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    Reticulating Splines BetaWolf47's Avatar
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    Default Saturn games that use the 3D analog controller?

    I can't find a good database with it anywhere. I know games that have an "E" in the peripheral header use it, but there isn't one that's organized by peripherals or anything.
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    Strawberry (Level 2) Vlcice's Avatar
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    For some reason they don't link to it on their "special searches" page, but Satakore has this list in French. It doesn't seem to be complete, but it's a start.

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    Peach (Level 3) A Black Falcon's Avatar
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    I have a partial list, I was going through the whole database back in January '09 writing down all the multitap games, analog games (A, S, and E codes; A is the Mission Stick, S the Arcade Racer, and E the Analog Controller. They are all at least partially inter-compatible.), etc, but abandoned it at Hexen because of how long and tedious the project was, so it only covers A-G. Still, here it is.

    ... Oh, I do actually have what I think is a complete list of the multitap games, but I've posted that here somewhere before I think... I think I've posted this before too at some point, but whatever. I really should get back to finishing this, it'd be very interesting to see I think, because yeah, as you say there is no complete listing of this stuff, which is part of my point, as you will see in the list.

    In addition, some games with analog support DO NOT list it in the peripheral codes, while in other cases the peripheral codes may be wrong, so just going by those codes will not give you a complete list. I have categories for titles with analog that do not list it; note the importance of some of those titles, Panzer Dragoon for instance! Why couldn't they have been more accurate with their peripheral code listings, darnit?

    Anyway, what I have is listed below.

    Beyond the simple list though, you also really do need to individually test each game. The Mission Stick, Arcade Racer, and 3D Controller each have their own lists of games, but while most games that support analog via any of the three will work with all of them (or for Mission Stick and 3D Controller at least, for non-racing games), this is not true for all titles -- some games do work in analog mode with only certain controllers. This cannot be determined by looking at these codes, but only by actually trying the game with the controller in question. I can do some of that, because I have a Mission Stick and 3D Controller, but only have a relative few games...

    Oh, as an additional aside, unlike the 3D Controller, the Mission Stick actually can emulate the d-pad, so you can actually use it in most any Saturn game if you want, except with the stick working as a digital (on/off) controller instead of an analog proportional one. This doesn't work well in some titles, but is kind of cool in others. The only incompatibility I've run into that I can think of offhand is that for some reason you can't press any buttons in the menus in Virtua Cop with the Mission Stick, you have to use a normal controller there... but it works fine in the game itself. Kind of odd. But anyway...

    First, the peripheral codes. From here: http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/satu...e/916393/26021

    J: Joystick Controller (normal, digital gamepad)
    A: Mission Stick (analog joystick)
    S: Arcade Racer (analog racing wheel)
    E: 3D Controller (analog gamepad)
    G: Stunner (light gun)
    P: VCD Card (addon that allows you to play VCDs)
    M: Mouse
    K: Keyboard
    F: Floppy Disk Drive
    C: System Link Cable support (JP releases mostly use this code)
    D: System Link Cable support (US releases mostly use this code)
    X: X-Band or Netlink Internet Play
    W: 1MB or 4MB RAM Cart support
    R: Requires ROM Cart to play (cart comes with the game -- only two games do this)
    Q: Pachinko Controller support

    There is no code for internal backup memory save support. I'm pretty sure that there is also no code for Backup RAM Cart support either (to save directly to that instead of having to copy files to and from the card, that is). There is no code for an arcade stick either, like the Virtua Stick, or for the Virtual-On Twin Stick or the Densha de Go! train controller.

    The List
    --
    This is why you need to actually test games to ascertain if they have 3D Pad or Mission Stick (or Arcade Racer) support.

    MechWarrior 2: Arcade Combat Edition for Saturn

    The game is a mech game, so it's obviously going to be better by far with a joystick. The saturn has one, called the Mission Stick. It also has an analog controller, the 3D Pad, which also would be better than the basic d-pad only gamepad. So, let's look at the box and manual and see whether the game has any support for either of these controllers...

