FireBeaver
Banned
I mean, the Atari Jaguar controller has to take the cake right? Literally everything about this thing is wrong from a design standpoint. Just looking at it practically makes your hands hurt.
-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
Worst Controllers
- Thread starter FireBeaver
- Start date
Yeah, I have to agree. Eventually you could get used to it, but controllers shouldn't be something that you have to eventually get used to.
Transistor
Banned
Intellivision, Colecovision, Jaguar
Basically any controller with a number pad and overlays
Basically any controller with a number pad and overlays
Realized thiis when replaying Banjo Kazooie. Doing inputs other than the the main 8 is really annoying to do. It was much easier when I played on emulator with a different controller.
Rickenslacker
Banned
Of any of the major big name consoles I can think of, Nintendo 64 absolutely has to take the cake. Argue ergonomics and quirky layouts and what have you, but the N64 controller is one that will invariably break from regular use due to the analog stick grinding its pivot point to dust and increasing the deadzone.
There were many amazingly terrible PC gamepads back in the pre-USB days, but maybe those classify as "3rd party". The Master System one deserves a special mention, with that square d-pad and the lack of a start button. The Atari 2600 ones also wins the award for being so fragile, I remember a friend who had to buy a new one every couple months.
ForkNetwork
Banned
Ok, wheres the Doug controller?
MrCunningham
Member
Gravis was the king of awful d-pads back in the day...
I never had a Gravis pad that properly centered the d-pad.
gcncontroller
Member
N64 would be the worst one I personally have used, but the one you mention in the OP is pretty godawful looking
Good lord...
Good lord...
Crayon
Member
You reminded me of the ubiquitous gravis pc gamepad. That was a real pos.
InfiniteCombo
Banned
This. But my main entry:
Although it feels great in your hands (very, VERY ergonomic!), there are a few problems:
- Weird shaped face buttons (probably my biggest beef)
- The Dpad is just... LOL.
- C-stick... Actually, to be honest, I don't fully understand the concept behind the C-stick
- Uneven shoulder/trigger layout... Both on one side, but only one on the left side?
It makes it impossible for me to play fighting games on the GameCube. Which is a shame, because there are some good fighting games on there (for one, arguably the best version of SoulCalibur II is on that console).
This. But my main entry:
Although it feels great in your hands (very, VERY ergonomic!), there are a few problems:
- Weird shaped face buttons (probably my biggest beef)
- The Dpad is just... LOL.
- C-stick... Actually, to be honest, I don't fully understand the concept behind the C-stick
- Uneven shoulder/trigger layout... Both on one side, but only one on the left side?
It makes it impossible for me to play fighting games on the GameCube. Which is a shame, because there are some good fighting games on there (for one, arguably the best version of SoulCalibur II is on that console).
This won't end well for you..(I agree by the way)
SomeRandomWeirdGuy
Member
IMO there's nothing wrong with the 64 controller, at least in comparison to how people like to complain about it. It's essentially two different controllers fused in one, one centered around the dpad and the other the analog stick. It's a slick piece of hardware, especially for how old it is.
Beyond joke answers and hilariously terrible controllers, the Duke and the PS4 controller really take the cake for me. The Duke's white and black buttons were really shitty to press, and the controller was just too big. I still loved it, but it's definitely an obvious step behind the 360's amazing redesign.
And the PS4 controller just has the big nasty touchpad that nothing uses, and the bright shining light on the back that has no purpose if you don't use move games (or whatever it is, considering I never used it). Most glaringly though is the shitty rubber on the joystick. Mine have both completely peeled off, and I used my various 360 controllers for countless more game hours than I have my PS4 (mostly due to growing up, not dislike of the console) and they're in comparatively spotless condition.
Beyond joke answers and hilariously terrible controllers, the Duke and the PS4 controller really take the cake for me. The Duke's white and black buttons were really shitty to press, and the controller was just too big. I still loved it, but it's definitely an obvious step behind the 360's amazing redesign.
And the PS4 controller just has the big nasty touchpad that nothing uses, and the bright shining light on the back that has no purpose if you don't use move games (or whatever it is, considering I never used it). Most glaringly though is the shitty rubber on the joystick. Mine have both completely peeled off, and I used my various 360 controllers for countless more game hours than I have my PS4 (mostly due to growing up, not dislike of the console) and they're in comparatively spotless condition.
Zelmardonpoktendo
Banned
wii u pad definately
Forerunner
Member
This. But my main entry:
Although it feels great in your hands (very, VERY ergonomic!), there are a few problems:
- Weird shaped face buttons (probably my biggest beef)
- The Dpad is just... LOL.
- C-stick... Actually, to be honest, I don't fully understand the concept behind the C-stick
- Uneven shoulder/trigger layout... Both on one side, but only one on the left side?
