Atari Founder Goes on the Offensive, Bashes Sony

[boatofcar]

http://us.gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/atari-founder-goes-on-the-offensive-bashes-sony-140678.php

From Gizmodo:

Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari, was at DIEC 2005 and voiced his opinion of today’s video gaming world. He recalled his heyday when there wasn’t a lot of storage space for games, so gameplay came first, graphics second. But then Bushnell ventured into the choppier waters of corporate criticism, clearly taking sides. He complained that the PS2’s controller is too complex and noted that people have “interface phobia.”

“The 3D controller that Nintendo is onto is a very good idea,” he says. “If you look at today’s controller with triangles, Xs, squares and circles, it’s scary. It’s like a keyboard. People are interface phobic.”
I’m not sure if I’d call it an interface phobia with the PS2 selling so well, and the Revolution is pretty far off, so perhaps Bushnell should tone down his accusations and go back to Chuck E. Cheese’s for some delicious pizza.

[KingCobra]

Soo.. I guess he wouldn't like Gitaro-Man much? LOL

I like what Nolan Bushnell has to say alot, but sometimes the Old Duf in him comes out.

[kevin_psx]

SONY's RESPONSE:

"Nolan who? Ack. Nobody important. So should we buy silver or gold goblets for the conference room? Gold's expensive but hey" - lights cigar with thousand-dollar bill - "we can afford it!"

[KingCobra]

It's not a money thing there Kevin-PSX, it's about a time when gaming wasen't so complex and you had make do with what they had to work with, I think what he fails to acknowlege(sp?) sometimes is that there's been gamers that've been growing up on 6+ button controllers for some time now and it's really not that big a deal anymore.

[stressboy]

Heh.. I grew up playing the simplest Atari controller all the way to the controllers of today. I do not have a problem with the current controllers at all, although the original Xbox controller is ass.

And I can't wait to try out the Rev's controller.

[Push Upstairs]

I like the PS2 controller (well i have one similar to one for my PC).

Sure there are alot of buttons but i adapted well.


Perhaps he does need to stop off at a Chuck E. Cheese and down some cheaply made pizza.

[captain nintendo]

although the original Xbox controller is ass.



I love my huge Xboxasaurous controller thank you very much !!!!!

And yes I am serious.

[kevin_psx]

It's not a money thing there Kevin-PSX, it's about a time when gaming wasen't so complex and you had make do with what they had to work with,.
Yes. Just meant - Sony is RICH. Really rich. If their ideas were poor as Nolan claims - they wouldn't be #1/rich. Nolan's ideas lack credibility. The facts don't match his claims.

That's why Sony will ignore Nolan.



AND how many buttons does PS2 use? Most games only use 2-3 buttons + a stick. Not any more complicated than a Super Nintendo control! Most of the buttons are there - not used.

[PS2Hawk]

I think thats the dumbest thing he could have said... which he did..

[mezrabad]

It's interesting that Bushnell should say that. Obviously his experience with Computer Space has stuck with him after all these years.

Nolan, most of us aren't in a bar, drinking while we play videogames anymore, we can handle an interface that's a little more complex than a single knob or stick. I would say that both the interfaces and the users of the interfaces have evolved over the years. We're okay with a learning curve of sorts, now, and are even able to handle interfaces that change depending on the context of where you are in the game (overworld, menu, battle etc).

Personally, I really like the Sony controller design, though I think that the Xbox controllers (the smaller ones) put the shoulder buttons in a more accessible place. But you know when it comes down to it, I'd like the opportunity to use my whole hand, and not just my thumbs. Give me arcade buttons and an 8-way stick and I'm going to be happy for a few hours at a time.

[badinsults]

Come on, the PSX controller sucks hard. Using all 4 shoulder buttons at the same time results in severe hand cramps. The analogue sticks are not nearly springy enough. I still get confused which button to press when it asks for "triangle". The directional pad is mushy. The handles are awkward. If the PSX didn't have so many great games, I couldn't see any reason why to play it.

