terrible controller to use with Pokken Tournament because using a d-pad to move in full 3D will always feel bad but whatever...
I did not realize a Switch branded version of this is out on 9/22. Based on my love of the FC, I really hope the d-pad is good. One of the big downsides to the FC is its incompatibility with the Switch. Seeing as Shovel Knight, Puyo Puyo, Bomberman Zero, Ultra Street Fighter II, The Binding of Isaac, and Sonic Mania are Switch titles for me, this would be a welcome stand-in for now. I am ashamed to say that I have mauled my thumb to make the 4 buttons work for a d-pad on the joycon. No accidental inputs with that thing! (just a bloody mangled thumb, hah).
Also looking at Super Meat Boy Forever as a potential buy that will benefit from a d-pad.
$25 only too. What a steal.
I would say definitely get it. It has my favorite d-pad out of all of the controllers I currently use. Plus it works on PC as well, so it's not like you can only use it on the Switch.
sixteen-bit
Member
The Pokken Tournament has a terrific d-pad and on the Switch it's compatible with pretty much any game that doesn't require stick inputs. Oddly enough, it's kind of a terrible controller to use with Pokken Tournament because using a d-pad to move in full 3D will always feel bad but whatever...
wow the DX variant looks so much nicer than the original
Whoa, nice. Speaking of SNES controllers, I wonder if Capcom would ever consider re-releasing the Capcom Pad Soldier for SNES Classic Edition. XD
The model 2 Sega Saturn pad is the best there is, the first one is nowhere near as good.
This shit right here. There's never been a better d-pad (I actually own six-button Mega Drive controller, but there's not much between that and this Saturn pad).
shouamabane
Member
Runner Up:
CrashPrime
Member
Basically a Saturn Pad and a Neo Geo CD so yup, S Tier indeed. Makes me miss my damn Neo Geo controller seeing that box.
What is this picture from? That guy looks very familiar.
The logitech F310 is worth checking out - god like d-pad
I have this controller and it is surprisingly good (particularly the dpad). It really flies under the radar, as no one seems to expect much. I ditched my XBox 360 controller (which I never really liked anyway tbh) for one of these on PC, and despite dabbling with my Wii Pro controller and pretty much everthing else available, I keep coming back to this one for most modern games.
That being said, for fighting games or 2D games I use a stick, SNES pad, or something else with a similar form factor.
I dunno, OP, I have one for my PS4, and it feels a bit light for my taste (even the 8BitDo SNES pad is heavier), and the D-pad, while accurate, feels somewhat stiff. But it's the lightness that bothers me most about it, it feels like it might break after a particularly heavy SFV or KOF session. And I'm a pad warrior, so I should know!
I just hope the feel of the controller is just like its elder brother.
Also, N64 above Gen/MD and PS4? Even in terms of just the D-pad? lol no, sorry, that's not a preference, it's not even an opinion, it's just plain wrong. Sorry OP.
I just hope the feel of the controller is just like its elder brother.
I have one of those too, though mine seems a bit more worn-in than yours - still accurate as all hell, though. My second favourite retro pad of all, behind the aforementioned D-pad Of The Gods, the Model 2 Saturn pad.I have that exact same controller for the Super Famicom, the dpad hurts my thumb
Also, N64 above Gen/MD and PS4? Even in terms of just the D-pad? lol no, sorry, that's not a preference, it's not even an opinion, it's just plain wrong. Sorry OP.
GreenMonkey
Member
I got one free (NES30) with my Analogue NT mini. It did seem really good at first. But I a/b tested it against a wired NES pad and a dog bone, and the dpad has issues. Especially for stuff with diagonals like Contra, or shmups. A lot of false positive inputs when you try to do diagonals. I surprised the amount of praise these get when they are obviously a bit dodgy.
Dpad is...decent. Not great. In my mid, about as good as the relatively rare xbox360 pad with the chrome / teist out dpad. Serviceable but not great.
