Least favorite controllers

[PizzaKat]

I was playing the N64 today and my God, what a terrible controller. Its probably that I never had the console on launch and never got accustomed to the analog but its really uncomfortable. I also am not a big fan of the Dreamcast where the placement of the analog either. Its hard to play fighters, well for me anyways. Sony really nailed it with their classic controller.

[buzz_n64]

I was playing the N64 today and my God, what a terrible controller. Its probably that I never had the console on launch and never got accustomed to the analog but its really uncomfortable. I also am not a big fan of the Dreamcast where the placement of the analog either. Its hard to play fighters, well for me anyways. Sony really nailed it with their classic controller.

I feel that the N64 controller has been unfairly criticized after the console left the market. The analog controls were innovative at the time where others learned and improved from the controller's flaws and features. It was one of the first analog controllers to come out for 3D consoles. It was the first to offer force feedback, and expansion for add-ons on the controller itself.

The worst controller in my opinion is the Atari 5200 controller. It made turning extremely difficult, and it could be the reason why console makers stayed away from analog for so many years.

Other bad ones; pretty much all other Atari controllers, Intellivision, CD-i, and the Wii.

[Niku-Sama]

I've always thought the N64 controller was crap. that's why I switched to a playstation after that, not sad that I did since most of my franchises went to that system any way

[ccovell]

One good thing about the N64 controller: it was the last system to ever have a decent-sized cross-shaped D-pad.

It's been midgets and vestigials ever since then.

[megasdkirby]

For more "recent" consoles, thes N64 was utter crap. Yes it had a great Analog Stick...but the position of it was detestably bad. I could barely hold on to it nicely and it always made my hands crap up. I always tried to find a "normal" type of controller, but the one I found sucked as well.

Also hated the Dreamcast's Analog Stick...mostly how sensitive it is. Playing Kiss Psycho Circus was a damn chore for me.

[drunk3nj3sus]

N64 like others mentioned has a really awkward set-up. The original Xbox controllers that were huge are terrible, I can't imagine playing something like a fighting game with how the buttons are spread. The Gamecube controller is actually pretty good but a lot of games have strange button set-ups with it. The Sega Master System and others with the square d-pads are a terrible design.

[davidbrit2]

Colecovision
Intellivision
Atari 5200
Jaguar (the original 3-button controller)

All of those are magnificent examples of how to totally fuck up ergonomics and durability.

[tom]

NES controllers and all other Japanese wrong-way-around controllers (even C&VG way back mentioned on how awful the NES controllers are).

Long live the stick
http://www.videogamecollectors.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=444295&g2_serialNumber=3

[Tanooki]

And CV&G is dead wrong if they preferred a crappy large 2 button joystick. Some things are fairly criticized and some aren't, and anyone tearing into the style of the NES controller probably have some real issues, maybe were born with only 1 usable hand. Not often does a controller style stay in fashion on the whole or even a part of it, but the NES d-pad goes back to the Game and watch before it because it works excellent and it's why they keep using it and have kept it patented to stop competitors.

If you want to get into design problems, I think the Dreamcast and the original XBOX controllers are fair game. Both were heavy, xbox in particular, and thick to where it could bug the hands over time, yet the DC edged it with the strong springs in the triggers that mess up your hands from the push back if you're doing a game that needs constant use like a racer. The N64 controller is another, to a point, they were idiots with the 3 handed approach it had because you couldn't use the stick + z button and d-pad at the same time limiting itself a lot. it wasn't painful to use, but that was a dumb oversight leaving extra buttons out of reach. Atari on the whole had a nice line up of awful controllers from the 5200 forward for one reason or another.

[celerystalker]

I'm neutral on the N64 controller, as it feels brilliant on some games such as Super Mario 64, but awful on others, such as Bomberman 64. The first model Saturn controller with its concave D-pad sucked. I also dislike 3DO controllers with their dumb-ass daisy chaining. The Master System controllers always felt very spongey to me, and there is no great controller for CD-i. I'll jump on the Xbox first release controller as well, and the Jaguar... that numeric pad, even with overlays, is so utterly unintuitive. Talk about vestigial... that crap should have been left on the Intellivision. I actually really like the Dreamcast controller, though. The D-pad is a little floaty, but overall I really like the contour and responsiveness.

