The Best and Worst Game Controllers in History

Best Game Controllers

When it comes to gaming, a great game controller can make all the difference. From comfortable ergonomics to responsive buttons, there are several controllers that have stood the test of time and gained popularity among gamers. Here are some of the best game controllers in history:

Xbox One Controller

The Xbox One controller has become an iconic controller in the gaming industry. With its comfortable design, responsive buttons, and precise analog sticks, it provides a fantastic gaming experience. The controller also features a textured grip, making it easier to hold during long gameplay sessions. Additionally, the Xbox One controller is compatible with both Xbox consoles and PC, making it a versatile choice for gamers.

PlayStation DualShock 4

The PlayStation DualShock 4 controller has been praised for its ergonomic design and intuitive layout. Its responsive buttons and clickable touchpad offer precise control, while the built-in speaker and motion sensors add immersive gameplay elements. The DualShock 4 also features a rechargeable battery, eliminating the need for constant battery replacements.

Nintendo Switch Joy-Con

The Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers revolutionized the gaming industry with their versatile design. These detachable controllers can be used as separate controllers for multiplayer games or attached to the sides of the Nintendo Switch console for handheld gaming. The Joy-Cons offer motion controls, NFC functionality, and HD Rumble, providing a unique and immersive gaming experience.

Steam Controller

The Steam Controller was designed specifically for PC gaming and offers a range of customization options. It features touch-sensitive pads instead of traditional analog sticks, allowing for precise control. With its programmable buttons and gyroscope, the Steam Controller provides a highly customizable gaming experience tailored to individual preferences.

Xbox 360 Controller

The Xbox 360 controller is widely regarded as one of the best controllers ever made. Its ergonomic design, responsive buttons, and clickable analog sticks ensure a comfortable and enjoyable gaming experience. The controller’s compatibility with both Xbox consoles and PC has made it a popular choice among gamers.

Wii Remote

The Wii Remote introduced a revolutionary motion control system to gaming. Its intuitive and immersive gameplay made it a hit among casual gamers. The controller’s motion-sensing capabilities opened up a whole new world of interactive gaming experiences, making it one of the most innovative controllers in history.

Xbox One Controller

The Xbox One controller has become an iconic controller in the gaming industry. With its comfortable design, responsive buttons, and precise analog sticks, it provides a fantastic gaming experience.

The controller features a sleek and ergonomic design that fits comfortably in the hands of gamers. The contours of the controller are designed to provide a natural grip, reducing hand fatigue during long gaming sessions. The button placement is intuitive, making it easy to access all the necessary controls without having to stretch or strain.

One of the standout features of the Xbox One controller is its responsive buttons. Each button press is registered immediately, providing a satisfying and reliable gaming experience. The analog sticks are also highly precise, allowing for accurate movements and control in games that require delicate maneuvers.

In addition to its comfort and responsiveness, the Xbox One controller also boasts a textured grip. This texture not only enhances the controller’s aesthetic appeal but also provides a secure hold, even during intense gaming sessions. The textured grip helps prevent the controller from slipping out of the player’s hands, ensuring a more enjoyable and immersive gaming experience.

Another advantage of the Xbox One controller is its compatibility. It works seamlessly with both Xbox consoles and PC, making it a versatile choice for gamers. Whether you’re playing on the Xbox One console or connecting it to your PC for gaming, the controller provides a consistent and familiar experience.

Furthermore, the Xbox One controller features a headphone jack, allowing gamers to plug in their favorite headset directly into the controller. This feature enhances the gaming experience by providing clear audio and enabling seamless communication with other players in multiplayer games.

With its comfortable design, responsive buttons, precise analog sticks, and compatibility with both Xbox consoles and PC, the Xbox One controller has rightfully earned its place as one of the best game controllers in history. It continues to be a popular choice among gamers worldwide, delivering a seamless and enjoyable gaming experience.

