Difference between revisions of "3D Control Pad"

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{{stub}}{{AccessoryBob
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{{AccessoryBob
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| accessoryimage=AnalogPad.jpg
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| accessoryimage=Saturn MK-80314.jpg
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| imgwidth=320
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| accessoryprogramscreen=
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| maker=[[Sega]]
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| title=
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| maker=[[Sega Enterprises, Ltd.]]
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| distributor={{company|[[Tec Toy]]|region=BR}}, {{company|[[Aral]]|region=TR}}
 +
| official=yes
 
| madefor=[[Sega Saturn]]
 
| madefor=[[Sega Saturn]]
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| releases={{releases
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| releases={{releasesSat
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| sat_date_us=1996-08-31
+
| sat_date_jp=1996-07-05{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20131025034442/http://sega.jp/fb/segahard/ss/multi.html}}
 +
| sat_rrp_jp=3,800e{{fileref|NiGHTSintoDreams Saturn JP Spinecard Satakore.jpg}}
 +
| sat_code_jp=HSS-0137
 +
| sat_date_us=1996-08-21
 
| sat_code_us=80117
 
| sat_code_us=80117
 
| sat_rrp_us=39.99{{intref|Press release: 1996-08-12: $10 million "NiGHTS" launch is largest ever for Sega Saturn}}
 
| sat_rrp_us=39.99{{intref|Press release: 1996-08-12: $10 million "NiGHTS" launch is largest ever for Sega Saturn}}
 
| sat_date_eu=1996-09
 
| sat_date_eu=1996-09
−
| sat_date_jp=1996-07-05
 
−
| sat_rrp_jp=3,800{{ref|http://sega.jp/fb/segahard/ss/multi.html}}
 
−
| sat_code_jp=HSS-0137
 
 
| sat_date_br=199x
 
| sat_date_br=199x
 
| sat_date_kr=199x
 
| sat_date_kr=199x
 +
| sat_date_pl=1996
 +
| sat_rrp_pl=350
 +
| sat_date_ca=199x
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
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The '''3D Control Pad''', called the '''Sega Multi Controller''' (セガマルチコントローラー) in Japan and the '''Joystick 3D''' in Brazil, is a control pad developed for use with the [[Sega Saturn]]. Debuting with ''[[NiGHTS into Dreams]]'', it was [[Sega]]'s answer to the then revolutionary Nintendo 64 controller, which featured an analogue stick as opposed to relying solely on D-Pads. Analogue sticks generally allow for greater precision in a 3D environment, and unlike previous generations, by the time this controller debuted in 1996 3D was seen as the way forward for large parts of the gaming industry.
+
{{stub}}'''{{PAGENAME}}''', called the '''Sega Multi Controller''' (セガマルチコントローラー) in Japan, '''Samsung Multi Pad''' (삼성 멀티패드) in South Korea, and the '''Joystick 3D''' in Brazil, is a control pad developed for use with the [[Sega Saturn]]. Debuting with ''[[NiGHTS into Dreams]]'', it featured an analogue thumbstick as opposed to relying solely on D-pads. Its design is similar to the [[XE-1AP]], a 1989 analogue thumbstick controller released for the [[Sega Mega Drive]] exclusively in Japan.
  
−
The 3D Control Pad builds on the features already seen in the standard [[Control Pad (Saturn)|Saturn Control Pad]], containing an eight-direcional D-Pad and {{A}}, {{B}}, {{C}}, {{X}}, {{Y}}, {{Z}} and {{Start}} buttons. New to the controller was an analogue thumbstick (or "3D Directional Pad" as Sega called it), positioned on the left hand side of the controller above the D-Pad.
+
Analogue sticks generally allow for greater precision in a 3D environment, which in 1996 were becoming more common in the console video game market.
  
