The GHZ Forum

I've been thinking of getting a USB enabled Sega Saturn controller for Sonic's 20th anniversary. I'm not interested in paying for three months to play Sega and that means looking on eBay for one. Any recommendations on what to look for? I've heard anything by retro link is absolute garbage.

Yeah, avoid Retrolink and that's pretty much it. What you're looking for is the Sega logo on the front and an SLS sticker on the back. Those are solid enough, but I still suspect their authenticity when the D-pad on mine eventually caved in about 6 months later. But I'm the sort of guy who plays so hard that dead skin flakes up around the buttons every time I play, so it might last you a while if you're gentle.

Right now, I wouldn't settle for anything less than an actual controller with some sort of USB converter, like a Bliss-Box or the now thoroughly extinct MayFlash. I'm going to be stuck with a PS3 controller for a while!

I swear, the Internet is sold out of those adapters. Maybe I should just use my Madcatz TE instead.

Bliss-Box isn't something you can just buy, it's a guy taking commissions. Check the product page for pricing, then send him an email and hope he isn't swamped with orders.

I was referring to Joy-Box not Bliss-Box. It I actually found what appeared to be a genuine Sega Saturn USB controller it has the Sega logo on the front but not the SLS sticker on the back so it's probably not truly genuine. With the current popularity of fighting games you think Sega would be manufacturing these themselves. A lot of the people on the SRK forms that they are a great, low cost, alternative to an arcade stick. Of course it wouldn't be said that if they ignored ignored demand that wasn't blatantly obvious.

Also do you think the that either of these adapters could get my Dreamcast steering wheel controller to work with Gran Turismo 5?

The Saturn controller wouldn't be my first choice for bringing into the USB age. It's possibly just a compatibility issue with my hands, but it feels lumpy and unpleasant to me. Now the second-revision Megadrive controller, that's another story. I used to have a clone of that controller for the PC made by a third party, but it's game port only. Woe.

M.C.Dillinger wrote:I was referring to Joy-Box not Bliss-Box. It I actually found what appeared to be a genuine Sega Saturn USB controller it has the Sega logo on the front but not the SLS sticker on the back so it's probably not truly genuine. With the current popularity of fighting games you think Sega would be manufacturing these themselves. A lot of the people on the SRK forms that they are a great, low cost, alternative to an arcade stick. Of course it wouldn't be said that if they ignored ignored demand that wasn't blatantly obvious.

Also do you think the that either of these adapters could get my Dreamcast steering wheel controller to work with Gran Turismo 5?

Actually, Mad Catz did do this. Looks similar enough and it probably won't break on you, but I don't know if it's a worthy successor. Looks a bit thick, you just can't trust D-pads these days, and it isn't exactly a steal if you're buying it new. It's there if you're feeling adventurous, though!

No idea about the Dreamcast steering wheel thing. Specialized controllers like that can be a bit iffy with adapters, you'll have to ask the guy himself about that.

Farmer wrote:The Saturn controller wouldn't be my first choice for bringing into the USB age. It's possibly just a compatibility issue with my hands, but it feels lumpy and unpleasant to me.

Lumpy? Unpleasant? You must be talking about the first model, which is wrong. This is the one you want. Unless that's the one you were talking about. It wasn't, was it? Because I've got some choice expletives for you in that case. You're gonna love this trip, man. Tear the frame on that pussy.

It's been forever since I last held a Saturn controller in my hands (the good one, and even longer for the crappy one), and since then I'm afraid I got way too used to grips. If I had one right now (or any of the Mega Drive/Genesis ones) I can imagine myself not feeling it all that comfortable to hold anymore.

It'd totally kick ass to have an actually smart and well thought out redesign, following the Xbox 360 controller's general shape but ditching the analog sticks and bumpers, and sporting an ultra-high quality D-pad and six big, concave face buttons.

Is there a place to get the Saturn USB controllers for a decent price? I checked recently and they're all outrageously expensive now.

If I recall, the Sega made US the Saturn pads were manufactured in limited quantities in 2003. Street fighter IV caused a very high for any controller suitable to fighting games. I'm sure there are very few truly genuine Saturn controllers left.

Also I'm aware of Madcatz' streetfighter fight pad and it has a very poor reputation on the SRK forms. I'll just use my Madcatz TE im pretty sure it's the only good thing Madcatz has made.