NeGcon

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Video game controller manufactured by Namco

title: "NeGcon" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["playstation-(console)-accessories", "game-controllers", "namco"] description: "Video game controller manufactured by Namco" topic_path: "general/playstation-console-accessories" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NeGcon" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Video game controller manufactured by Namco ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox information appliance"]

FieldValue
nameNeGcon
titleNeGcon
logoNeGcon logo.svg
imageNamco Negcon centred.jpg
developerNamco
manufacturerNamco
typeGame controller
release_date
platformPlayStation, PlayStation 2
relatedJogCon
GunCon
::

| name = NeGcon | title = NeGcon | logo = NeGcon logo.svg | image = Namco Negcon centred.jpg | developer = Namco | manufacturer = Namco | type = Game controller | release_date = | platform = PlayStation, PlayStation 2 | related = JogCon GunCon The , stylized as neGcon, is a motion-based game controller manufactured in 1995 by Namco for the PlayStation. One of the first third-party peripherals for the system, the controller is connected by a swivel joint, allowing the player to twist the halves relative to each other. The controller also replaces the "symbol" buttons on the original PlayStation controller with two "A" and "B" buttons, as well as "I" and "II" buttons that allowed for analogue control. A black variant was released exclusively in Japan.

The NeGcon was created to replicate the analog-stick movement used in the arcade game Cyber Sled (1993); the name comes from the Japanese word "nejiru", meaning "to twist". The controller was intended for use in racing games, including Ridge Racer, Gran Turismo and Wipeout. Critical reception for the NeGcon was highly positive, being praised for its responsive control in games and unique design.

Description

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/92/Namco_Negcon_twisted.jpg" caption="The NeGcon has a swivel joint that connects the two halves together, allowing them to be twisted relative to each other."] ::

The NeGcon is a video game peripheral released for the PlayStation by Namco, and is also compatible with the PlayStation 2. It is inserted into the system through the controller port located on the front. The left of the controller features a D-pad and a start button, while the right features two blue "A" and "B" buttons and two red "I" and "II" buttons. Two shoulder buttons, labeled "L" and "R" respectively, are located at the top of the controller. The D-pad opts for a cross-shaped circular design similar to the one found on consoles such as the Sega Genesis or the TurboGrafx-16, as opposed to the directional button layout found on the original PlayStation controller.

The halves of the NeGcon are connected by a large swivel-joint, which allows the user to twist both halves relative of each other to allow for precise movements in games. This swivel-joint is operated by gears that turn the shafts of two potentiometers within the device, the central pivot utilizing a ring gear driving a pinion on the shaft of the potentiometer. The I and II buttons are both analogue and have approximately 7mm of travel, which can allow for sustained, responsive button presses. The buttons also detect how much the user pushes them. The L shoulder button is also analogue and has approximately 5mm of travel. All three analogue buttons have a rack driving pinions similar to the ones in the swivel-joint.

Use

The neGcon's design was prompted by Namco's desire to accurately replicate the dual-lever controls of their arcade game Cyber Sled on the PlayStation.

Examples of racing games that took advantage of the neGcon are the original PlayStation iterations of the Ridge Racer series (Ridge Racer Type 4 also supported the Namco Jogcon), Gran Turismo, Motor Toon Grand Prix, Motor Toon Grand Prix 2, Destruction Derby, Colin McRae Rally, TOCA, Rally Cross, V-Rally and the Pole Position games on Namco Museum volumes 1 and 3, as well as Ridge Racer V on the PlayStation 2. The Wipeout series (including Wipeout Fusion on the PS2) also supported the neGcon. The number of non-racing games which supported the neGcon was limited, almost solely confined to Namco's Ace Combat series (which also carried over to PS2). Although the neGcon was not strictly protocol-compatible with the standard PS1 controller, Sony's libraries seemed to support the neGcon as a standard controller even at launch. Because of this, a neGcon could be used in most games that didn't require the use of R2, L2 or select buttons, including the system's built-in memory card manager and CD player. Additionally, the neGcon library was also used to provide finer controls for third-party steering wheels, with long throw I and II buttons used for pedals in such controllers. However, said long throw of the I and II buttons makes the neGcon not a top-quality substitute for a regular PS1 controller. In particular, games that required rapid button pressing of the square or X buttons were difficult to play well.

Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec and Gran Turismo 4 for the PS2 do not support the neGcon. This had the effect of breaking compatibility with steering wheel controllers that previously used the neGcon protocol, although other games such as Le Mans 24 Hours and World Rally Championship (with control mode set to digital) allowed for compatibility. GT3 and GT4 are compatible with the standard PS2 DualShock 2 which provides analog throttle and brake input. For finer control than the short-throw DualShock 2 buttons offered, a user could use a Logitech-produced wheel which was specifically produced for these games. The Logitech wheels were large and non-portable but were well matched to the Gran Turismo games.

History

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Logitech-Driving-Force-PS3.jpg" caption="The NeGcon production team based its design on various steering wheel controllers."] ::

The NeGcon was the creation of Namco designer Satoru Kuriyama. Best known as the production manager for Ridge Racer (1993), Kuriyama envisioned the idea for the NeGcon while observing a fellow Namco employee, Valkyrie no Densetsu creator "Ms. Okawa", playing a Super Famicom racing game while simultaneously tilting the controller in the direction the car was turning in the game. Kuriyama then began thinking of a controller that could twist and turn to perform movement in precise game movements. Namco's console game division caught wind of the idea and suggested that if the controller was drastically different from other game controllers already on the market, it could help create new, interesting game concepts. The team looked to racing games for inspiration, thinking of creating a controller akin to a steering wheel that allowed for quick, precise turns. The name NeGcon is based on the Japanese word "nejiru", meaning "to twist".

Yutaka Isokawa, a Namco engineer, was assigned to the NeGcon production team shortly after completing work on two Yu Yu Hakusho games for the Super Famicom. Originally a developer at Asmik that designed Catrap for the Game Boy, he was integrated into Namco's console game division to begin work on the new controller. Isokawa believes that part of the idea behind the NeGcon was based on Namco's desire to create hardware for the home console market, rather than be strictly a third-party publisher for companies such as Nintendo and Sony Computer Entertainment — this idea was further fueled by the fact that Namco's rival, Sega, was at the time one of the largest hardware manufacturers in the home video game market. Isokawa believes that the company intended to begin producing controllers and potentially consoles before the PlayStation was released.

While designing the NeGcon, the production team turned to racing games for inspiration; they specifically looked at steering wheels and how they moved to potentially create a controller that allowed for quick, responsive turns around corners in tracks. The controller itself was mainly designed by Kazumi Mizuno, the graphical planning manager in Namco's consumer game division. It was suggested by Isokawa and others that the controller could be twisted to recreate the feeling of a steering wheel, rather than having it be held at a specific angle. Multiple prototypes were proposed, including one with a longer controller prong at one hand and another with all four buttons being analogue. Many of the designers were nervous about the swivel that allowed the controller to be twisted as they thought it would be too fragile.

During production of the NeGcon, Isokawa began work on a video game that could show off the controller's capabilities. It was a golf game that had the player twist the NeGcon to simulate the action of swinging a golf club to hit the ball. Isokawa scrapped the game as Namco would have to compete with Sony's Everybody's Golf, which he felt was not possible due to the latter's widespread success. He also believed that golf players who tried out the game would dislike it for its controls and concept overall. Although the game itself was cancelled, the team used it to test the NeGcon prototype units as a way to help correct potential issues and finalize the design.

Supported games

::data[format=table title="List of NeGcon-compatible video games"]

