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Worst Controllers
- Thread starter FireBeaver
- Start date
I don't think they've ever explained it, but prototype designs of the Gamecube controller were actually lacking a D-Pad. Which implies it was kind of tacked on sometime late in development.
DecoReturns
Member
I always felt the Gamecube controller was made just for Smash.
I 100% doubt this is true tho
I 100% doubt this is true tho
InfiniteCombo
Banned
The Neo Geo controllers were strangely hard to execute fighting game moves with.
You know, after giving it long thought.... I agree.
Thinking about some of the SNK button combinations, and looking at that controller, just hurts my hand. I think four buttons in a row is too much. And their "upward" orientation is horrible, too!
Allnamestakenlol
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).
Ditto. Always disliked this controller. (Also, partly because of the cheap-o children's toy looks, admittedly.)
Alex_Mexico
Member
In before the inevitable unironic entry saying the Dualschock 4 or the Xbox One controller are the worst controller ever.
As for me? I'm sure the real entry is some third party crap or any of the CD-I's but from the ones I've actually used it's the N64. He control stick wore down quickly and no matter how you held it you'd always leave 1/3 of its features out of reach. That's just bad design.
As for me? I'm sure the real entry is some third party crap or any of the CD-I's but from the ones I've actually used it's the N64. He control stick wore down quickly and no matter how you held it you'd always leave 1/3 of its features out of reach. That's just bad design.
As long as you mean the Xbone Elite and not the garbage standard pad, I'd agree. I'd throw in the Japanese Saturn controller and the ASCII SNES pad and that's about it for the top tier.
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).
Co-signed. Don't outright hate the GC controller but it's definitely tied with the Wiimote/Nunchuck combo as my least favorite controller.
Sony, finally, got the ergonomics right with the DS4, but it's a moot point since the battery life sucks so much.
As for the N64 controller, it's a jack of all trades, master of none. You weren't supposed to access the d=pad/L-button if you were holding it by the middle prong (the L-button/Z-trigger are essentially the same button). I think that's where a lot of people get tripped up. It's basically a 8 button SNES controller, with extra handles.
My worst controller has to be the DS3. Such a half-assed controller design. I've never really been a fan of the ergonomics of the DS1/2/3, but those shitty analog triggers really made that controller design worse then it already was.
Liliana Eileen
Member
Literally the worst.
Mike Double U
Banned
This is blasphemy.
I'm sure there are worse controllers out there but out of the ones I've actually owned, yeah, the Jaguar one was the worst. I actually thought the whole keypad customization thing was really neat back then but actually using it in games felt terrible. The buttons and dpad weren't very good either.
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).
I don't agree its ergonomic at all. The handles are 90 deg perpendicular, which after long play sessions makes it very uncomfortable for wrists. Compare that to PS controllers which are angled to keep wrists straight meaning its a lot less tiring over long sessions.
I agree with your other points though, the gamecube controller is one of the most overated controllers ever. N64 takes the cake as the worst Nintendo controller.
It's (mostly) fine for playing 2D games... and kinda shit for 3D games. Yeah, for more versatility the Pro Controller was better.All controllers are great, except for one IMO.
It wasnt uncomfortable,but for long sessions? Oohh boy does it make your hands hurt.
It doesnt help that the analog sticks arent well built, it broke after a few xenoblade runs.
Liliana Eileen
Member
Fight me irl
I loved the N64 controller growing up. Better then the GameCube controller (except the wavebird, of course).
Awww, it's quite cute really.
It's like something that wants to be a console when it grows up, but that's never going to happen.
TransTrender
Gold Member
Can anyone find that post with the 6 buttons in a row controller from AliBaba where the people in the promo picture are actually using a Dual Shock controller?
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).
The GC controller is one of the GOATs.
The only reason I'm okay with the GC controller being mentioned in this thread is because the first reply was on point.
The worst controller I've ever used was for the CD-i.
It did have a more traditional controller that was also a piece of shit.
Gross
super-famicom
Member
Agree with N64 controller. Holding it never felt all that great. And the "spin the analog stick" minigames in Mario Party were painful 
I personally dislike the OG Xbox Duke, mainly because I have smaller hands.
I personally dislike the OG Xbox Duke, mainly because I have smaller hands.
Damn people don't like Gamecube controllers? I still play my Gamecube sometimes and damn it is comfy. C-stick doesn't bother me but d pad is trash though.
I've always hated the N64 controller. Especially that janky joystick.
Dualshock 2 and 3 joysticks feel terrible too. They don't have enough resistance to be precise and their shape made them prone to slipping.
I've always hated the N64 controller. Especially that janky joystick.
Dualshock 2 and 3 joysticks feel terrible too. They don't have enough resistance to be precise and their shape made them prone to slipping.
The DS4 is honestly really uncomfortable to me, and somehow manages to have worse sticks than the prior dualshock sticks. Playing a fast-paced game like Nier Automata for more than an hour starts to give me hand cramps. Playing Bayonetta on the Wii U gamepad was actually more comfortable than that.
Sword Of Doom
Member
Dualshock 3
Joycons (both on the switch and in the grip). They're functional but not that good
Joycons (both on the switch and in the grip). They're functional but not that good
Slick Butter
Member
Of those that I've used, the Dreamcast controller is not good. It's just a worse version of the Saturn's 3D controller (which I think is cool but is also kind of bad).
Yeah but what it loses for basically being unusable it more than makes up for by looking fucking awesome though.
arturo2666
Banned
The amount of support the GC controller hate got really furthers my lack of faith in humanity. What the fuck.
This thread is for the worst controllers not the Dougest controllers.
The GC controller was needlessly non-standard, typical of a Nintendo in a bubble. The solitary right shoulder button that isn't a shoulder button but we better have them because a developer asked for them but let's only have one is also the most awkwardly positioned thing I've ever used.
But it is comfy.
Yeah, this wins.The worst controller I've ever used was for the CD-i.
It did have a more traditional controller that was also a piece of shit.
Nintendo 64 pad - Terrible design that has confused many people for years. Surprisingly feels more comfortable to hold the "proper" way compared to the two listed below. It was still extremely awkward though.
Gamecube - Buttons are all over the place. I remember you had to do button combinations for certain games because the lack of buttons and the trigger/bumpers used to hurt my fingers. Buttons were also prone to getting EXTREMELY stiff after not using them for a while. Loud clicks from lack of use and very hard to press. It was really weird.
Dreamcast - Same thing with the triggers, used to hurt my fingers and very uncomfortable to hold.
Gamecube - Buttons are all over the place. I remember you had to do button combinations for certain games because the lack of buttons and the trigger/bumpers used to hurt my fingers. Buttons were also prone to getting EXTREMELY stiff after not using them for a while. Loud clicks from lack of use and very hard to press. It was really weird.
Dreamcast - Same thing with the triggers, used to hurt my fingers and very uncomfortable to hold.
InfiniteCombo
Banned
Wait... What? What is this thing?
J_ToSaveTheDay
Member
Out of what I've used personally, I'd say the Six Axis (and by extension, though improved, the Dual Shock 3). Felt way too light and fragile, the triggers were terrible (carried over to the Dual Shock 3), and despite it being based on the classic Dual Shock designs of PS1 and PS2, it began to feel aged and less comfortable in a bunch of other minor ways compared to its competition through several iterations of Xbox controllers and the GameCube controller.