−
To avoid compatibility issues, the analog controller has a switch under the start button to swap between "Digital" and "Analogue" modes. Switching to "Digital" mode disables all analogue settings, essentially turning the controller back into a standard control pad. This switch was vital, because earlier games were not built to understand the analogue technology and will not function correctly if the wrong mode is chosen. The original PlayStation and its latter dual-analogue controllers also required this feature.
+
==Hardware==
 +
The 3D Control Pad builds on the features already seen in the standard [[Control Pad (Saturn)|Saturn Control Pad]], containing an eight-direcional D-Pad, and {{A}}, {{B}}, {{C}}, {{X}}, {{Y}}, {{Z}} and {{Start}} face buttons. New to the controller is an analogue thumbstick (or "3D Directional Pad" as Sega called it), positioned on the left hand side of the controller above the D-Pad. Also inlcuded are analogue {{L}} and {{R}} shoulder triggers, a first for mainstream video game controllers.
  
−
The 3D Control Pad is not just notable for its analogue stick. Also inlcuded are analogue {{L}} and {{R}} shoulder triggers, the first system to contain these. The lead can also be removed from the controller for storage purposes.
+
To avoid compatibility issues, the analog controller has a switch under the start button to swap between "Digital" and "Analogue" modes. Switching to "Digital" mode disables all analogue settings, essentially turning the controller back into a standard control pad. This switch was vital, because earlier games were not built to understand the analogue technology and will not function correctly if the wrong mode is chosen. The original [[PlayStation]] and its latter dual-analogue controllers also required this feature.
 +
 
 +
The lead can also be removed from the controller for storage purposes.
  
 
The 3D Control Pad did not see widespread adoption for the same reason the Sega Saturn failed to capture a large share of the market in the west. The Saturn's 3D output was low, and as the controllers were never bundled with the console, consumers were more familiar with the standard Saturn control pads. It also has some design issues, namely the fact it is quite a lot bigger than most other controllers and arguably less comfortable than the standard pads for certain genres. Even in Japan, where the Saturn was successful, the controller was not used by many games (many of them coming from Sega, though some developers, such as [[KID]], supported it quite a bit (in their case, [[Kiss Yori...|even after Sega introduced the Dreamcast]])).
 
The 3D Control Pad did not see widespread adoption for the same reason the Sega Saturn failed to capture a large share of the market in the west. The Saturn's 3D output was low, and as the controllers were never bundled with the console, consumers were more familiar with the standard Saturn control pads. It also has some design issues, namely the fact it is quite a lot bigger than most other controllers and arguably less comfortable than the standard pads for certain genres. Even in Japan, where the Saturn was successful, the controller was not used by many games (many of them coming from Sega, though some developers, such as [[KID]], supported it quite a bit (in their case, [[Kiss Yori...|even after Sega introduced the Dreamcast]])).
  
−
The 3D Control Pad is compatible with games compatible with the [[Arcade Racer Joystick|steering wheel controllers]], and the [[Sega Mission Stick]].
+
The 3D Control Pad also works with games compatible with the [[Arcade Racer Joystick|steering wheel controllers]], and the [[Mission Stick]].
 +
 
 +
==Compatibility==
 +
[[File:Icon-3dcontrolpadmark.png|thumb|right|200px|North American games which support the 3D Control Pad have this icon indicating compatibility on the back of the box.]]
 +
{{AccessoryCompatibilityList|3D Control Pad}}
 +
 
 +
==History==
 +
===Development===
 +
Development of the 3D Control Pad was led by [[Kenji Tosaki]], who had previously been in charge of the [[Virtua Gun]].{{intref|Interview: Kenji Tosaki (2022-06-03) by Shiro}} It was created specifically to accompany ''[[NiGHTS into Dreams]]''.{{intref|Interview: Kenji Tosaki (2022-06-03) by Shiro}} Many design cues appear to have been taken from the [[XE-1AP]], an analogue thumbstick controller previously released for the [[Sega Mega Drive]] console in 1989, exclusively in Japan.
 +
 
