Key information
In 1995, Yuji Naka, Naoto Ohshima, and the Sonic Team were developing NiGHTS into Dreams for the Sega Saturn. Although the Saturn pad excelled for 2D, its directional pad was limited to eight directions, whereas NiGHTS required a stick. While the team observed Super Mario 64 at Nintendo Space World in November 1995, the primary driver for a new controller was the design of NiGHTS itself.
Kenji Tosaki managed the controller project internally, completing it in approximately six months alongside the game. Yuji Naka noted in a 1996 Famitsu interview that the team brainstormed nearly 100 controller models, including hands-free concepts and a massive foot-operated prototype. The 3D Control Pad launched in Japan on July 5, 1996, in a bundle, and debuted in Europe in September 1996.
The controller used a magnet and a Hall effect sensor to measure inclination without contact, preventing wear and joystick drift. It also featured two analog triggers. While NiGHTS remained playable using the d-pad, the analog stick allowed players to precisely control curves and trajectories, transforming the arcade-style experience.
Tosaki subsequently worked on the Dreamcast controller, released in 1998, which incorporated the 3D Control Pad's curves, stick, and analog triggers. Elements of the design also influenced the original Xbox controller.