It makes it impossible for me to play fighting games on the GameCube. Which is a shame, because there are some good fighting games on there (for one, arguably the best version of SoulCalibur II is on that console).
Agreed. I hate this fucking thing.
The C-stick pissed me off more than anything. Why couldn't it just have been another analog stick? Instead it's this nipple that hurts your thumb and you can't be as precise.
This. But my main entry:
I think it had a good shape. Everything else needed work and I couldn't believe how trash the D-pad was for being Nintendo.
vatstep
This poster pulses with an appeal so broad the typical restraints of our societies fall by the wayside.
Yup. It seemed great back in the day but looking at it now, it's a fucking atrocity. It really just has not aged well (same as the N64 controller).This. But my main entry:
ChronotriggerJM
Member
This. But my main entry:
Although it feels great in your hands (very, VERY ergonomic!), there are a few problems:
- Weird shaped face buttons (probably my biggest beef)
- The Dpad is just... LOL.
- C-stick... Actually, to be honest, I don't fully understand the concept behind the C-stick
- Uneven shoulder/trigger layout... Both on one side, but only one on the left side?
It makes it impossible for me to play fighting games on the GameCube. Which is a shame, because there are some good fighting games on there (for one, arguably the best version of SoulCalibur II is on that console).
This for me. There are much worse controllers mind you from an ergonomics and early engineering stand point, but this was my most disappointing. I found the shoulder button's very fatiguing to fully depress, and that dpad, wtf Nintendo. I didn't get the nipple either.
DecoReturns
Member
Edit: Actually, scratch that, its the Dualshock 3.
This. But my main entry:
Although it feels great in your hands (very, VERY ergonomic!), there are a few problems:
- Weird shaped face buttons (probably my biggest beef)
- The Dpad is just... LOL.
- C-stick... Actually, to be honest, I don't fully understand the concept behind the C-stick
- Uneven shoulder/trigger layout... Both on one side, but only one on the left side?
It makes it impossible for me to play fighting games on the GameCube. Which is a shame, because there are some good fighting games on there (for one, arguably the best version of SoulCalibur II is on that console).
Can't argue with the last 3 points but man, the face buttons are great. They're just fun to press. The B button needs to be a bean shape like X and Y though.
Suburban Thug
Member
N64 controller is pretty bad
I actually like the design of the Gamecube's face buttons. They're well suited for a lot of games, and very easy for casual players to understand due to the layout. Unfortunately, the controller missing four buttons (ZL, Select, and analog sticks in) really hurt a lot of multipaltform titles. Likewise, the poor D-Pad made it sub-standard for 2D games, and other games requiring precise digital movement.
Count of Monte Sawed-Off
un33dab@dpu$$y
From what I've used, the Dreamcast's controller. It's the only one to ever make my hands hurt.
ChronotriggerJM
Member
My fingers would hurt from the claw grip lol.
InfiniteCombo
Banned
I can agree with this. Like I said, it's super ergonomic. The shape is fantastic. But that's where the good news end :-/
LMAO... Trust me, I know. At this point I might actually be persona non grata over at NintendoGAF. (Love me some Nintendo, I just don't always see eye to eye with some of the more fanatical branches of that group.)
I didn't expect to get this much agreement. GCN controller could've been GOAT, but Nintendo got drunk and designed... that. I still use it for Smash on Wii U, though.
Did Nintendo ever explain why there's only one Z button on GC? Or why the D-Pad and C-stick are weird?
Despite the obvious flaws GC is actually my favorite controller, so don't think we're getting too chummy ;P
Despite the obvious flaws GC is actually my favorite controller, so don't think we're getting too chummy ;P
ChronotriggerJM
Member
I've never had a ds3 break on me, but man have I hit those shoulder button's accidentally many times lol.
I love the Gamecube pad, it's probably one of my favourites ever, but yeah the Z-button kind of sucks (and there should be a left one), the dpad is pretty awful, and the c-stick should be bigger and the same design as the main stick.
The shoulder triggers are phenomenal, the face buttons are a superb bit of design, the octagonal notches on the sticks are really smart, it's extremely comfortable to hold.
The shoulder triggers are phenomenal, the face buttons are a superb bit of design, the octagonal notches on the sticks are really smart, it's extremely comfortable to hold.
I believe that the Z button was a last minute addition requested by third party publishers, and the dpad was made from the same mass produced component(s) as the GBA one. No idea on the c-stick though.
Gentleman Jack
Member
When has nintendo ever explained any of the baffling decisions made about their hardware?
kahboomkin
Member
The 7800 controller is fucking terrible. Can't play Star Trek Strategic Operation Simulator with this smh.
