Speaking of the 3D Pro, I just remembered I had one lying around, so I tried it again and remembered what a complete pain it was to set it up in digital mode. Keep getting "Not Connected" errors in both 98SE and XP.
This, naturally, is what happens when I'm crazy enough to hook one up to a system with 200/800 MHz FSB. Those alternative, divider-adjusted drivers don't seem to be faring any better regardless of whether I use the 0 or 99 versions.
Also, I found out that using the THROTTLE app for hardware-based slowdown, which actually works a lot better than I thought it would and keeps me from having to really emasculate this Gallatin chip by disabling all the cache, completely kills the system's ability to recognize the Mad Catz Panther XL. It'll only see it properly at full speed.
This is all on the AWE64 Gold gameport, don't feel like finagling with the Montego II gameport again.
Gameport joystick stuff can be such a hassle, especially on a system that's generations ahead of what DOS games and peripherals were usually developed for. I gotta look into that USBDOS driver package so I can use my more modern USB sticks without all this fuss.
By the way, while I don't own one of those early two-button SideWinder sticks with the CH-esque gimbals, word is that they're basic two-axis, two-button analog sticks with potentiometers, nothing fancy like the 3D Pro, its optical camera/LED sensor system and analog emulation modes.