PlayStation DualShock 4

The DualShock 4 features a sleek and comfortable design that fits perfectly in the hands of gamers. Its symmetrical layout ensures that both left-handed and right-handed players can enjoy a comfortable gaming experience. The controller’s smooth curves and textured grips provide a secure and ergonomic grip, allowing for hours of gameplay without discomfort.

One standout feature of the DualShock 4 is its responsive buttons. Each button press is registered accurately and promptly, offering precise control in gaming. The analog sticks are also highly responsive, providing smooth and precise movements during gameplay.

In addition to its buttons and analog sticks, the DualShock 4 incorporates a clickable touchpad. This touchpad adds an additional level of control and interactivity to games. It can be used for navigation, as a button, or even as a mini-trackpad for certain games and applications, offering innovative and intuitive gameplay possibilities.

Another notable feature of the DualShock 4 is its built-in speaker. The controller’s speaker can produce sound effects and dialogue, enhancing the immersive gameplay experience. It adds an extra layer of audio depth, making gaming more engaging and captivating.

The DualShock 4 also includes motion sensors, such as an accelerometer and gyroscope. These sensors enable motion control input, allowing players to interact with games through gestures and movements. Whether it’s swinging a virtual tennis racket or wielding a virtual sword, the motion sensors provide a unique and immersive gaming experience.

Furthermore, the DualShock 4 comes with a rechargeable battery, eliminating the need for constant battery replacements. The controller can be easily charged via USB, ensuring that gamers can continue playing without interruption.

With its ergonomic design, responsive buttons, clickable touchpad, built-in speaker, motion sensors, and rechargeable battery, the PlayStation DualShock 4 controller offers a remarkable gaming experience. It has become an essential part of the PlayStation gaming ecosystem and continues to be highly regarded by gamers worldwide.

Nintendo Switch Joy-Con

One of the standout features of the Joy-Cons is their detachable nature. Each Joy-Con can function as an individual controller, allowing for local multiplayer gaming right out of the box. This versatile design enables friends and family to join in on the gaming fun, promoting social interaction and engaging multiplayer experiences.

In addition to their versatility, the Joy-Cons offer motion control capabilities. These motion controls enable precise tracking of movement, allowing players to interact with games in a whole new way. Whether it’s swinging a virtual tennis racket or steering a virtual race car, the motion controls provide a more immersive and engaging experience.

Furthermore, the Joy-Cons feature NFC functionality. This allows them to interact with Amiibo figures, which are collectible figurines that can be used to unlock special content in games. By simply touching the Joy-Con to an Amiibo figure, players can enhance their gameplay experience and unlock additional features, adding an extra layer of fun and customization to their gaming sessions.

Another impressive feature of the Joy-Cons is the HD Rumble technology. This haptic feedback system provides more immersive gameplay by delivering subtle vibrations and sensations that mimic real-world experiences. For example, players can feel the sensation of water droplets or the rumble of a virtual explosion, further enhancing the gameplay experience.

The Joy-Cons also offer a comfortable grip when attached to the Nintendo Switch console for handheld gaming. The buttons and layout are optimized for easy access and comfortable gameplay, allowing for extended gaming sessions without discomfort.

With their detachable design, motion controls, NFC functionality, HD Rumble, and comfortable grip, the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers have redefined the way we play games. They provide a versatile and immersive gaming experience, making them a popular choice among gamers of all ages.

Steam Controller

One of the standout features of the Steam Controller is its touch-sensitive pads. These pads, situated where traditional analog sticks would be, offer a unique way to control movement and aim. The touch-sensitive technology provides precise control and smooth input, allowing for more accurate and fluid gameplay.

In addition to the touch-sensitive pads, the Steam Controller features a wide range of customization options. Users can customize the sensitivity of the touch pads, adjust button mapping, and even create custom profiles for different games. This level of customization ensures that each player can personalize their gaming experience to suit their preferences and playstyle.

Furthermore, the Steam Controller incorporates a gyroscope, allowing for motion control input. This feature opens up new possibilities for gameplay, as players can use subtle hand movements to control in-game actions. Whether it’s aiming in a first-person shooter or steering a vehicle in a racing game, the gyroscope adds an extra layer of immersion and control.

