Top 5 Worst Video Game Controllers

Sean Ryan writes:

"The key to every video game console is how the player is able to interact with it. This makes the controller design a crucial factor in a console's hardware development. Brilliant designs such as Sony's DualShock have proven that they can carry themselves across generations of platforms. However, most other companies have not been so lucky. Here are the five biggest design failures…"

[Kratos Spartan]

where's the original Xbox controller? Replace that with the N64 and it's the perfect list.

[RAF-TECH]

yeah..
although I didnt mind the shapes and sizes of the x-box controller.

IT WAS THE BLACK AND WHITE BUTTONS!

[Philip J Fry]

Where's the six axis PS3 controller. No rumble, no design change for three generations? It may be comfortable, or familiar, to players but it is not that great of a design.

By comfortable I meant familiar. It is popular because it has been around for so long. Also the curved R1 and R2 buttons are unnecessary.

I wouldn't know I didn't have or play the original XBOX. I am not even comparing the two, I am judging the six axis on its own merit. It was such a great design they later added rumble after market.

[bruiser81]

I wouldn't think a controller could be comfortable and poorly designed at the same time, it just doesn't make sense. Its been the same for 2.5 generations, the original PS controller did not have analog sticks. The analog sticks came around the year 98 near the end of the PS1's reign. Plus if you look at the button placement the 360 controller is a modified version of the PS controller, MS pretty much stuck with the formula of the original S controller from the xbox minus the black and white buttons, which may i remind you replace the original fat nasty one.

Edit:
They couldn't add rumble in the beginning because they were in the middle of a law suite with the company the implements it for them. It would have been real dumb for them to delay the system another year till they got all that sorted now wouldn't it. You do have a bit of a point with L2 and R2 though, but i got used to it.

[slinkey123]

hey whats wrong with the big old xbox controller. It was very comfortable imo. just because it was big it didnt make uncomfortable at all.

And the N64 controller was comfy but it was a really bad design. i mean u had to move your hand to switch between the D-PAD and analogue stick.... :-|

[stevenhiggster]

@slinkey.

Dude you must have huge hands! The original X-box controller was so massive it gave normal people major cramps! It should totally be on that list.

And about the curved L2 & R2 on the sixaxis, I got some cool triggers that clip over them, Sony should have designed them that way, they're much better now.

[Beg For Mercy]

man i remember getting used to that n64 controller after playing with a ps1 controller for so long, the dreamcast controller was nice the vmu was great i wish we still had them in gaming today.

[RAF-TECH]

I found the N64 to beat both 360 and PS3 in terms of having both d-pad & analog.
When using the D-pad, the L button is used with it...
Whne using Analog, the Z-button is used with it.
So it eliminates the awkwardness.

The C-Buttons werent too friendly to get used to. But still. after getting used to it.. you get to enjoy the best FPS's in history.

Turok: Dinosaur Hunter
007:Goldeneye
Perfect Dark

Edit: Yes the dreamcast controller is one of my favourite. very responsive. with the dreamcast controller... you can pwn anyone in Marvel vs Capcom

[stevenhiggster]

I quite liked the N64 pad too, some of the button placings took a bit of getting used to but the analogue stick placement was bang on. And Super Smash Brothers is the best game ever :-)

[Ps3Fanboy777]

Playing Mario with that was great!

[Nicolator]

WHT THE FK IS THAT... THOSE ARE HORRIBLE... i am a 360 fan but.. the xbox1 control need to be on that list that shyt was like hugeeeee...

MORTAL KOMBAT 1..

TEST UR GRIP..!!!

(f*ck i cant grab it.. i think i will hug it)

[galgor]

The first Xbox1 controller was horrible. I stand up for the Dreamcast controller though <3

[LeGenDx]

the dreamcast controllers were sick! when u had the little memorycard that acted like a game when u play certain games

[haruvister]

The N64 controller was my favourite controller of all time. It was very comfortable, and the stick control was silky.

[enjoi187]

wheres the boomerang

[NMC2007]

it was never released, thus doesn't fit into the discussion.

[NMC2007]

That Intellivision controller was a tragedy in the state of bad controllers. Dreamcast controller should be replaced by the Duke(Xbox 1 controller), that was a terrible design, I will admit as an Xbox fan, shiz was bad.

[Electricear]

The Intellivision controller was awkward to hold and the 16 directions made the disk feel sloppy. I also credit the Intellivision controller for being the first game pad, and revolutionizing the industry. If you compared it to the atari 2600 joysticks of the time it was a break through. The 2600 joysticks, though classic, were utter crap. I think my brothers and I went through about 1 every couple of months. The sticks plastic pressure pressers were very flimsy, and just didn't last very long where as the Intellivision controllers worked all the way till we got rid of the thing several years later.

Any one remember the wico command control? That was the most durable stick of it's day, and my favorite for years, even if it was ginormous and felt clumsy.

[Teh Cell]

#1 = BS3 DualShit garbage...feels like a toy, looks like a toy, works worse than a toy!

[Teh Cell]

I think you mean looks good, plays better, and is hands down the choice of gamers everywhere. Yep, the 360 pad wins every time in every survey.

[boc]

I agree about the Jaguar controller being bad, but the N64 controller was one of my favorite all-time controllers. It felt comfortable in your hands, and the 6 button layout was great for fighting games. Most notably, Killer Instinct Gold which I played for *years on end.......

[ThatArtGuy]

Any list like this that doesn't have the Atari 5200 joysticks instantly loses its credibility. They had analog joysticks that didn't center. They would make your hands cramp within 5 minutes of use. They also and would instantly break if a baby breathed on them. This automatically makes them number one on the list.

[Electricear]

The 5200's controllers were by far the worst ones ever. They were so bad I had phased them out of my mind till you mentioned them. The rubber buttons would just stop working, and the analog stick would dislodge and get stuck with the stick wedged in a corner, and if you tried to crack open the controller to fix the analog stick it would dislodge the numeric keypad rendering the controller junk. You are 100% correct, the 5200 controller was the worst controller of all times.

Here's a Pic of one... ::<<shiver>>>::

[saphiron]

I actually love the DC controller.. But the D-pad is not that good, and the buttons gets "loose" to soon.. The stick only gets better the more you use it :)

original Xbox controllet fits my hands really good, but the buttons should be flatt on the top. D-pad was also bad..

n64 controller was great for the 3d platformers.. Not as good for other games..

my opinion :D

[MrWeymes]

I'm not claiming to have a massive pair of hands, but I never had a problem with the XBOX 1 controller. It's like the 360 controller, except way bigger. My girlfriend has super tiny lady hands, and she didn't like the controller, though.

[big shadow]

N64 controller wasn't that bad

[thereapersson]

DreamCast system = full of win

DreamCast controller = FULL OF FAIL

That D-Pad was murder on my thumb!

[FailStation3]

1. SUCKSasses
2. DS3
3. DS2
4. DS1
5. original gaystation controller (before they stole every from Nintendo)

all FONY flop controllers. what a coincidence?!?!?! HAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaa

seriously, this article is a JOKE. they mention the N64 controller and dreamcast controller??? ummmm. those controllers ruled and were revolutionary.

they didn't even mention the garbageaxis, lmffao. what a garbage article. clearly paid by sony to cover the truth.

haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa