The Five Best Console Controllers of All Time

TwilightPrince | May 26, 2007 | News | Gaming Tech/Hardware

There have been a lot of interesting controllers throughout the history of video games. Over at CNET, they've picked some of the best controllers that weve ever laid hands on. Click over and see the rest of their picks.

5. Atari 2600
First up, it's the classic Atari 2600 joystick, featuring a simple stick mechanism for moving around and a red button for firing. It's not technically a gamepad, but it's so crucial to gaming history there's no way we couldn't mention it.

4. Super Nintendo Entertainment System
This exercise in ergonomics is a curvy, multi-coloured, multi-buttoned evolution of the angular NES controller. This was the first controller to have shoulder buttons -- a revolution that made an arcade staple like Street Fighter II a viable proposition in the home. If we were feeling particularly daring, we might say it heralded the death of the arcade.

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Comments

0 thumbs!
Rinkydink | May 27, 2007

I'm both on and off this article really. As for the Wii controller comment, I do agree that there are "simply aren't enough games to judge it against the best controllers ever". The last paragraph isn't so great though, suggesting that the Wii controller is no way designed for "serious man-gaming". Says who?
- 0 thumbs!
  Sort | May 27, 2007
  
  Says anyone looking for (and not finding) an actual serious man-game to play on the Wii.
2 thumbs!
Gotenks | May 27, 2007

It's a decent list but honestly I think they list should of been of the past generations. But even so I don't even think 360 would be the best console of all time. I would say the same for Wii and PS3. I personally found the original Nintendo to be the best.
-2 thumbs!
Final Blade | May 27, 2007

Um i would like to add that the xbox controller isnt the best its basically a rip off of the Dreamcast controller. And as a matter of fact, one person stated that the same person designing the Xbox controllers also design the dreamcast controller. Though i agree only cause of that little fact. And you know i dont get why they didnt add, sega saturn or dreamcast being best, or at least on the list. And yea sony is second which i think should be first, and wii well i guess it should have a spot.
Its kinda funny but on that site, the reviews for nintendo wii is 8.0, xbox 360 is 8.2, and ps3 is 8.8. I just found that interesting.
Oh and they also though this about the wii "Controller eats batteries and takes some time to get used to; lacks the advanced hi-def graphics and surround sound found on the Xbox 360 and the PS3; requires a wired receiver unit placed near the TV to interface with wireless controllers; can't play CDs or DVDs".

Now i cant confirm this but what do you guys think.
- -1 thumbs!
  Gotenks | May 27, 2007
  
  Really the only time the controller for the Wii eats your batteries is when you use the Internet Channel. it drains the batteries so quickly. But like the batteries that just died lasted me about almost 2 months and I played my Wii for at least 2 hours almost everyday.
- 0 thumbs!
  TwilightPrince | May 27, 2007
  
  Basically every controller is a rip off of something. The SNES controller was an improved version of the NES controller. The original PS1 controller was an improved version of the SNES controller. The Dualshock was an improved version of the N64 controller. And so on.
  
  I agree with this list that the 360 controller is the best controller so far. The Wii remote hasn't proven itself yet, and the PS3 controller is basically the same thing as the (very good) PS2 controller.
1 thumbs!
StarJet | May 27, 2007

kinda nice list. but i always thought the wii controller was good. havent used it though myself. and whats so good about the xbox controller?
1 thumbs!
TurMoiL911 | May 27, 2007

It doesn't surprise me that the DualShock Playstation controller is on that list. The Analog sticks were a huge step-up from the D-pad. As for the Xbox 360 controller, I didn't think that wireless capability was that big a deal was it came to controller design.
5 thumbs!
bbb7002004 | May 27, 2007

I think the 360 controller is getting a bit of a bonus because the creators of the list have been using it most recently. It does nothing different than the Xbox controller other than wireless out of the box. While a nice feature, it certainly does not compare to the advances or comfort made by the N64 controller or Dual Shock.
- 0 thumbs!
  TwilightPrince | May 27, 2007
  
  Actually, the 360 controller is alot different then an Xbox controller. Here's a 360 controller and here's an Xbox controller. As you can see, the Xbox controller had no shoulder buttons, instead it had the hard-to-reach "black & white" buttons.
0 thumbs!
Storm | May 27, 2007

So the #1 best is perhaps the simplest? Decent list overall, I'd say. The 360 being praised for wireless...all next-gen consoles were doing that, 360 just got to it first.
0 thumbs!
Final Blade | May 27, 2007

Are you kidding me, The ps2 and xbox started the wireless not 360 you noob. Besides there is nothing to much different about the 360 controller, only its somewhat smaller size. Saturn, Dreamcast and possible another should have been on that list. The xbox controller is by far not the best. If i had to choose which controller is the best it may be the ps3 only cause one it has tilt six axis and now its going to have rumble. Besides The wii should have been on that list, more so than xbox.
- 0 thumbs!
  TurMoiL911 | May 27, 2007
  
  Yeah, but for a wireless controller, most of the time you had to find a third-party wireless controller for the PS2 or Xbox. The Xbox 360 was probably one of the first that had it come standard with the system itself.
- 0 thumbs!
  TwilightPrince | May 28, 2007
  
  Dude, Nintendo made wireless controllers famous with the Wavebird for the Gamecube. They were the first ones to start the trend.
  - 0 thumbs!
    Final Blade | May 28, 2007
    
    B4 you start talking crap read the post below me, wireless controllers isnt a need just a want. d-pad,shoulder buttons, rumble analog stick, motion sensing, tilt six axis impacted the game and how its played. The xbox 360 deserves no spot on that crap of a list.
1 thumbs!
bbb7002004 | May 28, 2007

The thing that bothers me is that a wireless controller is more of a convenience than an actual gaming tool. D pad, shoulder buttons, analog stick or sticks, rumble, motion sensing, etc., all impact the way games are actually played, while a wireless controller just makes a little less clutter, and means you can move a little further back from the screen, not to mention the fact that they were common current gen. Finally, all three next gen systems sport wireless controllers out of the box. It is just expected that controllers would be wireless this generation, just like analog sticks were expected last gen.

Back to the actual article, I can't believe they didn't include the Zapper, one of the greatest controllers ever used for any console ever!
-1 thumbs!
The Blue Flame | May 28, 2007

I'd have to agree that the 360's controller is the best. I don't care that it's wireless, the controller itself is so comfortable, and it fits perfectly into your hands moreso than any other controller. After playing with a 360 controller I went back to my PS2 controller to have a feel, and it felt all awkward to hold. Even holding my old GC & N64 controllers felt awkward. The 360's controller is pretty much the perfect shape.
- 0 thumbs!
  Final Blade | May 28, 2007
  
  Its only feels that way cause you spend more time on that system than others. PS3 or ps2 contollers fit perfectly in your hands more so than xbox. Though wii remote is better in every way shape and form to the xbox controller.
  - 0 thumbs!
    The Blue Flame | May 28, 2007
    
    You must have a midgets hands, because if you actually think the PS2, PS3 and Wii controllers are more comfortable than the Xbox 360's, you need to go to the doctors and check if your hands are shaped right, xD!!!!
0 thumbs!
bbb7002004 | May 28, 2007

I'm not really sure what you are saying, the Wiimote fits perfectly in most any body's hand.
0 thumbs!
Kutless | June 01, 2007

Wow that N64 controller is awesome.
0 thumbs!
Infinite | June 02, 2007

Nice list there, I agree with it. Personally my favorite two controllers are the PS2 and the Super Nintendo controllers but the XBOX 360 controllers are nice too.