Editing Directional pad

The '''directional pad''' (shortened '''d-pad''', officially '''+Control Pad''') refers to the grey, cross-shaped group of buttons on the left side of the [[GameCube controller|GameCube]] and [[Nintendo 64 controller|Nintendo 64]] [[controller]]s, the cross-shaped group of buttons located on the [[Wii Remote]], [[Classic Controller]], [[Nintendo 3DS]], [[Wii U GamePad]], and [[Wii U Pro Controller]], and cross-shaped group of buttons on the left side of the [[Nintendo Switch]] Lite (white) and [[Nintendo Switch Pro Controller]] (dark gray). The left [[Joy-Con]] has a group of four buttons in a diamond shape in the same place called the directional buttons, with the same purpose. The color of the d-pad on the Nintendo 3DS varies, but it matches the color of the Wii Remote, Classic Controller, Wii U GamePad and Wii U Pro Controller.

While the directional pad has appeared in some form across every console the ''Smash'' series has been playable on, its functionality has varied over the years. In ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'', it serves no purpose other than menu navigation. When played on the [[Wii]] using a GameCube controller or Classic Controller, the d-pad is analogous to the N64 controller's [[L button]], used for the character's [[taunt]].

In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', it continues to function as menu navigation, but also has a number of other uses. Pressing up during a fight will make the player's character [[taunt]]. The d-pad is also used for activating Fox and Falco's [[Smash Taunt|secret taunts]] and [[Samus's Extended Grapple]]. In [[Camera Mode]] and the Trophy Gallery, the d-pad can be used to move the camera. In ''Melee'', the directional pad also has uses not intended in regular gameplay: through the {{SSBM|debug mode}}, it can be used to toggle the game mode, control {{SSBM|Master Hand}} (also possible with the [[Name Entry glitch]]) and/or {{SSBM|Crazy Hand}}, and spawn items in-game, among other things.<ref>http://tcrf.net/Super_Smash_Bros._Melee/Master_Debug_Menu</ref>

In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', it takes the role of the [[control stick]] when played on a Wii Remote, and reprises its role of taunts for the Classic and GameCube controllers. When using the Wii Remote with the [[Nunchuk]], pressing up will make the character [[jump]], while pressing sideways will make the character [[grab]] in specified direction, and pressing down will let the character [[shield]]. The [[controls]] menu option introduced in this game allows non-default actions to be mapped to the d-pad.

In {{for3ds}}, it once again takes the role of being used for the character's taunt, whereas in {{forwiiu}}, any controller reprises its role for taunts. Different actions can once again be mapped to the d-pad.

 

In ''Brawl'', ''Smash 4'', and ''Ultimate'', all directions on the d-pad can be remapped to perform other functions. [[Nintendo Switch]] hardware version 10.0.0 introduced the ability to map the functionality of any button to any other button from the console options menu, further diversifying how the d-Pad can be used in ''Ultimate''.

 

==Joy-Con directional buttons==

In ''Ultimate'', the Joy-Cons do not have a d-pad built in. When using both Joy-Cons at once, the four buttons on the left that mirror the [[A]], [[B]], [[X button|X]], and [[Y]] buttons on the right substitute for a d-pad. When using a single Joy-Con held horizontally, what would be d-pad buttons are instead set to different actions, as the right button acts like an A button and is used for performing standard attacks, while the bottom button acts like a B button and is used for performing special attacks, and the top and left buttons act like X and Y buttons and are used for jumping. All other compatible controllers have a traditional d-pad and it functions like in previous games with the ability to be mapped to different actions.

==Trivia==

*Masahiro Sakurai admitted in a [[YouTube]] video that he prefers using the directional pad for menu navigation over the [[Control stick]], as he finds repeatedly tilting the stick tedious.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_3ZnSiwlnc I Want to Choose Fast! <nowiki>[UI]</nowiki>]</ref>