[exit]

http://us.gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/atari-founder-goes-on-the-offensive-bashes-sony-140678.php
"He complained that the PS2’s controller is too complex and noted that people have “interface phobia.”

Who are these people he is talking about, nobody I know has ever complained about the PS2 controller being confusing. I don't really see how knowing where the X and O could be hard to figure out, nobody had a problem finding the B and Y on the SNES controler.

And the controler being like a keyboard? The hell kind of crack is this guy smoking, I have an easier time using the PS2 controller than the Xbox or Gamecube controllers.

[Xizer]

Oh come on, we all know the PS1/PS2 controllers suck ass.

The GameCube controller is an example of how a controller should be designed - form fitted and buttons that you don't have to remember are there, because you can feel them. Each one has a unique feel to it. The control stick is in the perfect position, instead of down all low like the PS2 controller.

I agree entirely with Mr. Bushnell.

[Garry Silljo]

Perhaps he does need to stop off at a Chuck E. Cheese and down some cheaply made pizza.

Excuse me?! Maybe it's just the one near me, but Chuck E. Cheese pizza is FANTASTIC.

[stressboy]

Oh come on, we all know the PS1/PS2 controllers suck ass.

I like the Playstation controller, so it would appear that no, we do not all subscribe to your opinion.

[Push Upstairs]

I don't subscribe to that opinion either.

Besides the dual shock sticks..the PSX controller has a whole *2* more buttons than the SNES had. Plus the X,O, and so on are in the same positions as those on the face of a SNES controller.

PSX controller is a hell of alot better than that damn N64 controller.

[chrisbid]

i think he is referring to non gamers. the CX40 atari joystick is intuitive, the NES pad is intuitive, the Dual Shock controller is daunting.

now from a gamer perspective, the controller itself it comfortable. but the analog sticks were a secondary design. the left stick in particular should switch places with the d pad.

while on the subject of the dpad, it should be a true 8 directions, not that phony 4 button look the Dual Shock uses. fighting games are a pain in the butt

another lackluster feature are the four face buttons... the sega genesis and saturn had six face buttons, how did we regress? two sets of triggers? i cant think of any game that requires the use of a second set. especially since the dual shock does not have analog triggers.

i could go on, but the PSX controllers biggest advantage is that it mimmicked the SNES controller, and improved its feel with the rounded grips. beyond that, they have regressed controller design.

[Ed Oscuro]

AND how many buttons does PS2 use? Most games only use 2-3 buttons + a stick. Not any more complicated than a Super Nintendo control! Most of the buttons are there - not used.
Which begs the question - why even have that many?
Hold on a minute. You can't do the new Ninja Gaiden with 3 buttons plus one stick, nor MGS3, or pretty much any of the cinematic action games out. Shoulder buttons are a great idea; let's make use of them.

[kevin_psx]

AND how many buttons does PS2 use? Most games only use 2-3 buttons + a stick. Not any more complicated than a Super Nintendo control! Which begs the question - why even have that many?

Some games need all those buttons. And provides flexibility - use either top buttons (like fighters) or shoulder buttons (like zelda).

[Xizer]

PSX controller is a hell of alot better than that damn N64 controller.

Better than the N64 controller? Hah! Since when? The N64 controller has always been better than the SNES rip-off.

[Ed Oscuro]

Same here. Why Sony used symbols I'll never understand.
It's pretty obvious why: You don't need to translate [triangle], [square], [circle], and X into Japanese. Any other language system works fine with that, as well.

[Tron 2.0]

I wounder what got into, Nolan for that comment in the frist place :hmm:

Can't say i haven't had to much of a... problem with the PS1/PS2 pads.

Heck the only thing i hate about it is the D-pad. It's hard on the "thumbs" and sucks for 2-d fighters :P

[hydr0x]

seriously guys, most of you don't seem to understand the problem at all. It's not about gamers like us that are (and want to get) used to every control scheme, no matter how complex it is. It's about the non-gamers.

