Difference between revisions of "Gravis GamePad"
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[[Image:Gravis PC GamePad - Controller.jpg|thumb|256x256px|The Gravis PC GamePad.]] | [[Image:Gravis PC GamePad - Controller.jpg|thumb|256x256px|The Gravis PC GamePad.]] | ||
| − | The | + | The '''Gravis GamePad''' is a [[video game controller]] created by [[Advanced Gravis Computer Technology]] and released in 1991. It has an 8-way D-pad, 4 buttons, an optional joystick attachment that screws into the D-pad, a switch to make the gamepad left-handed, and a switch to use four buttons or two buttons and two turbo buttons. It was originally made for PC-compatible computers and used a DA-15 connector, but additional versions were made for the [[Amiga]], [[Atari ST]], and [[Macintosh Classic|Macintosh]], and the design was re-purposed for the [[CDI 910]]. A later design was made called the [[Gravis GamePad Pro]]. |
| − | + | The original PC release included a shareware copy of ''[[Commander Keen: Marooned On Mars]]'' while a later PC release included a shareware copy of ''[[Commander Keen IV: Secret of the Oracle]]'', slightly modified to make better use of the Gravis GamePad. | |
| − | I bought this gamepad at [[Babbages]] around 1992, and my version came with Secret of the Oracle. | + | ==Personal== |
| + | I bought the PC version of this gamepad at [[Babbages]] around 1992, and my version came with ''Secret of the Oracle'' on 3.5" floppy disk, but I've since lost them both. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Status== | ||
| + | I no longer own a Gravis GamePad. | ||
==Review== | ==Review== | ||
===Good=== | ===Good=== | ||
* This was one of the first PC gamepads made to support four buttons, most PC controllers only had two. | * This was one of the first PC gamepads made to support four buttons, most PC controllers only had two. | ||
| − | * For the few games specifically designed to work with the gamepad, like the included copy of Secret of the Oracle, it's | + | * For the few games specifically designed to work with the gamepad, like the included copy of ''Secret of the Oracle'', it's much better to use than the keyboard or traditional two-button joysticks. |
* The ability to switch to a left-handed gamepad was a very cool feature, though, I don't know if left-handed people actually use it. | * The ability to switch to a left-handed gamepad was a very cool feature, though, I don't know if left-handed people actually use it. | ||
| + | * The turbo switch is really nice, although it only works in two-button mode. | ||
===Bad=== | ===Bad=== | ||
* The D-pad is pretty awful. You often find your character moving at an angle when you're trying to move in a straight path. | * The D-pad is pretty awful. You often find your character moving at an angle when you're trying to move in a straight path. | ||
| − | * Very few games took advantage of the extra two buttons | + | * Very few games took advantage of the extra two buttons. |
| − | + | * The detachable joystick is awkward to use, so it's usually left off. Unfortunately, this leaves an open hole in the D-pad which is uncomfortable on your thumb. | |
| − | * The | ||
===Ugly=== | ===Ugly=== | ||
| − | * While no one individual flaw ruins the device, all its minor make it a pretty bad product. | + | * While no one individual flaw ruins the device, all its minor flaws make it a pretty bad product. |
| − | == | + | ==Media== |
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
Gravis PC GamePad - Box - Front.jpg|The front of the box. | Gravis PC GamePad - Box - Front.jpg|The front of the box. | ||
| Line 29: | Line 33: | ||
==Games== | ==Games== | ||
| − | This is a table of games known to have | + | This is a table of games known to have direct support for the Gravis PC GamePad. For a more complete list, see [http://www.mobygames.com/attribute/sheet/attributeId,26 MobyGames]. |
{| class="wikitable" | | {| class="wikitable" | | ||
| Line 35: | Line 39: | ||
! Notes | ! Notes | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | [[Commander Keen IV: Secret of the Oracle]] || id released a special version. | + | | ''[[Commander Keen IV: Secret of the Oracle]]'' || id released a special version. |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | [[Jazz Jackrabbit]] || | + | | ''[[Jazz Jackrabbit]]'' || |
|} | |} | ||
==Links== | ==Links== | ||
| − | + | {{Link|Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravis_PC_GamePad}} | |
| + | {{Link|MobyGames|http://www.mobygames.com/attribute/sheet/attributeId,26}} | ||
| + | [[Category: Computer Hardware]] | ||
[[Category: Video Game Controllers]] | [[Category: Video Game Controllers]] | ||
Revision as of 17:00, 30 March 2020
The Gravis GamePad is a video game controller created by Advanced Gravis Computer Technology and released in 1991. It has an 8-way D-pad, 4 buttons, an optional joystick attachment that screws into the D-pad, a switch to make the gamepad left-handed, and a switch to use four buttons or two buttons and two turbo buttons. It was originally made for PC-compatible computers and used a DA-15 connector, but additional versions were made for the Amiga, Atari ST, and Macintosh, and the design was re-purposed for the CDI 910. A later design was made called the Gravis GamePad Pro.
The original PC release included a shareware copy of Commander Keen: Marooned On Mars while a later PC release included a shareware copy of Commander Keen IV: Secret of the Oracle, slightly modified to make better use of the Gravis GamePad.
Personal
I bought the PC version of this gamepad at Babbages around 1992, and my version came with Secret of the Oracle on 3.5" floppy disk, but I've since lost them both.
Status
I no longer own a Gravis GamePad.
Review
Good
- This was one of the first PC gamepads made to support four buttons, most PC controllers only had two.
- For the few games specifically designed to work with the gamepad, like the included copy of Secret of the Oracle, it's much better to use than the keyboard or traditional two-button joysticks.
- The ability to switch to a left-handed gamepad was a very cool feature, though, I don't know if left-handed people actually use it.
- The turbo switch is really nice, although it only works in two-button mode.
Bad
- The D-pad is pretty awful. You often find your character moving at an angle when you're trying to move in a straight path.
- Very few games took advantage of the extra two buttons.
- The detachable joystick is awkward to use, so it's usually left off. Unfortunately, this leaves an open hole in the D-pad which is uncomfortable on your thumb.
Ugly
- While no one individual flaw ruins the device, all its minor flaws make it a pretty bad product.
Media
The front of the box.
The back of the box.
Games
This is a table of games known to have direct support for the Gravis PC GamePad. For a more complete list, see MobyGames.
| Game | Notes |
|---|---|
| Commander Keen IV: Secret of the Oracle | id released a special version. |
| Jazz Jackrabbit |
Links
