genesis 6 button "mode" button

[mailman187666]

I was just thinking about the 6 button controller for genesis and got to thinking, I've never used it for a game where it used the mode button that I can remember. Switching between the control types usually had to be done through a menu in game for whatever I played. What is it actually for? (I know doom 32X uses the mode button for god mode I believe.)

[jb143]

I think a few older games were incompatable with the 6 button controller for one reason or another. I believe the mode button caused it act like a 3 button controller so those games would work. There's a few other newer games that used it as an extra button as well but I can't remember the names of any.

[7th lutz]

I remembered there was problems with forgotten Worlds with the 6 button. I own the game and I recalled problems with the game. I thought the game right away went to 2 player mode without using the mode button.

[xfrumx]

In Fatal Fury 2 you could taunt your opponent with the mode button.

[figment1988]

the mode button was also used to fix control problems in Golden Axe II. it was also used in The Lost Vikings

[MrSparkle]

well actually i invented the mode button for the genesis 6 button shortly after i invented the button you push to cross the street.

[koster]

You can use the mode button for Ms. Pac-Man, although people have said it makes no difference...

[strassy]

I remembered there was problems with forgotten Worlds with the 6 button. I thought the game right away went to 2 player mode without using the mode button.

i have forgotten worlds, and the game instantly goes to the "GAME OVER" screen immediately after you hit the start button if you have a 6 button controller plugged in

[Push Upstairs]

It opens a portal to a magical land where unicorns roam.

[Wraith Storm]

Eternal Champions for the Sega CD had a TON of unlockable characters. There were various ways of unlocking each one but the easiest way was to type in a code on the stats screen after a battle. Each of the codes requred the Mode button.

As for practical use during gameplay? I'm not real sure.

[figment1988]

i remember having that problem when i got my copy of forgotten worlds, i was like "wtf?"

[MetalFRO]

I think a few older games were incompatable with the 6 button controller for one reason or another. I believe the mode button caused it act like a 3 button controller so those games would work. There's a few other newer games that used it as an extra button as well but I can't remember the names of any.

Yes. Sadly, Decapattack is one of them, and I was never able to get the Mode Button trick to work - had to resort to using my original 3-button controllers instead. It's well worth-it, though, that game is awesome.

[gamesboro]

This is my first post!

I think the problem is that some people don't know you need to hold down the mode button while you are turning on the system. People have said hold it at start up but I think some are confused.

Also, Ms. Pac ABSOLUTELY has to have the mode button held down to play it with the 6 button. I reviewed this at Sega-16 years ago and I had to do this. Once it boots up with the controller in 3 button mode it works just fine.

Oh yeah, one more thing. I am aware of at least 2 different versions of Ms. Pac on Genesis. One of them has yellow letters on top of the cart, the other has pink letters. Don't know if this makes a difference, also don't know if this applies to other regions.

[jb143]

Also, Ms. Pac ABSOLUTELY has to have the mode button held down to play it with the 6 button. I reviewed this at Sega-16 years ago and I had to do this. Once it boots up with the controller in 3 button mode it works just fine.

I didn't know that. No wonder this game was almost impossible to control. I just figured I didn't have the knack for it and put it away to never play it again.

[savageone]

I can add another game that you need to hold the mode button on start up for:

Out of This World (or at least the Sega CD Heart of the Alien version, never tested the Genesis version)

The game is actually pretty playable if you don't hold it on startup, but you will notice the controls are somewhat strange.. It's been a few years so I forget the specifics. I just recall playing maybe about a quarter of the way through the game before I figured out something was truly amiss. heh Maybe I got stuck at a point because I was unable to perform a certain move that was required there IIRC?

OOTW 2 on the very same Heart of the Alien disc does not have the issue, so no mode button required on startup.