Remembering the iconic SEGA Genesis controller

When I was little and first getting into gaming, I remember being gifted the SEGA Genesis console that I still own today. At the time, I was a huge fan of the movie Toy Story. Therefore, my parents surprised me with not only the console, but a bundle of games that included the video game tie-in for the film.

A grin the size of Texas stretched across my face, and my tiny feet raced to the box of games. I rummaged around the dusty shoebox stacked full of classics until I emerged with my copy of Toy Story for the SEGA Genesis. After a few failed attempts of getting the game to work, and upon multiple takes of me blowing into the cartridge (if that doesn’t make you feel nostalgic, I don’t know what will) I finally clicked the game into the console and watched as the SEGA logo glowed across the screen.

I sat on the floor and grabbed the legendary three-button controller the Genesis is known for and was immediately struck by how comfortable the smooth black controller fit into the palms of my hands. It was much better than what I was used to, that’s for sure. Up to this point, the only console I ever played on was the Nintendo 64, and although that controller is highly unique, I think it’s safe to say it wasn’t the most intuitive experience to play with.

Looking back at the SEGA Genesis, there’s a lot that could be talked about. It’s one of the most important video game consoles of all time, being the first to truly rival the industry giant Nintendo. And due to the aggressive competition against Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros series, the SEGA Genesis introduced unsuspecting gamers to blast-processing speed of Sonic the Hedgehog. However, I think one overlooked feature of the SEGA Genesis that needs to be discussed more is the controller.

SEGA’s controller does what Nintendon’t

The SEGA Genesis (known everywhere outside of North America as the SEGA Mega Drive) was initially released in Japan in 1988. By 1990, the console made its way across North America and Europe. The original controller launched with the Genesis had three main face buttons (labeled “A,” “B” and “C”), alongside a Start button and directional pad.

One of the major noticeable features that made the Genesis controller unique compared to Nintendo was the size. Because SEGA wanted to position their product as the “cool console” for older adolescents, they made the controller for it significantly larger than what people at the time were used to if they previously played on the Nintendo Entertainment System. Along with the size, the SEGA Genesis controller, like the console itself, was given a sleek black to further appeal to their target demographic.

The seamless design of the SEGA Genesis controller didn’t stop at its color and size, however. The controller was built with a smooth curve and a slight dip in the back that allowed the players’ hands to rest comfortably while playing. That’s a significant upgrade to gamers used to being stabbed in the hand by the sharp angles of Nintendo’s original controller.

Each of the three main buttons was also indented and had a texture that gave gamers a comfortable grip on their thumbs while playing. The directional pad was designed similarly with its texture and a hole in the middle that allowed players to rest their thumbs comfortably.

We need more buttons!

As nice as the original SEGA Genesis controller sounds, it wasn’t without a glaring problem. Fans of fighting games, such as Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat, most certainly wanted to pick a fight with someone at SEGA because the original three-button layout definitely complicated things. The arcade cabinets for these titles at the time would have six buttons for players to punch and kick their opponents in a variety of combinations. Good luck trying to toggle between punches and kicks with only three buttons.

In 1993, SEGA rectified the situation by adding three additional buttons. The new buttons were positioned on the controller just above the original three. The buttons were also easier to distinguish due to being raised a bit higher and sized a bit smaller.

This new controller also saw some other changes. The most notable change is the overall size of the controller is smaller than the original Genesis controller. The shrinking of the SEGA Genesis controller is definitely a downgrade, since its larger size was partially what gave it a competitive advantage. However, aside from some minor changes in the positioning of the start button and the design of areas surrounding the directional pad and face buttons, the controller remains similar to its predecessor.

Atari Genesis?

Yes. You read that correctly. Another feature the SEGA Genesis controller is known for is its ability to connect to and work with the Atari 2600. The reason this works is because both companies used a 9-pin D-connector for their controller ports when designing their consoles. At the time, those connectors were industry standard.

When playing the Atari with a SEGA Genesis controller, the directional pad acts as the joystick, and each of the face buttons are programmed to perform the same task. That shouldn’t come as a shock to anybody considering how the Atari 2600 controller is known for having just one button. Still, it is quite satisfying to play games like Pitfall and Donkey Kong with a SEGA Genesis controller.

The Genesis controller’s legacy

Overall, the SEGA Genesis will continue to be remembered as one of the most important consoles in history. And both of the controllers for the Genesis will be remembered fondly for their groundbreaking design. The controller was strategically designed with the end-user in mind, and it undoubtedly inspired future console developers when designing their controllers as well.

The legacy of the SEGA Genesis and its controller cannot be understated. The curved edges of the Genesis controller, and the size geared towards older gamers paved the way for videogame controllers as we know them today. Plus, how many console developers can say their controller works with a system from a different company?

What do you love most about the SEGA Genesis controller? Is it as good as I say or do you think it’s overrated? Let us know!