YearTitlePlatformPublisherRef.Ridge RacerMotor Toon Grand PrixRidge Racer RevolutionCyber SledAir CombatWipeoutDestruction DerbyNamco Museum Vol. 1J-League Soccer Prime Goal EXStudio PThe Need for SpeedWorld Stadium EXWipeout 2097Rage RacerMotor Toon Grand Prix 2Galaxian3Namco Museum Vol. 3Tempest X3Destruction Derby 2Road Rage/Speed KingHardcore 4x4Rally CrossAce Combat 2Formula Karts Special EditionPeak PerformanceXevious 3D/G+V-RallyGran TurismoArkanoid ReturnsNeed for Speed IIRay TracersTOCA Touring Car ChampionshipRapid RacerArcade's Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection 2Klonoa: Door to PhantomileAuto DestructNASCAR 99Puchi CaratRally de AfricaR4: Ridge Racer Type 4Twisted Metal IIINeed for Speed III: Hot PursuitColin McRae RallyWorld Stadium 2Ace Combat 3: ElectrosphereCrash Team RacingFormula One 99Gran Turismo 2Need for Speed: High StakesV-Rally 2Side by Side SpecialWipeout 3Formula One 2000Mille MigliaNASCAR RumbleNeed for Speed: Porsche UnleashedColin McRae Rally 2.0Rally de EuropeRC RevengeRidge Racer VTouge Max GDave Mirra Freestyle BMXDave Mirra Freestyle BMX: Maximum RemixFord RacingFormula One 2001Battle Gear 2Wipeout FusionNamCollection
1994PlayStationNamco
1994PlayStationSony Computer Entertainmentauthor1=Ghegstitle=The Namco neGcon and the PlayStation Games Supportedurl=http://www.racketboy.com/retro/the-namco-negcon-and-the-playstation-games-supportedwebsite=Racketboyaccessdate=11 January 2020archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925063812/http://www.racketboy.com/retro/the-namco-negcon-and-the-playstation-games-supportedarchive-date=25 September 2018date=2 May 2013}}
1995PlayStationNamco
1995PlayStationNamco
1995PlayStationNamco
1995PlayStationPsygnosis
1995PlayStationPsygnosis
1995PlayStationNamco
1996PlayStationNamco
1996PlayStationArgent
1996PlayStationElectronic Artsauthor1=Ghegstitle=The Namco neGcon and the PlayStation Games Supportedurl=http://www.racketboy.com/retro/the-namco-negcon-and-the-playstation-games-supportedwebsite=Racketboyaccessdate=11 January 2020archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925063812/http://www.racketboy.com/retro/the-namco-negcon-and-the-playstation-games-supportedarchive-date=25 September 2018date=2 May 2013}}
1996PlayStationNamco
1996PlayStationPsygnosis
1996PlayStationNamco
1996PlayStationSony Computer Entertainment
1996PlayStationNamcotitle=ナムコ プレイステーション用周辺機器 - ネジコンurl=https://www.bandainamcoent.co.jp/cs/list/negcon/index.phppublisher=Bandai Namco Entertainmentaccessdate=11 January 2020archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629190542/https://www.bandainamcoent.co.jp/cs/list/negcon/index.phparchive-date=29 June 2019}}
1996PlayStationNamco
1996PlayStationInterplay
1996PlayStationPsygnosis
1996PlayStationKonami
1996PlayStationASC Games (NA), Gremlin Interactive (EU)
1997PlayStationSony Computer Entertainmenttitle=10 Best And Most Memorable Uses Of Video Game Hardwareurl=https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/10-best-and-most-memorable-uses-of-video-game-hard/2900-1918/5/website=GameSpotpublisher=CBS Interactiveaccessdate=11 January 2020archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405083351/https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/10-best-and-most-memorable-uses-of-video-game-hard/2900-1918/archive-date=5 April 2019date=1 April 2018}}
1997PlayStationNamco
1997PlayStationTelstar
1997PlayStationAtlus
1997PlayStationNamco
1997PlayStationInfogrames Multimedia
1997PlayStationSony Computer Entertainment
1997PlayStationTaito
1997PlayStationElectronic Arts
1997PlayStationTaito
1997PlayStationThe 3DO Company
1997PlayStationSony Computer Entertainment
1998PlayStationMidway Games
1998PlayStationNamco
1998PlayStationElectronic Arts
1998PlayStationElectronic Arts
1998PlayStationTaito
1998PlayStationPrism Arts
1998PlayStationNamcolast1=Klepekfirst1=Patricktitle=That Time Ridge Racer Got Its Own Super Weird Controllerurl=https://kotaku.com/that-time-ridge-racer-got-its-own-super-weird-controlle-1773001907website=Kotakuaccessdate=11 January 2020archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401192841/http://kotaku.com/that-time-ridge-racer-got-its-own-super-weird-controlle-1773001907archive-date=1 April 2017date=25 April 2016}}
1998PlayStationSony Computer Entertainment
1998PlayStationElectronic Arts
1998PlayStationCodemasters
1998PlayStationNamco
1999PlayStationNamco
1999PlayStationSony Computer Entertainment
1999PlayStationSony Computer Entertainment
1999PlayStationSony Computer Entertainment
1999PlayStationElectronic Arts
1999PlayStationElectronic Arts (NA), Infogrames Multimedia (EU)
1999PlayStationTaito
1999PlayStationPsygnosis
2000PlayStationSony Computer Entertainment
2000PlayStationSCi_Games
2000PlayStationElectronic Arts
2000PlayStationElectronic Arts
2000PlayStationCodemasters
2000PlayStationPrism Arts
2000PlayStationAcclaim Entertainment
2000PlayStation 2Namco
2000PlayStationAtlus
2000PlayStationAcclaim Entertainment
2000PlayStationAcclaim Entertainment
2001PlayStationEmpire Interactive
2001PlayStationSony Computer Entertainment
2001PlayStation 2Taito
2002PlayStation 2Sony Computer Entertainment
2005PlayStation 2Namco
::

Variants

NeGcon has been built in three variants.

