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[Kazza]

This video of a Japanese girl got me thinking:




It looks pretty weird, but apparently she didn't know how she was supposed to hold it. It's hard to believe that any beginner would start off using a pad like this, seeing that you can't even see which buttons you are pressing this way around.

I once had a friend who would use the 3 button Megadrive controller by having his right thumb holding the back and three of his fingers hovering over all three buttons. I also tried to get my dad to play Call of Duty on the Wii using the Wii mote - that didn't go well! I suppose controllers are a pretty abstract concept when you think about it. Most of us were probably too young when we first picked one up to remember that initial awkwardness.

I noticed a few people in the Yakuza Zero Steam reviews complaining about the mouse and keyboard controls. Using a mouse and keyboard with that kind of a game seems insane to me. Then again, I admit that I have never even played an FPS using a mouse and keyboard before, but I know people swear by it (although I obviously use mouse and keyboard for PC strategy games).

 

[Yoshi]

I seriously doubt that the girl in op is using this as a standard way to play games, because she would have to mirror all stick input.

The father of a friend of mine used the N64 controller by using the outer grips and reaching to the analog stick Dual Shock style, that's the weirdest I can think of. He even played through Zelda OoT successfully this way. But he did not manage with Majora's Mask.

 

[Kazza]

I seriously doubt that the girl in op is using this as a standard way to play games, because she would have to mirror all stick input.

The father of a friend of mine used the N64 controller by using the outer grips and reaching to the analog stick Dual Shock style, that's the weirdest I can think of. He even played through Zelda OoT successfully this way. But he did not manage with Majora's Mask.

I think a lot of people did this with the N64 controller back then.

 

[Rockondevil]

No fucking way is that legit.
Closet I have seen is a friend that does the "claw" grip which apparently isn't even that uncommon.

(Not actually my friends hands)

 

[ljubomir]

I once had a friend who would use the 3 button Megadrive controller by having his right thumb holding the back and three of his fingers hovering over all three buttons.

That's how I play on all two and three button controllers. Sometimes even dual shock i.e. when playing tekken.

 

[Rya.Reisender]

Does it count that I swing it like a sword in turn-based RPGs when the battle plays out and my character is attacking?

 

[Mista]

Nah this is impossible. The only “weird” thing I do is the Claw when playing competitively

 

[DeceptiveAlarm]

I use my Joy cons analy. Could be why I have no drift.

 

[Kazza]

Interesting photo from this 1988 interview with the engineers of the Megadrive/Genesis:

The caption reads:

You can also reverse the controller (normal and reverse settings are changed in the game software options menu).

I wonder how many left-handed people used it in that way. The Atari Lynx has to be the champion in terms of catering to left-handers.

 

[Trogdor1123]

No fucking way is that legit.
Closet I have seen is a friend that does the "claw" grip which apparently isn't even that uncommon.

(Not actually my friends hands)

I do this

 

[-Arcadia-]

No fucking way is that legit.
Closet I have seen is a friend that does the "claw" grip which apparently isn't even that uncommon.

(Not actually my friends hands)

Ugh, those nails.

But I do this with my right hand when a game is requiring me to use the face buttons constantly, but I also want to move the free camera, and enjoy the views.

 

[KiteGr]

Interesting photo from this 1988 interview with the engineers of the Megadrive/Genesis:

The caption reads:

I'm also holding the controller upside down whenever I'm playing fighting games against someone where there is a big skill difference and there are no handicap options.

The problem is, after a few rounds i adapt to it and I still win.
Now the best strategy to balance the skill level for fighting games is to not play them. Usually I complete whatever single player story they might have and leave them.
If I go online, I get murdered, and if I put effort to train my self I murder my couch friends.

 

[Ailike]

My brother held NES controllers 'upside down'. Rather than use thumbs on dpad and buttons, he used his index and middle fingers on the dpad and buttons.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

My brother held NES controllers 'upside down'. Rather than use thumbs on dpad and buttons, he used his index and middle fingers on the dpad and buttons.

Back then, one of my bros didn't even hold the NES controller. Probably because it was too small.

He'd lie the NES controller on a flat surface and use the d-pad and buttons like he's typing on a keyboard.

Kind of similar to your pic, but have the controller flat on the black surface with no thumb action.

 

[HaveButOneLife]

I don't put my middle fingers on the triggers. I always found that harder.

 

[SlashBringingHasher]

i can make a video like that and pretend its working. but wait am not showing the screen. so its not working. betcha that was upvoted by 200K weebs.

 

[Northeastmonk]

I use my fingers like an arcade stick when I play fighting games, mainly with my right hand. I once called it a “spider style”, but it’s a lot of fun with games like Tekken. Inputs are much easier. I heard the style OP showed off is “ AC “ style or for Armored Core.

this grip style is called densetsu no AC mochi (伝説のAC持ち) or “legendary Armored Core grip.

A Complicated-Looking Way To Hold PlayStation Controllers

Years back, Kotaku reported on an inventive way to hold a DualShock and play From Software’s mecha game Armored Core. Now in 2019, it’s back.

www.google.com

 

[Wolfgang Jr]

I used to use my middle and forefinger of my left hand on the d-pad and middle and forefinger of my right hand for B & A on the NES controller.

Absolutely GOAT way of playing SMB!

 

[SLoWMoTIoN]

I seriously doubt that the girl in op is using this as a standard way to play games, because she would have to mirror all stick input.

AC mochi isn't anything new. I play with joycons with my arms crossed perfectly. I actually play shooters better this way. (Resident Evil Rev)

 

[Ailike]

I used to use my middle and forefinger of my left hand on the d-pad and middle and forefinger of my right hand for B & A on the NES controller.