The controller’s buttons are also programmable, which means players can assign different functions to suit their needs. This level of customization allows gamers to create control schemes that are intuitive and comfortable for them, enhancing their overall gaming experience.

Another benefit of the Steam Controller is its compatibility with a wide range of games. Whether it’s a classic PC game or a modern title, the controller seamlessly integrates with Steam’s extensive library. It even supports games that were not originally designed with gamepad support, thanks to its versatile customization options.

Comfort is also a priority with the Steam Controller. Its ergonomic design ensures a comfortable grip during extended gaming sessions. Additionally, the controller’s weight and button placement are strategically balanced to provide a natural feel and reduce hand fatigue.

With its touch-sensitive pads, customization options, gyroscope, wide game compatibility, and comfort, the Steam Controller offers a highly customizable and immersive gaming experience for PC gamers. It provides a level of control and personalization that is unmatched, making it a popular choice among gaming enthusiasts.

Xbox 360 Controller

The controller’s ergonomic design fits perfectly in the hands of gamers, allowing for hours of comfortable gameplay. The button placement is intuitive, making it easy to access all the necessary controls without having to stretch or strain. The controller’s shape and contours ensure a secure grip, reducing hand fatigue and providing a natural feel.

One of the standout features of the Xbox 360 controller is its responsive buttons. Each button press is registered immediately, providing a satisfying and reliable gaming experience. The analog sticks are also highly precise, allowing for accurate movements and control in games that require delicate maneuvers.

The analog sticks also feature clickable tops, adding an extra level of functionality. These clickable analog sticks provide additional inputs in games, offering more options and versatility to gamers. Whether it’s clicking the analog sticks as buttons or using them for quick menu navigation, the clickable analog sticks enhance the overall gameplay experience.

In addition to its comfort and responsiveness, the Xbox 360 controller boasts a durable build quality. It is built to withstand intense gaming sessions and can withstand the normal wear and tear that comes with regular use. The buttons and analog sticks are designed to last, ensuring longevity and reliability for gamers.

Furthermore, the Xbox 360 controller features a wireless variant, allowing for freedom of movement during gameplay. The controller can also be connected via USB for a wired connection if desired. This versatility ensures compatibility with both Xbox consoles and PC, making it a popular choice among gamers.

Another advantage of the Xbox 360 controller is its extensive compatibility. Many games, both on Xbox consoles and PC, have native support for the controller, ensuring a seamless plug-and-play experience. Additionally, it is compatible with various gaming accessories and peripherals, further expanding its functionality.

With its ergonomic design, responsive buttons, clickable analog sticks, durability, wireless capability, and broad compatibility, the Xbox 360 controller has undoubtedly earned its reputation as one of the best game controllers in history. Its comfortable and intuitive design, combined with its precise control and extensive compatibility, continue to make it a favorite among gamers worldwide.

Wii Remote

The standout feature of the Wii Remote is its motion-sensing technology. Equipped with an accelerometer and infrared sensor, the controller can detect motion and translate it into gameplay actions. This allows players to physically interact with games by swinging, pointing, and tilting the controller, creating a more immersive and engaging experience.

The Wii Remote’s motion control capabilities brought a new level of interactivity to gaming. Whether it’s playing sports games like tennis or bowling, swinging the Wii Remote mimics the real-life actions of the game, making players feel more connected to the virtual world. This innovative approach to gameplay attracted a wide audience, including both gamers and non-gamers.

In addition to its motion-sensing capabilities, the Wii Remote introduced another unique feature with the Wii MotionPlus add-on. This accessory enhanced the precision and accuracy of the controller’s motion control, allowing for even more realistic and responsive gameplay. The Wii MotionPlus added a level of realism and immersion to games that required more precise movements, such as sword-fighting or golf.

The Wii Remote also featured a built-in speaker, adding an audio element to the gameplay experience. Game developers utilized this feature to provide audio cues or immersive sound effects directly from the controller, further enhancing the sense of immersion and engagement.