  • The First Generation model is a basic white neGcon with curved shoulder buttons. It was manufactured in South Korea.
  • The Second Generation model has more rectangular shaped shoulder buttons and was manufactured in China. The Second Generation also uses different components inside.
  • The Third Generation model is a black slightly smaller version of the neGcon. It was designed as a cheaper version of white neGcons, but it has never been officially sold outside of Japan. The black neGcon had reshaped handles designed to be more ergonomic. However it's built of cheaper plastic and components. It is mostly based on the second generation model, sharing most of its components. The black NeGcon was released on April 29, 1998, in Japan.

Reception

According to Electronic Gaming Monthly, upon release in Japan the neGcon "received rave reviews from the gaming press because of its unusual design, shape and method of control".

Retrospective coverage of the NeGcon has been similarly positive, and has noted its outlandish, unique design. Time, who ranked it as the 4th strangest gadget of all time, stated that the NeGcon "stands apart as one of the few simultaneously bizarre and functionally intrepid" of video game controllers, commending its responsive button input and general suitability for racing games. GameSpot agreed, saying that the controller helped redefine the overall design of the traditional PlayStation controller. They said its design was strange and bizarre, yet responsive, and that it was an excellent controller for racing games like Ridge Racer. IGN expressed disappointment towards the NeGcon's poor sales due to it being seen as strange by the general public, writing that it "just goes to show where genuine innovation will get you."

Notes

References

References

  1. (April 1996). "Cybersled". [[Emap International Limited]].
  2. (4 August 2014). "The Untold History of Japanese Game Developers".
  3. (January 1995). "Namco Discuss the Making of Ridge Racer for the Sony PlayStation!". [[Ziff Davis]].
  4. (2 May 2013). "The Namco neGcon and the PlayStation Games Supported".
  5. (April 1996). "Special Extended Play The sequel to the stunning original! Ridge Racer Revolution". [[Emap International Limited]].
  6. (January 1996). "Twisty Times are Here!". Paragon Publishing.
  7. "ナムコ プレイステーション用周辺機器 - ネジコン". [[Bandai Namco Entertainment]].
  8. "Road Rage".
  9. "Hardcore 4x4 (PAL back cover art)".
  10. (1 April 2018). "10 Best And Most Memorable Uses Of Video Game Hardware". [[CBS Interactive]].
  11. (September 1997). "Exclusive Namco/Ace Combat 2 Interview!". [[EMAP Images]].
  12. "FORMULA KARTS SPECIAL EDITION - Review - ABSOLUTE PLAYSTATION".
  13. (29 April 1997). "Peak Performance". [[IGN]].
  14. "Auto Destruct".
  15. (June 1998). "Review Crew: AGH: Atari Collection 2". [[Ziff Davis]].
  16. "Auto Destruct".
  17. "Rally de Africa".
  18. (25 April 2016). "That Time Ridge Racer Got Its Own Super Weird Controller".
  19. "Formula One 99 (PAL back cover art)".
  20. (July 2000). "Review: Wiep3out Special Edition". [[EMAP]].
  21. "Formula One 2000 (PAL back cover art)".
  22. "Rally de Europe".
  23. (7 March 2000). "PS2 Launch: Ridge Racer V Peripherals". [[IGN]].
  24. "Formula One 2001 (PAL back cover art)".
  25. Ohbuchi, Yutaka. (March 6, 1998). "NeGcon Goes Black".
  26. (March 1996). "In Total Control: Companies Take Aim at Gamers with New Gadgets". Sendai Publishing.
  27. Fitzpatrick, Alex. (7 July 2016). "The 25 Weirdest Gadgets of All Time".
  28. GameSpot Staff. (1 April 2018). "10 Best And Most Memorable Uses Of Video Game Hardware". [[CBS Interactive]].
  29. Davis, Justin. (8 April 2013). "Nine of the Weirdest, Wackiest Controllers Ever". [[IGN]].

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::

playstation-(console)-accessoriesgame-controllersnamco