The Evolution of Video Game Controllers

Controllers are an essential part of playing video games. They serve as an intermediary between the player and the game. Since the conception of video games, companies have experimented with various types and form factors to best suit the games they aim to offer. Over the years there have been an incredible number of paddles, remotes, and controllers, each with their own unique assortment of dials, buttons, sticks, triggers, knobs, switches and even keypads. As is the nature of the free market, some of the better-designed controllers had their features stripped and improved upon in subsequent versions, while others were seen as poorly designed or gimmicky and thus faded into obscurity. Here’s a closer look at some of the most innovative, creative, and interesting controllers in gaming history:

Tennis for Two (1958)

  Contrary to popular belief, Pong wasn’t the first video game ever made; that title belongs to a science experiment conducted over a decade prior called Tennis for Two. Being that this was the first ever video game, it would have the first ever video game controller. In this case, though, the term “controller” is quite generous, as it wasn’t so much a “controller” as it was a large metal box with a dial, small red button, and four screws holding it together. Regardless of its crude construction, though, Tennis for Two was an important landmark for video games and deserves an honorable mention.

Magnavox Odyssey (1972)

    The father of home video game consoles. The Magnavox Odyssey didn’t offer very many games and most were spin-offs of Pong, or just twists on board games, like Simon Says. The controllers consisted of a reset button and two knobs, each with mini dials at their centers. The left knob controlled left-right movement while the right controlled up-down movement, similar to the control-scheme of an Etch-a-Sketch. Like Tennis for Two, the controller’s design is quite primitive, unwieldy even, but it deserves to be mentioned.

Atari 2600 (1977)

Easily one of the most recognizable controllers to date. The Atari 2600 controller has become an icon synonymous with classic video games. The controller featured a single bright, red button and a stiff, hexagonal joystick. The controls are so tried and true that almost every modern video game controller has some sort of variation of this combination, albeit with some changes.

Nintendo Entertainment System/ NES (1985)

Also considered to be a classic controller, the NES gamepad was rectangular and featured the now-standard directional-pad (commonly called the D-Pad), as well as two face buttons and a start and select button. Although quite simple in its design, the NES controller was relatively comfortable and versatile, capable of playing a wide variety of games.

NES Zapper (1985)

Coinciding with the North American release of the NES, the NES Zapper (also known as the “Light Gun”) was a light-sensing controller shaped to resemble a pistol. When the trigger was pressed, the game being played would turn black for a frame, and the enemies and/or targets within the game would be replaced with white boxes. Using the sensor in its tip, the Zapper would then determine if the player had hit something and send a signal back to the console. While only a handful of games supported the Zapper, it was nothing short of revolutionary at the time.

R.O.B. (1985)

Another unique, albeit gimmicky controller for the NES, R.O.B. (short for “Robotic Operating Buddy”) was marketed as a self-operating companion able to play along with the player. Using similar sensors to the one found in the Zapper, R.O.B. was able to differentiate different flashes of color on the screen as they were triggered by the player and respond accordingly. Depending on the game, R.O.B. would rotate and grab objects, such as a spinner or stackable ‘block’, which could, in a time-consuming process, activate a button on player two’s controller. Sadly, only two games were ever released with R.O.B. support, Gyromite and Stack-Up, though Nintendo had announced four other titles. Although unsuccessful in the market, R.O.B. has become a charming, lovable icon symbolic of Nintendo’s reshaping of the video gaming landscape. R.O.B. has resurfaced in recent years after becoming a playable character in the hit series Super Smash Bros.

Sega Genesis (1989)

Like the NES, the Sega Genesis saw a number of console and controller revisions. The standard Genesis controller sported an eight-directional D-Pad as well as a start button. Later iterations would feature 3 additional face buttons, which made the Genesis controller ideal for fighting games like Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter.

Super Nintendo Entertainment System/ SNES (1991)

Once again, Nintendo innovates on basic controller design by adding a set of bumpers and two more face buttons to the original NES’ controller design, both of which have become essential parts of any decent controller.

PlayStation (1994)

The original PlayStation controller was very reminiscent of the SNES controller in its design, with some minor changes for comfort and improved control, such as elongated arms, a separated D-Pad, and two additional bumpers.

Nintendo 64 / N64 (1996)

The N64 controller has been widely considered to be one of the most awkward controllers ever released. Despite this, the N64 controller was one of the first ever to feature an analog stick, which was oddly positioned in the middle. The N64 controller was also the first to feature rumble functionality, through the use of an additional RumblePak accessory. Though it hasn’t aged very well, the N64 controller was a crucial stepping stone in the controller lineage.

DualShock (1997)

The DualShock controller improved on the original PlayStation controller’s design by adding rumble and two clickable analog sticks (hence, “Dual-Shock”). The rear-most bumpers were also widened to form proper triggers, which made the PlayStation ideal for playing first person shooters.

DualShock 2 (2000)

Releasing alongside the PlayStation 2, the DualShock 2 had an identical layout to the original DualShock controller except that, upon pressing the analog button, all inputs would become pressure-sensitive, making acceleration and braking in racing games such as Gran Turismo very realistic.

Xbox 360 (2005)

Microsoft’s Xbox 360 controller has been hailed by many to be the best, most comfortable gamepad ever made. The controller was released in two near-identical variations with the biggest difference between them being that one was wired and the other was wireless. The Xbox 360 controller was quite similar to controllers released by other companies prior, but it was the wireless and rechargeable functionality which set it apart, as they would become mainstays for controllers in the future. The controller also featured a 2.5mm jack and sockets on the bottom which allowed users to use headphones, headsets, or other accessories like a ChatPad.

Nintendo Wii (2006)

The Nintendo Wii remote (commonly referred to as the ‘Wii-mote’) was the first controller to use motion controls, which became a bit of a fad in the mid-to-late 2000’s into the 2010’s. The Wii-mote had a detachable ‘Nunchuk’ accessory which added an analog stick, bumper, and trigger. Later in its life, the Wii-mote would receive a host of peripherals which enhanced the accuracy of its motion control. Some had no actual functionality and merely changed its appearance to simulate in-game props, tools, or toys.

This is by no means a comprehensive, all-encompassing list of the greatest controllers of all time - far from it. Rather, this is just an exploration into some of the controllers that were interesting or impactful in hindsight. It’s important, I think, to look back sometimes at the controllers of yesteryear, even if just to see how very different they are from those we’ve grown accustomed to. Each of them has its own story to tell. Think back to a time where you played your first video game. How did it make you feel? Who did you play it with? A controller isn’t just a means to have some sort of input show up on a screen, but an artifact of a different time; a time where our understanding of video games was much different than it is today. Sure, some of the gamepads that have come along are more ergonomic than others or better suited for specific types of games, but every one of them - even those beyond this list - has contributed in some manner to the evolution of game design and the overall gaming experience. Every fad, gimmick, switch, joystick, D-Pad, analog stick, dial, and button tells a story. It’s up to you to listen.