    Packaging
    --
    Box: No Mission Stick or 3D Pad icons
    Peripheral Code: JAE (US and EU versions), J (Japanese version)
    Manual and Quick-Help Card: Only Standard Controller (Model 1) Mentioned and Shown

    Nothing on the box, manual, or in the game, and mixed results in the peripheral codes? That's not promising... Bah, that'd be awful, d-pad only for MechWarrior... even this Arcade Combat Edition isn't nearly as fun without a joystick!

    ... But wait, how about trying it anyway and seeing if it works, on my US copy of the game. Let's see if something happens, that GameFAQs "Mission Stick" FAQ suggests that some games have support for it without mentioning it, like Ghen War. This one at least has the code in some some versions of the game... hope that's more accurate than the case, manual and ingame control listings all are!

    Controls as listed on Quick-Help Card and in Options Screen (and in game, with standard controllers)
    --
    STANDARD CONTROLLER (Configurations 1, 2, & 4)
    --
    D-Pad: turn left/right and look up/down
    A: Fire
    B: Speed Down/Reverse
    C: Nothing (4: Target Select)
    X: Weapon Select
    Y: Speed Up/Accelerate
    Z: Jump Jets
    L: Nothing
    R: Nothing
    Start: Pause

    STANDARD CONTROLLER (Configurationms 3 & 5)
    --
    D-Pad: turn left/right and speed up/down
    A: Fire
    B: Look Up
    C: Nothing (5: Target Select)
    X: Weapon Select
    Y: Look Down
    Z: Jump Jet
    L: Nothing
    R: Nothing
    Start: Pause

    STANDARD CONTROLLER (Configurations 6, 7, & 8)
    --

    D-Pad: turn left/right and look up/down (8: Left/Right and speed up/down)
    A: Fire
    B: Speed Down (8: Look Up)
    C: Target Select
    X: Weapon Select
    Y: Speed Up (8: Look Down)
    Z: Zoom (tap once to zoom in, twice quickly to zoom out)
    L: Left Torso Twist
    R: Right Torso Twist
    Start: Pause

    Of these, 6 is by far the best setup. But anyway... let's check that 3D Controller and Mission Stick.

    ... Yes, BOTH are fully supported! Awesome...

    Note -- For either controller, these controls are not listed anywhere. You simply have to press the buttons and figure out what they do.

    MISSION STICK
    --
    Joystick: turn left/right and look down/up (best movement controls of any setup)
    Throttle Wheel (Z axis): Speed Up/Down (just rotate the wheel! best speed controls of any setup)
    A (Trigger or base button): Fire
    B (top left button or base button): Weapon Select
    C (top right button or base button): Target Select
    X (base button): Zoom (tap once to zoom in, twice quickly to zoom out)
    Y (base button): Center Torso
    Z (base button): Jump Jet
    L (base button): Left Torso Twist
    R (base button): Right Torso Twist
    Start: Pause

    3D PAD
    --
    Analog Stick: turn left/right and look up/down
    D-Pad: left/right torso twist and zoom in/out (best zoom controls of any setup)
    A: Fire
    B: Weapon Select
    C: Target Select
    X: Center Torso
    Y: Nothing
    Z: Jump Jet
    L (analog trigger): Speed Down
    R (analog trigger): Speed Up
    Start: Pause

    Either one of these is vastly superior to the standard controller. Each has pluses and minuses, so choose which you like more. The joystick is best for the most accurate controls, but the 3d pad does have better zoom controls... but either way, it's good.

    So here's the question. If you're going to go to all the trouble to put full analog support in the game, for both analog controllers the game could support (Obviously this wouldn't work well with the Arcade Racer... ), WHY NOT MENTION IT ON THE BOX AT LEAST? Really, it's pretty absurd, and annoying for the fans... particularly any who didn't buy it, assuming that the game had inferior d-pad only controls. It doesn't.

    These first two groupings show how limited knowledge of which games actually support the Mission Stick really is.

