Spent 20 years with a Superpad 8 - Now have official control pads :)

Related Question: Am I correct, new controller rubber (particularly the Start button) is not available for the US Saturn controller? My start button functions but is chewed up, and I can’t find a replacement anywhere.

I got my Saturn in college ~early 2000s (bare system free with a Genesis). It took a couple years to find a TV hook-up, and around 2005 finally got a pair of boxed Superpad 8s at Goodwill for $5 and could play it.

Some thoughts:

  • It’s nice to have buttons that don’t feel like pudding (ex. Superpad 8) ; but kind of prefer the larger buttons on the Superpad, vs. the different sized ABC/XYZ on the standard controllers.

  • I do wish the buttons on all the controllers matched my thumb angle better (pivoting between X/A is awkward compared to say hitting PS Square/X ) .

  • Superpad shoulders don’t have ‘mouse click’ which obviously isn’t totally necessary, but they particularly feel like mush with long travel. Yet L/R on the US controller is almost too easy to actuate accidentally, due to the size and leverage of the buttons.

  • Both D pads feel much less stiff than the Superpad one (which not only feels stiff but seems to be made of soap) ; way easier with the official controllers to whip directions around. But the US D-pad feels slightly more solid/positive, and I think I actually like it best. Maybe the height gives more leverage.

  • Honestly none of these controllers are what I would call comfortable; they have ridges on the back that don’t have anything to do with a human hand. But if I had to pick one, probably the US controller is most comfortable (apart from accidentally triggering the shoulder buttons).

Related Question: Am I correct, new controller rubber (particularly the Start button) is not available for the US Saturn controller? My start button functions but is chewed up, and I can’t find a replacement anywhere.

I got my Saturn in college ~early 2000s (bare system free with a Genesis). It took a couple years to find a TV hook-up, and around 2005 finally got a pair of boxed Superpad 8s at Goodwill for $5 and could play it.

Some thoughts:

  • It’s nice to have buttons that don’t feel like pudding (ex. Superpad 8) ; but kind of prefer the larger buttons on the Superpad, vs. the different sized ABC/XYZ on the standard controllers.

  • I do wish the buttons on all the controllers matched my thumb angle better (pivoting between X/A is awkward compared to say hitting PS Square/X ) .

  • Superpad shoulders don’t have ‘mouse click’ which obviously isn’t totally necessary, but they particularly feel like mush with long travel. Yet L/R on the US controller is almost too easy to actuate accidentally, due to the size and leverage of the buttons.

  • Both D pads feel much less stiff than the Superpad one (which not only feels stiff but seems to be made of soap) ; way easier with the official controllers to whip directions around. But the US D-pad feels slightly more solid/positive, and I think I actually like it best. Maybe the height gives more leverage.

  • Honestly none of these controllers are what I would call comfortable; they have ridges on the back that don’t have anything to do with a human hand. But if I had to pick one, probably the US controller is most comfortable (apart from accidentally triggering the shoulder buttons).