I forgot to mention there are Genesis controllers that have stiff d-Pads which also have really long cables, I still prefer the late ones which are similar to the Sega Saturn controller's d-Pad plus the Saturn controller has 1 of the best d-Pad designs ever.
So when exactly did the 3rd version of the 3-button controller come out? I had the Red Accented 1989 Original in 91 with it's stiff ridged d-pad(eek!), then moved on to the 2nd version(With white accents), followed up with the 6 button controller. I don't recall getting the 3rd 3 button at all way back when, probably because it came out when the 6 Button was already being released in 93 I'm guessing. Either way, i think the red accented 3 button from 1989 is easily the coolest and most iconic looking of the bunch, but the 6 button easily takes the cake strictly in terms of it's D-pad and smaller snappier premium feeling A,B & C buttons. The recent release of the Retro-Bit Big6 blends the best of both worlds. You get the 3 button's Batarang ergonomics, but with the 6 button's D-pad and B,A,C buttons.
