Dreamcast Controller

Dreamcast Controller
Made for: Sega Dreamcast
Manufacturer: Sega
Release Date RRP Code JP 1998-11-27 ¥2,500 (2,625)2,500e JP (Millennium 2000) 1999-12-16 ¥2,5002,500 US 1999-09-09 EU 1999-10-14 MK-55100-50 DE 1999 DM 59.9559.95 UK 1999-10-14 £19.9919.99 MK-55100-50 CZ 2000 1300 Kč1300 PL 2000-12-01 150zł150 AU 1999 $49.9549.95

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Dreamcast Controller (ドリームキャスト コントローラ) is the primary interface for interacting with the Sega Dreamcast video game console. It was bundled with every system and is supported by every Dreamcast game.

Hardware

With the Dreamcast, Sega went back to using the term "controller" for its main form of input, having previously preferred the term "control pad" with the Sega Mega Drive and Sega Saturn. As is to be expected, it increments on ideas seen with previous Sega hardware, being the logical progression from the Saturn's 3D Control Pad, originally debuting in mid-1996 as a response to the Nintendo 64. However, the 3D Control Pad was not as widely adopted as perhaps hoped, so the Dreamcast is the first (and only) Sega console to be equipped with analogue controls straight out of the box.

On the top left of the controller sits an "analogue thumb pad" (analogue stick), above a four-way directional pad (D-Pad), a  START  button in the centre of the controller and , , and face buttons on the right. On top of the controller there are two analogue triggers, and in the top-left and top-right, respectively. Unlike the Sega Saturn (and Mega Drive) there are no and buttons, and the controller has moved past the need for a switch to toggle between analogue and digital modes, seen on the 3D Control Pad.

The most striking difference with the Dreamcast controller is its two "expansion sockets" on the top. Typically the first socket (in front) houses a VMU (as there is a gap to see the screen) while the one in back houses other expansions such as the Jump Pack.

The Dreamcast controller stands as Sega's largest standard control pad for any of their systems, and was not redesigned during the console's run. Over the years it has run into some criticism, primarily for being uncomfortable for those with larger hands, but also for the high sensitivity of the thumb pad. Furthermore its lack of a second thumb pad was a noticable disadvantage when compared to the PlayStation 2 (and original PlayStation in its later years). It was also the last mainstream video game controller not to have vibration features as standard.

One curious design feature is the controller's wire, which comes out of the bottom, only to be looped back up and clipped in place so as not to get in the way. While unconventional, Sega appears to have designed it this way to assist with storage - that is to say, the wire can be wrapped around the controller and clipped at the end.

Many novelty Dreamcast controllers were produced in a wide variety of colors.

Western controllers have their D-Pads raised slightly higher, to make them more suitable for 2D games.

Internal workings

Although each button can be configured to perform a specific and distinctive action, all of the buttons, except for the two analog triggers and thumb pad, work on the same principle. In essence, each button is a switch that completes a circuit whenever it is pressed. A small metal disc beneath the button is pushed into contact with two strips of conductive material on the circuit board inside the controller. While the metal disc is in contact, it conducts electricity between the two strips.

The controller senses that the circuit is closed and sends that data to the Dreamcast. The CPU compares that data with the instructions in the game software for that button, and triggers the appropriate response. There is also a metal disc under each arm of the directional pad. If you're playing a game in which pushing down on the directional pad causes the character to crouch, a similar string of connections is made from the time of the push down on the pad to when the character crouches.

The analog thumb pad and triggers work in a completely different way from the buttons described above. The triggers each have a tiny magnet attached to the end of the trigger arm. When the trigger is depressed, the magnet is pushed toward a sensor mounted on the controller's circuit board. Through the process of induction, the magnet creates resistance to the current passing through the sensor. On the bottom of the magnet is a layer of foam padding. Pushing harder on the trigger compresses the padding, which brings the magnet closer to the sensor. The closer the magnet is to the sensor, the more resistance is induced. This variable resistance makes the triggers pressure-sensitive.

The thumb pad also uses a magnet, along with four small sensors. The sensors are arranged like a compass, with one at each of the cardinal points (north, south, east, west). The base of the joystick is shaped like a ball, with tiny spokes radiating out. The ball sits in a socket above the sensors. Spikes on the socket fit between the spokes on the ball. This allows for an extraordinary amount of movement without letting the thumb pad twist out of alignment with the sensors. As the thumb pad is moved, the magnet in the base moves closer to one or two of the sensors, and farther from the others. The system monitors the changes in induction caused by the magnet's movement to calculate the position of the thumb pad.

Magazine articles

Main article: Dreamcast Controller/Magazine articles.

Patents

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  USD414484

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  USD415145

Artwork

Hardware diagrams

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Photo gallery

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  Top of the controller, showing the two expansion sockets, analog triggers and wire clip.