    Mission Stick Games
    --
    Listing A (from a webpage listing of US Saturn titles that supposedly noted Misison Stick compatible games with a note)
    --
    Black Fire
    Congo The Movie The Lost City of Zinj
    Sega Ages (After Burner II and Space Harrier, not Outrun)
    Soviet Strike (has Mission Stick logo on US box)
    Wing Arms

    Listing B (MobyGames "Input Devices Supported: Mission Stick" list)
    --=
    Panzer Dragoon 1995 SEGA Enterprises Ltd., SEGA Corporation
    Solar Eclipse 1995 Crystal Dynamics, Inc.
    Soukyugurentai 1997 Electronic Arts Victor
    Wing Arms 1995 SEGA Corporation, SEGA of America, Inc.

    See what I mean they have no idea which or how many games actually support it? Here's the real list...

    Madroms' Sega Saturn Complete Games and Demos Database can be found here: http://madroms.satakore.com/db/db.php

    --
    Mission Stick Main Listing (Sega Saturn Complete Games and Demos Database Games with the "A" code)
    --
    Known Support
    --
    After Burner II (Sega Ages line)
    Arcade's Greatest Hits - The Atari Collection 1 (Midway presents) (US box and manual have no mention of support, but it IS there; with a Mission Stick there are analog controls in Centipede, Breakout, and Missile Command. Tempest, Asteroids, and Battlezone support the stick but are not analog. Note that the analog controls WILL NOT WORK with a 3d controller, this game is analog via the Mission Stick ONLY!)
    Black Fire
    Game Basic for Sega Saturn (game programming software -- no built in games, supports all peripherals except online network, VCD card, and RAM carts)
    MechWarrior 2: Arcade Combat Edition (UE versions list the code, J version does not. US box and manual have no mention of support for either analog controller, but it is present.)
    Outrun (Sega Ages line)
    Sega Ages (all three titles)
    Soviet Strike (Mission Stick logo is on box)
    Star Fighter (StarFighter 3000) (US version lists no A or E support, EU version lists A but not E, JP version lists A and E; however game actually supports J, A, and E in all versions. JE versions list it having multitap (passthrough or something? This is a 1p game) support as well, US does not.)
    Space Harrier (Sega Ages line)
    Wing Arms

    Listed, Unsure (the code is listed, but I can't be absolutely certain that it is actually supported)
    --
    3D Baseball (3D Baseball: The Majors)
    Advanced World War Sennen Teikoku no Koubou ~Last of the Millennium~
    Astra Superstars
    Batman Forever: The Arcade Game (E version only has the listing; UJ versions do not have it)
    Black Dawn
    Blast Chamber
    Casper (UE versions list it, but not J)
    Croc - Legend of the Gobbos
    Crypt Killer
    Cyberia
    Dark Savior (UE versions only have AE codes)
    Darklight Conflict
    Doom (UE versions have the A listing, but not J version)
    Duke Nukem 3D (E version only lists A support, not U; both have E support listed however)
    Formula Karts Special Edition
    Frankenstein - Through the Eyes of the Monster
    G Vector
    Gale Racer
    Grid Runner
    Hardcore 4x4 (E version only has the code, not U version)
    Hexen

    Panzer Dragoon RPG (Azel: Panzer Dragoon RPG)
    Powerslave (US version lists the A, European version (Exhumed) does not...)
    Shockwave Assault
    Sonic 3D Blast (only US and EU versions have the code, not JP)

    Games that DO NOT have the "A" Code, but DO in fact have Mission Stick support with analog controls and often a custom button layout:
    --
    (Would need to check all above titles for actual Mission Stick support -- have not done this)

    --
    Other Games With Mission Stick Support (that don't have the "A" code)
    --
    Cyber Speedway (Gran Chaser) (code mentions only JS (that is the only analog controller listed in the code is the Arcade Racer), but the game actually has Mission Stick support as well with a hidden custom control scheme, and the Mission Stick or 3D Controller are fantastic with this game as a result.)

    Ghen War (J code only and no mention of it in the US manual, etc, but it has a custom control setup with analog controls if you use a Mission Stick.)

    Panzer Dragoon (JUE) (the Mission Stick is THE way to play this game. It's not mentioned in the (US) manual, on the box, or in the codes, but this game has full analog support and really is fantastic with the Mission Stick, once you've played this game with the joystick you won't want to go back... oh, it works with the 3D Controller, but unfortunately unlike with the Mission Stick you can't quite get the cursor into the corners because of the different shapes of the sticks' ranges, so it can be frustrating.)

