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 '''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 | + | 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 which 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 It was originally made for PC-compatible computers, but additional versions were made for the [[Amiga]], [[Atari ST]], and [[Macintosh Classic|Macintosh]], and the design was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 | + | The PC version has a male DA-15 connector while the Mac, Amiga, and Atari ST versions have a DE-9 female connector. |
− | == | + | 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 the PC version of this gamepad at [[Babbages]] around 1992, and my version came with ''Secret of the Oracle'' on 3.5" floppy disk. I no longer have | + | |
+ | ==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 no longer have either. I guess my GamePad broke at some point (probably by me throwing it), because I have a memory of going to the store to buy a replacement GamePad (and being upsold to the [[Gravis GamePad Pro]]). | ||
+ | |||
+ | I used to own a Gravis GamePad, but no longer do. At some point I must have broke it and thrown it out or lost it. | ||
==Review== | ==Review== | ||
===Good=== | ===Good=== | ||
− | * This was one of the first PC gamepads made to support four buttons | + | * This was one of the first PC gamepads made to support four buttons; most PC controllers of the time 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 vastly superior to the traditional two-button joystick, or, shudder, the keyboard. |
* 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. | * The turbo switch is really nice, although it only works in two-button mode. | ||
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===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. | ||
− | * | + | * Since 4-buttons weren't standard, very few new games took advantage of the extra two buttons, and even fewer older games were patched to take advantage of it. |
* 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 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. | ||
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Gravis PC GamePad - Box - Front.jpg|The front of the box. | Gravis PC GamePad - Box - Front.jpg|The front of the box. | ||
Gravis PC GamePad - Box - Back.jpg|The back of the box. | Gravis PC GamePad - Box - Back.jpg|The back of the box. | ||
+ | Gravis PC GamePad - Controller.jpg|The controller. | ||
+ | Gravis PC GamePad - Box - Front - Revisions.jpg|Later revisions to the box design. | ||
+ | Gravis Mac GamePad - Box - Front.jpg|The front of the Mac box. | ||
+ | Gravis Mac GamePad - Box - Front - Revision.jpg|Later Mac box revision. | ||
+ | Gravis GamePad - Box - Front.jpg|The front of the Amiga/Atari ST box. | ||
+ | Gravis Gamepad - Manual - Amiga-Atari.pdf|Manual - Amiga/Atari ST. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Download== | ||
+ | This contains the v2.1 utilities with ''Secret of the Oracle''. | ||
+ | |||
+ | * [[Media:Gravis Utilities v2.1.zip|Download]] ([[:File:Gravis Utilities v2.1.zip|Info]]) - Version 2.1. | ||
==Games== | ==Games== | ||
− | This is a table of games | + | This is a table of games that are important to me which 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" | | ||
− | ! Game | + | ! Game !! 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]]'' || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | ''[[Spear of Destiny]]'' || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | ''[[Terminal Velocity]]'' || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | ''[[Wolfenstein 3D]]'' || | ||
|} | |} | ||
Latest revision as of 16:43, 25 September 2023
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 which 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, 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 PC version has a male DA-15 connector while the Mac, Amiga, and Atari ST versions have a DE-9 female connector.
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 no longer have either. I guess my GamePad broke at some point (probably by me throwing it), because I have a memory of going to the store to buy a replacement GamePad (and being upsold to the Gravis GamePad Pro).
I used to own a Gravis GamePad, but no longer do. At some point I must have broke it and thrown it out or lost it.
Review
Good
- This was one of the first PC gamepads made to support four buttons; most PC controllers of the time 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 vastly superior to the traditional two-button joystick, or, shudder, the keyboard.
- 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.
- Since 4-buttons weren't standard, very few new games took advantage of the extra two buttons, and even fewer older games were patched to take advantage of it.
- 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
Download
This contains the v2.1 utilities with Secret of the Oracle.
Games
This is a table of games that are important to me which 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 | |
Spear of Destiny | |
Terminal Velocity | |
Wolfenstein 3D |