Furthermore, the Wii Remote’s design made it accessible and user-friendly. Its simple, one-handed design made it easy for players of all ages and abilities to pick up and use. The controller’s button layout was intuitive, allowing for seamless navigation through menus and controls in games.

The Wii Remote’s versatility extended beyond gaming. It served as a multifunctional controller, capable of controlling other devices, such as televisions and audio systems, offering a convenient and streamlined entertainment experience.

With its groundbreaking motion control technology, immersive gameplay, user-friendly design, and versatility, the Wii Remote revolutionized the gaming industry. It introduced a new way of interacting with games, appealing to a wide audience and creating unforgettable gaming experiences.

Worst Game Controllers

While the gaming industry has seen some exceptional game controllers, there have been a few that didn’t quite hit the mark. These controllers fell short in terms of comfort, ergonomics, or functionality, leaving gamers frustrated. Here are some of the worst game controllers in history:

Atari Jaguar Controller

The Atari Jaguar controller is infamous for its unconventional design. With its bulky size and numerous buttons, it was difficult to hold and use comfortably. The controller’s button layout was also confusing, making it challenging to navigate in games. Overall, the Atari Jaguar controller was a prime example of poor ergonomic design.

Nintendo Virtual Boy Controller

The Nintendo Virtual Boy controller was designed specifically for the ill-fated Virtual Boy console. While the console itself didn’t succeed in the market, the controller also had its share of issues. The controller’s D-pad and buttons were uncomfortable to use, resulting in hand cramps during extended gameplay sessions. Additionally, the controller’s tethered nature limited movement and made the gaming experience less enjoyable.

Philips CD-i Controller

The Philips CD-i controller is widely considered one of the worst controllers ever made. Its unergonomic design and non-intuitive button layout made it challenging to handle and use effectively. The controller’s joystick was stiff and unresponsive, making precision control difficult. Overall, the Philips CD-i controller was a disappointment in terms of both design and functionality.

Nintendo 64 Controller

The Nintendo 64 controller, while revolutionary at the time, had some notable flaws. Its three-pronged design was unusual and uncomfortable for many gamers. The positioning of the joystick, D-pad, and buttons made it awkward to reach all the necessary controls. Additionally, the joystick often wore out or became loose over time, impacting gameplay and control accuracy.

Sega Dreamcast Controller

The Sega Dreamcast controller has received criticism for its unconventional design and uncomfortable grip. The positioning of the buttons and analog stick felt awkward for many gamers, leading to hand strain and discomfort during gameplay. The controller’s overall build quality was also a concern, as it often suffered from issues such as loose triggers and unresponsive buttons.

Magnavox Odyssey Controller

The Magnavox Odyssey controller, though groundbreaking for its time, was far from perfect. It featured simple dial controllers that were less precise and intuitive compared to modern game controllers. The lack of buttons and limited functionality limited the types of games that could be played on the system, resulting in a frustrating and limited gaming experience.

These controllers serve as a reminder that even in the world of gaming, not every design is a success. While they may have had their flaws, they contributed to the ongoing development and innovation of game controllers, ultimately leading to the refined and exceptional controllers we have today.

Atari Jaguar Controller

One of the biggest issues with the Atari Jaguar controller was its bulky size. It was larger and heavier than most other controllers of its time, making it uncomfortable to hold for extended periods. The controller’s excessive weight and awkward shape caused hand strain and fatigue, detracting from the gaming experience.

In addition to its cumbersome size, the Atari Jaguar controller had a button layout that left players scratching their heads. It featured a numeric keypad that was rarely utilized effectively in games. The placement of the buttons was also unintuitive, forcing players to contort their hands in unnatural ways to press certain buttons.

Another drawback of the Atari Jaguar controller was the quality of its buttons and directional pad. The buttons were stiff and unresponsive, requiring excessive force to register inputs. The directional pad lacked the precision and tactile feedback found in other controllers, making accurate movements in games challenging.