[T2KFreeker]

So, YAY! I gotta' love the love in this thread. So, far be it for me to take this in another direction. I HATE the Playstation pad. I said it, yeah. It's true. I despised it from it's first release and a lot of other people did too. The D-Pad was HORRID for fighting games, even on it's original release before the analog sticks were added. The pad was original VERY stiff and even playing games like DOOM was a chore as the pad didn't feel natural and had barely ant give. They fixed the feel of it with the Dual Shock, but it still isn't that great. I HATE where the left analog stick is. It feels unnatural to me and makes my hand hurt...not sure why, but it feels bad there. I much rather prefer the XBOX/360 set up. I remember all of my friends when the Playstation first came out loved the Console but hated the pad. We were all LOVING the Saturn pad at the time. Much better design and much more comfy. Now all of a sudden, because the control design has survived for four generations, it's amazing and they nailed it out the gate. Please, just because you are used to something doesn't make it great. While the Playstation Pad is surely not the worst ever designed, it still is nowhere near the best and surely wasn't "Perfect right out the gate". It was the one big complaint about the console at it's release...most people thought the controller was uncomfortable. Amazing how time has erased that little fact.

Oh, and the worst controller of all time was easily the Atari 5200. Yes, the N64 pad wasn't that great either and the Jaguar pad, while big and having a numeric Pad, isn't that bad to hold, nor was it unnecessarily heavy. Was it a perfect design? Far from it, but nowhere near as bad as some people, who have never even touched one, would have you believe...CD-i anyone? How about all of those horrid 3rd party controllers> Almost anything Madkatz, past the 16 bit era, is HORRID!

[bb_hood]

ColecoVision has a pretty bad controller. Its probably the worst controller for a home console.
I dont think N64 is horrible, but I can understand people not loving it. I do like the N64 better than the Gamecube controller. I hate the GC controller.

[Rickstilwell1]

The only thing I disliked about the N64 controller was the crappy durability of the analog stick. Otherwise if you read the manuals they would tell you the best way to hold the controller for each game. You were never required to access the analog stick in D-Pad oriented games and you were never required to access the D-Pad in analog stick games unless it was something trivial like toggling something on or off. Other games gave you the option of using either-or depending on which you liked best, including Bust-A-Move 2 and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. Games like that often gave the L and Z Buttons the same function.


The controller I had the most problems with in its design was the Astrocade. The hole cut in the plastic for the joystick's movement is shaped like a flower's petals. This makes quickly swiveling from one straight direction (i.e. up) thru a diagonal direction (i.e. up-left) to a straight direction (i.e. left) a real chore. It makes games like Muncher harder than they need to be when quick movement is required. Those who have played the games only in emulators can not understand what I am talking about.

[bb_hood]

The only thing I disliked about the N64 controller was the crappy durability of the analog stick.

Yeah, I agree. The stick isnt very durable at all. I find so many of them damaged. Seems like almost every game uses the analog stick. The only game that really utilizes the d pad is mischief makers.

[Gentlegamer]

I'm actually starting to dislike the three button Sega Genesis controllers. I don't know what it is about them, but the twenty year old controllers all seem to have one or more buttons that stick or don't work at all. I don't know if it's the rubber degrading or the boards going bad, but I have like six controllers that all have some kind of issue. Opening and cleaning the contacts works sometimes, but even then buttons aren't as responsive as others.

[XYXZYZ]

I don't like the Intellivision controllers, they make my fingers hurt. Maybe I'm using them wrong.

[SpaceHarrier]

This will be an unpopular choice..

The Xbox 360 controller. Everything just feels misaligned/crookedy to me. I've had friends tell me, "It's like watching a child hold a controller for the first time." when I'm playing, since I often bump the center button(s), interrupting the game. Now, I could admit this is a problem with me and not the controller, but I am all about blaming others for my problems.

On the other hand, I love the Dreamcast controller, especially it's much maligned d-pad. Probably my favorite d-pad on any controller.

[7th lutz]

I really can't comment much about the N64 controller's since it has been 16 or 17 years ago since I played the system at a store.

I think the worst controllers I ever played with are either the Atari 7800 Proline or the Intellivision II. The 7800 Europad controllers actually an upgrade compare to the Pro line controllers. The Pro line controllers were not designed for games that you need to play for a good amount of time.

