360 D-pad sucking? Use a Saturn gamepad

by Christopher Grant { Aug 11th 2006 at 10:00AM }

The honeymoon's over. We were in love. Our shotgun wedding with the Xbox 360 gamepad and subsequent months of marital bliss have come crashing down. We've had our first fight ... err, 2D fighting game that is.

Anyone who's been playing the recently released Street Fighter II on XBLA has undoubtedly noticed the Xbox 360's D-pad seriously cramps your combos. Fear not DIY-friendly gamers, there is a solution: Don't use the Xbox 360 gamepad. Remember the Sega Saturn, geared for 2D in a world of 3D consoles? The good news is the Saturn's gamepad has a well respected D-pad and, with some soldering skills, you can start rocking it on Xbox Live.

Here's how it works: Saturn controller gets plugged into a breadboard connected to a gutted Xbox 360 controller, so the whole thing is wireless (sort of). Fine, so this isn't the most attractive hack, but it illustrates a demand for an alternative gamepad. How long before some enterprising peripheral company makes a wireless Xbox Live Arcade pad?

[Via b&b&p&s]

Tags: d-pad, Gamepad, Saturn, Sega Saturn, SegaSaturn, Street Fighter II, StreetFighterIi

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

oooga @ Aug 11th 2006 10:05AM

never. MS isn't allowing companies to make wireless controllers. Dunce.

Ive Been Jipped @ Aug 11th 2006 10:06AM

I thought third party companies weren't allowed to make wireless peripherals? Hence the Hori stick not being wireless?

jbeam @ Aug 11th 2006 10:11AM

I was gonna get the DOA4 arcade stick, but I'm not sure it's worth the $100+ it's fetching on eBay right now..

nootau @ Aug 11th 2006 10:17AM

Has anyone tried pacman? the DPAD sucked for that too. Crazy! The analog is not much better...it could be the way namco has designed it, but it is very unresponsive.

Lord Meph @ Aug 11th 2006 10:18AM

I wish I didnt need a degree in astrophysics to replicate what this guy did.

Hell, I dont care if its wired or wireless, I just want a d-pad that friggin works correctly.

I have the 'Joytech" pad right now, and while the dpad is much better than the original controller, it still is crap compared to SNES of Saturn.

I am thinking of picking up the madcatz and trying that one out...

RP @ Aug 11th 2006 10:33AM

People still say dunce?

Anyway, this is a great chance for SEGA to jump back into some home hardware manufacturing--just slap an Xbox logo, a guide button, and a usb cable onto the old designs for the Saturn controller, and we're all set for any non-analog retro gaming eventuality.

DarrenJ @ Aug 11th 2006 10:35AM

"I wish I didnt need a degree in astrophysics to replicate what this guy did."

Thanks for making me feel smart today.

hjungle @ Aug 11th 2006 10:36AM

It never fails to warm my heart when props are given to the Saturn controller. It really was great for 2D games (the fighting genre in particular).

Scythe @ Aug 11th 2006 10:39AM

What happened to the 360 controller being the best controller ever made? I remember when the system first came out that all people kept saying is how the controller is the best ever because it's redone and new blah blah. Well it looks like the controller isn't better then a peice of outdated tech. It looks like people are trying to find away to keep what works with new hardware. This guy I'm sure isn't the only one that doesn't enjoy the 360 controller.

NEEKS @ Aug 11th 2006 10:43AM

Nice projector dude.

noob @ Aug 11th 2006 10:44AM

thanks for your fanboy comments scythe, do me a favor and kill yourself.

that said the dpad does suck, but luckly for me i don't play fighting games and the rest of the controller is great.

camp @ Aug 11th 2006 10:46AM

3rd parties are able to begin making wireless 360 controllers in 2007. That was the deal Microsoft set up: it protected their controller income for the first full year.

SilverSlide @ Aug 11th 2006 10:53AM

I think ripping apart a great pad like the 360 for the sake of one 2D game is a bit over the top. Personally I understand that it doesn't feel quite as sharp as some pads but after trying to play the Alpha series on the Playstation crossbeam style D-Pads the 360 is nothing to complain about.

