Ten Best Controller Innovations Since the Atari 2600

shoinan6083d ago

Still, I prefer playing Bubble Bobble on my Amiga joystick than playing it on my 360, so maybe it wasn't so bad back in the day.

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guitarded776083d ago

Good article, I think they should add the chatpad, that thing is a pretty cool innovation.

yippie1234y6083d ago

i totally agree with the directional d-pad

..but i did lol when i realized they chose the 360 one for the picture, 360 has my favorite controller by far but that d-pad blows.. trying to play mvc or sf4 is near impossible.

mal_tez926083d ago

Did they really have nunchuck for ergnomics?

That is easily the most uncomfortable controller in a long time. I have to really strecth my thumb backwards to properly use the joystick on it.

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Counter_ACT6083d ago

I hate the 360 controller. The D-pad is a mess.

gumgum996083d ago

that's true. Nintendo and Sony sure know how to make those D-pads. The 360 has the better triggers though, in my opinion.

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LCF6083d ago

Funny how the controller and alot of things on the X360 is ripped right from the Dreamcast. Just like the triggers you just mention. Look at the placement of the left analog stick. Though the D-pad was a hella lot better than the X360. But damn to Hell disposable batteries in a controller in this day in age of lithium-ion batteries. That so wavebird-ish.

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darthv726083d ago (Edited 6083d ago )

how is it a mess? Having played on every dpad since the dpad was first released I find no difficulty using the 360 dpad. Maybe its me but I can pull off moves in sf2 and sf4 as well as any other fighting game. The best dpad for me had to the saturn one on their analog controller.

I dont know why so many have problems with the 360 dpad. Is it recessed or not enough range of motion...???

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cain1416083d ago

I think the 360 controller is the best, but it does have the worst dpad...

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LCF6083d ago (Edited 6083d ago )

Played alot of gears I know for a fact the X360 D-pad is a peice of shyt. Switching from torque to shotgun in a fight and your smoke genrade pops out, yea it's a peice of shyt.

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Pennywise6083d ago

Darth the defender.

There comes a point and time where you have to step back, Darth and stop defending. If someone asked me what your response about the notoriously bad d-pad on the 360 controller would be... you just typed out my response. So predictable even though everyone agrees the dpad is just plain BAD.

Pick your fights wisely around here, because that nonsense I just read is laughable.

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locos856083d ago (Edited 6083d ago )

Another thing I don't like about the 360 controller is that the XYAB buttons are not pressure sensitive. It's like pushing skittles.

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mal_tez926083d ago

Ever since the DualShock 1. The sticks are at the exact position where my thumbs naturally go. Whereas the Xbox controller has the uneven placement of the sticks, making it a bit less comfortable and harder to coordinate. But the 360 controller has better triggers.

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coolirisGB6083d ago

Funny I was just playing Lost Planet 2 on PS3 and the shape of the PS3 controller is a bigger mess and so are the analog sticks, the PS3 analog sticks are worse than the 360 dpad. The 360 has better analog triggers as well.

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darthv726083d ago

I can honestly say that I have not had any issues with the 360 dpad. You seem to generalize (penny) by saying "everyone agrees" when in fact they do not. It all comes down to personal preference. I may not like the feel of the pad itself. I think they should have had it raised slightly but that doesnt hinder my use of the pad when needed.

It just seems so funny that when I hear of those who have problems are those who played more with the dual shock 2 and maybe even 1. I also remember sony's first dpad and while it may not have looked like much, when there was no dual shock made yet, it was all you could use. Guess what...it worked fine. Just like the 360's.

There have been some bad dpads in the day. Jaguar comes to mind but then again having to use the overlays on the number keys was also a pain. The original 3do pad had issues with diagonal movement until a hack was figured out (loosen a few screws on the back) once that was done I was able to do the usual combos in super street fighter 2.

I am just saying that those who think the 360 is bad have no idea what bad really is unless you have played them all. I can name a few others if you dont believe me.

ZOMBIEMAN16083d ago

everything PS3 related is worse to you and haven't you found a 360 only site you could hang around because really 360 fanboy freaks like you give gamers like me a bad name ohh and if your going to troll and act like a fanboy use the open zone that's why it's there and DS3 is fine the way it it's design has been fine for over 10 years when it was DS1 & DS2 and if your not down with that i got 2 words for ya, SUCK IT!!!

ThanatosDMC6082d ago (Edited 6082d ago )

Anyone remember the big ass 360 controllers and how adamant fankids were defending it to the death. Then after the smaller 360 controllers were released to match the Playstation controllers they were like "this is perfect..." blah blah blah. Even though it feels like those $hitty Logitech controller:

http://www.amazon.com/PlayS...

Check the d-pad.

Most horrible controller i've ever used now that i think about it is the NES controller. It's rectangular with terrible corners.

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gumgum996083d ago

This was a very good read of the timeline of innovation from the video game controller. It even added innovations like "ergonomics" and "wireless controllers" that a similar article sorta missed out on.

Double Toasted6083d ago

feels so luxurious in my hands...so comfortable.

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Eiffel6083d ago

First controller I used that didn't give me hand cramps after playing long enough.