[Tanooki]

T2K: Funny, I agree with the original ps1 d-pad, it was stiff and not comfortable at all. But I'd defend the SNES ripoff design of the PS Dual Shock controller to the end. I find it feels entirely natural having the side by side sticks, it just should be that way just like dual stick games on other systems or the arcade, they're meant to be parallel. I don't much care for it staggered, it's odd, but I have to tolerate it as I have a 360 pad for windows I recently got since it seems all the game makers design around it annoyingly.

I've got to agree with the Genesis controller issue, even a decade ago a used pad I got was a little fishy on one of the buttons when it was only a decade old which didn't seem good to me and it makes you wonder what substandard junk Sega used.

I also have to wonder though, how abusive are people with N64 controllers. I've had the same ones for a long time and they're not loose.

[Gentlegamer]

I think Mario Party is mainly responsible for all the busted/loose N64 controllers.

[ZeroCool]

Yes. I've read articles that there were certain games that made you kill the analog. I think it was a boat game? Something like that where you constantly were mashing that analog. It didn't help that the thing didn't look as strong as a PS one. I totally destroyed my analog on the 360 when I first started playing Marvel vs Capcom 3. It was worth it.

[Edmond Dantes]

I'm honestly kinda amazed that we have a "bad controllers" topic, and I see people picking on a bunch of first-party console controllers that have relatively minor flaws.

You think the N64 controller sucks? Try the Superpad 64 (http://jonjandran.com/pics/jonjandran/superpad64gc3.JPG). I know what you're thinking: "How can this be bad? For the first time you have a controller where you can reach both the D-pad and the analog stick!" Yeah, until you realize that due to terrible design, the cord connecting to the Z-button keeps getting pulled out and rendering the button unusable. And the cord is weak--mine now automatically senses buttons being pressed when I'm not doing anything, and of course half the buttons no longer work at all. My regular N64 controller that came packed with my system tho? Works just fine, no problems.

A more recent disappointment for me was the Steelseries USB controller (http://i5.walmartimages.com/dfw/dce07b8c-23f4/k2-_58917a8a-d3b9-4e7e-b3d0-d5e40da2a777.v1.jpg) which I used for emulators mostly. Actually, I would call this an 80% good controller. The problem is when I try to play Zelda Classic, it seems like Link is always accidentally moving up or down when I want him to move straight left or right. Seems to be a curse with me as one of my normal NES controllers had the same problem lately.... but this is really the only game I had issues with.

On a personal note I've never liked Sega's first-party 6-button controller for the Genesis. They feel small in my hands. But everyone else I know swears they're better than all third-party alternatives (which I found some I like, but they do have a problem of being "may or may not work" propositions)

I've never used touchscreen controls but I already dislike the prospect.

There. Now maybe we'll talk about controllers that really ARE bad, instead of just people venting their dirty laundry at some old console they didn't like.

[Gameguy]

And CV&G is dead wrong if they preferred a crappy large 2 button joystick. Some things are fairly criticized and some aren't, and anyone tearing into the style of the NES controller probably have some real issues, maybe were born with only 1 usable hand. Not often does a controller style stay in fashion on the whole or even a part of it, but the NES d-pad goes back to the Game and watch before it because it works excellent and it's why they keep using it and have kept it patented to stop competitors.
I have to give NES controllers another benefit for adding a pause feature right on the controller, instead of it being on the console or non-existent entirely. It's hard to believe now that game consoles didn't do that before the NES, but that's how it was.

As for Atari 2600 controllers, I don't have a real problem with the joysticks but the Wico joysticks feel much better to use than standard Atari ones.


I'm actually starting to dislike the three button Sega Genesis controllers. I don't know what it is about them, but the twenty year old controllers all seem to have one or more buttons that stick or don't work at all. I don't know if it's the rubber degrading or the boards going bad, but I have like six controllers that all have some kind of issue. Opening and cleaning the contacts works sometimes, but even then buttons aren't as responsive as others.
You can try to repair the contacts with a remote control repair kit, sometimes the carbon just wears out from use and needs to be replaced. These controllers are getting to be old and well used at this point.