    Panzer Dragoon II: Zwei (JUE) (As with the first game, once you've played it with the Mission Stick you'll never want to play it with a gamepad again. This time there is actually a Mission Stick ad on the back cover of the manual I believe, but still no A code or Mission Stick logo on the US box. This game has a hidden feature -- it supports a Dual Stick Mission Stick. You can make one by buying a second Mission Stick, detaching the stick part from the base, and plugging the stick into the Sub Control port on the bottom of the base and attaching the stick to the other side of the base (usually the left I imagine). You will now have true dual-analog control in the game -- one stick moves, the other aims. This is the only game I know of that actually uses the Mission Stick's hidden twinstick mode...)

    Star Fighter (U) (as mentioned above, code is left out of US release, but stick works fine. Mission stick is mentioned in the manual, but not on box or in list codes.)



    The following sections are purely listings of which games have the codes in question, not whether the games listed actually support those devices.

    Arcade Racer Games (Sega Saturn Complete Games and Demos Database Games with the "S" code)
    --
    Andretti Racing
    Astra Superstars
    Choro-Q Park
    Code R
    Crimewave
    Crimewave Demo
    Cyber Speedway (Gran Chaser)
    Daytona USA
    Daytona USA Championship Circuit Edition
    Daytona USA Championship Circuit Edition Netlink Edition
    Daytona USA Circuit Edition
    Destruction Derby
    Die Hard Trilogy
    F-1 Challenge
    Formula Karts Special Edition
    Gale Racer
    Game Basic for Sega Saturn (game programming software -- no built in games, supports all peripherals except online network, VCD card, and RAM carts)
    GT 24
    Hang On GP
    Hardcore 4x4 (E version only has the code, not U version) (U version has Arcade Racer logo on back -- actually does have support for it despite not having the code)

    Outrun (Sega Ages line)
    Power Drift (Sega Ages line)
    Sega Ages (Outrun only)
    Sega Rally Championship
    Sega Rally Championship Plus (JP) / Sega Rally Championship: Netlink Edition (US)
    Sega Touring Car Championship

    Games Incorrectly Listed as Having "S" codes
    --
    (Would need to check all above titles for actual support -- have not done this)


    Stunner Light Gun Games (from same listing, "G" code)
    --
    Area 51
    Chaos Control (JE) (E, but not J, version lists gun support (E ver. also has logo on box for it)
    Chaos Control Remix (J) (a port of the E version of the above, with the gun support the original didn't have?)
    Crypt Killer (Henry Explorers) (JU versions only, not E)
    Daisuki
    Death Crimson
    Die Hard Trilogy
    Maximum Force
    The House of the Dead
    Virtua Cop
    Virtua Cop 2
    Game Basic for Sega Saturn (game programming software -- no built in games, supports all peripherals except online network, VCD Cards, and RAM carts)

    Games Incorrectly Listed as Having "G" codes
    --
    (Would need to check all above titles for actual support -- have not done this)


    Mouse ("M")
    --
    3D Lemmings (only J version, not E, has the code listed)
    Ai Igo
    Arcade's Greatest Hits - The Atari Collection 1 (Midway presents) (US box and manual have no mention of support)
    Arthur to Astaroth no Nazomakaimura ~Incredible Toons~
    Baldy Land
    Body Special 264 ~Girls in Motion Puzzle vol.2~
    Break Thru!
    Can Can Bunny Extra
    Can Can Bunny Himekuri Calendar
    Can Can Bunny Premiere
    Can Can Bunny Premiere 2
    Cat the Ripper ~13 Nin Me no Tantei Shi~
    Chaos Control
    Chaos Control Remix
    Crypt Killer (Henry Explorers)
    Cyberia
    Daina Airan
    Daisenryaku Strong Style
    Daisuki
    Darkseed
    Dezaemon 2
    Die Hard Trilogy
    Digital Monster Ver. S Digimon Tamers
    Digital Pinball: Necronomicon
    Discworld (J version; E version not on list)
    Doom
    Doukoku Soshite...
    Doukyuusei ~if~
    Doukyuusei 2
    Eisei Meijin
    Eisei Meijin II
    étude Prologue ~Yureugoku Shin no Katachi~
    Farland Saga
    Farland Story ~Habou no Mai~
    Gakkou no Kaidan
    Game Basic for Sega Saturn (game programming software -- no built in games, supports all peripherals except online network, VCD Cards, and RAM carts)
    Game no Tatsujin
    Game no Tatsujin 2
    Game no Tetsujin The Shanghai
    Go III Professional Taikyoku Igo
    Godzilla ~Rettoushinkan~