I've had no problems with moves or combos maybe the pressure is getting to you when people are watching you on quarter match mode ;)

SJ @ Aug 11th 2006 11:11AM

Just wondering, can't we use something like this:
http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=161&products_id=3176&

to use PS1/PS2 pads on the 360 through the usb port? I don't have a 360 so I can't confirm.

KR @ Aug 11th 2006 11:31AM

The 360 pad IS the best controller of all time, as far as an "all encompassing" pad. Indeed, the must lackluster part of it is the d-pad, which hurts it for this specific genre.

Cowdisease @ Aug 11th 2006 11:34AM

To 13: that won't work. If your controller is not verified by Microsoft, it will not work with the 360, no matter which way you connect it.

The only way you going to get a non-Microsoft-verified controller or joystick to work is if you did what this guy did, and that is gut a licensed Xbox 360 controller and solder the signal and ground wires from the Xbox 360 PCB to either a controller adapter or the controller/joystick itself.

nootau @ Aug 11th 2006 11:46AM

I think microsoft should probably release a usb adapter that supports the old Xbox 1 interface. Alot of GOOD third party controllers/arcade sticks were built to support that interface. This allows people who invested alot of money in their xbox controllers to not feel so shafted, some xbox fans bought arcade sticks to play Guilty Gear and Street Fighter..as well as VF, Tekken and Soul Calibur.

Of course someone has to bring up Nintendo and the Wii (lol), but I see why nintendo opted for a "Classic" controller, and why nintendo also opens up the possiblity for other types of controllers with the wii-mote's universal port. Its obvoius that as technology advances, some genres will be neglected (forgotten?) in terms of controls (Flight sims come to mind, as well as RTS), in favor of other more popular genres (FPS, analog triggers for Racing, etc). The Wii-mote + Nunchuku attachment is pretty much designed as a FPS controller. The Wii-mote is designed for analog Mouse operations in 3d space (its not a pointer in the traditional sense), so RTS, Flight Sims and Racing Genres get more love (well, any genre that requires percise movement that can be best done with a mouse) while 2d and 3d fighting games get no love with the Wii-mote, and would be unplayable without the classic controller...Though now that i think about it....i wouldnt mind trying to play a session Power Stone with the Wii-mote...

qbix @ Aug 11th 2006 11:48AM

I posted this earlier but I guess I posted too late. There is a way of improving the D-Pad responsiveness. I tried it and haven't had problems since. All you need is a piece of sand paper (or dremel tool).
http://www.ufighterx.com/guides/videogame/360dpadfix/360dpadfix.htm

The tutorial uses regular screw drivers which don't fit the controller screws very well so I recommend disassembling it this way instead:
http://tinyurl.com/e9dsd

Cowdisease @ Aug 11th 2006 12:14PM

"I think microsoft should probably release a usb adapter that supports the old Xbox 1 interface."

Unless Microsoft is going to sell those adapters for $40 to $50, there is no reason for Microsoft to do that. They make money off their accessories, and releasing an adapter that eliminates the need to buy 360 controllers is a terrible business decision.

OtakuCODE @ Aug 11th 2006 12:34PM

Just wanted to let everyone know, doing this violates the Xbox Live Terms of Service agreement. Microsoft can (but probably won't... if they're smart and don't want TERRIBLE press) ban you at any moment they wish for using an unauthorized peripheral.

kuan @ Aug 11th 2006 12:42PM

that is an amazing gaming set up. i have a 1988 toshiba 19 inch tv....

boy am i all hyped for the nxt gen of hi def... :|

Draco @ Aug 11th 2006 12:59PM

@OtakuCODE

How could MSFT know that you changed you're periferal? I know its an unfair advantage, but technicaly according to the system, you are using the same remote.

diskoboy @ Aug 11th 2006 1:10PM

Hey Xbox360 suck... Why don't you stick to the topic you anal baby?? No one gives a shit about your fanboyism and false information.

go die already.

Is there anyone that uses this site over 15? I swear to god...

ninja @ Aug 11th 2006 1:55PM

This is one my grips with the 360... not only do the games just feel like PC games, but the controls, just don't feel fluid or responsive in the way Nintendo and Sony (or even Turbo Graphix 16, remember that?!) were able to do with their systems.