Something similar to what's below, though there's several types of products like this.
http://www.amazon.com/Keypad-Restore-Conductivity-Carbon-Copper/dp/B0026PRMVM


I've got to agree with the Genesis controller issue, even a decade ago a used pad I got was a little fishy on one of the buttons when it was only a decade old which didn't seem good to me and it makes you wonder what substandard junk Sega used.
There were actually several versions of the Genesis controllers made over the years and they all varied in quality. Different length cords, different moldings on the plugs, different lettering on the buttons, different feel to the D-pads, etc. The quality started off better but went down over the years, I prefer the earliest type of controllers.


There's seems to be two main types of complaints with controllers. The ergonomics or design of the controller, and the build quality or durability of the controllers. The issues with the PS1 D-pads are more of a build quality type of issue with it not being as high quality as it could have been, but they fit well in a persons hands(plus there's different variants like the Analog vs DualShock versions). The N64 controllers do have a build quality issue with the analog stick, but they also have a bad ergonomic design which makes them unpleasant to hold. At least I never really liked the N64 controllers even as a kid when the system launched. I would fault controllers more for their ergonomic design rather than build quality, unless the build quality was so bad the controllers are prone to breaking with minimal use.

[buzz_n64]

I have to give NES controllers another benefit for adding a pause feature right on the controller, instead of it being on the console or non-existent entirely. It's hard to believe now that game consoles didn't do that before the NES, but that's how it was.


The Atari 5200 controller had a pause button on it, it was the first one. I like the concept of the Atari 5200 controller; analog joystick, multiple extra buttons for potential use, pause button, action button on the left and right side for left and right handed gamers, more of the controller to grip onto compared to the Atari 2600 controller.

Flaws; non-centering joystick, unresponsive joystick, breaking and broken joystick, reset and start button right on the controller that can easily be pressed when you are trying to pause the game causing you to end your whole game, buttons sticking, not knowing what numeric buttons do what because you most likely didn't have the overlays or bother to use them.

[Einzelherz]

I'm actually starting to dislike the three button Sega Genesis controllers. I don't know what it is about them, but the twenty year old controllers all seem to have one or more buttons that stick or don't work at all. I don't know if it's the rubber degrading or the boards going bad, but I have like six controllers that all have some kind of issue. Opening and cleaning the contacts works sometimes, but even then buttons aren't as responsive as others.

Sega cut a lot of costs in their manufacturing and it shows in their controllers (well, in any of their early plastic parts). I think the quality of the SNES pad woke them up a little.

As far as buttons not registering, I bought one at Goodwill this year and C wasn't working. Turns out the trace corroded so I just soldered a wire connecting the two good sides and now it works like a champ.

[ProjectCamaro]

The only controller I absolutely cannot stand the feel of is the GameCube controller. I hate the way it feels, the buttons feel cheap, as does the entire controller to me. I know I'm in the minority here but it's the reason my GameCube collection is small and will remain that way.

For the N64 if you don't like the controller you can always use the Hori mini pad.

[JSoup]

The only controller I absolutely cannot stand the feel of is the GameCube controller. I hate the way it feels, the buttons feel cheap, as does the entire controller to me. I know I'm in the minority here but it's the reason my GameCube collection is small and will remain that way.

This is pretty much what I came in to post.
On the other hand, I loved the N64 controller.

[goldenband]

Sticking to first-party controllers, the worst is easily the Atari 5200. The problem isn't the analog stick (as some people claim), but the side-mounted fire buttons, which suffer from horrible build quality and are an ergonomic disaster. My 5200 was literally DOA when I got it brand new in 1983 (or 1984, not sure which) because the fire buttons were so stiff as to be practically dead.

The stock controllers for the Atari 7800 and ColecoVision are right behind it. Both are terrible designs (who ever thought side-mounted fire buttons were a good idea?) and physically unpleasant to play for more than brief periods.

The Intellivision II controllers are also pretty poor, but I don't mind the original Intellivision controllers. They're a bit awkward but you have more options in how to hold them.

Not a big fan of the GameCube controller, especially the D-pad, and I also think the D-pads on the Game Boy Advance series are poorly designed. All of them are too small and stiff for their own good.

On the computer end of things, the Tandy CoCo's original joysticks were analog, which were OK for some games, but a poor fit for anything that required digital control. I've heard the TI-99/4A joysticks were horrendous, but fortunately I have an Atari 2600 adapter.

