Jaguar Controllers

[+Sauron]

Just curious...why do so many people hate the Jaguar controllers? I always here people griping about the controllers whenever the subject of the Jaguar comes up, and I just don't get it. I always thought the controllers were comfortable. Not perfect, mind you, but not the least bit confusing, mostly responsive, and quite sturdy. I've never had a Jag controller break on me, which is something I can't say about many other controllers. The action buttons were well-placed, the d-pad was a decent size and accurate, and even the keypad served its purpose and didn't get in the way. On top of all of that, I think the Jag ProController is a thing of beauty, with the six action buttons, thinner overall design, and sturdier structure. I simply don't understand why the Jag controller always ends up on those "worst controllers of all time" lists. I'd say it's superior to many other controllers out there.

[nonner242]

Just curious...why do so many people hate the Jaguar controllers? I always here people griping about the controllers whenever the subject of the Jaguar comes up, and I just don't get it. I always thought the controllers were comfortable. Not perfect, mind you, but not the least bit confusing, mostly responsive, and quite sturdy. I've never had a Jag controller break on me, which is something I can't say about many other controllers. The action buttons were well-placed, the d-pad was a decent size and accurate, and even the keypad served its purpose and didn't get in the way. On top of all of that, I think the Jag ProController is a thing of beauty, with the six action buttons, thinner overall design, and sturdier structure. I simply don't understand why the Jag controller always ends up on those "worst controllers of all time" lists. I'd say it's superior to many other controllers out there.

 

We must have big hands! I love mine! Its some games that sucked!

[doctorclu]

Just never thought the Jaguar controllers sucked.

 

It's strange. Been playing on the 7800 and 5200... how Atari ever thought mashing buttons on the SIDE of the controller was ever comfortable is beyond anything I understand. The Jaguar has buttons on top with two handles on each side to grip the controller with. Nice nice. D pad action, great for side scrollers and all. No, I don't understand it either. The Jaguar controller, to me, was the only useful controller Atari came out with other than the 2600 joystick and the 7800 Dpad.

[BuddyBuddies]

the pro-controllers are SWEET! Jaguar Rules!

[Tweety]

Hmmm.... I don't really like the normal controller but I do like the pro-controller!

I have only one pro-controller and love to have more, just in case that one is going to joystick heaven.

Edited July 6, 2008 by Tweety

[Zerosquare]

I simply don't understand why the Jag controller always ends up on those "worst controllers of all time" lists. I'd say it's superior to many other controllers out there.

I bet most of those who write such lists have never actually used the Jag controllers.

 

Their reasoning probably goes something like this : "it's a failed console, the controllers are huge and have that clumsy-looking keypad, so they must be awful".

 

If they'd tried them seriously, they'd have at least noticed that the D-pad is less thumb-hurting than the Playstation's one (which is still often lauded as "the best controller" by many).

[kevincal]

I think the "Jaguar controllers suck and are the worst ever!!!" is a perfect example of "jumping on the bandwagon"... In all of videogames, I think the Jaguar system received the worst case of this. The are so many worse systems than the Jag, yet so many idiots choose to slag the Jag as the worst ever or one of the worst ever, which it really is not. It's somewhere solidly in the middle. The controller is fine. Again, not one of the best, but certainly not one of the worst.

 

Another reason people like to talk shit about the Jag, is because most in the videogame community know that the Jag has a hardcore following that like to defend the system. Some of these shit talkers are the idiotic type that just like to ruffle feathers for their own amusement. I'm convinced that most people who slag the Jag, it's games and controller probably have played the Jaguar very little or not at all! Grr...

[Tweety]

Just another thing... I have also a PS3 here (almost never play games on it) but the PS1, 2 and 3 controllers really suck, those are made for kids hands, not these big hands like mine

[dreamcastrip]

I got my first Pro Controller yesterday and rate it highly, not that a standard controller is bad. On the subject of PS3's controller, I own a Dual Shock 3 which I find to be excellent apart from the L2 & R2 analogue shoulder buttons which are too small or need a lip/ridge to stop fingers slipping off.

[Atari Smeghead]

We must have big hands! I love mine! Its some games that sucked!

 

Well, I have small hands and I have always loved the Jag controller. It's a perfect fit for me. I have the adaptor cable so I can use it on the A8. I still fancy the Slik Stik/Starfighter joystick for most A8 games, but some play quite well with the Jag pad.

 

The only problem I've ever had with one is my friend, who has large hands, tends to leave the controller sweaty. When we play games where we have to use the same controller, I have to keep a towel handy.

 

Cheers,

Smeg

[Gorf]

Just curious...why do so many people hate the Jaguar controllers? I always here people griping about the controllers whenever the subject of the Jaguar comes up, and I just don't get it. I always thought the controllers were comfortable. Not perfect, mind you, but not the least bit confusing, mostly responsive, and quite sturdy. I've never had a Jag controller break on me, which is something I can't say about many other controllers. The action buttons were well-placed, the d-pad was a decent size and accurate, and even the keypad served its purpose and didn't get in the way. On top of all of that, I think the Jag ProController is a thing of beauty, with the six action buttons, thinner overall design, and sturdier structure. I simply don't understand why the Jag controller always ends up on those "worst controllers of all time" lists. I'd say it's superior to many other controllers out there.

 

 

I for one think that those who say they suck are usually ones who never tried them.

That is not to say some are just being honest about it.I never liked the 'directional

pad' as I was spoiled long ago on the good old fashioned 2600 sticks. I remember with

a deep burn, hating the INTV controllers with that stupid joy disc. I think that might

have been very cool but the placement of everything was hellish to handle.

 

I never liked the NES/SNES/SEGA or any of those way to small joy pad shits.

Since I have to have the Jag Joy pad, I still by far prefer it over the other pad

based controllers out there. It's big and bulky and I for one like that. Makes me

feel like im holding something. Those NES controllers where the pits. The only plus

of any of those pad based ones are only when they have four buttons on the other

side for playing games like Robotron, Smash TV and such.

 

The Jaguar controller, even though a pad, is my favorite and to me the most

comfortable to hold. The only trouble I ever had with one is one cable got kinked.

Ive taken these apart and abused them like I did with the 2600 units, and like the 2600

units, they keep on ticking.

Edited July 7, 2008 by Gorf

[BuddyBuddies]

Just curious...why do so many people hate the Jaguar controllers? I always here people griping about the controllers whenever the subject of the Jaguar comes up, and I just don't get it. I always thought the controllers were comfortable. Not perfect, mind you, but not the least bit confusing, mostly responsive, and quite sturdy. I've never had a Jag controller break on me, which is something I can't say about many other controllers. The action buttons were well-placed, the d-pad was a decent size and accurate, and even the keypad served its purpose and didn't get in the way. On top of all of that, I think the Jag ProController is a thing of beauty, with the six action buttons, thinner overall design, and sturdier structure. I simply don't understand why the Jag controller always ends up on those "worst controllers of all time" lists. I'd say it's superior to many other controllers out there.

 

 

I for one think that those who say they suck are usually ones who never tried them.

That is not to say some are just being honest about it.I never liked the 'directional

pad' as I was spoiled long ago on the good old fashioned 2600 sticks. I remember with

a deep burn, hating the INTV controllers with that stupid joy disc. I think that might

have been very cool but the placement of everything was hellish to handle.

 

I never liked the NES/SNES/SEGA or any of those way to small joy pad shits.

Since I have to have the Jag Joy pad, I still by far prefer it over the other pad

based controllers out there. It's big and bulky and I for one like that. Makes me

feel like im holding something. Those NES controllers where the pits. The only plus

of any of those pad based ones are only when they have four buttons on the other

side for playing games like Robotron, Smash TV and such.

 

The Jaguar controller, even though a pad, is my favorite and to me the most

comfortable to hold. The only trouble I ever had with one is one cable got kinked.

Ive taken these apart and abused them like I did with the 2600 units, and like the 2600

units, they keep on ticking.

the Jag controller is #1 for durability

[Atari5200]

I think the "Jaguar controllers suck and are the worst ever!!!" is a perfect example of "jumping on the bandwagon"... In all of videogames, I think the Jaguar system received the worst case of this. The are so many worse systems than the Jag, yet so many idiots choose to slag the Jag as the worst ever or one of the worst ever, which it really is not. It's somewhere solidly in the middle. The controller is fine. Again, not one of the best, but certainly not one of the worst.

 

The controller is fine, nothing wrong with it at all. But I disagree with your assessment of the Jag itself, my opinion is that it is one of the worst systems ever, when you look on paper and see what it might have been capable of doing, then see what was released for it, it's pretty bad. Then compare it to other systems of the era and I think only the CD-I was worse. Even the 3do had better games. But still, the controllers are probably my favorite Atari system controllers, probably my 4th favorite overall.

Edited July 7, 2008 by Atari5200

[puppetmark]

The Jaguar controllers are all I use for my Atari computers / game consoles. I build a cable so I can use them with any atari system except for the 5200. It is also the only Atari controller that doesn't cramp my hand. Also, take a good look at the original x-box controller. Look familiar? Mybe its just a coincidence but the shape looks a lot like the jaguar controller, and we all know of Microsoft's record of ripping off technology!

Edited July 7, 2008 by puppetmark

[Tweety]

Here is another worst controller I ever played with, from the Colecovision, that stick was just to small, compared with that the Jaguar controller is a dream to handle.

[kevincal]

I think the "Jaguar controllers suck and are the worst ever!!!" is a perfect example of "jumping on the bandwagon"... In all of videogames, I think the Jaguar system received the worst case of this. The are so many worse systems than the Jag, yet so many idiots choose to slag the Jag as the worst ever or one of the worst ever, which it really is not. It's somewhere solidly in the middle. The controller is fine. Again, not one of the best, but certainly not one of the worst.

 

The controller is fine, nothing wrong with it at all. But I disagree with your assessment of the Jag itself, my opinion is that it is one of the worst systems ever, when you look on paper and see what it might have been capable of doing, then see what was released for it, it's pretty bad. Then compare it to other systems of the era and I think only the CD-I was worse. Even the 3do had better games. But still, the controllers are probably my favorite Atari system controllers, probably my 4th favorite overall.

 

No, the 3do might have a handfull more good games than the Jag, but the 3do has a TON of shit games... All that FMV crap... Here are some of the worst systems ever:

 

Action Max, Bandai Pippen, Fairchild Channel F, FM Towns Marty, Magnavox Odyssey,

NEC Super Grafx , Nintendo 64 DD, Nintendo Virtual Boy, NUON, Phillips CD-I, Pioneer LaserActive, Sega 32X...

 

I actually like some games on the Virtual Boy, NUON & 32X, but all of these systems have less than 50 games and some have less than 25... The Jaguar has well over 100 games now thanks to its thriving homebrew scene. Surely "one of the worst systems ever" wouldn't have a thriving fanbase still to this day as the Jaguar does! Would it? The Jaguar is a notch above these systems.

Edited July 7, 2008 by kevincal

[+Sauron]

No, the 3do might have a handfull more good games than the Jag, but the 3do has a TON of shit games... All that FMV crap...

 

To be fair, the Jag had quite a few shit games itself. However, I'd still have a hard time rating the 3DO as a better console than the Jag.

 

Here are some of the worst systems ever:

 

Action Max, Bandai Pippen, Fairchild Channel F, FM Towns Marty, Magnavox Odyssey,

NEC Super Grafx , Nintendo 64 DD, Nintendo Virtual Boy, NUON, Phillips CD-I, Pioneer LaserActive, Sega 32X...

 

I actually like some games on the Virtual Boy, NUON & 32X, but all of these systems have less than 50 games and some have less than 25... The Jaguar has well over 100 games now thanks to its thriving homebrew scene. Surely "one of the worst systems ever" wouldn't have a thriving fanbase still to this day as the Jaguar does! Would it? The Jaguar is a notch above these systems.

 

Gotta agree with this. There's too many other consoles that had much worse support than the Jag. I wouldn't ever go as far as to say that the Jag was a top tier system, but it's definitely better than all of the bottom-feeders listed above.

[Gorf]

I think the "Jaguar controllers suck and are the worst ever!!!" is a perfect example of "jumping on the bandwagon"... In all of videogames, I think the Jaguar system received the worst case of this. The are so many worse systems than the Jag, yet so many idiots choose to slag the Jag as the worst ever or one of the worst ever, which it really is not. It's somewhere solidly in the middle. The controller is fine. Again, not one of the best, but certainly not one of the worst.

 

The controller is fine, nothing wrong with it at all. But I disagree with your assessment of the Jag itself, my opinion is that it is one of the worst systems ever, when you look on paper and see what it might have been capable of doing, then see what was released for it, it's pretty bad. Then compare it to other systems of the era and I think only the CD-I was worse. Even the 3do had better games. But still, the controllers are probably my favorite Atari system controllers, probably my 4th favorite overall.

 

 

32 X? Virtual boy? Come now.

[Gorf]

The Jaguar controllers are all I use for my Atari computers / game consoles. I build a cable so I can use them with any atari system except for the 5200. It is also the only Atari controller that doesn't cramp my hand. Also, take a good look at the original x-box controller. Look familiar? Mybe its just a coincidence but the shape looks a lot like the jaguar controller, and we all know of Microsoft's record of ripping off technology!

 

 

Like everything they ever did and it is usually a really bad rip off at that.

Victims include, Linux, CP/M, GEM, Jaguar controller and Im sure I could think of others.

[Atari Smeghead]

Ive taken these apart and abused them like I did with the 2600 units, and like the 2600

units, they keep on ticking.

the Jag controller is #1 for durability

 

Yeah, I'll agree with the Jag controller being able to take a beating. I, er, have been known to get pissed off over a game or two (and I look kinda like that), and I've sent my fair share of controllers sailing across the room. I've broken Slik Stiks, and PS1/2 controllers. But the Jag pad has survived my tantrums.

 

Cheers,

Smeg

[CrazyChris]

http://sharkbitegames.tripod.com/woody.htm

[+Sauron]

LOL! Haven't seen that in a long time. I miss the JI2 days.

 

In all honesty though, I kinda preferred the UltraMegaHyperJagController.

 

http://sharkbitegames.tripod.com/umhjc.htm

[dreamcastrip]

The Jaguar controllers are all I use for my Atari computers / game consoles. I build a cable so I can use them with any atari system except for the 5200. It is also the only Atari controller that doesn't cramp my hand. Also, take a good look at the original x-box controller. Look familiar? Mybe its just a coincidence but the shape looks a lot like the jaguar controller, and we all know of Microsoft's record of ripping off technology!

 

 

Like everything they ever did and it is usually a really bad rip off at that.

Victims include, Linux, CP/M, GEM, Jaguar controller and Im sure I could think of others.

Microsoft ripped off Dreamcast's pad too with the Xbox 360 -

Edited July 8, 2008 by dreamcastrip

[Gorf]

Yeah, I'll agree with the Jag controller being able to take a beating. I, er, have been known to get pissed off over a game or two (and I look kinda like that), and I've sent my fair share of controllers sailing across the room. I've broken Slik Stiks, and PS1/2 controllers. But the Jag pad has survived my tantrums.

 

 

Back in my less cooler head days, I'd smash a few keyboards and mice. Lag in Quake on line pisses me off to no end.

I've only thrown the Jag controller one or twice and that was when playing Zero 5. All was fine with the pad except my

own shame taking out my fustrations on inanimate objects, especially one of my favorite ones. Shit happens.

[+remowilliams]

I'd have to agree that most people who bash the Jag pad, have never actually used one. Much like 99% of the system bashers. I've got big hands and the Jag pad is a nice fit. Though I liked the original Xbox controllers too.

 

Back in my less cooler head days, I'd smash a few keyboards and mice.

I usually don't take it out on inanimate objects, but I remember one stunning moment in college when a shitty lab computer trashed several days worth of code on me. I calmly picked up the full size big ass XT keyboard and proceed to use it as a bat to smash the monochrome monitor off the hulking case and straight onto the floor. Flying keys were an added bonus.