# Atari Jaguar Pro Controller

> Shortly after the Jaguar was published, Atari would create the Jaguar Pro controller, with three additional face buttons and even two shoulder buttons, making the controller have 17 buttons overall.

**Wikidata**: [Q62109471](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q62109471)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/atari-jaguar-pro-controller

## Summary
The Atari Jaguar Pro Controller is an enhanced gamepad released by Atari shortly after the Jaguar console launch, featuring three additional face buttons and two shoulder buttons for a total of 17 buttons. It was designed to provide expanded control options for Jaguar games. The controller connects specifically to the Atari Jaguar system.

## Key Facts
- Released shortly after the Atari Jaguar console publication
- Contains 17 total buttons including three additional face buttons and two shoulder buttons
- Designed as an enhanced version of the standard Jaguar controller
- Connects specifically to the Atari Jaguar console
- Classified as a gamepad and video game controller
- Part of the Atari Jaguar controller family
- Features expanded button layout compared to standard controllers

### Q: What makes the Atari Jaguar Pro Controller different from the standard Jaguar controller?
A: The Pro Controller adds three extra face buttons and two shoulder buttons, bringing the total button count to 17 compared to the standard controller's fewer buttons.

### Q: When was the Atari Jaguar Pro Controller released?
A: It was released shortly after the Atari Jaguar console was published, though the exact date is not specified in available sources.

### Q: How many buttons does the Atari Jaguar Pro Controller have?
A: The Pro Controller features 17 buttons total, including the standard buttons plus three additional face buttons and two shoulder buttons.

### Q: What console is the Atari Jaguar Pro Controller designed for?
A: It is designed specifically to connect with and control the Atari Jaguar console.

### Q: What type of controller is the Atari Jaguar Pro Controller?
A: It is classified as a gamepad, which is a type of video game controller held in two hands with finger-based input.

## Why It Matters
The Atari Jaguar Pro Controller represents Atari's effort to enhance the gaming experience on their Jaguar console by providing players with expanded control options. The additional buttons allowed for more complex gameplay mechanics and greater input versatility, which was particularly important for the Jaguar's ambitious game library. This controller demonstrated Atari's commitment to supporting their console with specialized peripherals that could handle increasingly sophisticated game designs. The Pro Controller's enhanced button layout set it apart from standard controllers of its era, potentially offering competitive advantages for certain game genres that required more inputs.

## Notable For
- Expanded 17-button layout exceeding standard controller designs
- Three additional face buttons providing extra gameplay options
- Two shoulder buttons for enhanced control schemes
- Enhanced version released specifically for the Atari Jaguar console
- Part of Atari's peripheral strategy to support their gaming platform

## Body
### Design and Features
The Atari Jaguar Pro Controller was developed as an enhanced controller option for the Jaguar console, featuring a significantly expanded button layout compared to standard gamepads of the era. The controller's 17-button configuration included the standard directional pad and face buttons, plus three additional face buttons and two shoulder buttons that were not present on the original Jaguar controller.

### Button Configuration
The Pro Controller's button layout was specifically designed to provide gamers with more input options during gameplay. The three additional face buttons and two shoulder buttons allowed for more complex control schemes, potentially enabling developers to create games with more sophisticated mechanics or multiple character actions.

### Purpose and Usage
This controller was created to address the growing complexity of video games in the mid-1990s, when developers were increasingly demanding more buttons to implement advanced features. The Pro Controller's expanded layout made it suitable for genres that required numerous inputs, such as fighting games, flight simulators, or complex action titles.

### Historical Context
The release of the Pro Controller followed the pattern of console manufacturers creating enhanced controller variants to support evolving game design needs. Its development came at a time when the video game industry was pushing toward more complex control schemes, making the additional buttons a forward-thinking feature for the Jaguar platform.