/vr/ - Retro Games

>>7701029
>>>7701017
>That's true. USB first hit the market in 1996. Crazy to think it's been around that long.

Windows 95 USB support was really bad. Microsoft really didn't get their shit together with USB until Windows 98se on the 9x kernel. But I think Windows NT did have better USB support. USB 2.0 was not available until 2001. Windows 98/ME supports USB 1.1.

>>7701007
>In all a cool controller for that time.
>But the D-Pad sucked hard. It had a slight rotation where you also automatically pressed the wrong direction. Especially noticeable in precise games or Emulation.
>Early Xbox controllers had slightly the same shitty problem.


This was a general issue with most gamepads at the time. There was trial and error in developing d-pad designs that would not infringe on existing patents. Gravis licensed the PS1 controller design from Sony, but still had to use their own d-pad design. They remind me of the 8-bit SMS controller d-pads, but circular. I used one for PS1 emulation, and the buttons are sturdy on those controllers and have a responsive click. The d-pad would have all sorts of issues. Though the thumbstick nub did actually help.

>>7701207
>Is that right silver circle an actual analog nub or is it there purely for show?


That is what's known as an "8-way hat", something that was common on flight sticks for PC. They were used for navigating menus, and such.They function like an 8-way dpad, or just 8-additional buttons. Microsoft's Direct-input API supports them.

>>6301983
I'm not going to google obscure NES controllers for you. Here's my favorite. This isn't watchmojo, zoom.
>bwuhu
It was made for you, nintendo finally realized d-pads were garbage and finally they were free to produce a tablet

>>4787031

It has one of the spongiest d-pads I have ever used on a gamepad. The Gravis Gamepad Pro has the same garbage d-pad but with more buttons and uses a PS1 style design.