3 and 6 button controllers?

[csgx1]

The Blaster pad looks like a nicely shaped controller.  I'm curious to know how the d-pad feels.  It looks very similar to the original NES d-pad.

I'm assuming it's not made by NEC.....Anyone know who makes it? 

[rag-time4]

I can think of exactly zero instances where you'd ever need turbo functionality on buttons III-VI.

I was just thinking about this, and there is definitely a use for turbo switches on other buttons. With a default button layout in Street Fighter II', the I and II buttons that have turbo are roundhouse (hard) kick and forward (medium) kick. None of the punch buttons have turbo, so if you were playing characters like blanka or honda you wont be able to use turbo to activate electricity or the hundred hand slap.

Also since jab (light) punch and short (light) kick do not have turbo, characters like ryu, ken, or zangief cant use turbo to execute rapid shorts or jabs.

[nat]

The Blaster pad looks like a nicely shaped controller.  I'm curious to know how the d-pad feels.  It looks very similar to the original NES d-pad.

I'm assuming it's not made by NEC.....Anyone know who makes it?  

Another interesting note on the ACE Blaster [...]

Interestingly enough, the feel of the D-Pad is indeed similar to that of a standard NES pad.

[DragonmasterDan]

I like the size, shape and feel of the Blaster 3 button pads. The 3rd button toggle switch on these is also well hidden along the bottom edge of the controller.

On the other hand, the one and only Blaster I've ever owned just recently started exhibiting weird symptoms. Up won't work unless you press it really hard (or at the right angle), and games keep pausing randomly on their own (assuming because the "RUN" button keeps getting triggered somehow).

I took the thing apart and cleaned it (though it wasn't really dirty to begin with), made sure everything was in order, and put it back together but it still does this. I'm at the point where I think it might actually be some sort of logic or PCB issue.

Since this is the only Blaster I've ever owned, I have no idea if these things are prone to breakdown or if I just got unlucky. I've owned it for years, and if you'd asked me a year ago, I would've suggested the Blaster without thinking twice.

I also like the Blaster 3, it looks a bit small but handles extremely well.

[GameFreak]

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEC-PC-Engine-Duo-R-Bundle-46-Game-Bundle-Turbo-Duo-PCE-/110722962690?pt=Video_Games&hash=item19c79a5502
-Whats up with the black and purple controller in this pic. Instead of turbo switches it has turbo buttons? Knock off?
-Also check out the boxed item marked "wireless joystick" made by Wontec. I would love to see whats in that box or possibly bid on it if it was sold separately from the lot. If anyone here gets the lot, I'll buy that wireless joystick from them!

[Necromancer]

I saw that one too, freak.  I'd wager both controllers are cheap knockoffs.

[GohanX]

I've been trying to find a good NEC Avenue 3 pad forever now, but with NCSX clearing out new Blaster pads for less than a used Ave3 I'm tempted. Does anyone know if you can swap the cable with a TG16 pad like you can on the stock controllers?

[Mishran]

Blaster looks like a good pad. Ordered me one as well. Should work great with Forgotten Worlds since its designed for 3 button support. the US version does support 3 button controllers too, doesn't it? I'd wager that since it has the same programming, it would.

[Black Tiger]

Blaster looks like a good pad. Ordered me one as well. Should work great with Forgotten Worlds since its designed for 3 button support. the US version does support 3 button controllers too, doesn't it? I'd wager that since it has the same programming, it would.

If something extra required real effort on the part of NEC/TTi, then it's safe to assume that they didn't bother. 

With that said, there is no special programming for 3 button games. The III button just becomes SELECT or whatever.

[Mishran]

With that said, there is no special programming for 3 button games. The III button just becomes SELECT or whatever.

Now that you mention it, I do remember reading that somewhere...

[Mishran]

Just got my Blaster in the mail and it looks like a 3 button nintendo controller with that d-pad. heh Trying to figure out what the switch at the bottom is for. Maybe to change from a 3 button to 2 button? Anyone?

[Mathius]

Got mine as well a few weeks back. I haven't used it yet as the only PCE hardware I own so far is a Super Grafx, and I haven't had a reason to hook it up yet.

[nat]

Just got my Blaster in the mail and it looks like a 3 button nintendo controller with that d-pad. heh Trying to figure out what the switch at the bottom is for. Maybe to change from a 3 button to 2 button? Anyone?

The switch at the bottom has three positions:

OFF - BUTTON III acts as SELECT - BUTTON III acts as RUN

Basically lets you use Button III for any game that uses RUN or SELECT as an action button, of which there are tons.

[blueraven]

The Avenue 6 is so epic.

[Mishran]

Got mine as well a few weeks back. I haven't used it yet as the only PCE hardware I own so far is a Super Grafx, and I haven't had a reason to hook it up yet.

Well toss it my way! I have 21 good reasons to hook it up sitting on my game shelf!

The switch at the bottom has three positions:

OFF - BUTTON III acts as SELECT - BUTTON III acts as RUN

Basically lets you use Button III for any game that uses RUN or SELECT as an action button, of which there are tons.

Sweet, thanks nat!