Difference between revisions of "Control Pad (Saturn)"

From Sega Retro

m (→‎Differences in Control Pads: spelling/grammar, typos fixed: interchangable → interchangeable)
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[[Image:Saturnpad2.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Sega Saturn joypad MK-80100]]
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{{AccessoryBob
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[[Image:SaturnPad.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Sega Saturn joypad MK-80116]][[Sega Saturn]]'s '''Digital Gamepad''' (in contrast to the [[Saturn Analog Gamepad]]) has 8 buttons — that's 6 action buttons and 2 shift (left and right) buttons. Plus, it's ergonomically correct: The advantage is at your fingertips with easy eight-button play for killer combo moves.
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| accessoryimage=SaturnPad.jpg
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| imgwidth=320
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| title=Control Pad
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| maker=[[Sega]]
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| madefor=[[Sega Saturn]]
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| releases={{releases
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| sat_date_us=1995
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| sat_code_us=MK-80100
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| sat_date_us_1=199x
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| sat_code_us_1=MK-80116
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| sat_type_us_1=JP-style
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| sat_date_eu=1995
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| sat_code_eu=MK-80301
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| sat_date_eu_1=199x
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| sat_code_eu_1=MK-80313
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| sat_type_eu_1=JP-style
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| sat_date_jp=1994
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| sat_code_jp=HSS-0101
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}}
 +
}}
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The [[Sega Saturn]] '''Control Pad''', later known simply as the '''Controller''' in North America, is primary method of user input for the [[Sega Saturn]]. It is an evolution of the [[Six Button Control Pad (Mega Drive)|Six Button Control Pad]] for the [[Sega Mega Drive]] and was originally seen in 1994 along with the Saturn console.
  
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==Differences in Control Pads==
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The Saturn's control pad is often considered to be the last official controller to be designed for 2D gameplay. It has a circular D-Pad, a {{Start}} button, and six face buttons; {{A}}, {{B}}, {{C}}, {{X}}, {{Y}} and {{Z}}. New to the Saturn is the addition of two shoulder buttons, {{L}} and {{R}}, which replace the Mega Drive's "mode" button to bring the total number of buttons to nine. Like the Mega Drive Control Pad(s), it is ergonomically designed for maximum comfort, something often said to be lacking in later PlayStation and Nintendo 64 controllers.
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Sega manufactured two different standard control pads for the US and UK markets.
 
  
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The first of these pads (MK-80100) were packaged with the older model Saturns (those with oval buttons). The controllers were larger, had a different button design and featured sunken L & R buttons.
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The Saturn controller debuted in Japan in 1994 and remained largely unchanged throughout the lifespan of the console. In North America and Europe however, a different, much bulkier controller was released to supposedly accomodate for the "bigger hands" of western consumers. This "MK-80100" control pad is functionally identical to its Japanese cousin, but is slightly larger and has a peculiar concave D-Pad, not seen in a [[Sega]] console since. This particular model is often regarded to be worse than the Japanese variant, and was replaced entirely during the summer of 1996, cutting costs as the console was redesigned.
  
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The second ones (MK-80116) were packaged with newer model Saturns (with round buttons), and more in line with the Japanese controllers.
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There are many slightly different colour variations of the controller, mostly to match the colour of the console. Japan initially received grey pads, but eventually saw white and clear varieties as well as those designed for V-Saturns and HiSaturns. In the rest of the world (bar Brazil), only black controllers were released.
  
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Most people who have used both controllers prefer the durability and feel of the newer, "Japanese-style" model.
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The Control Pad saw an "upgrade" in the form of the [[3D Control Pad]], built as a response to the Nintendo 64's analogue joystick.  
  
