d-pads

Four-way thumb buttons

A d-pad (directional pad) is a flat, cross-shaped control found on video game controllers, used for navigating menus or moving characters in four or eight directions.

Unlike joysticks, d-pads register discrete inputs rather than analog motion, making them preferred for precise movements in fighting games and 2D platformers: The d-pad feels more responsive for retro games.

hardware

controller

Device directing a system

gamepadHandheld console interface
joystickTilting lever for control
buttonDisc through a hole

thumbstick · input · peripheral · console · Nintendo · Sega · arcade · membrane · plastic · circuit

gaming

platformers

Games requiring precise leaps

retroEvoking recent past
comboItems grouped together
precisionAccuracy of measurement

2D · side-scroller · NES · SNES · Genesis · pixel · classic · emulator · speedrun · inputs

navigation

up

Out of bed

downToward lower ground
leftDeparted or portside
rightMorally proper or entitled

cursor · menu · selection · scrolling · movement · direction · diagonal · cardinal · interface · UI

Opposites

input mechanism type

d-padsanalog sticks

Controller directional inputs

thumbsticks · joysticks · control sticks · analog controls · motion controls

input modality

d-padsmotion controls

Movement-sensing game interface

gesture controls · touchscreens · touchpads · eye tracking · voice commands

Family

d-pad, pad, pads, padded, padding

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G