 +
During development, Tosaki created and filed patents for numerous add-on concepts covering a number of possible extensions to the design{{fileref|Patent US7488254.pdf}}, achieved through the port at the top of the controller. Covered ideas included wireless connections to the console (and light gun-style support){{fileref|Patent US7488254.pdf|page=11}}, extra joysticks{{fileref|Patent US7488254.pdf|page=14}} and trackballs{{fileref|Patent US7488254.pdf|page=16}}, memory cards{{fileref|Patent US7488254.pdf|page=18}}, a second display{{fileref|Patent US7488254.pdf|page=19}} (which may have later inspired the [[VMU]]), clocks{{fileref|Patent US7488254.pdf|page=20}}, a rotatable stand{{fileref|Patent US7488254.pdf|page=21}} and motion control{{fileref|Patent US7488254.pdf|page=22}}.
 +
 
 +
Potentially pre-dating attempts by [[Nintendo]], feedback was also considered;{{fileref|Patent US7488254.pdf|page=13}} this and gyroscopic motion control would make it as far as physical prototypes.{{intref|Interview: Kenji Tosaki (2022-06-03) by Shiro}} However, commercialization of these and the filed concepts ultimately did not occur, due to concerns over the marketability and viability of add-on peripherals sold separately for what was a peripheral itself.{{intref|Interview: Kenji Tosaki (2022-06-03) by Shiro}}
 +
 
 +
===Release===
 +
Notably the 3D Control Pad beat the Nintendo 64 to market by a month in the US and several months in Europe, so the Sega Saturn stands as the first video game console to support modern analogue stick support.
 +
 
 +
===Legacy===
 +
The 3D Control Pad can be credited for many common features seen in controllers today, with its design greatly influencing that of the [[Dreamcast Controller|Sega Dreamcast Controller]]. Analogue shoulder buttons have since been adopted by [[Nintendo]], [[Microsoft]] and [[Sony]] in the [[Nintendo GameCube]], [[Xbox]] and [[PlayStation 3]] (and their successors) and the placement of the analogue stick has also been copied by several firms, including Microsoft and Nintendo. Microsoft's [[Xbox]] and [[Xbox 360]] controllers in particular borrow a number of design elements from the Dreamcast Controller and Saturn 3D Control Pad.
 +
 
 +
==Localised names==
 +
{{aka
 +
|en_name=3D Control Pad
 +
|jp_name=セガ マルチ コントローラー
 +
|jp_trans=Sega Multi Controller
 +
|kr_name=삼성 멀티패드
 +
|kr_trans=Samsung Multi Pad
 +
|br_name=Joystick 3D
 +
|br_trans=Joystick 3D
 +
}}
  
−
Notably the 3D Control Pad beat the Nintendo 64 to market by a month in the US and several months in Europe, so while clearly inspired by the Nintendo 64 by design, the Sega Saturn can stand as the first video game console to support modern analogue stick support.
+
==Magazine articles==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
  
−
The 3D Control Pad can be credited for many common features seen in controllers today, with its design greatly influencing that of the [[Controller (Dreamcast)|Sega Dreamcast Controller]]. Analogue shoulder buttons have since been adopted by both [[Nintendo]], [[Microsoft]] and [[Sony]] in the [[Nintendo GameCube]], [[Xbox]] and [[PlayStation 3]] (and their successors) and the placement of the analogue stick has also been copied by several firms.
+
==Promotional material==
 +
{{gallery
 +
|{{gitem|Saturn Something for GR advert.png|Saturn GR advert}}
 +
|{{galleryPrintAd
 +
|stranaigr|7|147-153
 +
}}
 +
|{{galleryPrintAd
 +
|secretservice|43|75
 +
|secretservice|44|4
 +
}}
 +
|{{gitem|Sega TR advert 1997.03.jpg|Print advert in Blue Jean (TR) #03/97: "Mart 1997" (1997-xx-xx)}}
 +
}}
  
−
==List of Supported Games==
+
==Patents==
−
[[File:Icon-3dcontrolpadmark.png|thumb|right|200px|US Games that supported the 3D Control Pad has this icon indicating compatibility on the back of the box.]]
+
<gallery>
−
:''note: this list is missing games not released in Japan and may use Japanese names for games released in the west as well''
+
Patent US7488254.pdf|US7488254
−
{{multicol|
+
Patent USD409149.pdf|USD409149
−
*''[[Advanced World War Sennen Teikoku no Koubou: Last of the Millennium]]''
+
Patent EP1332778B1.pdf|EP1332778B1
−
*''[[Airs Adventure]]''
+
</gallery>
−
*''[[Astra Superstars]]''
 
