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What is the best D-pad of all time?
- Thread starter oni-link
- Start date
I think Nintendo had a patent on the "plastic cross" design, meaning others had to improvise with the "circle with a D pad shape on it" design, or go with 4 seperate buttons like the PS controllers
Well no reason to repeat
I wish Sony would use the vita type dpad on their main controllers. Makes fighting games and such soooo much more reasonable
Barring GCs tiny D-pad and the little use the N64 d-pad got, Nintendo perfected and patented the pinnacle of d-pad design.
Though to pick one of those? I probably have to say SNES or Wii U. DS d-pad was actually pretty good too for being able to register the diagonal movements.
Though to pick one of those? I probably have to say SNES or Wii U. DS d-pad was actually pretty good too for being able to register the diagonal movements.
DizzyCaffeine
Member
D-pad on the Wii U pro controller is pretty pretty good.
Mass Effect
Member
either
Dualshock 1/2/3/4
or
GBA SP/OG DS
Dualshock 1/2/3/4
or
GBA SP/OG DS
gAg CruSh3r
Member
I been enjoying the Xbox one d-pad a lot. Especially for Killer instinct.
Completely agree
It's alright but much too stiff
Portugeezer
Gold Member
DualShock 4.
I like the circular indentation in the middle.
The gap in the middle kills it for me, my dpad movement typically is just pivoting from the centre so I dislike the gap of the DS4 d-pad for anything that requires much of it. Vita's is better.
SNES all the way though.
It was awful for fighters though
Hawt.
The Saturn 3D controller had a pretty good d-pad as well, now that I think of it.
*Drools*
Yep Saturn is the best one I've used by a long way.
Worst ones I've used (not including cheap 3rd party crap) would be between 360, original Xbox and the first model PSP pad.
true but it's terribly uncomfortable for super turbo. left my hands aching!
PeterBazooka
Member
If we're talking the Sega Saturn SLS pad, it just plain works. Simply plug it in to your PS3.
Saturn pad is my favourite. Then SNES, then DS3. DS4 is pretty decent as well.
Did they change the D-pad when they added the analogues?
I just remember that I couldn't do any moves on NGP fighters lol
SoundsOfScience
Member
GBASP is soooo good.
Cynn
Member
Mr. Nice_Guy
Member
Here here. I forgotten about the Saturn D-pad till I held my old one again recently and it is incredible.
Dualshock2 is when it got mushy with pressure sensitive buttons on all buttons.
My pick : Wii Classic Controller Pro
I agree. Just never got to use it much though.
Saturn is different but also great, but only the 2nd version of the controller. I've got one of the original bigass controllers and it's horrendous.
PreFire
Member
Idk, I really like the clicks and feel of the Xbox one dpad. The DS4 feels good too.
I can't recall older dpads because it's not something I paid attention to if it worked well. Now, the Xbox 360 dpad is hit or miss. I use a wired controller for my 360, 2 year insurance (which I renew every time I replace the controller) and my new controller's dpad sucks. Pressing down usually does nothing and pressing right also has a hard time registering.
The one I had before that had a perfect dpad, but then the cord was messed up. It would just stop responding if you moved it
TL;DR Xbox one
I can't recall older dpads because it's not something I paid attention to if it worked well. Now, the Xbox 360 dpad is hit or miss. I use a wired controller for my 360, 2 year insurance (which I renew every time I replace the controller) and my new controller's dpad sucks. Pressing down usually does nothing and pressing right also has a hard time registering.
The one I had before that had a perfect dpad, but then the cord was messed up. It would just stop responding if you moved it
TL;DR Xbox one
manueldelalas
Time Traveler
I bought recently a Retrolink Saturn controller, and despite the bad reviews, questionable shoulder buttons, uncomfortable X, Y, Z buttons and a size 90% of the original, I friggin' LOVE the DPAD.
I'll hold my veredict until I get a real Saturn pad, but so far I'm impressed.
I'll hold my veredict until I get a real Saturn pad, but so far I'm impressed.
SmashN'Grab
Member
The Vita one is terrifically clicky and satisfying. However, the handheld itself isn't very comfortable to hold for very long, and my grip makes my thumb gravitate more naturally towards the left stick in the first place, so I have to shift my grip to play with the dpad. All in all, it's not the best.
My favourite is the Wii Classic Controller Pro.
My favourite is the Wii Classic Controller Pro.
Morrigan Stark
Arrogant Smirk
Saturn forever
Not the shape but they pushed it more down and made it softer to pres. You can tell the difference especially with diagonals
Stiflers Mom
Banned
Crazy, I have a Vita, but it never occured to me that its d-pad is something special.
Most of the games I have for it don't even use it, I think..
My pick would have been the SNES.
I feel like that d-pad is somehow still engraved into my left thumb, because I used it so much in my lifetime...
Most of the games I have for it don't even use it, I think..
My pick would have been the SNES.
I feel like that d-pad is somehow still engraved into my left thumb, because I used it so much in my lifetime...
LumpOfCole
Member
I really liked the Neo Geo Pocket Color
Solid SOAP
Member
I like the DS4 tbh, but the 3DS' D-pad works just fine. I'd imagine the Wii U D-pad being fine as well.
Baleoce
Member
I just dislike the size of it personally, but then again, everyones hands are different. I also find the finish on the d-pad makes it squeak / give off friction when my thumb moves around it a lot. It is a great pad though.