The controller’s lack of standard features further added to its shortcomings. It did not include analog sticks, a feature that had become increasingly common in other controllers at the time. This absence limited the options for control and hindered gameplay experiences that could have been enhanced with more precise analog inputs.

Furthermore, the controller’s overall build quality was questionable. Many users reported issues such as buttons getting stuck or becoming unresponsive over time. These problems hindered gameplay and compounded the frustrations already associated with the controller’s design flaws.

Overall, the Atari Jaguar controller failed to deliver a comfortable and user-friendly gaming experience. Its bulky size, confusing button layout, unresponsive inputs, and lack of standard features made it one of the worst game controllers in history. It serves as a reminder of the importance of ergonomic design and functional layout in creating a controller that enhances the gaming experience rather than hindering it.

Nintendo Virtual Boy Controller

One of the major drawbacks of the Nintendo Virtual Boy controller was its uncomfortable design. The D-pad and buttons had a stiff and unresponsive feel, requiring excessive force to register inputs. This led to hand fatigue and discomfort, especially during longer gaming sessions. The layout of the buttons was also not ergonomic, making it difficult for players to reach certain buttons comfortably.

Another limitation of the Nintendo Virtual Boy controller was its tethered nature. The controller was connected to the Virtual Boy console via a cable, reducing the freedom of movement during gameplay. This restriction limited the immersive experience that the Virtual Boy aimed to provide, as players had to remain within a certain range of the console at all times.

The controller’s lack of additional features and inputs was also a disappointment. It did not include analog sticks or additional buttons that were becoming common in controllers of that era. This limited the control options available to players and made it more challenging to navigate and interact with games that could have benefited from more input options.

Furthermore, the design of the controller made it less practical for multiplayer gaming. With only one controller port on the console, players would need to take turns or invest in additional controllers to play multiplayer games. This limitation was a significant disadvantage compared to other consoles that offered multiple controller ports right out of the box.

Overall, the Nintendo Virtual Boy controller fell short in terms of comfort, usability, and functionality. Its uncomfortable design, limited control options, tethered nature, and lack of multiplayer accessibility contributed to its status as one of the worst game controllers. While the Virtual Boy console itself faced several challenges, the controller further detracted from the overall gaming experience and contributed to the overall failure of the Virtual Boy system.

Philips CD-i Controller

One of the main issues with the Philips CD-i controller was its unergonomic design. The controller’s shape and button placement were not comfortable or intuitive for players. Its rectangular shape, combined with sharp edges and an awkward grip, made it difficult to hold for prolonged gaming sessions. The placement of the buttons also caused issues, requiring players to stretch or strain their fingers to access certain controls.

Another drawback of the Philips CD-i controller was its joystick. The joystick was known for its stiffness and lack of responsiveness. It required more force to move the joystick, resulting in imprecise control and reduced sensitivity in games. This made it difficult to execute precise movements, impacting gameplay across a variety of genres.

In addition to its design flaws, the button layout of the Philips CD-i controller was non-intuitive. The arrangement of the buttons was not logical or consistent with other controllers of its time. This lack of familiarity made it challenging for players to adapt to the controller and navigate menus or execute actions in games effectively.

The overall build quality of the Philips CD-i controller was also a concern. Many users reported issues such as buttons sticking or becoming unresponsive over time. The lack of durability and reliability further contributed to the frustration associated with using the controller.

Furthermore, the lack of compatibility with other gaming platforms limited the controller’s functionality. It was designed specifically for the Philips CD-i console and was not compatible with other gaming systems or devices. This limited its potential for use beyond the CD-i platform and restricted players from utilizing the controller for different gaming experiences.

Nintendo 64 Controller

One of the major drawbacks of the Nintendo 64 controller was its unconventional design. Unlike traditional controllers, it featured a unique three-pronged shape. While this design aimed to accommodate various gaming styles, it proved uncomfortable for many players. The three-pronged layout made it difficult to hold the controller comfortably for extended periods, leading to hand cramps and fatigue.