−
*''[[Azel: Panzer Dragoon RPG]]''
 
−
*''[[Baroque]]''
 
−
*''[[Batsugun]]''
 
−
*''[[Battle Garegga]]''
 
−
*''[[Burning Rangers]]''
 
−
*''[[Can Can Bunny Extra]]''
 
−
*''[[Can Can Bunny Premiere 2]]''
 
−
*''[[Choro Q Park]]''
 
−
*''[[Code R]]''
 
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*''[[Contra: Legacy of War]]''
 
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*''[[Christmas NiGHTS]]''
 
−
*''[[Croc: Legend of the Gobbos]]''
 
−
*''[[Crypt Killer]]''
 
−
*''[[Cyber Speedway]]''
 
−
*''[[Daisuki]]''
 
−
*''[[Dark Savior]]''
 
−
*''[[Daytona USA: Championship Circuit Edition]]''
 
−
*''[[Daytona USA CCE Netlink Edition]]''
 
−
*''[[Daytona USA Circuit Edition]]''
 
−
*''[[Deep Fear]]''
 
−
*''[[Die Hard Trilogy]]''
 
−
*''[[Digital Dance Mix Vol.1 Namie Amuro]]''
 
−
*''[[Digital Pinball: Necronomicon]]''
 
−
*''[[Dungeon Master Nexus]]''
 
−
*''[[Duke Nukem 3D]]''
 
−
*''[[Enemy Zero]]''
 
−
*''[[Fantastep]]''
 
−
*''[[Fighters Megamix]]''
 
−
*''[[Formula Karts Special Edition]]''
 
−
*''[[Fuusui Sensei]]''
 
−
*''[[G Vector]]''
 
−
*''[[Gale Racer]]''
 
−
*''[[Greatest Nine '96]]''
 
−
*''[[GT 24]]''
 
−
*''[[Hang-On GP]]''
 
−
*''[[Hardcore 4x4]]''
 
−
*''[[Initial D]]''
 
−
*''[[J. League Go Go Goal!]]''
 
−
*''[[Jungle Park]]''
 
−
*''[[Kiss Yori...]]''
 
−
*''[[Magic Carpet]]''
 
−
*''[[Manx TT Superbike]]''
 
−
*''[[MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat]]''
 
−
*''[[Mystaria: The Realms of Lore]]''
 
−
*''[[NiGHTS into Dreams]]''
 
−
*''[[Ochige Designer Tsukutte pon!]]''
 
−
*''[[OoEdo Renaissance]]''
 
−
*''[[Over Drivin' GT-R]]''
 
−
*''[[Panzer Dragoon]]''
 
−
*''[[Panzer Dragoon Saga]]''
 
−
*''[[Panzer Dragoon Zwei]]''
 
−
*''[[Pebble Beach Golf Links]]''
 
−
*''[[Pia Carrot e Youkoso!!]]''
 
−
*''[[Planet Joker]]''
 
−
*''[[Power Drift]]''
 
−
*''[[Primal Rage]]''
 
−
*''[[Quake]]''
 
−
*''[[Rayman]]''
 
−
*''[[Ryuuteki Gosennen: Dragons of China]]''
 
−
*''[[Sega Ages]]''
 
−
*''[[Sega Ages After Burner II]]''
 
−
*''[[Sega Ages Galaxy Force II]]''
 
−
*''[[Sega Ages Memorial Selection VOL.2]]''
 
−
*''[[Sega Ages OutRun]]''
 
−
*''[[Sega Ages Power Drift]]''
 
−
*''[[Sega Ages VOL.2: Space Harrier]]''
 
−
*''[[Sega Rally Championship Plus]]''
 
−
*''[[Sega Touring Car Championship]]''
 
−
*''[[Sega Worldwide Soccer '98]]''
 
−
*''[[Shining Force III]]''
 
−
*''[[Shining Force III Scenario 2: Nerawareta Miko]]''
 
