The greatest D-pad of the generation

The humble D-pad. It's been a mainstay of video game controls since time immemorial, and even in this era of 3D games, it continues to be an indispensable form of video game control.

For such a simple control layout - really, it's four switches on a pivot in a + shape, how hard can it be, guys - it's gotten horrifically wrong a whole lot of times. Like, there really only ever are one or two good D-pads per generation, just about everything else turns out to be an exercise in unwanted video game controller mutations.

What about this generation? What is the best D-pad this generation? Allow me to humbly submit for consideration:

The PS Vita Dpad is incredible. It's actually literally perfect. It is my favorite Dpad of all time. One of my big beefs with the DualShock 4 is that Sony ditched this bit of great hardware engineering, and went with an inferior design. That makes me mad. That makes me very mad.

Other D-pads this generation I liked would be the one on the New 3DS XL, the Wii U Gamepad/Pro, and the DualShock 4, even though it's outshone by the Vita's so badly. Ones I really didn't care for would be all non New 3DS model ones, as well as the Xbox One controller one (although I guess that one is a step up from the Xbox 360 dpad- still a killer controller, though).

What about you guys? What's the GOAT dpad... of the generation?

Haven't played the Vita.

I'd go with DS4 followed closely by WiiU Pro.

Though if I'm playing 2d games on PC I just roll with either the Saturn pad or the symmetrical Hori Commander pad, both of which outclass every other dpad in existence by a substantial margin lol. They're even good enough to play competitive fighting games without discomfort or execution hiccups.

Why Sony, MS, or Nintendo won't buy out the rights to the Saturn Dpad boggles my mind. It's pure perfection.

@ConanTheStoner: Yeah, I keep meaning to hunt down a Saturn, play some imports. Seems like 2D gaming paradise, and a system cannot realistically be that if it has a shit Dpad.

Definitely check out the Vita if you get the chance, if only to mess around with the Dpad lol. It is very literally perfect.

The disk d-pad on the Xbox One Elite controller is the best imo. The Vita one is good too, but what the hell is there to play that takes advantage of it? And putting your left thumb on the d-pad makes the left shoulder button un-usable/cramp inducing for anyone with adult sized hands.

@GoldenElementXL: I think Elite Controller's is the best one, too. And you can replace it up to your liking as well.

@charizard1605:

Yeah, Saturn isn't a bad console to pick up if you find one on the cheap, plenty of nice gems to be played.

Honestly though, I'm not even a big fan of the system, it's the controller itself that stands the test of time lol.

Hardly use the d-pad.

this, the disk is great

Great D-Pads

My favorite D-Pad of all time is on the Wii remote/DS Lite/DSi. This gen though, I would have to give it to the DS4 followed by the Nintendo gamepad.

meh, it all works the same, inventory select and all, same as last gen, let's stop pretending it matters, it was all just ammunition for cows to shit on the Xbox 360 any way they could, and I'm sure most cows knew it was that and only that, but don't start believing your own BS, remember your 4th Crack Commandment, "thoust shall not get high onst his own supply"

@ConanTheStoner: Finding a complete Saturn set for cheap isn't so easy, though. At least not in Europe anyway. I really wanted to get one for years. Btw Dreamcast is so much less expensive...but then again no wonder since it sold so much better.

What? Dpads are eesential for 2D games and fighters. It's fine if you don't play those kinds of games, but they exist, and they form a substantial portion of each system's library, that the quality of the Dpad is a legitimate avenue of discussion (and criticism).

Nice one charizard, before clicking on the thread, I thought I'd see a console controllers d-pad right away, but the d-pad that immediately popped into my mind was Vitas.

It's a lot smaller that the regular Dualshock d-pad, but this also means the buttons are placed close together, which is really neat.

WiiUs d-pad is also not bad:

I don't really like 3DS d-pad, its position is really low on the device. Which means that even for 2D platformers I often find myself just simply using the analog stick :O

@charizard1605: does the Vita have the pressure sensitive d-pad like the ps3/ps2, or is it an all digital one like the ps4/xbox?

It's purely digital, I am pretty sure.

I play a ton of fighting games so a good dpad is a must (haven't broke down and bought a stick yet) and the ps3 and 4 have the best dpads.

The Saturn sold more than the Dreamcast- 9.26 million for the Saturn vs 9.13 million for the Dreamcast.

@charizard1605: I was talking about Europe the entire time and Saturn had dismal sales there.

Ah. Yeah, really, the Saturn had terrible sales everywhere outside of Japan, in that case. Japan really carried that system.

The one on the Xbone Elite controller is by far the best.

PS4 Dualshock has a damn good D-Pad. Much better than previous DS D-Pads.