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Surprisingly, there were also two different Japanese control pads, although its harder to tell the difference compared to the US models.
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==Differences in Control Pads==
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There were two primary versions of the Japanese controller though externally they look the same and were both numbered HSS-0101. However, internally they are completely different. Saturn controllers have a "plus-sign" shaped piece of plastic inside the controller under the D-pad. The pad is raised above this and that's what gives the pad the "rocker" feel as opposed to the mushy feel of a Nintendo 64 or PlayStation controller.
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There were two primary versions of the Japanese controller. They look the same (not talking about the early crap US controller). They are also all numbered HSS-0101. However, internally they are completely different. Saturn controllers have a "plus-sign" shaped piece of plastic inside the controller under the D-pad. The pad is raised above this and that's what gives the pad the "rocker" feel as opposed to the mushy feel of a Nintendo 64 or PlayStation controller.
 
  
 
# First version. Easily breakable within hours of play. This plastic piece *is* plastic, and has ridges in it in such a way that it adds to its fragility. This version has a tan circuit board, and the primary chip on it is a regular "through-hole" IC with the markings sanded off. The board doesn't even say "Sega" on it, if I didn't know better I'd think it was a counterfeit (since one came with the system and the other was a separate controller it's near impossible, besides it still has the official plug that says Sega on it etc.).
 
# First version. Easily breakable within hours of play. This plastic piece *is* plastic, and has ridges in it in such a way that it adds to its fragility. This version has a tan circuit board, and the primary chip on it is a regular "through-hole" IC with the markings sanded off. The board doesn't even say "Sega" on it, if I didn't know better I'd think it was a counterfeit (since one came with the system and the other was a separate controller it's near impossible, besides it still has the official plug that says Sega on it etc.).
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==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
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File:Saturnpad2.jpg|US/EU model (80100)
 +
File:SaturnPad.jpg|US/EU model (80116)
 
File:Saturn HSS-0101-1.png|JP model (grey)
 
File:Saturn HSS-0101-1.png|JP model (grey)
 
File:Saturn HSS-0101-2.png|JP model (white)
 
File:Saturn HSS-0101-2.png|JP model (white)
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==Physical Scans==
 
==Physical Scans==
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<gallery>
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{{Scanbox
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File:Sega Saturn HSS-0101 A.jpg|JP box (grey) (front)
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| console=Saturn
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File:Saturn HSS-0101 box-2.png|JP box (grey) (back)
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| region=US (MK-80100)
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Image:Sat digi gamepad jp box front.jpg|JP box (white) (front)
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| front=Saturn 80100 box.jpg
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Image:Sat digi gamepad jp box back.jpg|JP box (white) (back)
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| back=
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File:Saturn HSS-0162 box-1.jpg|JP box (Coolpad) (front)
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| spinemissing=
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File:Saturn RG-CP5 box-1.jpg|JP V-Saturn (RG-CP5) box (front)
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| square=yes
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File:Saturn RG-CP5 box-2.jpg|JP V-Saturn (RG-CP5) box (back)
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}}{{Scanbox
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File:Saturn RG-CP6 box.jpg|JP V-Saturn (RG-CP6) box (front)
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| console=Saturn
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File:Saturn HSS-0118 box-2.jpg|JP Hi-Saturn box (front)
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| region=US (MK-80116)
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File:Saturn 80100 box.jpg|US box (MK-80100) (front)
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| front=Saturn 80116 box.jpg
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File:Saturn 80116 box.jpg|US box (MK-80116) (front)
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| back=
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File:Saturn MK-80301 box.jpg|EU box (MK-80100) (front)
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| spinemissing=
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File:Saturn MK-80313 box.jpg|EU box (MK-80116) (front)
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| square=yes
 +
}}{{Scanbox
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| console=Saturn
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| region=EU (MK-80301)
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| front=Saturn MK-80301 box.jpg
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| back=
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| spinemissing=
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| square=yes
 +
}}{{Scanbox
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| console=Saturn
 +
| region=EU (MK-80313)
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| front=Saturn MK-80313 box.jpg
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| back=
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| spinemissing=
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| square=yes
 +
}}{{Scanbox
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| console=Saturn
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| region=JP (Grey)
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| front=Sega Saturn HSS-0101 A.jpg
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| back=Saturn HSS-0101 box-2.png
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| spinemissing=yes
 +
| square=yes
 +
}}{{Scanbox
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| console=Saturn
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| region=JP (White)
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| front=Sat digi gamepad jp box front.jpg
 +
| back=Sat digi gamepad jp box back.jpg
 +
| spinemissing=yes
 +
| square=yes
 +
}}{{Scanbox
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| console=Saturn
 +
| region=JP (Cool Pad)
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| front=Saturn HSS-0162 box-1.jpg
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| back=
 +
| spinemissing=
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| square=yes
 +
}}{{Scanbox
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| console=Saturn
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| region=JP (V-Saturn, RG-CP5)
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| front=Saturn RG-CP5 box-1.jpg
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| back=Saturn RG-CP5 box-2.jpg
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| spinemissing=yes
 +
| square=yes
 +
}}{{Scanbox
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| console=Saturn
 +
| region=JP (V-Saturn, RG-CP6)
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| front=Saturn RG-CP6 box.jpg
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| back=
 +
| spinemissing=
 +
| square=yes
 +
}}{{Scanbox
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| console=Saturn
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| region=JP (HiSaturn)
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| front=Saturn HSS-0118 box-2.jpg
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| back=
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| spinemissing=
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| square=yes
 +
}}
  
