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10Sep/212

HoneyBee Mega Drive Controller Directions At 45°?

I've been fixing a bulk load of SMS/SMS2/MegaDrive stuff and one of these controllers was thrown in with a note stating "Erratic Directions."

received 898562814076309

Externally everything checked out, so I opened it up and continuity-tested the cable and plug. No issues there! I tested it again on the SMS2 that I had available and realised that I could get the directions I wanted by mashing in the corners of the D-PAD... what gives? I opened it right up...

received 544488250168490

What's going on here? The actual D-PAD circuit board contacts aren't in an NESW orientation? They're a box, flat on the ground? I continuity-tested for the UP button and it turns out to be the top-right pad. Just to confirm I wasn't bonkers, I put the rubber-contact-thingy back in the D-PAD housing and sure-enough, the pads match the pads!

20210910 181650 (1)

So wait, to get the direction I want, I REALLY DO have to mash in the corners of the D-PAD. This is BY DESIGN. I wasn't a very good gamer when I was young, and this system was available to me at that time. The range is Competition Pro, so I assume this was an answer to the kiddies who held the controller at 45-deg in their left hand and mashed the other buttons with their right? Google is giving me nothing.

NOTE: just looking at that first picture, you can see where your thumb is meant to rest. This easily hints at where UP is. Can someone please point me to documentation where this is made clear that the directions are 45-deg clockwise rotated?

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  1. No comments from 2021 Sept. until now..? I guess this controller is not so popular :)
    I was curious to find dissasembly of this controller and I can`t beleave my eyes, why they wanted to design like this? It does not make sense and the D-pad can`t be precise like that for sure. This definetely talks me out to buy the pair I been looking out.

    • I’m sure they’ve all been thrown out as faulty!
      There must have been some reason for this style of controller back in the day, but I cannot find any references.


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