Better PS1/2 pad for SHMUPS

[Logan Jones]

I like my dualshock controller, but the d-pad is just not suitable for shmups. My thumb cramps up very quickly when playing on the controller's d-pad.

I want to get a Street Fighter CHUN LI Controller for fighting games, and I was wondering if this controller worked with any PS2 or PS1 non-fighting games. (It would be perfect for shmups!)

However, if any of you guys know of any good PS1/2 controller with a good d-pad, that is, one that doesn't cramp up your thumb as easily, that would be great news. I'm looking for one that has any d-pad shape that doesn't cause immediate fatigue. Thanks!

[Syntax]

Great controller just stupid that they put L1 R1 on the six pad when it should be R1 R2.

Works for pretty much any ps2 game dude.
I have the Akuma one and love the shape.

[EmperorIng]

I like the feel of the Sunsoft Sunstation, which has a nice d-pad and turbo options if you need them. However, note that it would not work on my slim or fat PS2's unless first connected with an extension cord - maybe its pins don't connect properly on a USA console.

I have two of them and one of them doesn't seem to work, the last I checked (it's been a while).

[ASDR]

IMHO the Saturn Dpad is the absolute best one (maybe tied with the MD). There's a PS2 Saturn controller. It's rather expensive, though. The Neo Geo CD controller with their microswitch mini stick thing are also quite cool, SNK made a Playstation version as well.

[evil_ash_xero]

The Saturn PS2 pad (which works with PSX as well) is the best one.

But it's stupid expensive. I bought 4 of them, way past when they were affordable. It wasn't fun.
You might find a used one that isn't sky high. Maybe.

[DoomsDave]

I use a PS3/4 Hori Fighting Commander and Brooks PS3/4 to PS2 converter. I absolutely love it, works perfectly and imo is the best dpad you can buy. I've got 2 of those Hori pads and use them on every console.

https://www.amazon.com/Fighting-Command ... OFIAA?th=1

https://www.focusattack.com/brook-super ... 1-adapter/

[ASDR]

I bought 4 of them, way past when they were affordable

Lucky you, if I ever get a time machine I'll tell myself to buy PS2 Saturn pads, GC component cables & Bitcoin...

[Logan Jones]

Great controller just stupid that they put L1 R1 on the six pad when it should be R1 R2.

Works for pretty much any ps2 game dude.
I have the Akuma one and love the shape.

Really? Could you show me? I would love to buy it.

[Syntax]

Not sure if you wanted to see the controller in action or not.
My left thumbs kinda broken right now but the dpad does feel nice and because it's one piece probably won't blister you like a standard ps dpad does.

Just so silly to put the L1 where they did on a street fighter controller.
Designed by an ergonomics specialist that never played a game probs.

https://i.imgur.com/biNU4Rx.jpg

[Logan Jones]

Not sure if you wanted to see the controller in action or not.
My left thumbs kinda broken right now but the dpad does feel nice and because it's one piece probably won't blister you like a standard ps dpad does.

Just so silly to put the L1 where they did on a street fighter controller.
Designed by an ergonomics specialist that never played a game probs.

https://i.imgur.com/biNU4Rx.jpg

Well here's the thing... the controller you have is sold by Nubytech on Amazon, while the cheaper Chun-Li controller is sold by Madcatz on Amazon. Is it possible that the controllers function differently, bcause they're different brands? I also read in an article that the Chun-Li Street Fighter controller is only compatible with fighting games. Is your controller possibly different in function from the Madcatz brand? Or are both the controllers compatible with games that use the d-pad, (not the analog stick) and the article was incorrect?

[Syntax]

Oh wow when I looked at the chunli controller you linked I thought it was the same as these came out with a few different characters from memory.

So I cannot confirm the function of the madcats controller but it should be all the same.
There's no way a peripheral can really lock out from other titles unless it is coded to only work with a specific game and likewise the game coded to only work with that product.

I can plug the controller into my Bliss box which will tell me what firmware/hardware revision it's running on if that helps. Saves opening it up.

