Power A will be releasing a wired fightpad that bears an uncanny resemblance to the remotes once used for the Sega Saturn, a console that has become obsolete - even by Sega's standards. Listings for the controller can be found on Amazon and are slated to be released October 1 for Nintendo Switch and December 31 for Playstation 4 and Xbox One.
According to Power A, the controller is ideal for gamers who desire a more accessible manner of playing their favorite fighting games. The controller borrows inspiration from the Saturn's gamepad and features a classic, six-button, arcade-style design that'll keep players in control while "dishing out pain." The controller also features toggle switches for the d-pad and shoulder buttons that offer players a wide range of diversity to suit their needs. The d-pad's floating design offers a responsive feel whenever a player executes a move. So, is this the controller we have all been waiting for?
This news is probably more exciting to fans of the original Sega Saturn or people who hold the original controller in high esteem. The original Saturn controller was revered for its six-button layout, making it an ideal controller for combat-based games.
The Sega Saturn was a 32-bit console developed by Sega and released in 1994 in Japan and 1995 in North America and Europe. Although many well-received games were released for the Saturn, the console failed to sale, resulting in its discontinuation in 2000. Still, it enjoyed a longer lifespan than its successor, the Sega Dreamcast.
Sega has always had a knack for crafting surprisingly innovative controllers, and the Saturn controller has consistently ranked among the best of Sega's controllers. To see such a treasured blueprint being used in a new generation of consoles and games will no doubt provide a satisfying and enriching experience for players. Granted, that's if the controller functions as it should.
The Power A Fusion Wired Fightpad will be available on October 1 for Nintendo Switch and December 31 for Playstation 4 and Xbox One on Amazon. The controller can be pre-ordered now.