Still yearning for Dreamcast 2? You're retarded.

[Ack]

Okay, well everyone get out your Dreamcast controllers... see that little semi-spherical indention in the D-pad. Put your thumb in the center of the D-pad and center your weight around that indention. The pad of your thumb never needs to leave this general position. As in, your thumb doesn't have to go all the way to the bottom of the down "arrow" to input a "down command" or all the way to the end of the right "arrow" to input a "right command" -- just keep your thumb in that little indention and shift its weight. I promise you'll never scrape your thumbs up on a Dreamcast D-pad ever again.

Now how many of you will admit that this made you pull out a DC controller and mess with it? I know I did.

[Czernobog]

Okay, well everyone get out your Dreamcast controllers... see that little semi-spherical indention in the D-pad. Put your thumb in the center of the D-pad and center your weight around that indention. The pad of your thumb never needs to leave this general position. As in, your thumb doesn't have to go all the way to the bottom of the down "arrow" to input a "down command" or all the way to the end of the right "arrow" to input a "right command" -- just keep your thumb in that little indention and shift its weight. I promise you'll never scrape your thumbs up on a Dreamcast D-pad ever again.

Now how many of you will admit that this made you pull out a DC controller and mess with it? I know I did.

Guilty. Didn't play any games, but sat there rolling my thumb around the D-pad for about ten minutes.

[irixith]

Okay, well everyone get out your Dreamcast controllers... see that little semi-spherical indention in the D-pad. Put your thumb in the center of the D-pad and center your weight around that indention. The pad of your thumb never needs to leave this general position. As in, your thumb doesn't have to go all the way to the bottom of the down "arrow" to input a "down command" or all the way to the end of the right "arrow" to input a "right command" -- just keep your thumb in that little indention and shift its weight. I promise you'll never scrape your thumbs up on a Dreamcast D-pad ever again.

Now -- I will say that although the Dreamcast's D-pad is tremendous if you know how to use it, there is a slight problem in design if people have to be "taught" how to use it -- these things should be more universally intuitive. Personally, I always "got" how to use the pad comfortably and effectively, but lots'a smart and experienced gamers get burned on it.

Awww, you were doing so well with your other post, you just had to go and ruin it. You realize you just described how to use every d-pad there has ever been, right? The pain the Dreamcast controller is not related to "you're doing it wrong", it's related to "the controller is a big steaming turd with liquid bits and corn on top". The controller is very large, while the buttons are very small. The controller was clearly not designed with any sort of "ergonomics" involved. I think I've noted elsewhere on the forum that it's one of the only controllers that causes physical pain to play with. It's not just that sharp d-pad, it's the fact that you can't get your hands around it anywhere in a comfortable position without getting cramped up. I don't know what kind of dainty, childlike thumbs you have, but my thumb certainly doesn't sit comfortably in the middle of that minuscule piece of plastic!

The problem with arguing ANYTHING about controllers is that it all comes down largely to two things -- preference and your hands. For example, I find the PS2 dualshock to be very comfortable to hold on to, and all the buttons have just the right amount of travel for my fingers to reach without straining. Do I think it's the best controller out there? No..but it's very, very comfortable to hold even for very long periods of time, so it tends to be a go-to. Someone else might say "fuck you, the PS2 controller sucks".

It's pretty universally accepted that the Dreamcast controller stinks, even though the reasons may vary from person to person. If you love it, you are definitely the exception, and in a very small fellow minority. You should post a picture of those deformed, dainty, childlike hands so that we all know what we need to have the Dreamcast controller be comfortable.

[brunoafh]

I think I've noted elsewhere on the forum that it's one of the only controllers that causes physical pain to play with.

The DS also causes me physical discomfort.

[irixith]

I think I've noted elsewhere on the forum that it's one of the only controllers that causes physical pain to play with.

The DS also causes me physical discomfort.

I found both the original and the lite to be uncomfortable for different reasons. Ironically, the massive XL is just perfect. The screens are wonderful, the weight is right..

I probably finished at least 30 games when I got the XL. :p

[fastbilly1]

I found both the original and the lite to be uncomfortable for different reasons. Ironically, the massive XL is just perfect. The screens are wonderful, the weight is right..

I probably finished at least 30 games when I got the XL. :p

I thought the lite was terrible. The original was just off slightly, not enough to complain too much though. But I agree, the XL is perfect.

[brunoafh]

Maybe I'll look into an XL sometime. I literally have to pause the game and rest my fingers sometimes while I'm trying to play Mega Man Zero on the DS.

[alienjesus]

I never owned a DS Lite, but the original DS and the DSi fit my hands nicely.

I agree with the dislike of the dreamcast pad though, the buttons dont click down far enough, the stick feels uncomfortable and the d pad feels inaccurate - which for sega is a big let down, as I love the master system, mega drive and saturn control pads, even if some don't.

The main issue for me is the size - its too big. Only other controls I have that issue with are the XBox controller and the 3D Saturn controller - they just feel really uncomfy to hold having to stretch my hand over them so much.

[BoringSupreez]

Okay, well everyone get out your Dreamcast controllers... see that little semi-spherical indention in the D-pad. Put your thumb in the center of the D-pad and center your weight around that indention. The pad of your thumb never needs to leave this general position. As in, your thumb doesn't have to go all the way to the bottom of the down "arrow" to input a "down command" or all the way to the end of the right "arrow" to input a "right command" -- just keep your thumb in that little indention and shift its weight. I promise you'll never scrape your thumbs up on a Dreamcast D-pad ever again.

Now -- I will say that although the Dreamcast's D-pad is tremendous if you know how to use it, there is a slight problem in design if people have to be "taught" how to use it -- these things should be more universally intuitive. Personally, I always "got" how to use the pad comfortably and effectively, but lots'a smart and experienced gamers get burned on it.

Awww, you were doing so well with your other post, you just had to go and ruin it. You realize you just described how to use every d-pad there has ever been, right?

Not the Playstation controllers. You have to move your thumb on that one. Which is why I hate the Playstation's d-pad.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Not the Playstation controllers. You have to move your thumb on that one. Which is why I hate the Playstation's d-pad.

Not for me. I have large thumbs that fit right into position.