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duplissi6083d ago

hmm funny the only time ive ever had my hands cramp up were with handhelds, the original xbox controller and keyboards.

Bodyboarder_VGamer6083d ago (Edited 6083d ago )

As an example of D-pad and multiple buttons the guy used pics from the X360 controller and for trigger and analogs he used the PS3. lol

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LeonSKennedy4Life6083d ago

I think he was just being facetious.

Krud6083d ago

The actual pictures shown are not necessarily indicators of the best examples of that innovation. ';D

LeonSKennedy4Life6083d ago

The Dreamcast had and still has the best triggers.

The Dualshock has the best d-pad.

The 360 pad has the most comfortable layout, in general. (The joystick placement is ergonomic and pleasant.)

The Wii has...

...a rubber thing...which is also very comfortable. : )

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SirLarr6083d ago

Wireless controllers has been my favorite innovation. Too many youngsters nowadays don't know the headaches of having cords draped across the floor all the time.

Grandreaper99996083d ago

No more dogs or any other animals chewing on cords, hahaha... Wire-free controllers are sooo nice.

SteelyPhil6082d ago

at my friends house, his little sisters would always braid the controller cords

Evocation6083d ago

Why aren't there pictures of, ether the best implementation of said feature, and/or pictures of the first implementation. The X360 d-pad, and PS3 trigger.
While I agree with the points, I don't think enoguh research went into it too really show the history, no mention of Gunpei Yokoi. :(

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Marceles6083d ago

Yeah I agree.

If you look at it, Nintendo has done alot on the controller side.

Y,X,B,A on the SNES...Dreamcast, Xbox, and the 360 followed, except switching the letters on each side. Playstation also following the 4 button set up.

L and R triggers on the SNES.

The d-pad with the NES.

The N64 with the analog thumbstick and force feedback AND in-controller memory...we can almost put ergonomics on there as well since the controller was heavily described with that word.

Krud6083d ago

While I agree that the pictures can potentially muddle the chronology a bit, I believe they're typically assigned separately from the writing of the article and shouldn't be given too much focus in this case. ':)

Jamescagney6083d ago (Edited 6083d ago )

I still remember my Atari 2600 joystick. We've come a long way. Controllers that is, not me and my Atari joystick.

siyrobbo6083d ago

if my memory recalls its nintendo who lead alot of innovations, analogue stick, trigger, wiresless controller, rumble, motion sensing

Jamescagney6083d ago

And the D pad.

MidNite6083d ago

I hate my 360 wireless controller the battery pack takes up too much space and gives me cramps the PS3 wireless controller is better in that regard.

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ambientFLIER6083d ago

A picture of the xbox controller for the article? Hmm...why no ps3 controller? Is it because it's trash, only suitable for girls' hands or the hands of asians?

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Jamescagney6083d ago

No offence but I think you've got a bit of a chip on your shoulder. And it's not the potato kind.

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hitokiri6083d ago (Edited 6083d ago )

...-_-...

(sighs)
there are pictures of both in the article...

but i guess you fanboy eyes cant see that can they?

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vagisil6083d ago

also the r2 and l2 "triggers" on ps3 controller suck ass. i am to the point to where if a game on ps3 uses those for aiming/shooting, i am definetly getting that game on 360. it's a shame that sony can't design a better, more comfortable controller. i guess if i do want a exclusive on ps3 that uses r2 to shoot, i will have to buy the "real triggers" add on.

ZombieAutopsy6083d ago

cant we just take all his bubbles away.

ambientFLIER6083d ago (Edited 6083d ago )

Yeah, I do have a chip on my shoulder. My PS3 pissed me the fuk off today...again. Look at my bio.

Vagisil (lol), yep, the controller is a turd. I loved everything about Resistance 2, except the god damn pos controller made my hands cramp every 15 minutes...and I can use my xbox controller for hours with no problems. The control scheme pissed me off too, the way the aiming and firing were set up.

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mr durand pierre6083d ago

I prefer the PS3 controller myself. I like the shape and triggers of the 360 controller, but the fact that it doesn't come with plug & play cables to recharge whilst playing is a shame, and I hate the obtrusive spiraling green lights to let you know your batteries are running low- a warning that comes up while you still have hours of play time left.

Relientk776083d ago

I prefer the PS dualshock controller... best controller design ever

SlamVanderhuge6083d ago

Shame that the Jaguar's numberpad didn't make the list.

Krud6082d ago

Was the Jaguar's numberpad better than numberpads that came before or after it? (I only ask because I never knew anyone w/ a Jaguar...)

djroberts6083d ago

In controller memory? Lame... Also, it's funny how they show the 360 controller for d-pad and the DS3 for triggers. Both of which do horrible in those respetive areas.

Krud6083d ago

So in your own opinion/experience, what would have been a better innovation for them to put on the top ten list in place of controller memory?

Etseix6083d ago

well,
only thing that id change to teh dualshock controller, is....

well nothing, the controll is perfect for big hands or small hands,
L,Rs are good too, the more u press, the more efect does (motorstorm, etc)

sorry but, the dualshock is the best controll out there,
xbox's one is nice too, BUT
it its + sucks, u cant play a fighting game with that thing.