Have you listened to this week's podcast? I sure hope so, but for the few that haven't, there was some talk about a Marvel vs. Capcom Remake, Super Street Fighter Turbo HD Remix (SSFTHDR) and Street fighter IV. So after all the 2D fighters talk and in preparation of all the 2D fighters coming out soon, such as the beautifully looking BlazBlue, I'm feeling generous and want to share a secret with you that could save you some money.

If you have ever played a Sega Saturn, you will know that the 6 button controller had the best D-Pad ever created for fighting games. With the recent release of the Mad Catz Street Fighter IV licensed Fight Pads for the PS3 and 360, I experienced Deja vu. Have a look at the picture below; do you get the same feeling as me?

Its one scarty looking controller

It looks a lot like the Sega Controller, and in all honestly it's about time a company realised how good that controller was for 2D fighters. They are available on Amazon, Play-Asia and can also be found on EBay. Since they were never actually brought to Australia it's not cheap. The cheapest one I found was around 100 dollars all up

The reviews going around the interwebs are glowing, and they sound like they would be a fantastic controller to have. Its ok if you're drooling at this point, I am. But for the 360 owners out there a deal breaker might be that for some strange reason only the PS3 Pads are wireless.

I'm sure your wondering what my secret is though; well if you're a 360 player I'm sorry it doesn't apply to you, but if you're a PC or a PS3 player you might be surprised to hear that a copy of the Saturn Controller is still in production. What is even better is that it being made with a USB cord. It is designed for Windows and Mac but also works on the PS3.

Don't you just love the retro look?

The biggest downside of the Controller that they miss a PS button; this means 2 things, if you're lucky enough to have a backwards compatible PS3 you cant use this on your PS2 games and that you will need to have your regular controller close at hand if you want to get to the XMB.

Like the Street Fighter IV Fight Pads these are only avalible through online retailers at the moment for around 35 dollars including shipping. This is great value in my opinion, and I have been informed by people that are hardcore fighter fans these are well worth the money.

Obviously the biggest advantages of the Mad Catz controllers is they have all the other buttons that your used to in a controller, a more ergonomic shape and Wireless on the PS3 versions. But for a cheaper alternative it would be hard to look past the Saturn USB Controller. If you want an upper hand over the increasing online competition, both of these would be fantastic options.