Someone tell me why the Neogeo Pad 2 is impossibly difficult

[Elixir]

This thing. I bought it a few months ago and I, basically, cannot use it because the diagonals are so fucking hard to push that it isn't worth the effort. Did I get a bad print or are they all like this?

[CMoon]

I just ordered this off e-bay, I hope it is better:

[orange]

saturn pads are objectively the best pads

[Elixir]

saturn pads are objectively the best pads

I know.

But, like, I can't even use this pad. It's not possible to use. The directions are so insanely unresponsive unless you press directly up right or up left or whatever. At least the 360's dpad is possible to use. This isn't.

[UnscathedFlyingObject]

saturn pads are objectively the best pads

They're also overly hyped by fanatic Sega fans.

[Rain]

saturn pads are objectively the best pads

They're also overly hyped by fanatic Sega fans.

They're the best Pads but also Over Hyped? Explain Please.

Unless you mean that pads compared to sticks for fighters/shooters (but especially fighters) are inferior, which I have to agree on.

Oh and OP: I had the same issues, sold it within a week.

[CIT]

I quite like the original NG pad. Can't speak for the new one.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

The original Neo-Geo AES Stick ain't too shabby with it's super small short throw...has a shorter throw than current Sanwa or Seimitsu production arcade sticks btw. It sure is clicky when moving it. I recall reading that they use a special "short-throw" Seimitsu stick as mentioned by fellow shmupper oxtsu.

Yep, some folks are used to playing with gamepads and others are used to playing the beefer joystick setup. Whatever floats your boat...can't go wrong with either setup.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[UnscathedFlyingObject]

saturn pads are objectively the best pads

They're also overly hyped by fanatic Sega fans.

They're the best Pads but also Over Hyped? Explain Please.

Unless you mean that pads compared to sticks for fighters/shooters (but especially fighters) are inferior, which I have to agree on.

Oh and OP: I had the same issues, sold it within a week.

Saturn pads are great but people make them seem like they are so good no other pads come close in quality. I don't think there's that much of a difference in quality between PSX and Saturn pads, for example. Best pad is down to personal preference. It's not objective at all.

[Elixir]

The PSX dpad isn't even a dpad. It doesn't even have diagonals. Something that this pad does, they're just hard to press. At least with Saturn pads you don't need to break them in for 50 hours before they start feeling flexible, although there is a difference between a brand new Saturn pad and a broken in one.

I use a Saturn pad for pretty much everything; PS1, PS2, PS3, 360, Supergun, it just works so well. Of course I use a weird button layout (Y is shot, B is focus/C and Z are bomb, and I only use my thumb for all of this. Or Y is shot, B is bomb and Z is autofire. Depends on the game, but these two usually cover everything.

I'm also quite fond of the Megadrive pad. I was really hoping that this Neogeo Pad 2 would be worthwhile and I really like the clicky feel, but it just isn't up for the job. I'd rather use a 360 dpad instead.

[orange]

saturn pads are objectively the best pads

I know.

But, like, I can't even use this pad. It's not possible to use. The directions are so insanely unresponsive unless you press directly up right or up left or whatever. At least the 360's dpad is possible to use. This isn't.

oh i wasn't comparing, i just wanted to put that statement out there and see if anyone would refute it haha

[Stormwatch]

I don't think there's that much of a difference in quality between PSX and Saturn pads, for example.

Here, have a cup of cornflakes.

[UnscathedFlyingObject]

I've been using PSX pads for more than 10 years and Saturn pads for about 5. The Saturn pads have an edge when it comes to fighting games, but I've never found myself struggling to pull off fireballs or specials with the PSX pads. Both are extremely durable too. It's personal preference at the end of the day that decides which one is better.

[Ganelon]

Uh, PS pads are also notable for not being durable. Ever since they made the DualShock, the back triggers have been sticking. And the d-pads and contacts underneath at least up to the PS2 version are horrible. I've had a d-pad break on me (luckily, it doesn't really affect anything and numerous people have experienced one direction not being responsive anymore. These aren't issues you normally hear regarding SS controllers.

I have no problems pulling out motions on either controller (or even pulling off walkup 360s in 3S on the Xbox Controller S) but the PS pad isn't as responsive and the quality isn't as good. It's ultimately personal preference but that's got to be a minority opinion among those who've experienced both.

That said, the SS controller is a bit overrated if you compare it to the Sega MD 6-button controller, which is almost equally comfortable (and equally functional if it had a button opposite Mode). And then there's the wireless Sega MD 6-button controller, which is right up there too.

[Stormwatch]

The shape of the Playstation controller, as a whole, along with the analogs' placement, is what makes it terrible. The d-pad just adds insult to the injury.

[Specineff]

Uh, PS pads are also notable for not being durable. Ever since they made the DualShock, the back triggers have been sticking. And the d-pads and contacts underneath at least up to the PS2 version are horrible. I've had a d-pad break on me (luckily, it doesn't really affect anything and numerous people have experienced one direction not being responsive anymore. These aren't issues you normally hear regarding SS controllers.

My 10-year old, fully functional, over 100-games-played-with-it first generation Dual Shock disagrees.

[Ganelon]

4 out of my 10 PS1 controllers (digital, analog and DS) would beg to differ with your exception. While my 6 SS controllers still get service.