I can also try out a ps1 and a ps2 title of your choice to test on the nubytech today if you'd like.

[Logan Jones]

Oh wow when I looked at the chunli controller you linked I thought it was the same as these came out with a few different characters from memory.

So I cannot confirm the function of the madcats controller but it should be all the same.
There's no way a peripheral can really lock out from other titles unless it is coded to only work with a specific game and likewise the game coded to only work with that product.

I can plug the controller into my Bliss box which will tell me what firmware/hardware revision it's running on if that helps. Saves opening it up.

I can also try out a ps1 and a ps2 title of your choice to test on the nubytech today if you'd like.

Try out the controller on some ps1 and ps2 games that use the d-pad. Preferrably shmups, if you have any. Try out on some 2d platformers too. I just want to know if the controller works on games that use the d-pad. Its possible that the controller only works on d-pad games.

[Ghegs]

Other than the Saturn-style controllers, the other good one I've come across is the Hori Anasin (Anashin?) 2 Turbo. Good d-pad and the controller feels nice in your hand. I bought a few of them when they were readily available, still have two unboxed. It's also my preferred controller for GBA games on Game Boy Player (via PS2-GC adapter), I find it much better for it than, say, the Hori Game Boy Player Controller.

Sadly it seems those are difficult to acquire nowadays as well.

[Logan Jones]

Oh wow when I looked at the chunli controller you linked I thought it was the same as these came out with a few different characters from memory.

So I cannot confirm the function of the madcats controller but it should be all the same.
There's no way a peripheral can really lock out from other titles unless it is coded to only work with a specific game and likewise the game coded to only work with that product.

I can plug the controller into my Bliss box which will tell me what firmware/hardware revision it's running on if that helps. Saves opening it up.

I can also try out a ps1 and a ps2 title of your choice to test on the nubytech today if you'd like.

Well? Are you going to test the controller on the suggested games? I'm serious on buying one.

[Thamiel]

Oh wow when I looked at the chunli controller you linked I thought it was the same as these came out with a few different characters from memory.

So I cannot confirm the function of the madcats controller but it should be all the same.
There's no way a peripheral can really lock out from other titles unless it is coded to only work with a specific game and likewise the game coded to only work with that product.

I can plug the controller into my Bliss box which will tell me what firmware/hardware revision it's running on if that helps. Saves opening it up.

I can also try out a ps1 and a ps2 title of your choice to test on the nubytech today if you'd like.

Well? Are you going to test the controller on the suggested games? I'm serious on buying one.

Go ahead.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[gray117]

Well here's the thing... the controller you have is sold by Nubytech on Amazon, while the cheaper Chun-Li controller is sold by Madcatz on Amazon. Is it possible that the controllers function differently, bcause they're different brands? I also read in an article that the Chun-Li Street Fighter controller is only compatible with fighting games. Is your controller possibly different in function from the Madcatz brand? Or are both the controllers compatible with games that use the d-pad, (not the analog stick) and the article was incorrect?
...
Well? Are you going to test the controller on the suggested games? I'm serious on buying one.

None of these 15 anniversary fight pads are made by mad catz. They are all nubytech controllers. Madcatz *might* have bought/sold old nubytech stock at some stage but I think this'll be an amazon mistake. On the ps2 these came in 4 flavours - chun-li/ryu/ken/akuma. Afaik guile was xbox version of this pad.

They work with all games/controls that have dpad support. They do not work for control that need analogue sticks.

I don't think syntax was offering to sell, and never actually committed to supplying you anything.

The nubytechs are a good pad, but I'd probably go for DoomsDave's combo of the Hori Fighting Commander + converter if you're after the best pad. It's more expensive upfront, but will be compatible with other consoles (if this is of interest) and it is still better than the new madcatz sfv fightpads imho. You can switch dpad to analogue sticks if needed.

By madcatz there are streetfighter (iv) wireless ps3 fightpads (+x tekken variant wired I think), and wired 360 fightpads, but you'd need to be able to find the right adapters. I think these are probably better than the nubytechs dpad ... but they are kind of notorious for wearing out...