BTW I have no problem with the N64 controller, and have never understood the complaints -- it's always been a natural fit for me. I used to like the Dreamcast controller more, but I find my thumb doesn't sit well on the analog stick.

[Gameguy]

The Atari 5200 controller had a pause button on it, it was the first one.
I learned something new, thanks. Just reading up on the system, it seems it was also the first to have an automatic RF switch. I thought the NES was the first with that too so that's something else learned. It's too bad there were other faults with the 5200 which kept it from becoming popular.

[sloan]

My personal least favorite has to be the stock NES controller. Hand-cramping for long playing sessions with its sharp edges and corners, boxy shape.

GCN controller is actually quite comfortable and I picked up an adapter to allow me to use it with my NES. Nice investment.

5200 controller has been falsely maligned. Works quite well with most games on the system.

[tom]

And CV&G is dead wrong if they preferred a crappy large 2 button joystick. Some things are fairly criticized and some aren't, and anyone tearing into the style of the NES controller probably have some real issues, maybe were born with only 1 usable hand. Not often does a controller style stay in fashion on the whole or even a part of it, but the NES d-pad goes back to the Game and watch before it because it works excellent and it's why they keep using it and have kept it patented to stop competitors.

If you want to get into design problems, I think the Dreamcast and the original XBOX controllers are fair game. Both were heavy, xbox in particular, and thick to where it could bug the hands over time, yet the DC edged it with the strong springs in the triggers that mess up your hands from the push back if you're doing a game that needs constant use like a racer. The N64 controller is another, to a point, they were idiots with the 3 handed approach it had because you couldn't use the stick + z button and d-pad at the same time limiting itself a lot. it wasn't painful to use, but that was a dumb oversight leaving extra buttons out of reach. Atari on the whole had a nice line up of awful controllers from the 5200 forward for one reason or another.

Somehow you're talking garbage, 1 usable hand? Joystick needs TWO hands, if you haven't noticed, and it's far more comfortable to use than a joypad. C&VG was right, and spot on, they explained on how uncomfortable the NES controller is, I'm gonna dig out the article just for you.
BTW, C&VG weren't the only ones criticizing the NES pad, many other magazines did too (I might post them all up here for you to read). Of course, Nintendo in their shortmindness didn't give you a choice, just adapting the Japanese pad without putting any thought into it. And Nintendo had such a lovely joystick for the Famicom in Japan (the Family King joystick).

Nice to read you comparisons with other pads, I DON'T LIKE ANY. JOYPADS SUCK AND RUINED HOME GAMING. The control is the wrong way around. It should be Fire = left thumb, Control is right hand, just like a CX40, a perfect joystick.


BTW, D-pad goes back to 70s pre-G&W handhelds:

http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/Alison123456789/led-soccer-2_zpse4dd95f3.jpg

Entex Select a Game:

http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/Alison123456789/DSC05412_zpsce54c9bd.jpg

Microvision's Cosmic Hunter

http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/Alison123456789/cosmic-hunter_zpsfbca0f86.jpg

70s Arcade machines

http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/Alison123456789/blockade_zps4e40a7c6.jpg

[Atarileaf]

Colecovision
Intellivision
Atari 5200
Jaguar (the original 3-button controller)

All of those are magnificent examples of how to totally fuck up ergonomics and durability.

Those would be my choices as well, although I've never owned a jag so never held the controller, I've heard it's bad. I would also add to this list the 7800 proline stick.

Personally I don't even own a 5200 or Intellivision because of the horrible controllers and if it wasn't for a genesis controller alternative for the colecovision, I wouldn't own that either.

[Atarileaf]

On the computer end of things, the Tandy CoCo's original joysticks were analog, which were OK for some games, but a poor fit for anything that required digital control.

Fortunately there are alternatives like the deluxe sticks and the pistol grip stick, which is my preferred coco joystick.

The originals are great though for games like doubleback and clowns & balloons

[Tanooki]

Tom dont fanboy. I was speaking of the patented Nintendo dpad and said that too clearly. I have one of those mattel sports handhelds and its older and I know that. There are plenty of one handed games, usually handhelds you can use the dpad or joystick along with a button and get by fine and also stuff like PacMan and clones have no button so that is one handed which is what I was thinking of. Youre just too pro joystick or antiNintendo and I cant figure out which but to rip on such a simple well designed controller is just asinine. Not everything needs a joystick, and Id argue some games are better for not having it.