−
</gallery>
 
 
{{Saturn}}
 
{{Saturn}}
 
[[Category:Saturn Accessories]]
 
[[Category:Saturn Accessories]]
 
[[Category:Control Pads]]
 
[[Category:Control Pads]]

Revision as of 14:53, 10 May 2012

SaturnPad.jpg
Control Pad
Made for: Sega Saturn
Manufacturer: Sega
Release Date RRP Code

The Sega Saturn Control Pad, later known simply as the Controller in North America, is primary method of user input for the Sega Saturn. It is an evolution of the Six Button Control Pad for the Sega Mega Drive and was originally seen in 1994 along with the Saturn console.

The Saturn's control pad is often considered to be the last official controller to be designed for 2D gameplay. It has a circular D-Pad, a  START  button, and six face buttons; A, B, C, X, Y and Z. New to the Saturn is the addition of two shoulder buttons, L and R, which replace the Mega Drive's "mode" button to bring the total number of buttons to nine. Like the Mega Drive Control Pad(s), it is ergonomically designed for maximum comfort, something often said to be lacking in later PlayStation and Nintendo 64 controllers.

The Saturn controller debuted in Japan in 1994 and remained largely unchanged throughout the lifespan of the console. In North America and Europe however, a different, much bulkier controller was released to supposedly accomodate for the "bigger hands" of western consumers. This "MK-80100" control pad is functionally identical to its Japanese cousin, but is slightly larger and has a peculiar concave D-Pad, not seen in a Sega console since. This particular model is often regarded to be worse than the Japanese variant, and was replaced entirely during the summer of 1996, cutting costs as the console was redesigned.

There are many slightly different colour variations of the controller, mostly to match the colour of the console. Japan initially received grey pads, but eventually saw white and clear varieties as well as those designed for V-Saturns and HiSaturns. In the rest of the world (bar Brazil), only black controllers were released.

The Control Pad saw an "upgrade" in the form of the 3D Control Pad, built as a response to the Nintendo 64's analogue joystick.

Differences in Control Pads

There were two primary versions of the Japanese controller though externally they look the same and were both numbered HSS-0101. However, internally they are completely different. Saturn controllers have a "plus-sign" shaped piece of plastic inside the controller under the D-pad. The pad is raised above this and that's what gives the pad the "rocker" feel as opposed to the mushy feel of a Nintendo 64 or PlayStation controller.

