PDP announced a new product today aimed at fighting game fans – the Marvel Versus FightPad. The new controller is officially licensed by Marvel and features art from the Siege comic book storyline. It looks like Mad Catz finally has some competition.
As with most fightpads, this controller has six face buttons and two shoulder buttons. One of the more interesting design choices with this controller is the inclusion of a joystick rather than a dpad. I have to admit, I was initially put off by this idea. However, PDP released a video detailing the new stick and I’m actually excited now.
According to the press release, the thumb stick uses high quality micro-switch activators which gives the joystick a satisfying clicking sound each time you move it around, just like an actual arcade stick. Whether or not this improves performance remains to be seen. At the very least, the joystick needs to be more accurate than a standard dpad to be worthwhile. Personally, I like the floating dpad from the Mad Catz SFIV FightPad and I’ve been using the controller for about two years now. If PDP’s is better, I’ll be surprised and pleased at the same time.
As you will notice in the gallery below, the left side of the controller is longer than the right. The Marvel FightPad was designed this way to make piano style button pressing more comfortable for the player. If you have a Mad Catz FightPad, you also may have noticed that the button layout is slightly different. On the Mad Catz FightPad, RB and RT are on the far right of the controller. The PDP FightPad uses LB and RB instead. Based on the default control scheme for MvC3, this actually makes sense since those buttons are used for assists. Of course, you can always change the button layout around in any fighting game so this doesn’t really matter.
The Marvel Versus FightPad will be available on February 14th in North America for $39.99. As of right now, the controller will only be available for the Xbox 360. PDP might release one for the PlayStation 3 if the FightPad receives enough of a positive reception to justify its existence.
Source: Press Release
Foxhound_Solid
PS3 Pad is perfect for every game. Xbox pad is only useable for shooters. I feel sorry for the Green Crowd as this game will be practically unplayable for them.
Delriach
I can’t use the old pad anymore. My issue though is that the DS3 and the 360 controller have 4 buttons on the face. For a game like Tekken that’s ok, but when there’s six buttons like in SSFIV I need a fightpad. Using the shoulder buttons is a pain.
Foxhound_Solid
I used to think the SNES pad was the perfect fighting pad. DS3 works better for me then a Fighter Pad or DS3. Although I must admit the SNES pad was so well crafted, perfect for some World Warrior and Turbo battles.
Delriach
I was big on the six button pad since the Sega Genesis/Megadrive. I loved that controller… I still have it! That and the six button Saturn pad. Such a good design. The dpad was phenomenal.
KetchupBBQ
So it’s basically exactly the same as the Madcatz one then?
Jeez just get a proper stick if you can’t use a regular controller.
Delriach
There are some design differences. There is no turbo button. Start and Select on the PDP FightPad are located on the top of the controller to avoid accidental presses. The shape of the controller is noticeably different and is asymmetrical.
The most important difference is that Mad Catz uses a floating dpad. PDP uses an actual stick with parts from an arcade stick.