−
*''[[Shining Force III Scenario 3: Hyouheki no Jashinguu]]''
 
−
*''[[Shining Force III: Premium Disc]]''
 
−
*''[[Shining the Holy Ark]]''
 
−
*''[[Sky Target]]''
 
−
*''[[Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island]]''
 
−
*''[[Sonic Jam]]''
 
−
*''[[Sonic R]]''
 
−
*''[[Soukyugurentai]]''
 
−
*''[[Soviet Strike]]''
 
−
*''[[StarFighter 3000]]''
 
−
*''[[Syutokou Battle '97]]''
 
−
*''[[Taito Chase H.Q. Plus S.C.I.]]''
 
−
*''[[Tama: Adventurous Ball in Giddy Labyrinth]]''
 
−
*''[[The House of the Dead ]]''
 
−
*''[[The Lost World: Jurassic Park (Saturn)]]''
 
−
*''[[Touge King the Spirits 2]]''
 
−
*''[[Virtuacall S]]''
 
−
*''[[Virtua Cop 2]]''
 
−
*''[[Virtua Racing]]''
 
−
*''[[Virtual Kyoutei]]''
 
−
*''[[Virtual Kyoutei 2]]''
 
−
*''[[Wing Arms]]''
 
−
*''[[Winter Heat]]''
 
−
*''[[Wipeout 2097]]''
 
−
*''[[World Cup '98 France: Road to Win]]''
 
−
*''[[World League Soccer '98]]''
 
−
*''[[World Series Baseball II]]''
 
−
|cols=3}}
 
  
−
==Gallery==
+
==Photo gallery==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
File:Saturn HSS-0137.jpg|JP model
+
Saturn HSS-0137.jpg|JP model
−
File:Saturn HSS-0137-2.jpg|JP model (back)
+
Saturn HSS-0137-2.jpg|JP model (back)
−
File:Saturn MK-80314.jpg|EU model
+
Saturn MK-80314.jpg|US/EU model
 +
Saturn MK-80314 2.jpg|US/EU model
 +
SS KR Samsung Multi Pad.JPG|KR model
 +
SS KR Samsung Multi Pad Alt.JPG|KR model (alt)
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
−
==Physical Scans==
+
==Physical scans==
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Saturn
 +
| region=JP
 +
| front=Saturn HSS-0137 box-1.jpg
 +
| back=Saturn HSS-0137 box-3.jpg
 +
| square=yes
 +
| spinemissing=yes
 +
| manual=MultiControllerSaturnJPManual.pdf
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Saturn
 +
| region=JP ([[NiGHTS into Dreams]])
 +
| front=Saturn HSS-0137 box-2.jpg
 +
| back=MultiController Saturn JP Box Back NiGHTS.jpg
 +
| spinemissing=yes
 +
| square=yes
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Saturn
 +
| region=JP ([[Magic Carpet]])
 +
| front=MultiController Saturn JP Box Front MagicCarpet.jpg
 +
| square=yes
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 
| console=Saturn
 
| console=Saturn
 
| region=US
 
| region=US
 
| front=Saturn 80117 box.jpg
 
| front=Saturn 80117 box.jpg
−
| back=
+
| back=3DControlPad Saturn US Box Back.jpg
−
| spinemissing=
+
| spine=3DControlPad Saturn US Box Spine.jpg
 +
| spine2=3DControlPad Saturn US Box Spine2.jpg
 +
| top=3DControlPad Saturn US Box Top.jpg
 +
| bottom=3DControlPad Saturn US Box Bottom.jpg
 
| manual=3DControlPadSaturnUSManual.pdf
 
| manual=3DControlPadSaturnUSManual.pdf
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
}}{{Scanbox
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| region=EU ([[NiGHTS into Dreams]])
 
| region=EU ([[NiGHTS into Dreams]])
 
| front=Saturn MK-80314 box-2.jpg
 
| front=Saturn MK-80314 box-2.jpg
 +
| back=3DControlPad EU Box Back NiGHTS.jpg
 +
| spinemissing=yes
 
