Avenue Pad 3

[thisIsLoneWolf]

So lately I've been playing quite a bit with the Avenue Pad 3, and I've really taken a liking to it.

Perhaps it's not quite as necessary as the Avenue Pad 6, but I like how it handles, and I find its pretty comfortable to hold. It also works really well with a lot of games. Does anyone else out there enjoy this arguably redundant piece of gear?

Similarly, you could get a 5 player tap, but the market also provided a 2, 3, or even a 4 player counterpart. One thing is for certain. There's no shortage of options available.

[esteban]

Behold!

TBFG FAQ
Three-button Friendly Game FAQ

https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=9188

[ClodBusted]

I've got one of these babies. After trying it on several games, I came to the conclusion that I prefer the regular 2-button pad. Somehow because I have the impression that the regular one fits better into my hands. Button #3 is a bit awkwardly to reach with the thumb when coming from #2. And that's coming from somebody who's got middle-to-large sized hands.

I still need a game that would benefit a lot from the 3rd button, e.g. Forgotten Worlds.

[thisIsLoneWolf]

Great list esteban! Thanks for that.
I've not tried that 3rd party 3-button controller. Is it any good?

[esteban]

Great list esteban! Thanks for that.
I've not tried that 3rd party 3-button controller. Is it any good?

I thought it was going to be flimsy, but it actually is comfortable and has been reliable for many years (of abuse).

[thisIsLoneWolf]

Good to know. I need to check that out.

While we're on this topic. Which is your favorite 6-button controller? I feel like there are a few good options available. Avenue Pad 6 is one of them I'd say.

[Nazi NecroPhile]

Which is your favorite 6-button controller?

Though I've never even used one, I'm guessing my favorite is the Hori pad.  I have an RX pad and an Ave6, and I don't love either of 'em; the former feels good to hold onto but the d-pad feels weird, and the latter's d-pad is hard on the thumb and the case edges are too square to be comfy.

[Ayce]

Not only does the AV6 pad feel weird, but when I'm playing fighting games my thumb tends to slip off the pad while doing motions. The D-Pad is just too close to the bottom of the controller.

[esteban]

Not only does the AV6 pad feel weird, but when I'm playing fighting games my thumb tends to slip off the pad while doing motions. The D-Pad is just too close to the bottom of the controller.

I am not a big fan of the genre, so I can't judge, but I wonder how many other folks felt the same way as you did. Did NEC design a competent 6-button controller, or is it marred by placement/feel of pad/buttons/housing/etc.?

I know NEC could not have pleaded "everybody", but they needed to please an overwhelming majority, at least.

[imparanoic]

avenue 6 was decent, not great, there are a lot of horrible pads, ie, Samsung game pad, Atari jaguar, dreamcast ( d-pad is nasty, cuts into your fingers), cdi ( very nasty)

[FraGMarE]

I want one of these.  Actually 2 of these. 

[thisIsLoneWolf]

That does look like a nice 6-button pad, but why did they combine the I and VI turbo I'll never know.
I think they could have positioned the 2/6 button mode switch somewhere else, if necessary.

[ratson]

That does look like a nice 6-button pad, but why did they combine the I and VI turbo I'll never know.
I think they could have positioned the 2/6 button mode switch somewhere else, if necessary.

The superfamicom version is identical, probably didn't want to make a new one. The famicom has no need for a 2/6 btn switch where the pce version does. Seems they went for the easy and quick solution.

[wildfruit]

I really should invest in a 3 button pad because legendary axe 2 is annoying without one. Damn bombs.