I had to introduce my gf into games, she never had played anything besides Tetris on the original GB and a few click&point adventures on PC. If you had seen how she reacted to the Gamecube and PS2 controller you'd knew Bushnell has it right here. The Gamecube pad she could handle almost perfectly after 15 minutes of play, why? because she could feel the buttons, she didn't have to look at the pad to know what to press. With the PS2 pad on the other hand, she STILL (after lots of play) needs to look at the controller from time to time to make sure she's not pressing the wrong button. This should tell you enough about who made the better controller for people not gaming every day. Now, i'll admit this, the PS2 pad right now is better for a few genres (sports and beat 'em ups), but the main reason for this are NOT the buttons of the GC pad (as journalists often claim), it's the the horrible D-Pad and the "hard to get used to" c-stick.

[jdc]

I prefer more buttons. Shoulder buttons/triggers have made things much nicer for many genres. BTW....even though I'm an Xbox fan, I'm most likely one of the rare people out there that DOESN'T like the new 360 controller at all.

[syd]

While I don't think the PS2 controller is the best design they could have come up with, I definitely don't think it's all that bad. As was already stated, it only has 2 more buttons than an SNES controller, which was IMO one of the best controllers ever made. I think the directional pad is pretty good for the genres I play, I don't play fighting games so it may not be too good for them. I think the analog is nice too, and I actually like it better than the N64 one.

The thing I hate about the PS2 pad is the fact it doesn't really conform to your hands. The thing is just not that comfortable to use compared to many other pads. If they change the shape of it a little I think it could be a really good controller.

[kevin_psx]

Instead, we get "'triangle', 'square', 'circle', etc.)


Better than Nintendo's confusing mess of A, B, C1, C2, X, Y, Z?????? I'm always looking and thinking, "Which is the B button???" Sony has it clearly labeled with bright-colored symbols. No guessing.

[Truffle]

My parents wont play current gen games very much (except for Animal Crossing ;) ) because they find the controllers confusing.Same with several of my co-workers.
They take one look at the controller, and pass automatically.

[john_soper]

Hope he doesn't think 2600 Space Shuttle has an easier control scheme than Gamecube Super Monkey Ball :P

[Push Upstairs]

PSX controller is a hell of alot better than that damn N64 controller.

Better than the N64 controller? Hah! Since when? The N64 controller has always been better than the SNES rip-off.

Since the morons in the Nintendo design department decided to put the analog control stick IN THE CENTER PRONG OF THE CONTROLLER. I'd rather own a controller where my hands are a confortable distance apart (PSX) instead of having my hands forced into close quarters and cramping up and generally being uncomfortable (N64).

I see it *PAINS* you to see someone just not like something by your beloved Nintendo but deal with it.

SNES rip-off. LOL

[davepesc]

/Grampa Simpson

So I tied an onion to my belt, which was the style in the day... Gimme 5 beans for a quarter we'd say. We didn't have any nickel, thanks to the Kaiser...
/Grampa Simpson


I love Atari, but that just sounds like talking about walking to school in the snow





uphill








both ways LOL

[Ed Oscuro]

Same here. Why Sony used symbols I'll never understand.
It's pretty obvious why: You don't need to translate [triangle], [square], [circle], and X into Japanese. Any other language system works fine with that, as well.

Ok, but then why have buttons labeled "Select", "Start", and "Analog"?
Good point.


Here's a random thought- it'd be a neat idea if someone designed a controller that you could use upside-down (for left-handed players).
What the..? LOL

[Lothars]

Honestly the ps2 is by far the best controller, I mean it's a comfortable controller as well as it's not that hard to use

so i think he's really off kilter saying it's bad

[Famidrive-16]

I don't blame him. I remember first trying out the Dreamcast controller and going 'Shoot! This is crazy." Now the controller's pretty easy to use for me.

I like the PS controller. The 64 one too, except when playing the first Mario Party, and the stick could break easily.

[Buyatari]

Excuse me?! Maybe it's just the one near me, but Chuck E. Cheese pizza is FANTASTIC.

I haven't been there in years. I took my son there three years ago. All they had were ski-ball machines and carinval type prize games for tickets. No arcade games. I think Nolan should go down to Chuck E Cheese and tell them what THEY are doing wrong.