Official photographs

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Physical scans

Sega Retro Average
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Sega Retro Average
Publication Version Score Computer & Video Games (UK) 75 Computer & Video Games (UK) 50

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Based on 2 reviews

Dreamcast Controller

Japan

Code	Name	Box scans	Images	Region	Date	Price	Documentation	Description
HKT-7701	Dreamcast Controller ドリームキャストコントローラ			JP	1998-11-27			Standard Dreamcast controllers are white, a colour which was reportedly decided very late in the console's development cycle. This original Japanese model was the basis for all controllers which followed.
	Dreamcast Controller (Model: Seaman)			JP	1999-07-29	PACK-INpack
	Dreamcast Controller (Maziora)			JP	1999-08-01	PACK-INpack
HDR-0048	ChuChu Rocket! Controller Doukonban	Error creating thumbnail: convert: Insufficient memory (case 4) `/home/sonicret/domains/segaretro.org/public_html/images/2/2b/ChuchuRocket_DC_JP_LEControllerBox_Back.jpg' @ error/jpeg.c/JPEGErrorHandler/338. Error code: 1 Error creating thumbnail: convert: Insufficient memory (case 4) `/home/sonicret/domains/segaretro.org/public_html/images/6/64/ChuchuRocket_DC_JP_LEControllerBox.jpg' @ error/jpeg.c/JPEGErrorHandler/338. Error code: 1		JP	1999-11-11	¥4,8004,800		This orange Dreamcast controller was released as part of a limited edition version of ChuChu Rocket!. It was not sold separately.
	Hello Kitty (pink)			JP	1999-11-25	PACK-INpack
	Hello Kitty (blue)			JP	1999-11-25	PACK-INpack
HKT-7700-01	Millennium 2000: Aqua Blue アクアブル			JP	1999-12-16	¥2,5002,500
HKT-7700-02	Millennium 2000: Lime Green ライム グリーン			JP	1999-12-16	¥2,5002,500
HKT-7700-03	Millennium 2000: Passion Pink パッションピンク			JP	1999-12-16	¥2,5002,500
HKT-7700-04	Millennium 2000: Smoke スモーク			JP	1999-12-16	¥2,5002,500
HKT-7700-06	Aqua Blue アクアブル			JP
HKT-7700-07	Lime Green ライム グリーン			JP
HKT-7700-08	Passion Pink パッションピンク			JP
HKT-7700-09	Smoke スモーク			JP
	Controller (Model: Seaman Xmas Package) コントローラ (model:SEAMAN クリスマスパッケージ)			JP	1999-12-16	PACK-INpack
	Biohazard Code: Veronica (red)			JP	2000-02-03	PACK-INpack
	Biohazard Code: Veronica (black)			JP	2000-02-03	PACK-INpack
	Super Black			JP	2000-09	¥2,8002,800		Available exclusively through Dreamcast Direct.
	Colour Controller: Pearl White カラーコントローラ：パールホワイト			JP	2000-10-12	¥2,8002,800		Available exclusively through Dreamcast Direct.
	Colour Controller: Pearl Blue カラーコントローラ：パールブルー			JP	2000-10-12	¥2,8002,800		Available exclusively through Dreamcast Direct.
	Colour Controller: Pearl Pink カラーコントローラ：パールピンク			JP	2000-10-12	¥2,8002,800		Available exclusively through Dreamcast Direct.
	Dreamcast Controller: Mokume Chou ドリームキャストコントローラ：木目調			JP	2000-11-01	¥4,000 points4,000 points		Dream Point Bank exclusive.
	Dreamcast Controller: Hyougara ドリームキャストコントローラ：豹柄			JP	2000-11-01	¥4,000 points4,000 points		Dream Point Bank exclusive.
	Dreamcast Controller: Dairiseki Chou ドリームキャストコントローラ：大理石調			JP	2000-11-01	¥4,000 points4,000 points		Dream Point Bank exclusive.
	Colour Controller: Silver Metallic カラーコントローラ：シルバーメタリック			JP	2000-11-02	¥2,8002,800		Available exclusively through Dreamcast Direct.
	Camouflage			JP				Available exclusively through Dreamcast Direct.
	Sakura Taisen Dreamcast for Internet			JP	2000-12-01	PACK-INpack
HKT-7700-18	Clear クリア			JP	2000-12-14	¥2,5002,500
HKT-7700-19	Sakura Taisen Controller サクラ大戦 コントローラ			JP
	Divers 2000 Series CX-1			JP	2001-03-21	PACK-INpack
	R7			JP	2001-09-03	PACK-INpack

North America

Code	Name	Box scans	Images	Region	Date	Price	Documentation	Description
MK-50100	Controller			US	1999-09-09		Manual
MK-50101	Controller (Clear Blue)			US	2000
MK-50102	Controller (Clear Green)			US	2000
MK-50103	Controller (Clear Red)			US	2000
MK-50104	Controller (Clear Yellow)			US	2000			It is said yellow controllers (and VMUs) are the hardest colour to find in North America.
MK-50105	Controller (Charcoal Anthracite)			US	2000
	Controller (Sega Sports)			US		PACK-INpack

Europe

Code	Name	Box scans	Images	Region	Date	Price	Documentation	Description
	Controller			UK	1999-10-14	£19.9919.99
	Controller			UK	2000	£19.9919.99		Available exclusively via Dreamarena.
	Controller			UK	2000	£19.9919.99		Available exclusively via Dreamarena.
	Controller			UK	2000	£19.9919.99		Available exclusively via Dreamarena.
	Controller			UK	2000	£19.9919.99		Available exclusively via Dreamarena.
	Sonic the Hedgehog 10th Anniversary			UK	2001	PACK-INpack		Packaged with console.