Maybe it is all in the developers hands, maybe both hardware and software, maybe just hardware. I don't know. I was a Sega Genesis owner, but wanted a SNES. My complaint was the same with the Genesis as with Xbox - the controllers and gameplay just don't feel right.

I never liked any of the M$ controllers anyways (PC or Console). Just my opinion.

Supra @ Aug 11th 2006 2:13PM

Hey diskoboy, I know Xbox 360 is being an ass, but try not to be in denial.

Thomas Crymes @ Aug 11th 2006 2:14PM

Oddly enough, it seems like the best solution is to just use the analog stick for the arcade games. It works surprisingly well. Takes a little getting used to, but I no longer go in directions I didn't intend. Just give it a try.

The ZeroCorpse @ Aug 11th 2006 2:24PM

I WANT the games to be like western PC games. I have a 360 to replace my need for a PC and all that wasteful upgrading.

If I want to play more "console-ish" games, I'll play on the Wii.

And really, guys--- Use the analog stick for SF2. If you can't hack it with the stick, you just SUCK AT THE GAME and probably never played in the arcade, instead getting used to the D-Pad on your SNES or whatever console. Real arcade SF2 jockeys can kick ass with the analog stick.

boots @ Aug 11th 2006 2:46PM

Stupid microsoft, their controller is not "the best" as everybody touted. Buy a MadCatz one instead... their D-pad is awesome, too bad they can't make a wireless one right now.

SonicRift @ Aug 11th 2006 3:03PM

13, that's the first thing I tried when I got it. No dice.

I'd kill for standard USB controller support. Something 6 button, like my Sidewinder (who makes those again?) would be great for Street Fighter.

I'd love for adapters for other controller types to come out. Like PS2 to 360. One of my favorite things about the PS2 and GameCube was that I could use my PS1 Dual Shock and Dual Analog controllers out of the box, or with an adaptor, respectively. I didn't have to go spend what I percieved as $100+ penalty (controllers, multitap) for being the only guy on the block with a PS2 and wanting to play multiplayer.

Scythe @ Aug 11th 2006 3:39PM

11. thanks for your fanboy comments scythe, do me a favor and kill yourself.

that said the dpad does suck, but luckly for me i don't play fighting games and the rest of the controller is great.

Posted at 10:44AM on Aug 11th 2006 by noob

Man talk about video games don't make people violent. I was just stressing a point BI.TCH! Does your mommy know you make death threats over the net? Also big talk for a little pi$$ ant like yourself. See I make talk sh8t to on a computer. Next time Noob save us some time and just post "me stupid 360 is the bestest and every1 else is wrong!!!!"

See that's about as retarded as what you put, but I'm sure you understood it better then anyone here.

dori. @ Aug 11th 2006 4:02PM

how about you buy the DOA 4 stock from Hori. It's $60 at Gamestop and its one of the better sticks I've used.

The reason why playing fighting games on a controller sucks is because they were meant to be played on arcade sticks. So go get one.

SonicRift @ Aug 11th 2006 4:16PM

Dori, those sticks are very rare, and only available in one country worldwide.

Lord Meph @ Aug 11th 2006 4:17PM

Buy a MadCatz one instead... their D-pad is awesome, too bad they can't make a wireless one right now.

Posted at 2:46PM on Aug 11th 2006 by boots

boots -- Have you used the MadCatz dpad for SF2? And are you talking about the newer one, the "mini" madcatz gamepad pro?

Lord Meph @ Aug 11th 2006 4:20PM

" Does your mommy know you make death threats over the net?"

I don't think telling someone to kill themself is a death threat.

Not that I want to get involved in you and noob's lil spat, lol. Just an observation...

Scythe @ Aug 11th 2006 4:58PM

yeah guess your right, oh well still he's the one jumping around with the whole go kill yourself and all I did was say about how the controller isn't as perfect as believed. Fanboys need to settle down I'm gona own all three but this guy was a big gates c0ck sucker from the sound of it.