    Heir to Zendor (Gotha II ~Tenkuu no Kishi~)

    Last Gladiators Digital Pinball

    Keyboard ("K")
    --
    Azel: Panzer Dragoon RPG (J version only)
    Dragon's Dream
    Duke Nukem 3D (U version only, not E)
    Game Basic for Sega Saturn (game programming software -- no built in games, supports all peripherals except online network, VCD Cards, and RAM carts)

    Games Incorrectly Listed as Having "M" codes
    --
    (Would need to check all above titles for actual support -- have not done this)


    3D Controller ("E")
    --
    Astra Superstars
    Advanced World War Sennen Teikoku no Koubou ~Last of the Millennium~
    After Burner II (Sega Ages line)
    Airs Adventure
    Batsugun
    Battle Garegga
    Burning Rangers
    Can Can Bunny Extra
    Can Can Bunny Premiere 2
    Choro-Q Park
    Christmas NiGHTS into dreams...
    Panzer Dragoon Saga (Azel: Panzer Dragoon RPG)
    Code R
    Contra - Legacy of War
    Croc: Legend of the Gobbos (UE) / Croc ~Pau-Pau Island~ (J) (later J version only has E code, not earlier UE ones, but all three actually do have E support)
    Crypt Killer (U version only, not E, has the code)
    Daisenryaku Strong Style
    Daisuki
    Dark Savior (UE versions only have AE codes)
    Daytona USA Championship Circuit Edition
    Daytona USA Championship Circuit Edition Netlink Edition
    Daytona USA Circuit Edition
    Deep Fear
    Die Hard Trilogy (only E version has this code, not U version (J missing data))
    Digital Dance Mix Vol.1 Namie Amuro
    Digital Pinball: Necronomicon
    Duke Nukem 3D
    Dungeon Master Nexus
    Enemy Zero
    Fantastep
    Fuusui Sensei (aka Feng Shui Sensei)
    G Vector
    Galaxy Force II (Sega Ages line)
    Game Basic for Sega Saturn (game programming software -- no built in games, supports all peripherals except online network, VCD Cards, and RAM carts)
    Greatest Nine '96
    GT 24

    MechWarrior II: Arcade Combat Edition (UE versions list the code, J version does not. US box and manual have no mention of support for either analog controller, but it is present.)
    NiGHTS into Dreams... (also works with the Mission Stick, but it's not nearly as fun or playable as it is with the 3D Controller)
    Outrun (Sega Ages line)
    Power Drift (Sega Ages line)
    Sega Rally Championship Plus (JP) / Sega Rally Championship: Netlink Edition (US)
    Sega Touring Car Championship
    Sonic 3D Blast (may not actually analog, but it does support the stick)
    Sonic Jam
    Sonic R
    Space Harrier (Sega Ages line)

    Games Incorrectly Listed as Having "E" codes
    --
    (Would need to check all above titles for actual support -- have not done this)

    Floppy Disk Drive ("F") (Japan only addon)
    --
    Azel: Panzer Dragoon RPG (J version only)
    Culdcept
    Dezaemon 2
    Eiyuu Shigan ~Gal Act Heroism~
    Game Basic for Sega Saturn (game programming software -- no built in games, supports all peripherals except online network, VCD Cards, and RAM carts)

    VCD Card Support Code Listed ("P")
    --
    Chisato Moritaka Watarasebashi / Lala Sunshine
    Falcom Classics Special CD

    Lunar: Silver Star Story MPEG Edition (requires VCD Card -- the only Saturn release that does (note that the normal version of Silver Star Story does not support the VCD Card, but has the usual lower-quality video as a result))
    Last edited by A Black Falcon; 12-28-2009 at 03:54 PM.

