Control Pad (Master System)

Sega Master System control pad, "Model 3"

The Master System Control Pad or Sega Control Pad (Product No. 3020) is the official controller which came packaged with Sega Master System consoles. The controller connects to the system via a DE-9 port, so it is also compatible with various other systems of the day including the Sega Mega Drive.

The control pad is very similar to the first generation of NES controllers, and all models contain a D-Pad and two buttons labeled and . Button also doubles up as a  START  button, meaning it is only possible to pause a game by pressing the pause button on the console itself. As with the SG-1000 Mark III, the D-Pad is a rounded square to avoid legal issues with Nintendo's patented cross-shaped design.

Four versions of the control pad exist exist:

1. "Model 1": the original Master System Control Pad. The D-Pad has a hole in the centre which allows for a small "thumbstick" could be inserted (much like Sega's earlier consoles). Like the Famicom in Japan, the lead from the controller comes out at the right hand side of the unit.
2. "Model 1b": identical to the above, however the lead now comes out of the unit at the top.
3. "Model 2": The detatchable thumbstick concept is scrapped (possibly to cut costs), but rather than remove the hole it is simply plugged by another piece of hard-to-remove plastic.
4. "Model 3": The hole for the thumbstick is completely removed. This version is most commonly associated with the Sega Master System II when it was introduced.

Gallery

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  "Model 1" control pad, with thumbstick

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  "Model 2" control pad

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  "Model 3" Control Pad packaging