Youre being a total douche lying abou what I said, I never said that I dont like any joypads and they ruined gaming. That must be some of your personal baggage youre trying to pass off on other people to cover your tracks. The few things I noted are problems with those controllers. This is the least favorite controllers thread, not the controllers I love the most thread but I guess you missed that. The sticks on the Wii/WiiU pro controllers are great as are those any of the Sony dual shocks have. The one in the 360 isnt bad either, yet I prefer the side by side sony style to keep things even. I also have this very nice expensive CH stick for my computer too, damn thing is worth over a 100 used but I keep it around, so I must not hate it that bad.

The fact is I think the d-pad design Nintendo used was a genius comfortable setup and it has held true to that for over 30 years. It doesnt hurt most styles of game other than maybe strict arcade ports meant for a stick, but outside that it helps make gameplay a little faster and more tight, especially games that need a flatter sense of direction like a platformer.

Im guessing the way you closed that post you must have either hated most arcade games or played them cross armed so you could control the buttons and stick with the so called correct hands right?

[otaku]

I should revisit the n64 controller I don't recall having issues with it other than the joystick breaking often on them

I hated the xbox original and jaguar controllers to damn big! Type s was much better. Dreamcast was almost too small but not bad and I've never really liked the playstation conrollers at least not for fps games

[FieryReign]

The Dreamcast controller was a step back for Sega. It had 2 less buttons than their previous system. It felt too light and cheap, did Madkatz secret manufacturer these cheap shits? The analog stick felt too loose. The VMU gimmick was unique but ultimately ended up being dumb as fuck and were just glorified memory cards. And whose bright idea was it to have the cable protruding from the bottom of the controller?

It's like Sega just "borrowed" design choices from other controllers at the time and slapped it into one uncomfortable piece of shit. It looks like a Saturn analog controller but with 2 buttons removed. They stole Sonys pocketstation gimmick and Nintendos expansion slot on the controller itself.

I was never a big fan of Sonys d-pads either. Its like four stiff buttons in a cross pattern. I sometimes have trouble with diagonals.

[MASTERWEEDO]

I have nerve damage in my hands and always hated that I couldn't hold the Dreamcast or original XBOX controllers for very long.

Of the ones I used, the N64 was the worst, and a nYko Scorpion PSX controller was my favorite.

[buzz_n64]

I really don't get all the hate for the original Xbox controller, my only guess is that most gamers have tiny hands. I loved the controller because it was the only one to fit perfectly with my hands. I thought the S model was awkward and positioned the buttons where I had to awkwardly move my fingers in order to press.

[YoshiM]

I too don't get the hate on the N64 controllers. Unless people have large paws for hands, it was like putting on a glove for me. Nowadays it feels a little different as I'm used to modern games and a twin stick approach but it is still comfortable. It's all how the game was made to utilize the controller.

Now for my contribution: I never liked the Gemstick 3rd party Atari sticks. They did OK in a pinch but never felt as good or as responsive as a bone fide Atari stick.

The NES Max was a bad idea in my mind as the pad never seemed to be as responsive as the regular cross pad. When Messiah used the same concept for their wireless NES controllers, I just shook my head. Thankfully their Advantage-style stick is pretty rad.

Lastly there was that Genesis 3rd party controller that had a D Pad that was "touch" only so you wouldn't wear out your thumbs. Ugh....that was a hunk of junk.

[tom]

Tom dont fanboy. I was speaking of the patented Nintendo dpad and said that too clearly. I have one of those mattel sports handhelds and its older and I know that. There are plenty of one handed games, usually handhelds you can use the dpad or joystick along with a button and get by fine and also stuff like PacMan and clones have no button so that is one handed which is what I was thinking of. Youre just too pro joystick or antiNintendo and I cant figure out which but to rip on such a simple well designed controller is just asinine. Not everything needs a joystick, and Id argue some games are better for not having it.

