Upcoming D6 Fighting Gamepad Looks Pretty Decent

[MoeFoh]

Supports Dreamcast, PC & Switch. Somebody out there is listening.
https://retrofighters.com/our-collectio ... ontroller/
https://www.retrorgb.com/retro-fighters-d6-review.html
https://www.thedreamcastjunkyard.co.uk/ ... rs-d6.html

D6_sm.png (8.65 KiB) Viewed 4752 times

[deluxux]

Looks nice, 6 buttons is awesome, looks like it’s already sold out of the preorder, hope I have a chance to get one.

[SpaceHoliday]

I was lucky to receive one early. It is a lovely bit of kit, with a great form factor and feels high quality. My main issue is that those who are looking for a recreation of the ASCII Pad FT or the Saturn pad are most likely going to have a bit of a hard time (at least initially) getting used to the micro-switched directional buttons, as opposed to the rocking d-pad of those other two controllers.

https://www.thedreamcastjunkyard.co.uk/ ... rs-d6.html

[Snake79]

I've just received the D6 pad today and I will be trying it out this weekend. In the hand it feels quite good. The micro switches on the d-pad are different but I think I could get used to it. I will be trying various fighting games as well as an alternative for the stock Dreamcast controller for 2D retro game emulation.

[DCGX]

I'm interested to hear your thoughts!

[Snake79]

I used the D6 for a few hours of gaming today. Although the controller has a textured finish on the ends that fall in the palm of your hand, it is a hard plastic, I was hoping for a slightly rubberised finish for improved grip. Pairing was easy, same as the wireless striker DC. VMU integration was also identical. Rumble/vibration is built in, it feels a little weaker than the wireless Striker but is effective and saves having to add the vibration pack which adds extra weight to the back/top.

I ran the 240p test suite to check the controller was functioning properly. All buttons were working and I tested for lag averaging out at 3 frames. It's not a scientific test by any means, I just wanted to see if it would be noticeably laggy.

I played Capcom vs. SNK 2 first. It took a couple attempts to get used to the controller as I wasn't pulling off the special moves as often but once I did, it didn't take long to string combos together. I was able to complete a one on one playthrough as Ken, even managed a few perfect rounds which is rare for me.

Next up was Super Street Figher II X playing as Guile. I chose Guile as he has charging specials that I often cannot get to work using the standard Dreamcast controller. I found it easier to execute sonic booms and flash kicks with the D6, so it seems to be very effective with fighting games.

Next up was Wipeout, as I wanted to compare the D6 with my past experience with the Saturn d-pad. Straight away I found it much easier to play. The better d-pad and having shoulder buttons for air brakes felt much closer to the Saturn. I felt more in control of the ships and I was hitting the sides less frequently.

Next up was some Mega Drive emulation. Sonic 3 was tricky. Normally I would be quite confident playing any classic Sonic game but he felt loose and a bit too fast. Timing jumps proved a little problematic at first. That being said, the Sphere special stages were a bit easier thanks to the clicky directional pad and having just left and right to concentrate on.

Psycho Pinball was next. This seemed okay, Mortal Kombat II, Streets of Rage, Alien 3, FIFA and Sonic 3D followed. I'm not certain if any issues I had were due to lag or the emulation. I vaguely remember having a similar experience with the wireless striker DC, ie overall positive but with a few caveats.

One thing is certain however, using the D6 for 2D retro gaming felt much better than the standard Dreamcast controller, and with it being wireless, it was like playing the old MegaDrive again with the luxury of modern technology.

I have a bunch of different controllers for the Dreamcast. Several original controllers, a couple wired striker DC, a couple wireless DC, the Dreamconn+ and now the D6. I have recently moved my Dreamcast up a couple shelves on my media stand and the wired striker DC cable despite being longer than the original controller, is just a little short to be used comfortably. When using the original controller I use an extention cable. Both of these are not ideal, trailing a cable around 9 feet across the floor. As much as I like seeing the VMU display, I have found that I can get by without looking at it during most games, and going wireless is much preferred. I haven't done any direct comparison with wired controllers to see if the lag is really noticeable between the two.

Going forward I think I will be using the wireless Striker DC for the bulk of the Dreamcast 3D games and the the D6 for 2D games/retro emulation. I do on occasion go back to the Dreamconn+ for a more authentic experience. It's just a shame the VM2 is currently not supported with Retro Fighters wireless controllers as that would be the best scenario, a modern, wireless controller with the use of a single VMU for all game saves. I am aware Chris has the Dreamconn S which does support the VM2, but the price is just too high, and it is still based on the original controller design so unfortunately it's a non starter for me.

[DCGX]

Excellent write-up! Like any Retro Fighter pad, it'll be interesting to see how it holds up long term.

I recently got the wired 8bitdo M30 for Xbox (woot! had it for $20). I have various Brook adapters, including one for the Dreamcast, but I haven't tried it there yet. I did try it with the original Xbox, and it is a wonder to play older games on there versus with the original Xbox controllers, so I assume it would be the same for Dreamcast. I'll have to give that a shot.

[Snake79]

Excellent write-up! Like any Retro Fighter pad, it'll be interesting to see how it holds up long term.

I recently got the wired 8bitdo M30 for Xbox (woot! had it for $20). I have various Brook adapters, including one for the Dreamcast, but I haven't tried it there yet. I did try it with the original Xbox, and it is a wonder to play older games on there versus with the original Xbox controllers, so I assume it would be the same for Dreamcast. I'll have to give that a shot.

Thanks. I don't play as often as I would like and I usually swap controllers around so they don't get heavy use. I think that might change now. I'll probably sell one of my wired Striker DC controllers. That M30 looks like a really nice controller, what a bargain.

As much as modern controllers have improved the overall experience for 3D games, the d-pad is often the weakest part, and there is nothing quite like playing retro games on a decent d-pad, it just feels right. I think the only drawback is the clicky nature of the d-pad which is a little strange, but the form factor, built in vibration and wireless play are all positives.

I think the reason the Sonic games felt a little loose was due to the PAL/NTSC speed difference. I grew up playing the 50hz PAL version which runs slower. The emulation is running at 60hz, so Sonic moves at a different speed to what I'm used to, I was overshooting runs and mistiming jumps. I think Psycho Pinball and Alien 3 are 50hz games so the speed was the same as I remember.