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    Kirby (Level 13) j_factor's Avatar
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    I can confirm that Out Run, in fact, does support the analog controller. It also uses the R trigger to accelerate and L to brake, indicating that it was specifically designed for it, and not just the racing wheel. Released in September '96 (in Japan), it may be the first such racing game on the Saturn.

    I don't have lists to post, but some general rules of thumb:

    -- Almost all racing games from the launch of the system support the analog steering wheel, and therefore the analog pad as well
    -- Later racing games use the analog triggers as well; "later" meaning 1997 and on, and a couple of games from '96
    -- Most flight sims and similar games from the launch of the system support the Mission Stick, and most of these translate to the analog pad, but a few do not
    -- Any type of 3D game released in 1997 or later should support the pad

    Note that a few games that can be controlled with the analog pad do not actually respond in-game in an analog manner. Sonic 3D Blast is one example.

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    Peach (Level 3) A Black Falcon's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Baloo View Post
    Here's some that are compatiable:

    Burning Rangers
    NiGHTS into Dreams
    Sonic R
    Sonic 3D Blast
    Sega Rally Championship (the game itself reads the controller as the steering wheel, but oddly enough the options screen shows a picture of an Analog controller)
    Sega Touring Car
    Daytona CCE
    Sonic Jam
    Panzer Dragoon
    Panzer Dragoon Zwei
    Panzer Dragoon Saga
    Thanks, any I can add without having to look them all up is nice... checked and then added the following (that were not on the list already):

    Sonic Jam - EJ
    Sonic 3D Blast - JAE (US), JATE (EU), JE (JP)
    Sonic R - JE
    Sega Touring Car Championship - DEJS (US/JP), EJS (EU)
    Sega Rally Championship - JAS (that's why it shows an image of the Mission Stick, it has support for it.)
    Sega Rally Championship Plus or Sega Rally Championship Netlink Edition - JASEDX
    NiGHTS / Christmas NiGHTS - EJ (though it does also work with the Mission Stick, it's not very fun with it)

    Also note my listing for Panzer Dragoon Zwei and its hidden twin-stick Mission Stick mode, via plugging a second Mission Stick joystick into the Sub Control port on the bottom of the Mission Stick's base unit...

    Quote Originally Posted by j_factor View Post
    I can confirm that Out Run, in fact, does support the analog controller. It also uses the R trigger to accelerate and L to brake, indicating that it was specifically designed for it, and not just the racing wheel. Released in September '96 (in Japan), it may be the first such racing game on the Saturn.
    Alright, that's cool... it's actually got 3D Controller support?

    I checked the database... and yup, Outrun has the codes JAES. That is, it's got codes listed for all three of the analog controllers. So I'd guess that it uses a different custom configuration for each of the three controllers, with analog speed control support presumably on 3D Controller only, but perhaps better control on the Mission Stick and Arcade Racer. I don't know, I'd have to try it.

    On that note, I checked the other Sega Ages titles, those not in the A-Hexen list of mine. Sega Ages (UE) is JAES. S only in Outrun I'm sure. Power Drift is JES. Space Harrier is JAE. On the subject already on my list though, Galaxy Force II (J) is just JE. It was a 1998 release, so perhaps they'd ditched the Mission Stick by then... I have no idea if it'd work anyway with a Mission Stick though, it's possible I guess. Like Space Harrier and After Burner, that seems like one that'd be the most fun by far with the Mission Stick... that kind of stick is what the arcade version would have been designed for, after all.

    In comparison to Outrun, the original US release of Daytona USA is Arcade Racer only analog-wise. It'll work with any of the three analog controllers, but it was designed for the Arcade Racer. It plays great with the Mission Stick, but not so well with the 3D Controller... the controls are just too touchy. Cyber Speedway, however, was designed for both the Arcade Racer and Mission Stick, and has custom configurations for both; I don't have an Arcade Racer of course, but the Mission Stick's is probably the best way to play the game.


    Also, you raise a good point here, for anyone who doesn't know -- there are easy ways to tell which analog controller a game was designed for even if you don't see any icons or peripheral codes.