Youre being a total douche lying abou what I said, I never said that I dont like any joypads and they ruined gaming. That must be some of your personal baggage youre trying to pass off on other people to cover your tracks. The few things I noted are problems with those controllers. This is the least favorite controllers thread, not the controllers I love the most thread but I guess you missed that. The sticks on the Wii/WiiU pro controllers are great as are those any of the Sony dual shocks have. The one in the 360 isnt bad either, yet I prefer the side by side sony style to keep things even. I also have this very nice expensive CH stick for my computer too, damn thing is worth over a 100 used but I keep it around, so I must not hate it that bad.

The fact is I think the d-pad design Nintendo used was a genius comfortable setup and it has held true to that for over 30 years. It doesnt hurt most styles of game other than maybe strict arcade ports meant for a stick, but outside that it helps make gameplay a little faster and more tight, especially games that need a flatter sense of direction like a platformer.

Im guessing the way you closed that post you must have either hated most arcade games or played them cross armed so you could control the buttons and stick with the so called correct hands right?


Of course I'm a fanboy, I am a video and computer game fanboy, and real fanboys play with joysticks, thank you very much. Nintendo's joypad was NOT genius by any means.

BTW, I SAID I don't like joypads and they ruined gaming.

Platform games are better played with a joystick, Miner 2049er plays best with a joystick. Pitfall 2 and HERO as well, try playing those with an awful joypad, it doesn't work.

So I was right in the first place, JOYPADS are my LEAST favourite controller (This thread is about least favourite controllers, btw). Except the PSX pad, it rocks.

.

[celerystalker]

I like D-pads. I remember the first time I used an NES controller after years (formative ones at that) of joysticks. After a few minutes of confusion, it easily supplanted the years of muscle memory built around Atari's spongey 2600 sticks for me. The directional accuracy felt infinitely better to me, and that's what won me over. Not only that, but as a right-handed player, I can press buttons more rapidly with my right thumb. That said, how I learned to play a game dictates my controller preference. For instance, if I try to play Black Tiger with a D-pad, I'm mediocre, but I can beat it on one life with a joystick. I can't play Pitfall well on Intellivision, but I can play it on VCS quite well. Playing Neo Geo with the CD pad is ludicrous to me, but had I learned to play on one, who knows.

So, while I prefer to play any game with the style of control in which I learned to play it, I do feel that the NES D-pad was a great step forward in control accuracy and design over the home console controllers that preceded it, and given that most controller designs that followed continued to evolve in the same direction, I don't think it's going out on a limb to say that the vast majority of players and developers historically agreed that it was in fact an improvement.

[Tanooki]

What... psx pad is best of that style? I think you're nearly the first one I've seen write that. I wasn't using fanboy as an insult, you seem to have picked that up as I was being serious. I'm an old computer/arcade gaming fan too, if you include the arcade joystick longer than Nintendo has been into consoles. I just don't have a blind hatred for an analog joypad as they work great for what they're meant to be used for. I realize it has limits, it's why I've kept the NES advantage around all these years as the arcade ports just feel more right using it and I almost always back in the 90s did my SNES fighters and some arcade ports on the SNES Advantage too. I've never felt that a platform game works better on a joystick, it just feels more sloppy and not as tight on when you want to stop and go. Clearly you hate joypads that I have no doubt.

celery sums my feelings up on the d-pad(nintendo style) vs joystick pretty well. Joysticks being analog and how they're designed are free flowing and more spongy. They aren't as fast or concise as a d-pad where it's a very slight motion with a thumb versus the whole hand/wrist to get the same thing and a joystick can go wherever, a d-pad is limited to the 8 points of the compass. Like him I'm better or worse depending on what I got used to playing a game on. An excellent one for me is the computer vs the console when it comes to FPS games. Holy shit I die a lot of stupid deaths because of crappy dual stick moving and aiming, it's slow and clunky while WASD+mouse gets the job done with speedy clarity and precision.

[mario-fan]

No N64? Played tons of Zelda, Smash, Mario Kart, & Goldeneye back in the day so I got used to the controller over time.

For me it's any dual-analog controller. Hated those things. Tried playing Oni on the PS2 and it was my first time using a dual analog...yeah I got my ass kicked. (That was a hard game though, as I remember.)

[longcat]

To those who didn't like the N64 controller, I recommend the Hori Mini 64 pad. The price is pretty steep but it's a great controller.