[UnscathedFlyingObject]

The hell do you do to your controllers? I had my PSX for years, abused the two pads I had and they didn't break on me even after playing and replaying dozens of games. My only PS2 pad has also been in service for way too long. I expected it to malfunction about two years ago and bought a replacement, which I haven't used. Maybe I'm lucky with consoles. My PSX never broke (gave it away after like 7 years) and my PS2 (6 years) is still chugging along and I play it frequently.

Edit: Ironically, my original DS Lite died after like 2 years and Nintendo supposedly makes solid hardware. The PCB under the buttons cracked and pushing any buttons would cause the machine to reset.

[Damocles]

So...has anyone actually answered the question yet? I've been considering picking one of these up simply for the novelty factor. If the diagonals are borked there's no reason to.




Also, this is the first I've heard of someone actually prefering the PSX pad. I honestly can't think of any good qualities.

[Ganelon]

The hell do you do to your controllers?

Nothing special. I take very good care of my games and equipment (many don't have a single scratch), which is why I'm outraged by a lot of Sony's products (although to be fair, my PS1-3 still play games without a hitch). 1 of the controllers came bad when I bought it new. One has the broken d-pad. On 2 of them, a direction doesn't register unless you press firmly down (1 came this way, the other started acting up after about a year). On another, the diagonals are noticeably more difficult to hit for some reason (same issue as Elixir for this NG pad).

You can pretty much compare the PS pad in terms of comfortness to the SNES controller except the latter is much more durable. I remember really beat-up controllers used in store demo kiosks back in the day and they still worked fine. Nowadays, wow, have you tried some of the worn stuff at GameStop? Their 360 controllers are pretty much unusable.

The DS Lite is also not a great piece of hardware. Out of the box, my L button didn't register until firmly pressed (feels like the rubber underneath might not be aligned correctly). And even the design isn't great; it's impossible to clean the edges of the bottom screen because it's depressed). Compare this with a regular Game Boy that hasn't ever given me trouble.

[clp]

Saturn pads are great but people make them seem like they are so good no other pads come close in quality. I don't think there's that much of a difference in quality between PSX and Saturn pads, for example.

[Specineff]

Ganelon, I clean my PS1 controllers once a year. Some gunk from my fingers and all they touch eventually gets through the seams or openings, causing lack of response on the buttons and dpad. Some alcohol solution or soapy water plus air dry fixes it. Have you tried that?

To answer the original poster question, maybe it needs to be broken in?

[UnscathedFlyingObject]

Saturn pads are great but people make them seem like they are so good no other pads come close in quality. I don't think there's that much of a difference in quality between PSX and Saturn pads, for example.

Sega fanboys don't know the difference between fact and opinion.

[Sparky]

Maybe this is the problem?

[kernow]

Sortof, the problem is the original pad sucked too.

[Ganelon]

Ganelon, I clean my PS1 controllers once a year. Some gunk from my fingers and all they touch eventually gets through the seams or openings, causing lack of response on the buttons and dpad. Some alcohol solution or soapy water plus air dry fixes it. Have you tried that?

Not once a year, but I've definitely opened them. That's how I broke a DualShock 2 trying to fix it too (and once again for those who don't know, *don't* open a DS2; the L2/R2 hinges will be incredibly difficult to put back without breaking). Rubbing alcohol on them doesn't do anything because there's nothing on the contacts and very mild dead skin on the plastic (very mild because I clean the external casing of the controller with toothpicks every so often so nothing builds up inside).

So for the broken PS1 d-pad, I saw that it was broken (no biggie, although it feels a little awkward). And for the controllers with directional issues, cleaning them did absolutely nothing to help anything. It's pretty weird since I didn't see anything wrong with the rubber touching the contacts. So I'm still not sure why they don't work as they should except that possibly the rubber doesn't drop down all the way as it should.

It's not like my DS or 360 pad where I'm convinced the rubber underneath touching the contact is misaligned or if I spilled juice and now the buttons are sticky or something.

[Limbrooke]

I call shenanigans on the misuse of Captain Haddock.

As for (mk2) Saturn pads, they're really good. I had never had the pleasure of using a controller with such a comfortable d-pad along with 6 face buttons ever before until I tried one and since then I've never looked back. For me, I only got (mk2) Saturn pads because I had no pads when I got a Saturn 2nd-hand and my friends import Saturn having died, sold me his white controllers. Not because of a supposed reputation. I do think they're very comfortable and are quite near the top if not the top in pulling off moves and since they're cheap what more could you ask for? A 6 button (non-turbo) Genesis pad perhaps, which is very much a proto-(mk2)Saturn pad. PS1, PS2, SNES, and Dreamcast aren't bad but just not the same feeling. No real complaints on either side as I've had contacts wear out on a Saturn pad and a DualShock2 up and die, both after lengthy use. Quality is pretty good on both sides of the fence. So long as the build quality is sturdy and the d-pad isnt much, it's a good pad.

[Skykid]

Sega fanboys don't know the difference between fact and opinion.

Although clp's response was a bit on the unecessary side Unscathed, I'd have to agree that Saturn pads gave and continue to give PSX pads a whupping in most regards.

[Specineff]

Anybody remember seeing a PS1 controller made by either Naki or Nyko that featured an exact replica of the Neo CD/Neo Pocket's clicky mini-joystick? I've been trying to nab one of those for years.

[D]

Saturn pad is the pad ever period. I do not think anyone can deny that .... period.