Absolutely GOAT way of playing SMB!

I absolutely believe its better for reaction times and button... fluttering? But I just cant make my brain invert the xy-ness of it. You have a gift, friend.

 

[TwiztidElf]

I claw for Street Fighter.

 

[SonGoku]

Nah this is impossible. The only “weird” thing I do is the Claw when playing competitively

I claw for Street Fighter.

Im curious do you feel that paddles make claw obsolete for competitive play?

 

[kraspkibble]

No fucking way is that legit.
Closet I have seen is a friend that does the "claw" grip which apparently isn't even that uncommon.

(Not actually my friends hands)

i knew "The Claw" would appear.

absolutely ridiculous.

 

[Mista]

Im curious do you feel that paddles make claw obsolete for competitive play?

Not really, it just depends on the game and it’s controls layout. For example let’s say Gears, it’s hard holding the controller regularly and keep pressing A for wall-bouncing while moving the right analog. So the claw here makes me comfy so I can hit A with my index finger and control the right analog at the same time.

 

[SonGoku]

it’s hard holding the controller regularly and keep pressing A for wall-bouncing while moving the right analog. So the claw here makes me comfy so I can hit A with my index finger and control the right analog at the same time.

wouldn't a paddle solve this while being more comfortable?

 

[Mista]

wouldn't a paddle solve this while being more comfortable?

True. Tried the Elite and the controller was comfy but unfortunately the quality is garbage. My bumpers went flying off

But yes, paddles solves this and with it I don’t claw. Was going to go for a scuf but hesitated

 

[Portugeezer]

When I was 5 I used to hold my SNES controller vertically, and I was pretty good at Aladdin and SMW.

 

[SonGoku]

True. Tried the Elite and the controller was comfy but unfortunately the quality is garbage. My bumpers went flying off

But yes, paddles solves this and with it I don’t claw. Was going to go for a scuf but hesitated

feelsbadman i wish both Sony/MS step up their paddle game next gen

 

[Mista]

feelsbadman i wish both Sony/MS step up their paddle game next gen

This thing should be standard next-gen. whoever wants to use it does and whoever doesn’t want to use it just doesn’t.

 

[Three]

I seriously doubt that the girl in op is using this as a standard way to play games, because she would have to mirror all stick input.

The father of a friend of mine used the N64 controller by using the outer grips and reaching to the analog stick Dual Shock style, that's the weirdest I can think of. He even played through Zelda OoT successfully this way. But he did not manage with Majora's Mask.

But why would mirroring stick movement be nonstandard for her? People invert Y already. when you look left and right it would be like turning the persons head to point in the opposite direction the player is much like you do now.

I've seen people hold controllers the way she does in the picture. They use to do this for specific games though and they were damn good at it.

 

[Stimpak]

Not really, it just depends on the game and it’s controls layout. For example let’s say Gears, it’s hard holding the controller regularly and keep pressing A for wall-bouncing while moving the right analog. So the claw here makes me comfy so I can hit A with my index finger and control the right analog at the same time.

 

[Mista]

 

[Weilthain]

My friend holds a pad in such a way he doesn’t use his thumbs, only fingers even for the sticks.

He is blind with very limited sight so I don’t give him shit for it.

 

[JoeyWestSide]

No fucking way is that legit.
Closet I have seen is a friend that does the "claw" grip which apparently isn't even that uncommon.

(Not actually my friends hands)

A lot pro cod players play claw. During the jet pack games this was so important and awesome to watch them play like that. (although left thumb still on stick, not on dpad) Look up some yt vids, a good time.

 

[JoeyWestSide]

My brother didn't play games much so when he started he use to hold the left thumb with both his thumb and index. Was kinda weird.

 

[Starlight Lotice]

Secret REZ Vibrator Controller thread.

But I guess I used the EyeToy once with my face to lick the bird poo from the Cleaning Windows Minigame as it was funny.

 

[angelic]

I do that claw. Its in my post history somewhere. Have done fir 20 yrars anf itf nevr affffectid mr.

 

[Dthomp]

Probably not as crazy as I thought as a youth, but I had a friend back in high school who would hold a genesis contoller normal with his left hand but would then have his three middle fingers all on the face buttons, it seemed odd to me.

 

[Orenji Neko]

Controllers? Nah, but when Monster Hunter was only on PSP and 3DS, I held those things in unfortunate positions. To my hands: I am sorry.

 

[BLAUcopter]

Claw grip all day long. Thanks Tony Hawk!

 

[Huevos de Oro]

Half the dudes in this thread:

 

[Shantae]

Not the I play N64 games anymore really, but I was one of the people who I guess always held the N64 controller the "wrong" way. I guess it felt comfortable to me because I always had big hands/long fingers.

 

[Forsythia]

Not the I play N64 games anymore really, but I was one of the people who I guess always held the N64 controller the "wrong" way. I guess it felt comfortable to me because I always had big hands/long fingers.

What is the right way to hold the controller? I've only played for maybe five minutes at a demo station years back so I have no clue.

And the claw is ridiculous, we're human, not crabs!

 

[Shantae]

What is the right way to hold the controller? I've only played for maybe five minutes at a demo station years back so I have no clue.

And the claw is ridiculous, we're human, not crabs!

I've seen a lot of people adamant that this is the "right" way to hold the controller, and that people like me are insane for how I did it.

 

[DeliciousDoc]

I keep my controllers plugged in all the time even though they are wireless devices. Does that count?