[Captain Wrong]

I love Atari, but that just sounds like talking about walking to school in the snow





uphill








both ways LOL

Exactly. Much respect for Nolan, but it kind of sounds like he's operating in a 1978 mindset.

[Diatribal Deity]

It's not a money thing there Kevin-PSX, it's about a time when gaming wasen't so complex and you had make do with what they had to work with,.
Yes. Just meant - Sony is RICH. Really rich. If their ideas were poor as Nolan claims - they wouldn't be #1/rich. Nolan's ideas lack credibility. The facts don't match his claims.

That's why Sony will ignore Nolan.

:hmm:

Ever look at Sony's financial statements?
They are not the cash cow you think they are. Quite the opposite in fact.

[esquire]

I love Atari, but that just sounds like talking about walking to school in the snow





uphill








both ways LOL

Exactly. Much respect for Nolan, but it kind of sounds like he's operating in a 1978 mindset.

More importantly, I think he forgets that controllers with multiple buttons and keyboard like interfaces are nothing new to gaming. One only needs to look back at the Intellivision, Colecovision and Atari 5200 controllers. Hell, take a look at the special controller for Star Raiders for the 2600! All had multiple buttons and/or inputs. I'll take a Ps2 controller over a 5200 controller anyday.

[boatofcar]

He comes off more as a businessman than a “pure” designer or developer. He even brings graphs and charts to show which market segments could be exploited today. In 1982, he tells us, there were 44 million gamers. Today, there are 18 million. Where’d they all go?

Now this is interesting. I always thought the total amount of gamers has gone up as time goes on, but I have no data to back this up.

[CYRiX]

Here's a random thought- it'd be a neat idea if someone designed a controller that you could use upside-down (for left-handed players).
Umm this is WHY there are so many buttons and everything now, because in games YOU CAN CUSTOMIZE THE CONTROLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111111111[shift + 1]

Would you make a game for system that has a stick and 2 buttons or one with 2 shoulder buttons, 6 reg. buttons, a d-pad, and 2 analog sticks?

Its a scientific thereom:
The more complex (which normally leads to better games) the game is, the more buttons it needs. The more simpler (which normally leads to games that die-hards love) the less buttons needed.

I personally love playing games with a keyboard and mouse. Why? BECAUSE THE MORE BUTTONS THE BETTER MUAHAHAHAHA.


Yeah I'm going to say this now: Don't flame about which controller is better than that controller. I hate flame wars unless I have a strong opinion.

[zmweasel]

Ever look at Sony's financial statements?
They are not the cash cow you think they are. Quite the opposite in fact.

Actually, the game-hardware division of Sony *is* a cash cow, and easily the most financially successful segment of the company. It's the other consumer-electronics divisions that are getting thrashed by the competition.

-- Z.

[Buyatari]

He comes off more as a businessman than a “pure” designer or developer. He even brings graphs and charts to show which market segments could be exploited today. In 1982, he tells us, there were 44 million gamers. Today, there are 18 million. Where’d they all go?

Now this is interesting. I always thought the total amount of gamers has gone up as time goes on, but I have no data to back this up.

So there are 18 million gamers and the PS2 sold 100 million units?

[badinsults]

Ever look at Sony's financial statements?
They are not the cash cow you think they are. Quite the opposite in fact.

Actually, the game-hardware division of Sony *is* a cash cow, and easily the most financially successful segment of the company. It's the other consumer-electronics divisions that are getting thrashed by the competition.

-- Z.

Yeah, I've read that the games division is proping up sony.

[Frankie23]

I completely understand what he means when he talks about the complexity of modern controllers. I know a lot of people who are immediately turned off by two sticks and a dozen buttons. My girlfriend tries very earnestly to play some game swith me, but she just can't quite handle when things start getting too frantic, requiring the manipulation of three or four inputs at the same time. However, I had to buy her a DS recently just so she'd stop stealing mine away from me. The simple touchscreen controller makes sense to her. I'm definitely looking forward to the Revolution's new controller because I can already see how it's intuitive movement = input system will make things drastically easier for her, and some of my other gamer-curious friends.

