My Dreamcast controller gave up during a Streets of Rage 2 run

Last Saturday I was two levels into Streets of Rage 2 on my Dreamcast, the one console I always defend, and the analog stick just snapped right off in my hand. The plastic had been cracking for months, but I kept ignoring it, told myself it was fine. Now I'm sitting there with a broken stick and a game paused, trying to figure out if I can even get a replacement that isn't $60 online. I tried super glue and tape, but that lasted about ten minutes before it gave out again. Anyone else ever have a controller die at the worst possible moment, or should I just buy a newer third party one and hope it feels right?

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2 Comments

margaret3041mo ago

Ugh, that's brutal. I read somewhere that the Dreamcast controllers have notoriously weak stick housings, some plastic compound that gets brittle after a couple decades, so you're definitely not alone on this one. The tape and glue trick only works for so long, it's like the stick knows when you're mid-combo and picks that exact second to give up. I'd say skip the pricey original and look for one of those third party pads with the longer cord, they're way more comfortable for long Streets of Rage sessions anyway. Did the stick break off with the whole base, or just the top part, because that changes what you can salvage?

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sullivan.finley1mo ago

Did it snap clean off at the base, or is the stick itself still intact? I had a similar thing happen with my Saturn pad and honestly, the worst part is knowing it's just gone forever. That brittle plastic thing is real, mine crumbled like a cracker too, so I feel your pain on this one.

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