I replaced the NES30 with a pair of the new RetroUSB clicky wireless NES controllers. Dpads on those are stiff/clicky due to the micro switches, but very accurate.
Rickenslacker
Banned
Because of this thread I just ordered a PC/Xbox version of the HFC that should come in by Friday, yolo.
The model 2 Sega Saturn pad is the best there is, the first one is nowhere near as good.
Its fantastic and I cannot believe the fucking Vita is ranked on the same level in the OP. The definition of insanity.
Drillary Clinton
Banned
I have one and it works great for SFV. I still went ahead and upgraded to a stick, but if you just don't want to identify a fighting stick, I highly recommend this pad.
Naked Snake
Member
Is it just me or is Turbo/rapid-fire feature (which I assume that's what those little switches are) completely unnecessary in this day and age? I feel like it was a forgetable gimmick in the old days, but I can't think of any game on the SNES Classic that I would want to use it with... except maybe Contra or Star Fox?
By the way I have one pre-ordered on Amazon Japan (they sold out quickly) that I'm willing to part with.
Yeah the Hori pad is pretty great, easy recommendation for pad players looking for fighter focused features and broad compatability. The USB Saturn pads are fantastic but they lack inputs to use them with newer 2D games comfortably.
Of the current gen consoles I'd say the DS4 probably has the best D-pad but I've not tried the Wii U Pro with fighters to count it fairly.
Of the current gen consoles I'd say the DS4 probably has the best D-pad but I've not tried the Wii U Pro with fighters to count it fairly.
Yeah that's the only issue I come across still using a Saturn pad. Steam's remapping options have helped me a lot though recently. For example I'm able to map the often required but missing back button to a long press of start, that helps getting through menus.
How I wish Sega would put out a new version with extra buttons and compatibility with both PC and consoles though.
Get back to us with how you feel about (and if it works). As I stated earlier, I got the PS4 version and, despite having a dedicated PC mode switch, I haven't been able to get it to work on PC at all.
ThePeoplesBureau
Member
Already been and gone on Amazon Japan.
Damn. Ty for the update.
I have that exact same controller for the Super Famicom, the dpad hurts my thumb
Dude fuck this controller it's straight garbage, d-pad is atrocious. Legit might be the worst cross pad i've used.
Don't the Xbox pads have deadzones?
Any controller with a Nintendo-style d-pad does not belong near the top of the list in my opinion.
What makes the Saturn pad great is that it's circular, and the pad is 'floating' rather than balancing on the pivot point.
Nintendo-style d-pads are balanced on the pivot point, which makes them inherently "unstable" and want to roll around.
That might be fine if you mainly play fighting games that use rotational inputs rather than platformers, shooters, or basically any other type of game.
Since the pad is a + shape rather than round, I find that they tend to want to hit diagonals more than they want to hit cardinal directions too.
Because it's probably a DirectInput device rather than XInput, since it's a PlayStation controller - which means that newer games won't use it. (DirectInput is deprecated)
Try opening up Steam Big Picture Mode, going to the controller settings, and enabling/configuring "generic gamepad support". You may need to disconnect the controller and restart Steam before it works correctly the first time.
What makes the Saturn pad great is that it's circular, and the pad is 'floating' rather than balancing on the pivot point.
Nintendo-style d-pads are balanced on the pivot point, which makes them inherently "unstable" and want to roll around.
That might be fine if you mainly play fighting games that use rotational inputs rather than platformers, shooters, or basically any other type of game.
Since the pad is a + shape rather than round, I find that they tend to want to hit diagonals more than they want to hit cardinal directions too.
When you say that you haven't been able to get it working at all, do you mean that it's not being detected by the PC, or that games aren't using it?
Because it's probably a DirectInput device rather than XInput, since it's a PlayStation controller - which means that newer games won't use it. (DirectInput is deprecated)
Try opening up Steam Big Picture Mode, going to the controller settings, and enabling/configuring "generic gamepad support". You may need to disconnect the controller and restart Steam before it works correctly the first time.
The original SNES one?