[Logan Jones]

Alright! Thanks, guys!

[azmun]

Another recommendation if I may add is Fujiwork Rensya--relatively obscure and exists in two variants. One similar to Nintendo's patented cross shape dpad, the other which I like very much and recommend has a circular shape that appears and performs just as well as the highly regarded Sega Saturn / Mega Drive 6-button dpad.

[Xer Xian]

Speaking of obscure PS2 controllers, a few Sega Surf Wave controllers have recently surfaced on eBay (there's another listing for the white variant, the black one is sold out). For some reason the seller didn't include 'Surf wave' on the listing's title, which probably explains why they're still there after several days. It's not necessarily a good controller, but it's pretty rare - especially new.

[bigbadboaz]

I always wondered about those. They look just like that weird controller that was sold Stateside as "AirStyle W-Shock" and was one of the first wireless third-party pads to get rave reviews from IGN and the like. Do you know if it is, in fact, the same controller rebranded for the US market?

If it is, I can attest that the D-Pad is GREAT and has that Sega rolling action despite looking different than their classic designs. However, it also has intermittent disconnection issues - not frequent and not serious, but something that always has to be considered when present. It's worth considering.

[Xer Xian]

I always wondered about those. They look just like that weird controller that was sold Stateside as "AirStyle W-Shock" and was one of the first wireless third-party pads to get rave reviews from IGN and the like. Do you know if it is, in fact, the same controller rebranded for the US market?

Not exactly, details are at Sega retro.

So your impression was bittersweet, well I want it no matter what, been hunting it for literally years

[bigbadboaz]

Go for it. When working it's as sweet as any classic Sega D-pad. That was such a pleasant surprise testing for the first time.

If it's not the Sega branding you want specifically, I don't imagine the AirStyle version has held any special value.

[Bratwurst]

I have two Thrustmaster PS1 Shockhammers that (to me) have comfortable D-pads. They sort of take after the Dreamcast controller in shape so if you have larger hands they are rather comfortable to hold, and are unknown enough that you can get them pretty cheap as new old stock.

[Logan Jones]

Great news, guys! I bought the Street Fighter Chun-Li PS2 controller, and I have gotten splendid results. It's made by Nubytech, thankfully, and it worked well with the games I tested it on, specifically shmups. I tried it with Gradius V, (a game in which I usually use the thumbstick) and I can say it works extremely well! I can't wait to use this controller more often!

[werk91]

I use a PS3/4 Hori Fighting Commander and Brooks PS3/4 to PS2 converter. I absolutely love it, works perfectly and imo is the best dpad you can buy. I've got 2 of those Hori pads and use them on every console.

https://www.amazon.com/Fighting-Command ... OFIAA?th=1

https://www.focusattack.com/brook-super ... 1-adapter/

Is there anything particular required to get this to work initially? I bought the same adapter and tried to get it working last night for half an hour to no avail. It's straight out of the box without me doing the firmware upgrade. I tried a DS3, DS4 and an arcade stick that is PS3/PC compatible. I never saw that little light show any signs of life. My PS2 is a standard slim model and I was testing with X-Men vs Street Fighter PS1 game.

[bigbadboaz]

Why wouldn't you try the firmware update?

[werk91]

I'll try it tonight when I'm back home, just tested it quickly last night as I got home late. I'll always update with latest FW when available, but it is concerning that a product is DOA unless you update the firmware...

[gray117]

They patch the consoles to remove support for unlicensed products. +Occassionally they have broken licensed controllers ... Don't know if that's related in this case though (either with new patches on system or the old firmware on the adapter) or just DOA

[werk91]

Pretty sure no one has patched my PS2 to remove compatibility with a controller adapter I know about the timeout issues on the other adapters, but that's for PS3 and PS4 consoles. This should've just been plug and play

[gray117]

lol sorry misread; assumed was going to the ps3/4 ... probably DOA