Sega Dreamcast Controller (Original Gray)
by Sega of America, Inc.
List Price:
Our Price: $10.87
You Save: $2.12 (16%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $4.04 (click here)
Category: Video Games
See more product details and other editions
Product Summary
Brand: SegaPlatform: Sega Dreamcast
Model: 087116014565
Publisher: Sega of America, Inc.
Product features:
- Original Design Sega Dreamcast Controller
- Offers two slots for memory and rumble pack
Video Game Reviews of Sega Dreamcast Controller (Original Gray)
Customer Review: Amazing system. The contoller...not so much.
Summary: 3 Stars
Ok let me first start of by sayting I love my Dreamcast (DC) yes, even 11 years later. It was a criminally underrated system, and a real shame that it died the way it did. I love everything about the system, except for the contoller.
Now this is not to say that I hate the controller, it just isn't all that grand. First, it's not really ergonomic. It almost feels like your hands are going to slide on the bottom. Add that to the fact that it's rather clunky and large and you can see how even initial impressions could be less than stellar. The cord for some odd reason comes out of the bottom of the controller instead of the top, to make it less cumbersome there is a place on the back to hold it in place. The cord in general is too short and requires an extension if you want to sit back any reasonable length without pulling out the system.
The buttons are yet another issue that needs to be adressed, or the lack thereof. If you look at the previous generation controllers you will notice that they have more buttons. Both the Playstation and N64 had more buttons, if this is the next get system, why wouldn't you add buttons, not remove them? For 2D fighters and First Person Shooters this is a real problem. These are not the occasional obscure title that suffered from this issue but killer apps for the system. If you know anything about the DC you know that it had more than its fair share of fighters that used the 6 button layout. Quake 3 and Unreal Tournament are nigh impossible to play with this pad. I think a 6 button layout and a second analog stick would have done MIRACLES for this controller. It wouldn't have fixed everything, but it would have gone a long way to make most every type of game comfortable. I wholeheartedly believe that had the system endured longer than it did that Sega would have alleviated these issues with a controller redesign much like the 6 button for the Genesis.
But I digress. As I said before I do not hate the controller. It actually does have some finer points that need to be brought up in order to give a truly comprehensive and fair review. First, I love the analog stick, sure it sticks up a little higher than I would have liked, but it feels good, love the hard plastic, and the grips are great too. As long as they don't wear down they do a great job of keeping your fingers in place. The button layout is a standard 4 button diamond that has been universal ever since Nintendo set fourth the precident on the SNES. The buttons themselves are a little rough on the fingers after extended play but serve their purpose well. The analog triggers are great, truly. I can hardly imagine a standard controller without them. For racing games, you have analog gas and brake buttons, for platformers they are the cameras, triggers for FPS, the list goes on and on. There is a reason that this design has been copied so many times. Easily the best aspect of the controller. The Square hole in the front is for viewing the screen on the VMU. Supurb idea, not implemented heavily enough, but that could hardly be considered a flaw in the design. The D-Pad is fairly good too. It's not the playstation D-Pad, they have the best by far, in my humble opinion, nor is it as good as the saturn/genesis, but it is very solid. Sega opted for a cross styled D-Pad as opposed to a saucer style. I suppose that is really just a matter of preference, which the logic beind it is, saucer style is better for 360 degree movements but sacrifices the precision of the cross pad, and vice versa. Sega knew that the D-Pad would be largley for inputs as commands, and not so much for movements, they figured if you wanted that kind of precision for movement in a fighter that you would spring for an arcade stick. I can't refute that point. It feels sturdy and well made in general so I can't complain about that. Which brings me to the final positive for it is the sturdiness in general. Even without the added weight of the VMU or Jump Pack it still feels very solid strong and well made; a true testament, now 11 years later, they still work great.
The controller had 2 expansion ports, similar to the xbox and N64 pads which facilitate the use of VMU's Jump Packs, and the microphone adapter. I would have liked rumble to be built in, it would have saved a port for me, but it is nice that it made it cheaper. A lot of the design was to make the contoller and system affordable. I understand that, but I do think it would have been something that would have happened if it ever did get that redesign.
Overall, I do like the feel and function of the controller, but I can't say that I truly love it. It really is weaker than all of its contemporaries. That being said, if you have a dreamcast, this really is the way to go. Avoid the third party. If you want a fighting pad, get the arcade stick, if your into that sort of thing. Great system, not so great contoller.
Description of Sega Dreamcast Controller (Original Gray)
Original Sega Dreamcast Controller in GrayCables & Adapters Games
Computer and Video Games
Bestsellers in Cables & Adapters Games
Dreamcast Retro Bit S-AV CableKomodo Cables; Retro-Bit; Sega Dreamcast; Video Games
Best price: $0.01
Price in other shops:
StarFire LightBlasterVideo Games
Best price: $80.00
Extension Cable for Sega Dreamcast Controller3rd Party; Classic Game Source Inc.; Sega Dreamcast; Video Games
Best price: $5.39
Dreamcast CodebreakerPelican; codebreaker; Sega Dreamcast; Video Games
Phantasy Star OnlineSega; Sega Of America, Inc.; Sega Dreamcast; Video Games
Best price: $28.88
Advanced Controller for Sega DreamcastNaki; Naki; Sega Dreamcast; Video Games
Best price: $19.95
Controller Extension CableSega; Video Games
Sega Dreamcast Official Jump Pak Pack RUMBLEIntec; Intec; Sega Dreamcast; Video Games
Sega Dreamcast Controller & Memory Card BundleOriginal Dreamcast Controller; Sega Dreamcast; Video Games
Best price: $17.95
Dreamcast Control Pad in BlueSega; Amazon.com, LLC *** KEEP PORules ACTIVE ***; Sega Dreamcast; Video Games
Best price: $19.95
Similar Video and PC Games
Sega Dreamcast ControllerSega; SEGA; Sega Dreamcast; Video Games
Best price: $9.99
AC Power CableGeneric; GENERIC BRAND; Sega Dreamcast; Video Games
Best price: $0.01
Soul Caliburby Unknown
Namco; SPIG; Release date: 1999-09-09; Published: 1999; Sega Dreamcast; Video Games
Best price: $64.98
ShenmueSega; SEGA DREAMCAST; Release date: 2000-11-07; Sega Dreamcast; Video Games
Best price: $72.99
Crazy TaxiDreamcast; "Sega of America, Inc."; Release date: 2000-02-01; Sega Dreamcast; Video Games
Best price: $21.98
Price in other shops:
Sonic Adventureby Unknown
Sega; SPIG; Release date: 1999-09-09; Published: 1999; Sega Dreamcast; Video Games
Best price: $29.99
Visual Memory Unit - WhiteSega of America, Inc.; Sega Of America, Inc.; Sega Dreamcast; Video Games
Best price: $12.99
Jet Grind Radioby Unknown
Sega; "Sega of America, Inc."; Sega Dreamcast; Video Games
Best price: $24.00
Av Audio Video Composite Cable for Sega DreamcastKomodo; Classic Game Source; Sega Dreamcast; Video Games
Best price: $0.53
Visual Memory Unit - BlueSega; SEGA; Sega Dreamcast; Video Games
Best price: $3.65