I have no idea what made me think of this the other day……what is the origin of calling the little pad/controller thingy on a gamepad a “D-pad”? It’s not shaped like a D, it’s shaped like a plus. Why isn’t it called a “plus pad” or a “cross pad”? And when was the first time it was called this (and why)? And what controller had the first “D-pad”? I couldn’t immediately find the answer to this via Google. Things that make you say Hmmmmmmmm…….
Anyone have an answer?
UPDATE: Found it – D-pad is short for “direction pad” (I knew that). I found it on the very next google search after I posted this.