The positioning of the joystick, D-pad, and buttons also posed challenges. With the joystick positioned in the center and the D-pad and buttons on the sides, it was not intuitive or ergonomic. Players often had to adjust their hand grip to reach all the necessary controls, resulting in a less fluid and comfortable gaming experience.

Another notable issue with the Nintendo 64 controller was the durability of its joystick. Over time, the joystick would often become loose or develop a “stick drift” issue, where the joystick would detect input even when left untouched. This impacted the precision and accuracy of control, making it frustrating to play games that required precise movement.

Furthermore, the lack of an additional analog stick was a limitation of the Nintendo 64 controller. Many games, particularly those in the FPS genre, would have benefited from dual analog control. The absence of a second analog stick limited the functionality and control options available to players, hindering the overall gaming experience.

Despite its flaws, the Nintendo 64 controller did introduce some innovative features. The Z-trigger, located behind the controller, provided players with an additional input option for certain games. This added depth to gameplay mechanics and expanded the possibilities for game developers.

Overall, while the Nintendo 64 controller was groundbreaking and introduced new features, its unconventional design, uncomfortable grip, joystick durability issues, and lack of a second analog stick hindered the overall usability and gameplay experience. Despite its flaws, the controller holds a nostalgic place in the hearts of gamers who grew up with the Nintendo 64 console.

Sega Dreamcast Controller

One of the main criticisms of the Sega Dreamcast controller was its design. The button layout and positioning felt awkward and non-intuitive to many players. The buttons were placed close together and required precise finger placement, making it easy to accidentally press the wrong button. Additionally, the analog stick was positioned lower than expected, leading to an uncomfortable hand position for some gamers.

Another issue with the Sega Dreamcast controller was its grip. Many players found the controller to be too small and uncomfortable to hold for extended periods. The compact size and the lack of ergonomic contouring made it difficult to maintain a comfortable grip, resulting in hand fatigue and discomfort during long gaming sessions.

The build quality of the Sega Dreamcast controller was also a concern. Many users reported issues with loose triggers that would stick or become unresponsive over time. The buttons, particularly the shoulder buttons, often suffered from similar issues. These quality control problems detracted from the overall gaming experience and added frustration for players.

Furthermore, the durability of the controller was lacking. The joystick, in particular, was prone to wearing out or becoming loose after extended use. This impacted the precision and accuracy of control, making it difficult for players to execute precise movements in games that required precise input.

Despite its flaws, the Sega Dreamcast controller did have some positive aspects. The inclusion of a built-in visual memory unit (VMU) in the controller was an innovative feature. The VMU functioned as both a memory card and a small secondary screen that displayed additional game information. This added depth to gameplay and enhanced the overall gaming experience.

Magnavox Odyssey Controller

One of the main limitations of the Magnavox Odyssey controller was its simplicity. The controller consisted of two dial controllers, which were used to adjust in-game variables such as position, speed, and size. These dials lacked the precision and versatility of modern controllers’ analog sticks or directional pads, making it difficult to perform precise movements or actions in games.

Another drawback of the Magnavox Odyssey controller was its lack of buttons. Without dedicated buttons, game developers had to rely heavily on the dials for game interactions. This limited the variety of actions that could be performed in games, resulting in repetitive and simplistic gameplay experiences.

The limited functionality of the Magnavox Odyssey controller was further compounded by the console’s technological limitations. The console itself was not capable of displaying complex graphics or sounds, and the lack of buttons and more advanced controls hindered the potential on-screen interactions that could be implemented in games.

Additionally, the lack of physical feedback in the Magnavox Odyssey controller made it difficult to gauge precise movements or actions. Without tactile feedback, players often had to rely solely on visual cues and estimations, leading to inaccurate input and frustrating gameplay experiences.

Despite its limitations, the Magnavox Odyssey controller did lay the foundation for future video game controllers. It introduced the concept of interactive home gaming and paved the way for the development and evolution of more sophisticated and ergonomic controllers that we enjoy today. While simplistic by modern standards, the Magnavox Odyssey controller will always hold a special place in gaming history as one of the earliest attempts to bring interactive gaming experiences into the home.