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"Top 10 Worst Game Controllers"

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edit: oh wow, it's actually on the list. I didn't even look before I posted. :lol
 
RegularMK said:
No way. The saturn's controller was just fine.

The Japanese Saturn pad = great (especially for 2D fighters).

The original Western Saturn pad = so terrible they ditched it within a couple of months and replaced it with a black version of the Japanese one (or at least they did in Europe).
 
Jonnyram said:
I can't believe they didn't mention the Konix Speedking.
Good ergonomics, unless you needed to press the fire button rapidly.

konixspeedking2mq.jpg


That joystick was AWESOME for C64 games like Decathalon where you had to push left-right-left-right really fast.
 
Yeah, Xbox, Gamecube, Playstation, Virtual Boy, and N64 are all pretty bad.

Just Saturn, Genesis, SNES, and 'rounded' NES for me!

Oh yeah, I am so jaded. :D
 
Angelus said:
controller.jpg


Don't know how they played or not but something about them looks very damn cool.

They actually worked really well.

Man those pictures of the 5200 and Intellivision controllers sure bring back memories....
 
Seriously, those mentionning the Gamecube controller must lack experience in gaming quite alot.

Virtual Boy and Jaguar controllers gets my vote. Those were really ackward.
 
meltpotato said:
copying is totally the wrong term... its called "refining"

that said, the 360 (quality of build aside, and debateable) is a great refinement, but brings zero innovation to the table. i see that as a case were refinement falls short. and yes, i know it has a light and you can plug in your mic to it. bleh. i still liike it though :)

im going to guess we will see some pretty neat game-specific controllers this gen.
Hating on the 360 controller ought to be a crime. Not that I agree with your claim about controller "innovation" (their solution to identifying wireless controllers by the light/autoseek function, the beautiful "home" button that pulls up the dashboard anytime/anywhere, the ability to power the console on/off, the play & charge kit, the ability to use it natively in any PC, and the ability to plug a 2-way headset into the damn thing are all new, thanks) -- but even if it were true, a controller that refined that executes so well on the basics deserves props.

Of course, I think I know the motives of people who whine about lack of "controller innovation," anyway.
 
Wyzdom said:
Seriously, those mentionning the Gamecube controller must lack experience in gaming quite alot.

Virtual Boy and Jaguar controllers gets my vote. Those were really ackward.
I've been playing games for over 20 years and the GC controller is one of my least faves. The horrible triggers, akward face button layout, and all-but-useless d-pad and second analog stick are definite minuses.
 
AZYUMA86 said:

I remember having this pad actually. It was cheap and whenever my younger cousins or nephews came over to play N64, I would hide the official controls and let them use that super pad. :lol
 
terrene said:
I've been playing games for over 20 years and the GC controller is one of my least faves. The horrible triggers, akward face button layout, and all-but-useless d-pad and second analog stick are definite minuses.


but, but...


*cries*
 
terrene said:
I've been playing games for over 20 years and the GC controller is one of my least faves. The horrible triggers, akward face button layout, and all-but-useless d-pad and second analog stick are definite minuses.

Every pad has flaws, GC pad for example has annoying triggers plus clicks! and the c-button was a bit awkward for RE4. d-pad sucks etc.

But you know, it rocks in comparison to the useless dual shock analogues, both those sticks are friggin useless loose pieces of crap. I don't use them in any genre bar 3D walk-arounds where you don't need precision. Probbaly my biggest gripe in modern day gaming are the dual shock analogues, mainly cos I need them a lot, but I can never use them! Black being a great example.

Nintendo has awesome analogue sticks. c-stick does what its meant to do well, and I enjoy the BIG A button. The button layout really was a silly decision though.

Jaguar and xbox take the win though as the worst official controllers.
 
I'm wondering if the 2600 controller shouldn't also be in there... those things were a b*tch to use when brand new... once you'd had them for a bit and they loosened up they were fine...
 
Even if you don't like the Duke or the GC controller or whatever, we are talking about the worst controllers.

The Duke is perfect compared to that Performance N64 pad.
Or the U-Force.
Or those Acclaim wireless NES controllers.
Or the Roll 'n Rocker, which was so bad that LJN made it.
 
kaizoku said:
Every pad has flaws, GC pad for example has annoying triggers plus clicks! and the c-button was a bit awkward for RE4. d-pad sucks etc.

But you know, it rocks in comparison to the useless dual shock analogues, both those sticks are friggin useless loose pieces of crap. I don't use them in any genre bar 3D walk-arounds where you don't need precision. Probbaly my biggest gripe in modern day gaming are the dual shock analogues, mainly cos I need them a lot, but I can never use them! Black being a great example.