| jewelcase=yes
 
| jewelcase=yes
 
| jewelcasefront=NightsBoxEU.jpg
 
| jewelcasefront=NightsBoxEU.jpg
 
| jewelcaseback=NiGHTsIntoDreams saturn eu backcover.jpg
 
| jewelcaseback=NiGHTsIntoDreams saturn eu backcover.jpg
 
| disc=
 
| disc=
−
| square=yes
 
−
}}{{Scanbox
 
−
| console=Saturn
 
−
| region=JP
 
−
| front=Saturn HSS-0137 box-1.jpg
 
−
| back=Saturn HSS-0137 box-3.jpg
 
−
| square=yes
 
−
| spinemissing=yes
 
−
| manual=MultiControllerSaturnJPManual.pdf
 
−
}}{{Scanbox
 
−
| console=Saturn
 
−
| region=JP ([[NiGHTS into Dreams]])
 
−
| front=Saturn HSS-0137 box-2.jpg
 
−
| back=MultiController Saturn JP Box Back NiGHTS.jpg
 
−
| spinemissing=yes
 
−
| square=yes
 
−
}}{{Scanbox
 
−
| console=Saturn
 
−
| region=JP ([[Magic Carpet]])
 
−
| front=MultiController Saturn JP Box Front MagicCarpet.jpg
 
 
| square=yes
 
| square=yes
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
}}{{Scanbox
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}}{{Scanbox
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
| console=Saturn
 
| console=Saturn
−
| region=KR
+
| region=KR ([[NiGHTS into Dreams]])
 
| front=3DControlPad Saturn KR Box Front NiGHTS.jpg
 
| front=3DControlPad Saturn KR Box Front NiGHTS.jpg
 +
| back=3DControlPad Saturn KR Box Back NiGHTS.jpg
 +
| spinemissing=
 +
| square=yes
 +
}}
 +
{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Saturn
 +
| region=CA
 +
| front=
 +
}}
 +
{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Saturn
 +
| region=TR
 +
| front=3D Control Pad TR Box Front.jpg
 +
}}
 +
{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Saturn
 +
| region=TR ([[NiGHTS into Dreams]])
 +
| front=3D Control Pad Nights TR Box Front.jpg
 
| back=
 
| back=
−
| spinemissing=
+
| spinemissing=yes
 +
| jewelcase=yes
 +
| jewelcasefront=NightsBoxEU.jpg
 +
| jewelcaseback=NiGHTsIntoDreams saturn eu backcover.jpg
 +
| disc=
 
| square=yes
 
| square=yes
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==External Links==
+
==External links==
−
* [http://sega.jp/fb/segahard/ss/multi.html Sega of Japan catalogue page (Japanese)]
+
* Sega of America webpage: [https://web.archive.org/web/19990302043430/http://www.sega.com:80/products/games/00315.html Saturn]
 +
* Sega of Japan catalogue pages (Japanese): [https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://sega.jp/fb/segahard/ss/multi.html Saturn]
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
−
<references />
+
<references/>
 +
 
 
{{Saturn}}
 
{{Saturn}}
−
 
 
[[Category:Control pads]]
 
[[Category:Control pads]]

Latest revision as of 08:19, 16 November 2024

Saturn MK-80314.jpg
3D Control Pad
Made for: Sega Saturn
Manufacturer: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
Distributor: Tec Toy (BR), Aral (TR)
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Saturn
JP 		¥3,800 (3,914)3,800e[2] HSS-0137
Sega Saturn
US 		$39.9939.99[3] 80117
Sega Saturn
EU
Sega Saturn
PL 		350zł350
Sega Saturn
CA
Sega Saturn
BR
Sega Saturn
KR

This short article is in need of work. You can help Sega Retro by adding to it.

3D Control Pad, called the Sega Multi Controller (セガマルチコントローラー) in Japan, Samsung Multi Pad (삼성 멀티패드) in South Korea, and the Joystick 3D in Brazil, is a control pad developed for use with the Sega Saturn. Debuting with NiGHTS into Dreams, it featured an analogue thumbstick as opposed to relying solely on D-pads. Its design is similar to the XE-1AP, a 1989 analogue thumbstick controller released for the Sega Mega Drive exclusively in Japan.

