Tekken PSP packs a new PSP D-pad in Japan

by Ross Miller { May 29th 2006 at 4:25PM }

Miyamootoo from GameBrink sends us word of a new PSP D-pad cover that will come with the Japanese release of Tekken. No word on a US release of the accessory, but we wouldn't mind having 8 directions just as long as (a) the cover is not flimsy and (b) it come in black -- call us vain, but the grey overlay is kind of ugly.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Amir @ May 29th 2006 4:43PM

Still doesn't stop the PSP from being a crippled PS2. Try playing Splinter Cell without a 2nd analogue stick.

Babylonian (Nick Robinson) @ May 29th 2006 4:44PM

Man, I'm surprised that Sony isn't getting the message from all these PSP fighting games coming with snap-on D-pads.

I've never seen them pass up such an obvious method of profit before.

SquashedYoshi @ May 29th 2006 5:24PM

Maybe Sony should take a HINT that it's time to change the d-pad.

I can't believe the PS3 has the same pad.

Give a damn, wont you Sony?

n8dogg @ May 29th 2006 5:40PM

Um... was there something wrong with the digital pad in the first place?

As far as I can see this add-on that Namco is including just makes the game play in a more arcade style...

I never had a problem with playing my Tekken on a PS controller.

striderhayasa @ May 29th 2006 6:25PM

yeah, because we all miss the D-pad while playing Tekken in the arcades...

The D-pad on the PSP failed the tried and true test of any D-pad from 95 ro present day....If you can't do a fireball in any Capcom fighter with it, it blows.

maverickvns @ May 29th 2006 6:32PM

n8dogg, have you ever tried playing fighting games on the psp while using the dpad? it doesn't take very long until you start feeling a sharp pain shoot through your hand cuz of how the dpad is placed along with the left shoulder button. i have no qualms playing on the ps controller either, however because of the psp's ergonomics, it's a totally different story. the dpad also doesn't register diagonal directions well either so things like throwing hadokens and other moves that require rotations only get executed if you're lucky. highly frustrating and definitely something that even makes a must-buy game turn into rentals.

sambo @ May 29th 2006 7:00PM

i just took some tape and rigged up a quarter over the d-pad on the psp, it works like a champ.

btw, you dont really need to do quarter circle motions in tekken, the only move that uses quarter cirles is jin/hehichi/kazuya's uppercut. everything else is mostly taps.

but for street fighter, yeah, you need it.

striegs @ May 29th 2006 7:04PM

As far as I can judge from hearsay, the reason that Sony sticks with such a crappy D-pad is because other companies (such as Sega and Nintendo) have a lock on the patents. Although, if this is true, it raises the question of where Microsoft found the technology for the Xbox's D-pad.

bitstream @ May 29th 2006 8:41PM

I wonder how this will stay on. Adhesive tape? Certainly it can't "snap" on.

Also, I wonder if this will scratch the plastic after hours of use?

Sony dropped the ball with PSP's control scheme. The analog pad is basically useless since you get hand cramps if you use it for more than 10 minutes.

Jay @ May 29th 2006 9:12PM

I bought Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max of the Capcom web site just because they threw in a free d-pad adapter. It works alright, but it use peal of sticky pad to stay on.... lame.

pezh @ May 29th 2006 9:21PM

erm...It looks like a DIY pad, really, according to the dirt and fingerprints on that PSP.

dsub @ May 29th 2006 10:08PM

Meh. This still doesn't make me want a PSP. While the D-pad on the PSP is awful for fighting games, the DS d-pad still isn't much better. Nintendo and Sony need to realize that the 8-way D-pad on the XBOX controllers is the way to go. The 360 controller's d-pad is perfect. It's tight, and well defined. I already get blisters playing Street Fighter Alpha 3 on my GBA. The PSP would just be awful.

While the add-on is a good idea, I think they could've done an 8-way pad and still kept a sleek design.

diddydiddydid @ May 29th 2006 11:15PM

Namco, why don't you just release it on PS2 already! I DESPISE handheld fighter. Clumsy d-pad. Damn it Namco!

BPM? @ May 30th 2006 3:56AM

dsub:
Personally, I never liked the 8-way pads. In general, I found it too difficult to get most of them to go straight in one direction...
Especially the Sega Nomad one! Ms. Pac-Man was virtually unplayable on that thing!

Though, I also don't care for the "clicky" buttons used for DS and GBA SP. I'm glad that Game Boy micro and DS Lite have the return of the "squishy" buttons.

Gareth @ May 30th 2006 4:38AM

In my opinion the PSP isn't a 'crippled PS2' - more of a PS1.5 as the console's power is obviously greater than a PSone, but it isn't as powerful as the PS2 as Sony would have you believe. I know because I have one.

Yes I know, it is quite unbelievable that Sony would over-hype and under-deliver on a console.

Sense @ May 30th 2006 9:43AM

The SEGA Genesis Six-Button Controller had the best D-pad ever. It was perfect. Not too loose or too tight. Eight-way control. It was awesome.

Hump @ May 30th 2006 10:39AM

The nice thing is that all people bitching here about sony are kids who cant afford a PS3 and never will. Always remember that!

Joystiq is biased as hell anyway...

Pal @ May 30th 2006 10:39AM

This was my qualm with Sony's controllers. I'm glad Namco is standing up to Sony by "suggesting" a revision.

Personally, I loved the Saturn controller. Not the Japanese, second U.S. revision pad (the curvy one with shoulder buttons that made sense). Ah, perfection.

Hump @ May 30th 2006 10:40AM

>>Still doesn't stop the PSP from being a crippled PS2.

If PSP is a crippled PS2 then the Wii is a crippled Gamecube! Dont believe it? Check out the E3 posts about Wii games running on shitty cube.

Bodhi @ May 30th 2006 11:41AM

word Pal!
the saturn pad was the best game-controlling device ever!! i still have one and i've modded it for playing the (mostly) arcade games on dreamcast

Platinum_Skeet @ May 30th 2006 2:33PM

Sometimes I hate being a PSP owner because Sony doesn't listen to feedback like say *cough*Microsoft*cough*. If Sony did these 10 things PSP would be successful...

1. Let people run homebrew (as long as it's not PSP games who cares)
2. Look at XBL success. Downloadable demo's will boost up game sales
3. Stop releasing UMD movies and advertise the Duo's
4. Package the PSP with software that they sell for $20 (and let the software rip your DVD collections)
5. Let developers use the full power of the sytem
6. Stop letting developers make ports (that means keep your promises Sony)
7. Listen to feedback on what people want with their Firmware (music while you look at pictures)
8. Price drop to $200
9. Package "all" PSP's with atleast 512mb Memory Stick Duo
10. Location Free TV should be free stop ripping us off

Tomo @ Jun 5th 2006 7:37AM

Stop whining you bunch of losers, I’m happy with my PSP and can’t wait for Tekkens release. With or without a change to the d-pad I’d still kick all ya ass’s.

HA!