Nintendo has awesome analogue sticks. c-stick does what its meant to do well, and I enjoy the BIG A button. The button layout really was a silly decision though.

Jaguar and xbox take the win though as the worst official controllers.
That's funny, for me the Dual Shock is just about perfect. Yeah, the snap-back on the analog sticks is a little loose, but that's about all I can give you. It's much harder to punch holes in the dual-shock's design than it is for GC, which treads into "intentionally wacky" territory.

Dual Shock PS2 and 360's controllers are the best, although I'll always have a soft spot for the old NES/SNES pads.
 
The thing i think that makes the Gamecube pad very good is the button layout. It may look dumb, but the thing is in any game, do you use the face buttons all equally (asides fighting games)? The primary action is asigned to a large button which makes play more accesable. Secondary and tertiary actions are asigned to the smaller, less centrally placed buttons, which means they wont be in the way when they're not being used to much.

As for the lack of the opposing Z trigger... cant argue that. Still I find it the best pad this gen, though i do like the "S" pad...
 
AZYUMA86 said:

Hah, my parents got me one of those when I got my N64 for Christmas lo these many years ago. It wasn't that bad, although if I remember right, plugging the Vibration Pak into it caused it to freak out. :lol
 
Meantime said:
Because they're not even close to being in the top 10 worst game controllers perhaps?

People listed lots of controllers which are actually good, so I don't think mentioning Dual Shock should be anything special. Out of the current generation consoles, it's clearly the worst. Out of previous gen controlls, Dual Shock was easily the worst. :)

EDIT: At least siamesedreamer also noticed the crappiness of Dual Shock 2.
 
SuomiDude said:
People listed lots of controllers which are actually good, so I don't think mentioning Dual Shock should be anything special. Out of the current generation consoles, it's clearly the worst. Out of previous gen controlls, Dual Shock was easily the worst. :)

EDIT: At least siamesedreamer also noticed the crappiness of Dual Shock 2.
Loser.
 
xir said:
ass
con_Atari5200Joystick_a.jpg

atari 5200


I had a 5200 when I was a kid, and it is truly the worst controller I have ever used. I'll say this for it, though: It really takes a beating. I must have slammed that thing into the floor 100 times, and it still worked (poorly).
 
OHHH. I thought this was pick some of the best controllers ever made and bash them thread. Could have fooled me.

Of course there are a million shitty 3rd party controllers FTW. But My pick for 1st party would be the horrible...
sms.jpg

Sega Master System controller. The d-pad on this thing is terribly bad and the buttons feel weaker than Tony Danza. Luckily Genesis controllers now work on this console and that Sega learned from there mistakes and made some of the best controllers ever made.
 
Reilly said:
turbotouch3600cu.jpg


edit: oh wow, it's actually on the list. I didn't even look before I posted. :lol

Holy shit yes. I bought one of these while on holiday in Florida in the early/mid 90's so I could play two player games on my Nomad with my brother. The d-pad is completely and utter useless. It also worked on the Amiga but that doesn't make it any less shit.

Moeed said:
Worst in ORDER

1. Gamecube

Uh..no

phantomile co. said:
no matter how hard you try, you're not gonna top this.

XBOX_controller.jpg

ok, I don't get the hate. I love this controller for FPS and racing. Ok not much else but still...
 
I bought two Uforce controllers from a thrift store a few years back... yes, they stink royally for most games, but they did make Punch-Out!! quite interesting to play. Actually, that was the only game that seemed playable with the controller.
 
Beatbox said:
Who can find a picture and/or name of the Sega Genesis gyro (don't hate me if it wasn't gyros) joystick? It was a third party "one handed" joystick that you leaned and tilted. If I remember correcty in came in clear circular packaging. Anyone?

"The Game Handler"

Genesis
GEN_Game_Handler.jpg

NES
Game_Handler,_The.jpg
 
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These things were tough, I threw a few of 'em across the room during long Astroblast sessions, but man did those ridged sticked make your fingers sore after a while.
 
Colecovision controllers were one of the worst. I remember playing donkey kong on a friends colecovision and getting horrible hand cramps.
 
Bojangles said:
That joystick was AWESOME for C64 games like Decathalon where you had to push left-right-left-right really fast.

Ain't that the truth. I wore out several of those from over-use. A few broken trigger buttons and one or two where the joystick wouldn't center. However I kept going back to them.
 
i agree with those who say the gc controller sucks ass. its certainly not the worst controller since there are so many really awful controller designs, but i think its fair to mention it in the thread.
 
Reilly said:
turbotouch3600cu.jpg


edit: oh wow, it's actually on the list. I didn't even look before I posted. :lol


I still have this stupid thing! I hated how the touchpad was lowered on the controller, making your thumb rub all over the raised contour. Fucking useless and painful!
 
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