[SegaAges]

To be honest with you, I do not think he was talking about the controllers themselves (I could be wrong, but I haven't read the link yet), but is probably referring to the fact that if anybody has attempted to try and play madden, all the crap you can do with the controller is insane. the latest madden game i have is from psx and i haven't played it. the last madden game that i played through that i bought was madden 97 for saturn.

the crap you can do with the controllers is insane, and you have to have a very intricit knowledge of the button layout in order to be able to throw the ball to who you want and have execute the play that you want.

i mean, this is coming from somebody that only uses hard punch and hard kick when playing capcom fighting games and still able to hold his own very well.

(yeah, i know my spelling sux)

[Rob2600]

Was Nolan Bushnell right all along?

[chicnstu]

Was Nolan Bushnell right all along?

I believe he is right about people being button phobic.

I said this before on here when the Wii Remote was first shown:

Once when my dad was playing PS2 games, he said to me "Why are there so many fucking buttons?". He said that because it was so hard for him to remember which button does what action. There are people that don't believe people like him exist but I understand that, maybe they haven't experienced a situation like mine.

[Rob2600]

I believe he is right about people being button phobic.

I said this before on here when the Wii Remote was first shown:

Once when my dad was playing PS2 games, he said to me "Why are there so many fucking buttons?". He said that because it was so hard for him to remember which button does what action. There are people that don't believe people like him exist but I understand that, maybe they haven't experienced a situation like mine.

I can relate. It's one of the reasons I stopped playing sports games past the 16-bit era. I couldn't keep track of which button did what. "A is to pass, B is to shoot, X is to steal, Y is to switch players, L1 is to dunk, L2 is to run faster, R1 is to rebound, R2 is to throw chairs into the audience, Z is to choke the coach...wait, how do I pass again?"

[chicnstu]

I can relate. It's one of the reasons I stopped playing sports games past the 16-bit era. I couldn't keep track of which button did what. "A is to pass, B is to shoot, X is to steal, Y is to switch players, L1 is to dunk, L2 is to run faster, R1 is to rebound, R2 is to throw chairs into the audience, Z is to choke the coach...wait, how do I pass again?"

And I believe it's very common. I would say maybe 70% of adults, that don't play games regularly, would feel annoyed if handed a PS2 (or similar) controller and expected to memorize every button's function.

[Graham Mitchell]

I think what separates the men from the boys here is the SNES controller. Most modern controllers are basically elaborations on the SNES controller. Those of us who grew up in the SNES era and had some experience with it when we were young and our brains were malleable information and muscle-control sponges are able to take that knowledge and apply it to the newer scenarios we see on our 360's and PS3's. I also think that younger people could pick up one of the current-gen big gun systems and do okay with it. But once you hit about 30 if you didn't like video games in the first place you're going to be much less likely to figure out that complex controller. Hence, I see the 35 year-old lesbians across from my friends' apartment playing their Wii all the time. You wouldn't have seen that in 2005.

[DeputyMoniker]

I see the 35 year-old lesbians across from my friends' apartment playing their Wii all the time.

That sentence is better when it's secluded like that.

Some games are just hard to learn. I had no trouble learning to play Tomb Raider. Football is a bitch, though. Scoot left, scoot right, grab a ledge, look, shoot, jump, roll, draw your gun is a heck of a lot easier than:


GENERAL GAMEPLAY
ALL PHASES
Left Stick/Direction Button move your player
R2 Button sprint/coach's cam (unavailable online)
L2 Button receiver cam
Square Button + Square Button/X Button/Triangle Button/L1 Button/R1 Button call an audible (before the snap)
Circle Button cancel audible (before selecting a play)
Select Button call timeout
Start Button pause game
OFFENSE
PREPLAY
X Button snap ball
Right Stick Left/Right switch direction of a running play
L2 Button + Receiver's Button lock on to a receiver
Circle Button + Triangle Button + Right/Left Stick call a hot route
Circle Button + Directional Button Left/Right send a player in motion
L3 Button quiet crowd
R1 Button fake snap
BALL CARRIER
Right Stick Up highlight stick (power backs lower their shoulder and "truck" over defenders/agile backs dodge the tackler)
Right Stick Down highlight stick (back juke)
Right Stick Left/Right highlight stick (big juke left/right)
PASSING AND RECEIVING
Right Stick Left/Right look left/right
Triangle Button/Square Button/Circle Button/R1 Button (Tap Button For Lob Pass; Hold Button For A Bullet) throw the ball
Left Stick/Directional Button lead the receiver
R3 Button throw ball away
L1 Button pump fake
R2 Button (Hold) qb scramble (behind the line of scrimmage)
L2 Button + R2 Button qb action mode (enables running controls)
L2 Button + R2 Button + Right Stick playmaker passing (guide closest receiver while qb is in action mode)
Triangle Button catch the ball
Square Button diving catch
LEAD BLOCKING CONTROLS
L1 Button + Circle Button lead blocking (circle button switches control to ball carrier)
OTHER BLOCKING CONTROLS
Right Stick Up/Down impact/cut block
L2 Button strafe
AFTER THE PLAY
Square Button (Hold) spike ball (to stop the clock)
Circle Button (Hold) fake spike trick play
Triangle Button (Hold) no huddle/hurry-up offense
DEFENSE
PREPLAY
Circle Button (Tap)/Circle Button (Hold) + Left Stick/Directional Button choose a player to control
L1 Button + Left Stick Up defensive line audible (to spread the defensive ends outside the tackles)
L1 Button + Left Stick Down defensive line audible (to move the line in tight between the tackles)
L1 Button + Left Stick Right/Left defensive line audible (to shift the line left/right)
L1 Button + Right Stick Up defensive line audible (to crash outside)
L1 Button + Right Stick Down defensive line audible (to crash inside)
L1 Button + Right Stick Left/Right defensive line audible (to crash left/right)
R1 Button + Left Stick Up linebacker audible (to spread out linebackers)
R1 Button + Left Stick Down linebacker audible (to move in tight)
R1 Button + Left Stick Left/Right linebacker audible (to shift left/right)
R1 Button + Right Stick Up linebacker audible (to put all linebackers in hook zones)
R1 Button + Right Stick Down linebacker audible (to blitz all linebackers)
R1 Button + Right Stick Left/Right linebacker audible (to blitz left/right linebackers)
R1 Button + L1 Button linebacker audible (to reset)
X Button + Left Stick Up/Down coverage audible (to out dbs into press/loose coverage)
X Button + Left Stick Left coverage audible (to show blitz)
X Button + Left Stick Right coverage audible (to shift safeties and linebackers into better position to cover their assigned man)
X Button + Right Stick Left/Right coverage audible (to shift safety coverage left/right)
X Button + L2 coverage audible (to reset)
L3 Button pump up a crowd
AFTER THE SNAP
Circle Button control player nearest to the ball/intended receiver when the ball is airborne
Right Stick Up commit to the run/pass (a pass)
Right Stick Down commit to the run/pass (an inside run)
Triangle Button jump the snap
Right Stick (In Any Direction) hit stick
Square Button diving tackle/interception
X Button swat at airborne ball
L2 Button strafe/spin (when engaged)
L1 Button spin or swim move (when engaged)
Triangle Button hands up/intercept/power move (when engaged)
KICKING OFF AND PUNTING
Left Stick/Directional Button aim the kick
Right Stick Down start power meter
Right Stick Up kick the ball
KICKOFF RETURNS
Triangle Button fair catch
MOTION CONTROLS
OFFENSE
Move The Wireless Controller Up fake snap
Move The Wireless Controller Up And Down lead block
DEFENSE
Move The Wireless Controller Up jump the snap
Move The Wirelss Controller Forward hit stick
SUPERSTAR/MINI-GAME CONTROLS
QB
Right Stick Left/Right pan camera
Circle Button follow ball/look downfield
WR/TE/HB
Right Stick Left/Right/Up/Down cut moves left/right/up/back
L2 Button strafe facing the ball
L1 Button call for ball
Circle Button switch camera during play/preplay
BLOCKER
L2 Button strafe facing away from ball
DEFENSE
Right Stick Up press coverage presnap
X Button attempt chuck

[Graham Mitchell]

See, that's why I hate all football games except for Tecmo Bowl and 10-yard Fight (yeah, I said it!) I can't figure any of that stuff out. Fucking Ultima V is easier to figure out than that.

[DeputyMoniker]

He should know, he's the one that designed the Amiga CDTV. Another high priced machine that didn't quite match up with consumer expectations.

What is his personal vendetta with Sony?

[Vectorman0]

I think he's just upset that he never made any money on used game sales.

[chrisballer]

My parents wont play current gen games very much (except for Animal Crossing ;) ) because they find the controllers confusing.Same with several of my co-workers.
They take one look at the controller, and pass automatically.
Yes, I think he was talking about the controller putting people off, not that people can't figure it out. He said that, "people are scared of interface." I have to agree, my girlfriend and parents were the same way. My parents would try the old systems, but they look at the new controllers and say no without trying. I think this could be one of the reasons the Wii has sold so well. They make controlling it look as easy as moving your hands, and the people that may have been intimidated before gave it a try.

[Graham Mitchell]

Not to play Devil's Advocate, but I saw something interesting this week. Yesterday I had a 65-year-old patient who told me he has a PS2 with about 45 games, and that he's planning on getting a PS3 because he wants to play Little Big Planet. He loves games, and has no problem with utilizing one of the more complex controllers on the market.

He may be an odd case, but it just goes to show that nothing is 100%.

[Gentlegamer]

I can relate. It's one of the reasons I stopped playing sports games past the 16-bit era. I couldn't keep track of which button did what. "A is to pass, B is to shoot, X is to steal, Y is to switch players, L1 is to dunk, L2 is to run faster, R1 is to rebound, R2 is to throw chairs into the audience, Z is to choke the coach...wait, how do I pass again?"
This is the reason I can't play Madden as much as I try.

I keep going back to Super Tecmo Bowl.

[chicnstu]

He may be an odd case, but it just goes to show that nothing is 100%.

Wow, I thought that was an obvious thing...in all things :roll:

[Graham Mitchell]

Wow, I thought that was an obvious thing...in all things :roll:

I was just giving an amusing anecdote. Don't be a douche.

[codyz1112594]

Who are these people he is talking about, nobody I know has ever complained about the PS2 controller being confusing. I don't really see how knowing where the X and O could be hard to figure out, nobody had a problem finding the B and Y on the SNES controler.

And the controler being like a keyboard? The hell kind of crack is this guy smoking, I have an easier time using the PS2 controller than the Xbox or Gamecube controllers.

yeah me too but, thats probably cause i grew up on PSX, i really ahte the xbox controllers, they make my hand SORE>>

[Ryaan1234]

This reminds me of an old Game Informer article I read back when the Wii was still called the Revolution. I can't remember if it was an april's fools article or somthing but it said that the Revolution was going to have just one big "DO" button. It had a pretty funny picture to go with it too, hmmm... I think I might see if I can find that article.

[esquire]

This reminds me of an old Game Informer article I read back when the Wii was still called the Revolution. I can't remember if it was an april's fools article or somthing but it said that the Revolution was going to have just one big "DO" button. It had a pretty funny picture to go with it too, hmmm... I think I might see if I can find that article.

Sounds like Staples' "Easy Button". They should incorporate something like that into controllers for the impaired.

[AMG]

This reminds me of an old Game Informer article I read back when the Wii was still called the Revolution. I can't remember if it was an april's fools article or somthing but it said that the Revolution was going to have just one big "DO" button. It had a pretty funny picture to go with it too, hmmm... I think I might see if I can find that article.

Reminds me of a mock up controller I saw around the same time. It had one button with the word "Win" on it. Cracked me up.