If you're not in a hurry to buy a stick (understandable really), I can't recommend this controller enough:

It has a far sturdier build quality than the Dualshock 4 and for fighting games the difference is night and day. Infinitely better Dpad along with a much more suitable button layout.

I'd recommend the USB Saturn pad which has an even better Dpad, but I'm not sure if it works on the PS4.

You're right, when it comes to standard controller Dpads for fighting games, Sony has it on lock, but it's a tallest midget contest really. All modern standard controller Dpads suck, Sonys just suck less.

You're right, for most modern games, Dpad quality is a non-issue. That's why every time you see these threads 90% of the responses are just people blindly voting for the controller that goes with their favorite console.

But for people who do play a lot of 2d games, especially fast paced beat em ups and fighters, the comfort and precision of a quality Dpad makes a world of difference.

People will name drop Xbox and PS controllers all day. But it's like ok, show me a video of you pulling off 20 spd's in a row from each direction, then 50 srk's in a row from each direction, without fail. And if you happen to miraculously pull that off, then tell me your thumb doesn't feel like shit lol.

Dpads are mostly an afterthought for console makers now. Sony is still the best of the bunch, but you gotta buy 3rd party if you really want quality.

All the current-gen consoles have good d-pads imo, not any of that X360 nonsense. I like the clicky d-pad on the Xbone controller, feels nice man.

@ConanTheStoner: Thanks, gonna look into that. I really want a stick, but I can't bring myself to drop $300 or so on a really nice one (one that would work on my ps3 and 4).

@vfighter:

Yeah, no prob man. I own one myself, and even though I prefer using a stick, it's still an excellent pad.

If you do end up looking for an affordable stick though, the Hori RAP4 is one of the best on the market, regardless of price. It's $150 and is of a much higher quality than a lot of the sticks that cost more. Like the Madcatz TE sticks for instance (the biggest competitor), they are great sticks, just as good as the Hori, but the price is inflated by hype. The actual joystick and buttons are the same quality as the Hori, but the chassis on the TEs' is actually much cheaper quality lol.

But yeah, the RAP4 has a toggle switch for PS3/PS4/PC. Just make sure you check before you order because some models apparently don't have that function.

Such an excellent stick though.

(sorry I'm just OCD about quality input devices lol)

People bought the Vita?

In terms of best dpad, Nintendo dominates. If we argue position of the dpad, that's a whole other story. NES for me. I also thought the Genesis had a great dpad

3DS XL and Wii U Pro Controller d-pads are amazing. Honestly don't like the Vita's dpad while we're at it.

I like the Dreamcast D-pad back in the old days but Xbox Elite Controller's D-pad is where it's at. PlayStaion D-pad was a pain in the ass when playing games with Tank control layout but until the first ever duel analog came along for PlayStation that use it well from Ape Escape, it change how we move out characters now without ever using the D-pad.

Xbox Elite Controller D-pad>Dreamcast Controller D-pad.

PS3/SNES has the best D-Pads.

The worst was the GameCube controller by a long shot.

The Saturn controller's D-pad.

SNES is my favorite I think. I still use mine for 2D games sometimes on top of the other usual uses.... the swappable one on the XOne Elite controller is pretty decent.

I think all of the current consoles have great D-pads. It's hard to choose. To me it's a two way tie. PSVita, and PS4. I would have to narrow it down to the system that I play the most fighting games on. So by that logic the PSVita wins by a narrow margin.

The best D-pad of all time goes to the Saturn. God help me, I do love my Saturn.

Everyone does good dpads this gen except Microsoft. They might as well not include a dpad.

Yes but not the Xbox Elite controller D-pad though.

Yeah, the D-pad on the Vita is amazing. Not sure why they didn't use it on the DS4, but that was a mistake.

I find the D-pad's DS4 to be amazing in my opinion and it works really well when playing fighting games like Injustice: Gods Among Us.

My criticism of the Vita's d-pad would be that it is too small and that prevents it from being the best. My favorite d-pad this generation is the PS4's d-pad.

The greatest d-pad of all time is the Sega Saturn's d-pad.

Favorite d-pad: Wii U Pro controller.

There isn't a d-pad this gen that I hated. PS4 and the Wii U tablet are great too.

Overall best d-pad: Sega Saturn Model 2 controller.

The d-pad on all 3DS models is equally shit, you numpty.

But yeah, the Vita D-pad tho.

Everyone does good dpads this gen except Sony. They might as well not include a dpad.

Everyone does good dpads this gen except Nintendo. They might as well not include a dpad.

got all our bases covered now

Best D-pad for this gen easily is: