FYI, there is no "model 2" Saturn controller. There is just the standard Saturn controller, and that weird thing they only sold in the US and only for the first year. The "model" 2 wasn't something they invented later, it was what they had all along.
The weird one, honestly, wasn't that bad, and it was nice looking. The mysterious thing is that they decided to invent it at all when they already had the best f*cking thing ever. I guess its just another example of SOA being too powerful and too active for its own good.
Yeah I was and always will be a huge SEGA fan but when I tried that Saturn controller at a kiosk with the system first came out I remember being horrified. I mean, what a shit controller!
For me it would probably be something like this:
1. Megadrive/Genesis 6 Button - The best d-pad, high quality buttons with great response, comfortable, sturdy.
2. PCE Turbo Pad. It's blocky but comfy, the d-pad is the type I like (circular, not a cross design), buttons are well placed and the turbo switches are great. Never lets me down. Does give me a cramp after long playing sessions though but I blame myself.
3. PS2 Dual Shock - Comfortable and well-built, great button placement, and the analog sticks work pretty well, as with the analog buttons for the games that used them. The d-pad isn't the best but it never bothered me. Can be used to control just about any kind of game yet is small and solid.
4. Saturn pad - Not as good as the Megadrive contoller in my opinion, but still a great controller.
5. AV Famicom "bone" style controllers. Much more comfortable than the standard Famicom or NES controllers. Cord is way too short and buttons tend to be a little unresponsive at times though.
