What was the best control pad?

[Spector]

I've played with the original white controller and also the turbo duo, and for me the turbo duo one is definitely better; it seems more substantial. It also allows you to use the added credits option on R-Type 

But in your opinion, PCE lovers, what control pad for the console, be it US or Japan, was the best? Which one do you use?

[Black Tiger]

I've played with the original white controller and also the turbo duo, and for me the turbo duo one is definitely better; it seems more substantial. It also allows you to use the added credits option on R-Type 

But in your opinion, PCE lovers, what control pad for the console, be it US or Japan, was the best? Which one do you use?

The PC Engine Turbo pads, which are the same as the North American pads.

[FM-77]

There's a difference?

[nat]

White pads - original, no Turbo (!!!) switches, buttons I and II only
Grey pads - color matched to SuperGrafx and CoreGrafx systems, had blue writing/markings, Turbo, I and II
Black pad (TG) - the same as the Grey pads with black plastic and writing coloration that matched the TurboGrafx-16, large DIN plug
Black pad (Duo) - same as above with white "TurboDuo" logo and mini DIN plug
Avenue Pad 3 - buttons I-III
Avenue Pad 6 - buttons I-VI

I think that's about it for the NEC-released pads, not counting the joysticks.

Personally, I like the Avenue Pad 6 for most all of my gaming needs. The pad is larger and has a better design, IMHO, than the smaller pads. Larger (to a point) always gets points in my book. I like how the Turbo switches are on the opposite side so I can use my left thumb to toggle them without having to take my right off the button. If I can't use my Avenue 6, then it really doesn't matter which one I use, since they all have the same physical dimensions. Although if I'm playing a shooter it better not be a white pad.

[termis]

I also like the standard 2 button Duo pad. 

The Avenue 6 isn't so high on my list.  Most of the games use two buttons, and buttons I and II are way down in the corner which seem to be in a bit less "natural" position than the regular game pad.

I've heard good things about the Hori pad, and the RX pad as well, but haven't tried either one of them.  To me, the RX pad looks to be gold seal of PCE gaming pads.

There are all kinds of interesting ones up for bids here.

[grahf]

I really like the avenue 3 pad for some reason.

[vestcoat]

Yeah, I stopped using my Avenue 6 pads when I got my Hori pads.  They feel better and it's easier to pull off special moves on SF2 with turbo switches for all of the buttons.
I've never used one, but last time this topic came up the consensus was that the RX pads are a step up in sheer awesomeness from even the Hori pads.  Of course, that's probably just because the handful of nerds who actually own RX pads are trying to impress us and justify their fifty dollar per pad expenditure.   

I recently saw a controller for the TurboGrafx LaserActive selling for $100.  Damn those things look cool.  Are they any different from regular turbo pads?

Finally, does anyone out there actually have the Acemore Freedom 16 joystick with the limited-edition Bonk head that was advertised in the back of Bantam's TG16 game encyclopedia?

[grahf]

I have both the Hori Fighting Commander 6button pad, and the RX pad (which i just bought from merriman_bk). 
The RX pad is extremly comfortable to hold. I was really impressed by it, probably one of the most comfortable pads ever. That said, I think the Hori pad has a slightly better dpad.

[SignOfZeta]

White pads - original, no Turbo (!!!) switches, buttons I and II only
Grey pads - color matched to SuperGrafx and CoreGrafx systems, had blue writing/markings, Turbo, I and II
Black pad (TG) - the same as the Grey pads with black plastic and writing coloration that matched the TurboGrafx-16, large DIN plug
Black pad (Duo) - same as above with white "TurboDuo" logo and mini DIN plug
Avenue Pad 3 - buttons I-III
Avenue Pad 6 - buttons I-VI

The US pads are actually slightly larger than the JP ones. I can't remember if its just the TurboPad, or if the DuoPad is like that too. Its a very slight difference, but its there.

As for favorite pad, I really don't know. I have some Core II pads, a DuoPad, a TurboPad...but they are all pretty much the same. I have an Avenue 6, but I don't like it much.

[nat]

The US pads are actually slightly larger than the JP ones. I can't remember if its just the TurboPad, or if the DuoPad is like that too. Its a very slight difference, but its there.

As for favorite pad, I really don't know. I have some Core II pads, a DuoPad, a TurboPad...but they are all pretty much the same. I have an Avenue 6, but I don't like it much.

Hey, you're right. Never noticed that before.

Both US (regular and Duo) pads are larger than the Japanese counterparts. I think the US TG16 and Duo pads are actually the exact same pad (casing and hardware) with a different overlay and cable.

[WoodyXP]

I like the RX followed by the Hori. The RX is comfortable to hold and the Hori has the 'slow mo' button that bails me
out of jams when I'm about the die...hahahah..

[Necromancer]

White pads - original, no Turbo (!!!) switches, buttons I and II only
Grey pads - color matched to SuperGrafx and CoreGrafx systems, had blue writing/markings, Turbo, I and II
Black pad (TG) - the same as the Grey pads with black plastic and writing coloration that matched the TurboGrafx-16, large DIN plug
Black pad (Duo) - same as above with white "TurboDuo" logo and mini DIN plug
Avenue Pad 3 - buttons I-III
Avenue Pad 6 - buttons I-VI

I think that's about it for the NEC-released pads, not counting the joysticks.

Don't forget the goofy shuttle controller.  Has anybody used this thing and found it to be any more (or less) comfortable?

I recently saw a controller for the TurboGrafx LaserActive selling for $100.  Damn those things look cool.  Are they any different from regular turbo pads?

I don't believe that they are any different, other than the labeling.  NEC released there own version of the CLD-A100 called the PDE-LD1, which was the same except for labeling and NEC branded controller.

Personally, I use IR controllers or DuoPads.

[merriman_bk]

For 6 button: duo-rx pad, for 2 button I actually like the battle pad most of the controllers I've tried.  It's ugly as hell but it's a bit wider and allows a more comfortable grip.

[FM-77]

What did the Duo-R originally come with? I have a grey/greenish Coregrafx-styled pad which I assume isn't the "original" one.

[_joshuaTurbo]

Avenue Pad 6 is my fav!