[Flam]

NES Dogbone is the best controller IMO

[Tron 2.0]

NES Dogbone is the best controller IMO
Indeed i do find it more comfortable to use compared to a stock nes pad.

[BricatSegaFan]

The Kinect....that controller sucks

[Tanooki]

It's hard to argue the remodeled 'dogbone' NES controller. As much as I like the durability of the original, the corners can poke over time depending how you hold it, but the remodel is just smooth taking away that rounded SNES style minus the buttons. The SNES one tops it though so well it has been ripped off by so many companies for two decades now, but of course this is the 'least favorite' controller thread so maybe we need a positive one eh? :)

You know one I never really much liked was the Virtual Boy controller. Everything on it is mirrored to the point that other d-pad is basically useless decoration and while it has an alright grip it is an odd shape for long time comfortable play, but I doubt that was a concern as they knew most people wouldn't be able to sit with their face in it over an hour or so which was clear with all the auto-pause/break function built into games.

[Gentlegamer]

Aren't the BA buttons on the dogbone NES controllers angled wrong for how your thumb rests on the controller?

[Tanooki]

No they're angled like but not as steeply as the SNES controller. At least for me the drift between B and A leaves the same part of the thumb over the button so it's quite comfortable. The SNES has a sharper angle a bit just so fit all 4 buttons in a diamond shape.

[sloan]

I have nerve damage in my hands..

Same here. Developed carpal tunnel over the years and that's why sharp-edged square shaped original NES controllers can no longer be used for long sessions. Agree that the dogbone is an improvement, but the comfort of the Gamecube controller with all my NES games is unbeatable for me with carpal tunnel and all.

[DK1105]

I feel like I'm going to be stung up for this one but I really am not a fan of the Snes controller. Very innovative design but is kind of uncomfortable to me. Sony took the Snes controller and gave it the little push it needed.

My personal favorite is the Sega wireless 6 button controller. Just slightly bigger than the normal 6 button and better start button placement. These wireless controller have gotten pricey though but if you a big genesis person they can be totally worth it. I think I would love the model 2 Saturn controller but sadly I only have the model 1.

I really never understood the n64 controller hate. Rarely did games use both the d-pad and the joystick and for games that gave you the choice L and Z were generally mapped to the same control. The only exception I can think of right now is the AKI wrestling games that use the joystick to taunt and I never felt like quickly flicking the joystick with you right thumb to be particularly difficult. I have seen some people do this and could never figure out why but, why on earth would you hold the n64 controller by the d-pad and L button and use the joystick. It has it's own damn handle.

[sloan]

I really never understood the n64 controller hate. Rarely did games use both the d-pad and the joystick and for games that gave you the choice L and Z were generally mapped to the same control. The only exception I can think of right now is the AKI wrestling games that use the joystick to taunt and I never felt like quickly flicking the joystick with you right thumb to be particularly difficult. I have seen some people do this and could never figure out why but, why on earth would you hold the n64 controller by the d-pad and L button and use the joystick. It has it's own damn handle.

Agree. N64 controller always felt right to me, no matter the game played. I bought a Hori Mini some years ago when they were a little cheaper, but it is made for smaller Japanese hands, so not so easy to use for me.

[Gentlegamer]

No they're angled like but not as steeply as the SNES controller. At least for me the drift between B and A leaves the same part of the thumb over the button so it's quite comfortable. The SNES has a sharper angle a bit just so fit all 4 buttons in a diamond shape.

What I mean is you can't have your thumb over both buttons at the same time like you can with the original NES, or the Y and B buttons on SNES (which should have been B and A).

[celerystalker]

What I mean is you can't have your thumb over both buttons at the same time like you can with the original NES, or the Y and B buttons on SNES (which should have been B and A).

Yeah, you do have to use your thumb a little differently on a dogbone. Over time I've become neutral on the two NES controllers as to which is better. The dogbone is contoured better, but on games that require simultaneous pressing of A & B, I have trouble due to the angle vs my muscle memory built up over the years on the classic model.

[Tanooki]

I never really thought about it. Just pulled it back out again and while I don't have an old style one anymore to compare, my thumb fits fine enough over the dogbone where it's comfy rocking between the two so I guess it's a non issue for me.