Analogue sticks generally allow for greater precision in a 3D environment, which in 1996 were becoming more common in the console video game market.

Hardware

The 3D Control Pad builds on the features already seen in the standard Saturn Control Pad, containing an eight-direcional D-Pad, and A, B, C, X, Y, Z and  START  face buttons. New to the controller is an analogue thumbstick (or "3D Directional Pad" as Sega called it), positioned on the left hand side of the controller above the D-Pad. Also inlcuded are analogue L and R shoulder triggers, a first for mainstream video game controllers.

To avoid compatibility issues, the analog controller has a switch under the start button to swap between "Digital" and "Analogue" modes. Switching to "Digital" mode disables all analogue settings, essentially turning the controller back into a standard control pad. This switch was vital, because earlier games were not built to understand the analogue technology and will not function correctly if the wrong mode is chosen. The original PlayStation and its latter dual-analogue controllers also required this feature.

The lead can also be removed from the controller for storage purposes.

The 3D Control Pad did not see widespread adoption for the same reason the Sega Saturn failed to capture a large share of the market in the west. The Saturn's 3D output was low, and as the controllers were never bundled with the console, consumers were more familiar with the standard Saturn control pads. It also has some design issues, namely the fact it is quite a lot bigger than most other controllers and arguably less comfortable than the standard pads for certain genres. Even in Japan, where the Saturn was successful, the controller was not used by many games (many of them coming from Sega, though some developers, such as KID, supported it quite a bit (in their case, even after Sega introduced the Dreamcast)).

The 3D Control Pad also works with games compatible with the steering wheel controllers, and the Mission Stick.

Compatibility

North American games which support the 3D Control Pad have this icon indicating compatibility on the back of the box.

History

Development

Development of the 3D Control Pad was led by Kenji Tosaki, who had previously been in charge of the Virtua Gun.[4] It was created specifically to accompany NiGHTS into Dreams.[4] Many design cues appear to have been taken from the XE-1AP, an analogue thumbstick controller previously released for the Sega Mega Drive console in 1989, exclusively in Japan.

During development, Tosaki created and filed patents for numerous add-on concepts covering a number of possible extensions to the design[5], achieved through the port at the top of the controller. Covered ideas included wireless connections to the console (and light gun-style support)[6], extra joysticks[7] and trackballs[8], memory cards[9], a second display[10] (which may have later inspired the VMU), clocks[11], a rotatable stand[12] and motion control[13].

Potentially pre-dating attempts by Nintendo, feedback was also considered;[14] this and gyroscopic motion control would make it as far as physical prototypes.[4] However, commercialization of these and the filed concepts ultimately did not occur, due to concerns over the marketability and viability of add-on peripherals sold separately for what was a peripheral itself.[4]

Release

Notably the 3D Control Pad beat the Nintendo 64 to market by a month in the US and several months in Europe, so the Sega Saturn stands as the first video game console to support modern analogue stick support.

Legacy

The 3D Control Pad can be credited for many common features seen in controllers today, with its design greatly influencing that of the Sega Dreamcast Controller. Analogue shoulder buttons have since been adopted by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony in the Nintendo GameCube, Xbox and PlayStation 3 (and their successors) and the placement of the analogue stick has also been copied by several firms, including Microsoft and Nintendo. Microsoft's Xbox and Xbox 360 controllers in particular borrow a number of design elements from the Dreamcast Controller and Saturn 3D Control Pad.