    Mission Stick (Mission Flight Stick, large flightstick-style joystick) -- Was released at or near system launch. Has all nine regular buttons (A, B, C, X, Y, Z, Start, L, R), an analog joystick that can also emulate the d-pad in titles that do not have native analog support, and one exclusive button, the throttle wheel. Note that this is not a normal throttle slider but is instead a spring-loaded wheel which springs back when you let it go. It's in the middle of the top with the two large top buttons to either side of it, so it is possible to hold it up or down and also press the B or C buttons at the same time. If a game supports the wheel, it's guaranteed that it was designed with Mission Stick support. If it supports the L and R buttons and was released before the 3D Controller came out, it is also certain that it has Mission Stick support.

    Arcade Racer (racing wheel) -- Also out near launch. Has the A, B, C, X, Y, Z, and Start buttons, an analog wheel, and analog pedals that are actually Up and Down on the stick. Despite this I believe that these buttons are digital and not analog. Note that this controller does NOT have L or R buttons to the best of my knowledge, so any game designed for it will not use those buttons (this lack can be a way to tell that games were only designed for this analog controller). I don't have one so I don't know if it can emulate a d-pad or anything like that, or how compatible it is with 3D Controller or Mission Stick games.

    3D Controller (gamepad with analog stick on it) -- Released in late 1996, with NiGHTS. There is a switch to switch between the full analog mode and digital emulation mode, which disables the analog stick. Has an analog stick, d-pad, and the A, B, C, X, Y, and Z buttons, plus analog L and R triggers that also work as digital buttons for games that do not support them in analog mode. In analog mode all controls work, and as that MechWarrior 2 control configuration shows games can put commands on the d-pad in this mode. If games do that, or support analog acceleration or something on the triggers while also having some other commands on Up and Down (such as in MechWarrior 2), it's a sure thing that the game was designed for the 3D Controller.

    I don't have lists to post, but some general rules of thumb:

    -- Almost all racing games from the launch of the system support the analog steering wheel, and therefore the analog pad as well
    Generally true, yes. I'm sure there is some racing game on the Saturn that's not analog, but the vast majority are. Most early ones were designed just for the wheel, but as Cyber Speedway shows some also had Mission Stick support. Later ones presumably mostly had both 3D Controller and Mission Stick support...

    -- Later racing games use the analog triggers as well; "later" meaning 1997 and on, and a couple of games from '96
    Only the 3D Controller has analog buttons, so yeah, only later ones COULD have that. It's too bad, because it means that very few games actually support the analog feature of those buttons... it'd have to wait until the Dreamcast before we got many racing games with analog acceleration/braking support.

    -- Most flight sims and similar games from the launch of the system support the Mission Stick, and most of these translate to the analog pad, but a few do not
    True. If you read that list of mine though, it should be clear that you should never trust the box, manual, or ingame menus when it comes to this, because all of those as likely as not will not mention the analog support that the game likely has. You need to launch the game itself and then see if you've got analog control. You likely will, even if the box and manual and game menus don't say a thing about it.

    -- Any type of 3D game released in 1997 or later should support the pad
    I'd hope so.

    Note that a few games that can be controlled with the analog pad do not actually respond in-game in an analog manner. Sonic 3D Blast is one example
    Huh, so you can use the stick but it's digital only? That'd still count as an E-code title though, unlike the Mission Stick games have to be specially programmed for them to work with the 3D Controller's joystick...
    Last edited by A Black Falcon; 12-25-2009 at 10:34 PM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by A Black Falcon View Post
    Huh, so you can use the stick but it's digital only? That'd still count as an E-code title though, unlike the Mission Stick games have to be specially programmed for them to work with the 3D Controller's joystick...
    You can use the analog thingy but the game doesn't respond to different degrees of input. It's still an improvement for that game though, because it's easier to move around in different directions and diagonally.

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    Here's some that are compatiable:

    Burning Rangers
    NiGHTS into Dreams
    Sonic R
    Sonic 3D Blast
    Sega Rally Championship (the game itself reads the controller as the steering wheel, but oddly enough the options screen shows a picture of an Analog controller)
    Sega Touring Car
    Daytona CCE
    Sonic Jam
    Panzer Dragoon
    Panzer Dragoon Zwei
    Panzer Dragoon Saga

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