Is the Old Skool Control Pad for the TurboGrafx 16 & PC Engine Good?

In this video, we unbox and test out the Old Skool Control Pad designed for the TurboGrafx16 and the PC Engine.Show more

I've been on a kick lately to get my TurboGrafx 16 up and running. I bought it in January 2020 from Pat at Show Me Retro (https://www.youtube.com/user/ag763s) at the MoGameCon Junior and, while I had bought the arcade stick for the system locally, I hadn't had a chance to get my hands on a TurboPad for a reasonable price. Upon heading into Live Action Games to check out some other stuff, I saw Adrian had some of the Old Skool controllers in-stock. For the price I figured why not, plunked down my cash, and picked up the controller.

Out of the box, at least compared to the TG16 Mini's controller, the Old Skool was a pretty faithful replica. The major components were here, from the location of the buttons and D-Pad, the turbo switches, and more. The dimensions were pretty spot on too, overall I think Old Skool did a good job of duplicating the source material. One of the things I did find a little odd was the shape of the 1 and 2 buttons. They were neither concave or convex, rather they were fairly flat in their configuration and shape. I was a bit put off by this initially, but it would be a non-issue.

The overall shape matches the original pretty closely. Old Skool also managed to duplicate the shape of the back of the controller too. See, the back isn't flat like the NES or SNES controller. Instead, there are little humps on each end of the controller's back, which makes it a little more comfortable to hold and prevents the controller from digging into your hands. I also thought the controller was pretty lightweight, but then again the controller for the Turbo Mini was also pretty lightweight as well.

One of the big downsides to the controller for me was the length of the controller cable. Or the lack of length, to be more accurate. The controller cable is ridiculously short at a measly 4 feet in length. This reminded me more of what the Famicom included back in the day and isn't nearly long enough for most people these days. For a wired controller, manufacturer's really need to go with a 10-foot cable. I had to physically pull my TurboGraphx 16 out of my stand to be able to play and capture footage, that's how short it is.

While the cable is a disappointment, the overall performance of the Old Skool controller was quite good! The button presses were spot-on, and the turbo switches worked perfectly. From action platformers to SHMUPS and more, I really had a good experience with the controller. What makes it really versatile is the included PC Engine adapter, so you can also use it on the Core FX and PC Engine!

Why it RoX:
- Authentic shape and styling to the original
- Comfortable ergonomics
- Turbo switches
- Budget-friendly
- Included PC Engine adapter

What could be improved?
- Controller cable is far too short
- Lightweight may feel unsubstantial in the hands
- Some early versions are not compatible with the Turbo Tap
- Not compatible with TG16 Mini

Should you buy one?
If you are getting into the TurboGrafx 16 and are in need of an everyday controller, the Old Skool Control Pad is actually not a bad option. It is honestly one of the better products of theirs I've tested out, if only the controller cable weren't so short. That is the one thing that really hurts this controller for me, as other than this it performed quite well. I'd love to see them revamp this controller with a 10-ft long cable, as that would make this a terrific option. As is, it is ok, yet it was so close to being great.

#OldSkool #TurboGrafx16 #TurboPad #Controller #Review
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