Jogcon

Lore & Background

The Jogcon's name comes from the fact that it is a game controller which incorporates a jog wheel of the kind often used for audio or video control. The dial was the first force feedback steering wheel available on the PlayStation. Actions such as torque steer, collisions, and feedback from turning the automobile all can be felt through the dial as the player manipulates it to maneuver their vehicle through the course. The Jogcon would later be sold separately.

The Jogcon is fully compatible with games such as Ridge Racer Type 4, V-Rally 2, Pac-Man World, Crash Team Racing, the PlayStation version of Breakout, and the PlayStation 2 game Ridge Racer V. In other games, it can be used as a regular PlayStation controller by turning off the Jogcon mode using the mode switch above the PlayStation logo.

The Jogcon also has a relatively unknown neGcon compatibility mode; by holding the mode button as the PlayStation is turned on, the Jogcon wheel emulates the NeGcon's twist functionality. However, as force feedback isn't supported in this mode, the wheel will not self-center. On top of this, the default button mapping for a NeGcon usually means the X and Square buttons are used as acceleration and brake, whereas in Ridge Racer Type 4 and V-Rally 2, these controls are moved to the shoulder buttons to allow for both thumbs to control the wheel. As such, the neGcon compatibility mode expands the list of games the Jogcon can be used in significantly, but the experience is considerably more awkward than when it is used in Jogcon-compatible games.

Reader's Guide

The Jogcon represents an attempt to bridge the gap between a standard gamepad and a dedicated steering wheel, offering a compact form factor with force feedback through its central dial. Its significance lies in being the first force feedback steering wheel for the PlayStation, providing tactile sensations like torque steer and collision feedback directly through the wheel.

The controller's compatibility extends beyond its bundled title, Ridge Racer Type 4, to include other racing games and even non-driving titles like Pac-Man World and Crash Team Racing. Its neGcon compatibility mode further broadens its potential game library, though with a notably awkward control scheme due to the lack of force feedback and altered button mapping. The Jogcon's legacy is as a niche but innovative accessory that attempted to deliver a more immersive driving experience without the bulk of a full steering wheel setup, and it remains a distinctive piece of PlayStation controller history.