Customer Reviews

Sega Dreamcast Controller (Original Gray)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

Came in great condition and functioned normally. Great hard to find product for one of the greatest gaming systems ever made...

I purchased one of the "New" ones and recieved a blue-swirl European (PAL) version. Skeptical, I looked it up and found that there was no difference inside the controller.

The controller works great. I haven't had any issues with any of my Sega DC controllers yet - after 5 years and several tournament used.

The Sega Dreamcast controller has to be one of the best for any console. It's amazing ergonomic design was way ahead of it's time. Although it spawned from the earlier Saturn 3D controller which was released for the NiGHTS into Dreams game.
The VMU which fits into the top of the controller is outstanding. The simple ability to play mini games on the memory card was unheard of.
The comfort and style of the Dreamcast controller is beyond comparison, and I highly recommend the Sega Dreamcast to anyone that enjoys well designed, fun games.

It is a fact. Playing video games alone isn't as much fun as playing them with your sister or brother. The only reason I bought a controller was just that. It still works today.

The description said mint condition and they were not kidding. The controller seems brand new to me and works perfectly.

Like many people I love the Dreamcast controller because it's big,comfortable and great for games like Soul Calibur.However, the reason why I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is because it's not the best for platform adventure games like Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2. I've compared the controller and those Sonic games to the ones available for the Nintendo Game Cube.I'm close to being as good at the Sonic Adventure games on the Dreamcast with the classic Dreamcast controller as I am with the wireless Wavebird on Sonic Adventure 2 Battle and Sonic Adventure DX but the Dreamcast controller just feels awkward in levels like Ice Cap Zone in Sonic Adventure and especially Green Forest and Pyramid Cave in Sonic Adventure 2 for the Dreamcast. I can appreciate the fact that due to the controller for the DC those levels are more challenging but they can also be downright frustrating.
The controls for the original Soul Calibur are just as good as the ones for Soul Calibur 2 for the Game Cube but the controller feels very awkward for the Power Stone games. I can only make minimal progress with those games on the Dreamcast controller I think they seem horrible. I give kudos tO Sega for making seperate controllers like a fishing line like controller for games like Sega Bass Fishing and a NES Zapper esque controller for shoot em up games like House Of The Dead 2.

Just needed a controller when I gave the system to a little boy. Works fine from what I hear and I received the controller from the seller with no problems within a couple of days. Thumbs up!

The Sega Dreamcast controller is still one of the best designed and assembled game pads that I ever used. In highsight, while a tad awkward and uncomfortable now compared to more recent designs, it was perfectly suited to the Dreamcast's 3D games while still being simple enough for people to easily grasp. It's also generally comfortable to handle for hours, making it a perfect fit for weekend long gaming marathons and is very responsive for standard gaming fare on the Dreamcast. The colorful main buttons are situated on the right side, directly opposite of the analog thumb stick and the D-pad, with the triangle 'Start' button smack dab in the middle, near the bottom. There are also single left and right index finger triggers on the underside of the controller. The overall layout make the controller intuitive and easy to learn, allowing you focus on playing the game. It also features two expansion slots to accommodate a couple of accessories like multiple `Visual Memory Units', and a single `Rumble Pack' or even a microphone, depending on how it's configured. To me, the only strange thing about the overall design of the controller is that the power cord is connected at the bottom, which is a little unorthodox. Luckily it can conveniently be secured in the tradtional forward position on the underside of the unit to accommodate gamers with old school preferences. Unfortunately, like other people have mentioned, the Sega Dreamcast controller it isn't ideal for playing fighting games. The shoulder triggers are simply placed a little to far back and feel a little bit awkward to use effectively, not without throwing a minor hitch in your game playing mechanics in the beginning. Pulling off some of the more complicated moves in Street Fighter consistantly is next to impossible for me and more often than not, comes down to blind luck, rather than skill. So, the Dreamcast's pad is merely adequate in this particular area and takes a little time to get used to, but it isn't a deal breaker. In it's defence, no standard controller can truly replace a traditional arcade stick in handling the precise, quick and smooth movements, not to mention the 6 dedicated and responsive face buttons that Capcom and SNK brawlers practically demand. Luckily, Agetec released a stick just for the Sega Dreamcast to address these various issues and manages to bring the arcade feeling home; a definite must have for diehards. Overall, I'd still highly recommended this purchase for a person who still enjoys playing games on the best console that Sega ever made; the Dreamcast. After all, it always helps to have an extra controller handy when playing Power Stone 2, Chu Chu Rocket or numerous other classic multi-player titles from the Dreamcast library when friends drop by and are itching to get a piece of the action.

I've used this controller extensively in conjunction with the Playstation Dual Shock, and I can say that while solidly-designed, there are a few flaws with the DreamCast controller that keep it from truly being great. The biggest issue I have with the controller is the terrible d-pad. Extensive use of this, especially with fighting games or any other title that utilizes a lot of digital movement, can cause serious wear and discomfort for your thumb. It got so bad, I had to break down and buy an arcade stick just so I could play Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 effectively. Another odd design choice is the bottom-placed power cord. couldn't Sega have mapped it to the top of the controller and still had the placement of the VMU slots work? Also, certain games that require camera control, such as Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, are awkward to adjust to due to the lack of a secondary joystick. I had this same issue with the Nintendo 64 controller; a joypad that actually is on my top 3 most-disliked controller designs.

Still, despite the "flaws" listed here, the pad itself is not all bad. I found it to be remarkably comfortable to hold with my average-sized hands, and the buttons are all very responsive. Overall I give the DreamCast controller a 3/5 stars. If it weren't for the few issues -- mainly the directional pad quirk -- It might have earned another star.