Localised names

Also known as
Language Localised Name English Translation
English 3D Control Pad 3D Control Pad
Japanese セガ マルチ コントローラー Sega Multi Controller
Portuguese (Brazil) Joystick 3D Joystick 3D
Korean 삼성 멀티패드 Samsung Multi Pad

Magazine articles

Main article: 3D Control Pad/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Saturn Something for GR advert.png
Saturn GR advert
Saturn Something for GR advert.png
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (RU) #7: "Oktyabr 1996" (1996-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (PL) #43: "Luty 1997" (1997-xx-xx)
also published in:
  • (PL) #44: "Marzec 1997" (1997-xx-xx)[15]
Logo-pdf.svg
Sega TR advert 1997.03.jpg
Print advert in Blue Jean (TR) #03/97: "Mart 1997" (1997-xx-xx)
Sega TR advert 1997.03.jpg

Patents

  • US7488254

  • USD409149

  • EP1332778B1

Photo gallery

  • JP model

  • JP model (back)

  • US/EU model

  • US/EU model

  • KR model

  • KR model (alt)

Physical scans

Saturn, JP
Saturn HSS-0137 box-3.jpgNospine-small.pngSaturn HSS-0137 box-1.jpg
Cover
MultiControllerSaturnJPManual.pdf
Manual
Saturn, JP (NiGHTS into Dreams)
MultiController Saturn JP Box Back NiGHTS.jpgNospine-small.pngSaturn HSS-0137 box-2.jpg
Cover
Saturn, JP (Magic Carpet)
MultiController Saturn JP Box Front MagicCarpet.jpg
Cover
Saturn, US
3DControlPad Saturn US Box Top.jpg
3DControlPad Saturn US Box Back.jpg3DControlPad Saturn US Box Spine.jpgSaturn 80117 box.jpg3DControlPad Saturn US Box Spine2.jpg
3DControlPad Saturn US Box Bottom.jpg
Cover
3DControlPadSaturnUSManual.pdf
Manual
Saturn, US (NiGHTS into Dreams)
3DAnalogGamePad NiGHTS US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngSaturn 80117 box-2.jpg
Cover
Nights Saturn US Disc.jpg
Disc
NiGHTS Saturn US Box Back CD.jpgNiGHTS Saturn US Box Front CD.jpg
Jewel Case
Saturn, EU
Saturn MK-80314 box.jpg
Cover
Saturn, EU (NiGHTS into Dreams)
3DControlPad EU Box Back NiGHTS.jpgNospine-small.pngSaturn MK-80314 box-2.jpg
Cover
NiGHTsIntoDreams saturn eu backcover.jpgNightsBoxEU.jpg
Jewel Case
Saturn, BR
Joystick3D Saturn BR Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngJoystick3D Saturn BR Box Front.jpg
Cover
Saturn, KR (NiGHTS into Dreams)
3DControlPad Saturn KR Box Back NiGHTS.jpg3DControlPad Saturn KR Box Front NiGHTS.jpg
Cover
Saturn, CA

Saturn, TR
3D Control Pad TR Box Front.jpg
Cover
Saturn, TR (NiGHTS into Dreams)
Nospine-small.png3D Control Pad Nights TR Box Front.jpg
Cover
NiGHTsIntoDreams saturn eu backcover.jpgNightsBoxEU.jpg
Jewel Case

External links

  • Sega of America webpage: Saturn
  • Sega of Japan catalogue pages (Japanese): Saturn

References

  1. ↑ http://sega.jp/fb/segahard/ss/multi.html (Wayback Machine: 2013-10-25 03:44)
  2. ↑ File:NiGHTSintoDreams Saturn JP Spinecard Satakore.jpg
  3. ↑ Press release: 1996-08-12: $10 million "NiGHTS" launch is largest ever for Sega Saturn
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Interview: Kenji Tosaki (2022-06-03) by Shiro
  5. ↑ File:Patent US7488254.pdf
  6. ↑ File:Patent US7488254.pdf, page 11
  7. ↑ File:Patent US7488254.pdf, page 14
  8. ↑ File:Patent US7488254.pdf, page 16
  9. ↑ File:Patent US7488254.pdf, page 18
  10. ↑ File:Patent US7488254.pdf, page 19
  11. ↑ File:Patent US7488254.pdf, page 20
  12. ↑ File:Patent US7488254.pdf, page 21
  13. ↑ File:Patent US7488254.pdf, page 22
  14. ↑ File:Patent US7488254.pdf, page 13
  15. ↑ Secret Service, "Marzec 1997" (PL; 1997-xx-xx), page 4


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