Dreamcast Controller

From Sega Retro

Dreamcast Controller.jpg
Dreamcast Controller
Made for: Sega Dreamcast
Manufacturer: Sega
Release Date RRP Code

The Dreamcast Controller is the primary user interface for the Sega Dreamcast. It is a logical progression from the 3D Control Pad for the Sega Saturn and is supported by every Dreamcast game.

The Dreamcast controller has the following features:

  • A directional pad on the left
  •  START  button in the top middle
  • Four face buttons on the right - A, B, X and Y
  • one analog trigger on the front left - L
  • one analog trigger on the front right - R
  • analog joystick on the top left

What makes the controller differ from its rivals is two expansion slots on the top. The one in front of the unit is designed to house a VMU while the one in back houses other expansions such as the Jump Pack.

The Dreamcast controller stands as Sega's largest standard control pad for any of their systems, though was not redesigned during the console's run. Many novelty Dreamcast controllers in a variety of colours were produced, however.

Inside a Dreamcast controller

Although each button can be configured to perform a specific and distinctive action, all of the buttons, except for the two analog triggers and joystick, work on the same principle. In essence, each button is a switch that completes a circuit whenever it is pressed. A small metal disk beneath the button is pushed into contact with two strips of conductive material on the circuit board inside the controller. While the metal disk is in contact, it conducts electricity between the two strips. The controller senses that the circuit is closed and sends that data to the Dreamcast. The CPU compares that data with the instructions in the game software for that button, and triggers the appropriate response. There is also a metal disk under each arm of the directional pad. If you're playing a game in which pushing down on the directional pad causes the character to crouch, a similar string of connections is made from the time of the push down on the pad to when the character crouches.

The analog joystick and triggers work in a completely different way from the buttons described above. The triggers each have a tiny magnet attached to the end of the trigger arm. When the trigger is depressed, the magnet is pushed toward a sensor mounted on the controller's circuit board. Through the process of induction, the magnet creates resistance to the current passing through the sensor. On the bottom of the magnet is a layer of foam padding. Pushing harder on the trigger compresses the padding, which brings the magnet closer to the sensor. The closer the magnet is to the sensor, the more resistance is induced. This variable resistance makes the triggers pressure-sensitive.

The joystick also uses a magnet, along with four small sensors. The sensors are arranged like a compass, with one at each of the cardinal points (north, south, east, west). The base of the joystick is shaped like a ball, with tiny spokes radiating out. The ball sits in a socket above the sensors. Spikes on the socket fit between the spokes on the ball. This allows for an extraordinary amount of movement without letting the joystick twist out of alignment with the sensors. As the joystick is moved, the magnet in the base moves closer to one or two of the sensors, and farther from the others. The system monitors the changes in induction caused by the magnet's movement to calculate the position of the joystick.

The Dreamcast controller's two expansions ports.

The controller has two expansion ports where memory cards, tremor packs, Visual Memory System (VMS) devices and other system additions can be inserted.

A popular option is the tremor pack, which provides force feedback. This feature provides a tactile stimulation to certain actions in a game. For example, in a racing game, you might feel a jarring vibration as your car slams into the wall. Force feedback is actually accomplished through the use of a very common device, a simple electric motor. The shaft of the motor holds an unbalanced weight. When power is supplied to the motor, it spins the weight. Because the weight is unbalanced, the motor tries to wobble. But since the motor is securely mounted inside the tremor pack, the wobble translates into a shuddering vibration of the controller itself.

List of Controllers

Japan

Model No Reference Image Box Notes
Standard DCController NTSC.jpg Dc standardcontroller jp box front.jpgDc standardcontroller jp box back.jpg
Transparent-aqua DCController AquaBlue JP.jpg
Millennium 2000 (green) DCController Millennium2000 Green.jpg
Leopard DCController JP Lepoard.jpg
Pink DCController JP Pink.jpg
Silver DCController JP Silver.jpg
Biohazard Code: Veronica (red) DCController JP CodeVeronicaRed.jpg
Biohazard Code: Veronica (black) DCController JP CodeVeronicaBlack.jpg
Hello Kitty (pink) DCController JP HelloKittyPink.jpg
Hello Kitty (blue) DCController JP HelloKittyBlue.jpg
R7 DCController JP R7.jpg
Super Black DCController JP Black.jpg

North America

Model No Reference Image Box Notes
Controller (standard) DCController NTSC.jpg Dc standardcontroller us box front.jpg
Transparent-red DCController Red US.jpg
Transparent-blue DCController Blue NTSC.jpg
Transparent-black DCController BlackGrey US.jpg DCController US Black Box Front.jpg
Ttransparent-yellow DCController US Yellow.jpg
Sega Sports DCController US SegaSports.jpg

Europe

Model No Reference Image Box Notes
Standard Dreamcast Controller.jpg DCController EU Box Front.jpg
Sonic the Hedgehog 10th Anniversary DCController EU Sonic.jpg

Hardware Diagrams

Sega Dreamcast
Topics Technical specifications (Hardware comparison) | History (Development | Release | Decline and legacy | Internet) | List of games | Magazine articles | Promotional material | Merchandise
Hardware Japan (Special) | Western Europe | Eastern Europe | North America | Asia | South America | Australasia | Africa
Add-ons Dreamcast Karaoke | Dreameye
Controllers Controller | Arcade Stick | Fishing Controller | Gun (Dream Blaster) | Race Controller | Maracas Controller (Third-party) | Twin Stick | Keyboard | Mouse | Third-party
Controller Add-ons Jump Pack (Third-party) | Microphone | VMU (4x Memory Card | Third-party)
Development Hardware Dev.Box | Controller Box | Controller Function Checker | Sound Box | GD-Writer | C1/C2 Checker | Dev.Cas | GD-ROM Duplicator
Online Services/Add-ons Dreamarena | SegaNet | WebTV for Dreamcast | Modem | Modular Cable | Modular Extension Cable | Broadband Adapter | Dreamphone
Connector Cables Onsei Setsuzoku Cable | RF Adapter | Scart Cable | S Tanshi Cable | Stereo AV Cable | VGA Box

Dreamcast MIDI Interface Cable | Neo Geo Pocket/Dreamcast Setsuzoku Cable | Taisen Cable

Misc. Hardware Action Replay CDX | Code Breaker | Kiosk | MP3 DC | MP3 DC Audio Player | Official Case | Treamcast
Third-party accessories Controllers | Controller converters | Miscellaneous
Unreleased Accessories DVD Player | Zip Drive | Swatch Access for Dreamcast | VMU MP3 Player
Arcade Variants NAOMI | Atomiswave | Sega Aurora