  1. First version. Easily breakable within hours of play. This plastic piece *is* plastic, and has ridges in it in such a way that it adds to its fragility. This version has a tan circuit board, and the primary chip on it is a regular "through-hole" IC with the markings sanded off. The board doesn't even say "Sega" on it, if I didn't know better I'd think it was a counterfeit (since one came with the system and the other was a separate controller it's near impossible, besides it still has the official plug that says Sega on it etc.).
  2. Second version. Durable. Plastic piece is now nylon, and no longer has ridges. Circuit board is now green, says "Sega" on it, and uses surface mount chip. With some minor changes all controllers were still like this until the end.

The gray Japanese controllers that Toys R Us sold were the second version, so it must have been changed relatively quickly. The switches for L/R are different on the two versions too, as they were softer on the first version. Parts between the two versions for the most part are not interchangeable, most of the plastic parts have been altered in one (non-obvious) way or another.

Gallery

  • US/EU model (80100)

  • US/EU model (80116)

  • JP model (grey)

  • JP model (white)

  • JP model (Coolpad)

  • JP V-Saturn model (RG-CP5)

  • JP V-Saturn model (RG-CP6)

  • JP Hi-Saturn model

Physical Scans

Saturn, US (MK-80100)
Saturn 80100 box.jpg
Cover
Saturn, US (MK-80116)
Saturn 80116 box.jpg
Cover
Saturn, EU (MK-80301)
Saturn MK-80301 box.jpg
Cover
Saturn, EU (MK-80313)
Saturn MK-80313 box.jpg
Cover
Saturn, JP (Grey)
Saturn HSS-0101 box-2.pngNospine-small.pngSega Saturn HSS-0101 A.jpg
Cover
Saturn, JP (White)
Sat digi gamepad jp box back.jpgNospine-small.pngSat digi gamepad jp box front.jpg
Cover
Saturn, JP (Cool Pad)
Saturn HSS-0162 box-1.jpg
Cover
Saturn, JP (V-Saturn, RG-CP5)
Saturn RG-CP5 box-2.jpgNospine-small.pngSaturn RG-CP5 box-1.jpg
Cover
Saturn, JP (V-Saturn, RG-CP6)
Saturn RG-CP6 box.jpg
Cover
Saturn, JP (HiSaturn)
Saturn HSS-0118 box-2.jpg
Cover


Sega Saturn
Topics Technical Specifications (Hardware Comparison) | History (Development | Release | Decline and legacy) | List of games (A-M) | List of games (N-Z) | Magazine articles | Promotional material | Merchandise
Hardware Japan | North America | Western Europe | Eastern Europe | South America | Asia | South Korea | Australasia | Africa

HiSaturn Navi | SunSeibu SGX | Sega Titan Video

Add-ons Backup Memory (third-party) | Sega PriFun | Video CD Card (third-party) | Extended RAM Cartridge (third-party) | Twin Advanced ROM System
Controllers Control Pad | Control Pad (Australia) | 3D Control Pad | Arcade Racer | Infrared Control Pad | Mission Stick | Shuttle Mouse | Twin Stick | Virtua Gun | Virtua Stick | Virtua Stick Pro
Online Services/Add-ons NetLink Internet Modem (NetLink Keyboard | NetLink Keyboard Adapter | NetLink Mouse) | Saturn Modem (Floppy Drive | Keyboard)
Connector Cables 21 Pin RGB Cable | Monaural AV Cable | RF Unit | Stereo AV Cable | S-Video Cable | Taisen Cable
Development Hardware Programming Box | Sound Box | E7000 | CartDev | SNASM2 | Address Checker | PSY-Q Development System | MIRAGE Universal CD Emulator
Misc. Hardware 6Player | SBom Multitap‎ | Saturn region converter cartridges | Action Replay | Pro Action Replay | Action Replay Plus | X-Terminator (Version 3) | S-S Promoter | Other cartridges
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