Dual Analog Controller
Sony's Dual Analog Controller
The Dual Analog Controller (SCPH-1180) is Sony's first attempt at a handheld analog controller. Their first official analog controller was the Analog Joystick (SCPH-1110).
History
The Dual Analog Controller was released in Japan in 1997 to coincide with the realease of Tobal 2. It was advertised as allowing for more precise and fluid control of the game's fighters. Also, the Japan-exclusive rumble feature added to the realism. It was released later in that year to the U.S. market, but was not advertised.
Fans of a smaller form factor, Japanese gamers complained that the longer grips made the controller too large and the lack of a rumble feature in the U.S. model are the most commonly cited reasons that Sony decided to end production of this controller and redesign it.
The Dual Analog Controller was discontunied in both markets in 1998 to be replaced by the DualShock, although a number of gamers still regard it as the better gamepad, mostly due to it's longer hand grips and ridged shoulder buttons.
Features
If a game was compatible with the Dual Analog Controller, the player would be able to press the "Analog" button located between the analog sticks to activate the analog mode. This was indicated by a red LED. If a game was not analog-compatible, and was switched to analog mode, it simply wouldn't register any button presses or, in some cases, would be considered by the PlayStation as detatched).
The abilitiy to emulate Sony's own Analog Joystick (by pressing the "Analog" button a second time to reveal a green LED), provided a less expensive alternative for experiencing dual analog control as it retailed for an average of $30 compared to the Dual Joystick's retail price of $70.
MechWarrior 2, Ace Combat 2, Descent Maximum, and Colony Wars are among the short list of "Flightstick" compatible games.
Distinguishing Features That Didn't Carry Over To The DualShock
The Dual Analog Controller featured several aspects that remain unique only to it, and were scrapped or redesigned for the realease of Sony's DualShock controller.
- Only the Japanese version features the now standard vibration function. Due to a lack of vibration-compatible games at the time, the U.S. version did not feature rumble feedback and, as a result, weight significanly less than its overseas counterpart.
- The Japanese version was available in both gray and black, while the U.S. version was only available in gray.
- The hand grips are a full two inches longer than the original PlayStation controller and the current DualShock controller.
- The analog sticks have a concave design and are made completely of plastic, with no rubber grips on top.
- The L2 and R2 buttons have ridges to easily distinguish them from the L1 and R1 buttons.
- In addition to the standard digital mode and the regular "red LED" Analog mode, there is a third mode that emulates the layout of the Dual Joysticks, and is indicated by a green LED. This is commonly referred to as "Flightstick Mode."
- The "Analog" button, used for switching modes, is raised instead of depressed and can be hit accidentally while playing a game.