neGcon FAQ

neGcon FAQ

Q: What the fuck is that?
A: Namco neGcon. Made in 1994 for Namco's Cyber Sled, but turned into a great alternative to a steering wheel, being handheld.

Q: Isn't it neg con?
A: Nejiru for twist, con for controller.

Q: How does it work?
A: The middle in basically split in half. Each side turns to a sum of 135 degrees. This analog is not Dual Shock or Dual Analog, but it's own that games like Gran Turismo and Ridge Racer made for intended use as a steering wheel, as opposed to control the tires like DS and DA analog.
	The L, I, and II buttons are analog as well. I being accelerate, II being Brake, and L being whatever it can be. I don't use L for anything, but it's there if I want to change it up.
	There is no Select, L2 or R2 buttons. This is why games that aren't directly supported by the neGcon cannot recognize it, thus being incompatible, and not plug-and-play.
	The neGcon hardware is found in steering wheels with I and II buttons, as opposed to, for example, the Pelican Steering Wheel, which is just a DS2 with a different design.
	Those wheels are: Mad Catz Dual Force, Interact V3, Interact UltraRacer (I've used for Ridge Racer 4 on my Youtube), Radica Gamester, RacCon, Interact Concept 4, Performance Mega Racer, Optec Aftershock, Optec Cockpit, Steer 'N Win Jr, Interact Dual Impact, Mega Racing Wheel, etc.
	Fair warning, most of these controllers have extra buttons that the neGcon doesn't, so compatibility is awkward with them.

Q: What games are supported?
A: http://www.rolling-start.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=26

Q: Doesn't that hurt your wrists over time?
A: Not at all. The twisting is more natural hand motion than no movement. On my youtube, I've done a 25 hour Gran Turismo 2 100% run with it, and felt fine after.

Q: Where did you get it?
A: From Amazon JP, and imported through a proxy service. The shipping was more than the neGcon.

Q: I see a lot of white ones, why is yours black?
A: The Black model was release in 1998 and has better handles, a different Start button, and more sturdy and ergonomic. The white is the original one in 1994.

Q: How rare are neGcons?
A: Kinda. Whites aren't too difficult to find. Black ones are. Any US listing for them are overpriced, since mine was $11 from a recycle shop.

Q: Is this a "pay-to-win" controller?
A: Not really. For racing games since who the fuck knows, the best way to play is a steering wheel for the most precise driving. It helps a lot, but not so much that a knockoff would be terrible.

Q: How did you find out about it?
A: Namco Catalog '98. It was the 2nd disc of the Ridge Racer 4 I got from my uncle in '99 or 2000. It showed off the neGcon, JogCon, and games being released. I originally tried to get a neGcon in the mid-'00s, but they were even more difficult to find, with me being a teenager with no internet.

Q: If it's that amazing, why do more people not use it?
A: For speedrunning, games with neGcon support are just not ran. It's obscure and people don't want to use resources to try to get stuff from Japan. I went very far out of my way to get one, including selling my PS3. Other people just don't care enough or play PS1 racing games.

Q: How worn out is yours?
A: Very. When I got it, it wasn't perfect, and playing with it all the time doesn't help. I have to calibrate for every game I play and it's hard to stay consistent. My I button is wearing out quick, the center is at 4, not 0, but other than that, it's holding up.

Q: Is it difficult to find a new one?
A: Yes. I can't find a new one anymore, but at the time I bough mine, I saw new ones, but couldn't afford them. At this point, I won't be able to afford a used one, if they keep going up.

Q: Would you recommend this controller?
A: If you're interested and play the games supported, definitely. If you aren't able to find an original neGcon, getting the Mad Catz Dual Force is the next best option. If you can't find room or build a steering wheel frame for it, the Interact V3 is right below that.