The ten best controllers of all time! Number one, the Gamecube controller! Nintendo were the dominating console company in general as well. Each is given reasons why it deserves to be in the top ten, what's yours?

  1. Game Cube controller (GC)
  2. Atari controller (2600)
  3. NES pad (NES)
  4. Dual Shock (PS)
  5. N64 controller (N64)
  6. Wiimote and Nunchuk (Wii)
  7. SNES controller (SNES)
  8. Dreamcast controller (DC)
  9. DDR pad (ARC)
  10. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (Wii)
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Most recently commented on by on Dec 6, 2008
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  • 1
    pooOBKp Nov 28, 08
    Someone is a little too hopped up on Nintendo. Even far enough to make sure the GHIII controller is labeled under the Wii. I dont like this list at all. I personally hated the Game Cube controller. I do like the SNES controller and Dualshock though.
  • 0
    orangeson58 Nov 28, 08
    I actually agree with this list for the most part. I think the Gamecube controller is extremely comfortable. I probably would have put the Xbox 360 controller in there somewhere. Why the hell are the DDR pad and Guitar Hero "controllers" on this list?
  • 1
    Zerpent Nov 28, 08
    The Gamecube controller is still my favorite. It's just so darn comfortable.
  • 3
    FinalFantasyFanaticc Nov 28, 08
    Put gamecube at number 3, PS3 controller at number 2 and 360 controller at number 1 whilst ditching the DDR / Guitar Hero controller and you have it right
  • 0
    Archangel Nov 28, 08
    I found the Gaemcube controller to be quite awkward to hold.
  • 1
    Livewire_19 Nov 28, 08
    I do really like the Gamecubes controllers but the 360s is really the best controller, everything about it feels great. The N64s was innovative with it's analog stick, but it looks ridiculous, and the SNES controller is allot better than the NESs and Atari's.
    This is a strangely put together list.
    • 0
      Dark Arcanine Nov 28, 08
      I fail to see how it looked ridiculous, I mean you could even imagine it's shaped like the Batman logo.
      • 2
        BANDITO ATTACK Nov 29, 08
        it looked ridiculous because it was so *bleep*ing ridiculous.
      • 2
        Seproth Nov 29, 08
        Yeah, having 3 separate "horns" for your hands was weird. It confused people who never, or seldom, played games.
        • 0
          Dark Arcanine Nov 29, 08
          I found it very simple myself, a nice and easy to use layout. I mean you don't use the D-Pad and Analog Stick at the same time.
    • 2
      Miss Razz Nov 29, 08
      quote
      The N64s was innovative with it's analog stick
      The only problem was that it's analogue stick could give you a massive thumb ache after a while. (and had a habit of easily becoming wobbly or broken).
      • 0
        Dark Arcanine Nov 29, 08
        I never, ever had that problem and I still use my Nintendo 64 every other day.
  • 1
    Red 9 Nov 28, 08
    I'd say the 360 and PS3 controllers should both be at the top at number one for a tie. For one thing, the playstation controller has been around for ages, and has been so successful, and the 360 controller is just well-put together.
  • 0
    nnkklo Nov 28, 08
    The Gamecube controller should be #2. I would actually put the N64 controller up at the top, that thing's amazing.
    • 1
      Big A2 Nov 28, 08
      I hate the N64 cotroller. If they swaped the position of the control stick and the D-pad, then it would be ok.
  • 3
    Guticb Nov 28, 08
    ....WHAT?! The Xbox 360 controller isn't there yet the NES controller is?!
  • 0
    Dark Arcanine Nov 28, 08
    I find the Gamecube controller the must comfortable to use to date. Though I think the Playstation 3 is the easiest which is also good. I'm happy that Xbox didn't get in there myself, not a fan of the controllers. The Nintendo 64 controller is just way cool.
  • 0
    Capn Droid* Nov 28, 08
    I don't care what people say about the Gamecube, but the controller was epic.
    • 0
      BANDITO ATTACK Nov 29, 08
      really. i mean, a 'C-stick'? that was just great.
      the gamecube controller was bananas. and i loooved it.
  • 0
    Seproth Nov 29, 08
    Steel Battalion controller wins.
  • 0
    Linkerd101 Nov 29, 08
    GCube controller is actually the best controller ive ever used. N64 at second and Wiimote and Nunchuk at thrid. You cant hate the Wiimote Nunchuk combo. Its so innotive and just..awesome. Its much more comfortable, too.
    The Regular XBOX controller is the worst ever.
    Playstation 1's controller was the best one of all the PS systems.
    PS2 and 3 are the same.
    360 controllers are very snuggly fit, the ABXY buttons are just a little Awkward.
    • 0
      Slumpy monkey Nov 29, 08
      "PS2 and 3 are the same."

      Nah, the PS3's is wireless and has six axis.
  • 0
    Final Blade Nov 29, 08
    Linkerd PS1 controller is really no different to PS2 or PS3. In fact the only thing different is motion sensor and the analog sticks. Since the PS1 didn't come rumble or analog standard.

    Anyway I love the bias in this article. Can you have anymore Nintendo controllers? I mean sure a couple of those are pretty good, but even I have to admit the 360 controller should have made the list on the top part of it.
    • 0
      Ameer Nov 29, 08
      And the L2/R2 triggers. 
  • 2
    Seeker X Nov 29, 08
    These lists...Top 10 is almost synonymous with Nintendo, I *bleep*ing swear. I mean GameCube #1? The controller with the most annoying D-pad EVER?!
    • 2
      Dark Arcanine Nov 29, 08
      It's a very simple D-Pad, shaped like every other D-Pad. 0-0
      • 2
        Seeker X Nov 30, 08
        No, the NES, SNES, N64, PS, DualShock (1,2,3), Xbox (360) controllers have nice D-pads...the GC controller...for some OBSCURE reason has the smallest d-pad ever made...I'm not even gonna get into everything else that I hate about it.
        • 1
          Dark Arcanine Nov 30, 08
          If you centre your thumb it works fine, or does for me. I guess if you have a big thumb it could be a problem.
        • 0
          Smiffers Nov 30, 08
          Tbh, the 360s D-Pad is terrible, the amount of times I hit left or right and it went up. ._.
        • 1
          Capn Droid* Dec 3, 08
          How often do you use the D-Pad on a home console, anyway? >_>
        • 0
          Seeker X Dec 3, 08
          The only reason I would've ever bought a GC: Resident Evil

          AND, if we're gonna compare controllers, any flaws need to be pointed out, especially when the OTHER controllers do a better job of fixing it.
        • 0
          Dark Arcanine Dec 3, 08
          I think I've only ever used the D-Pad for certain main menus of games. That's it for the GameCube.
        • 0
          pooOBKp Dec 3, 08
          I press the D-pad for health, molotov, or pain pills in Left4Dead; other than that I don't use it unless it is mandatory like L4D.
  • 4
    BANDITO ATTACK Nov 29, 08
    the xbox controller is clearly too big and manly for their tiny children-hands.
  • 0
    Gamesta100 Nov 29, 08
    PS controls #1
    SNES #2


    I hate the N64 Control.Never used the GC control but it just looked like it would have sucked.I hate how the analogue sticks are placed on the XBOX, 360 and FC controls.
    • 1
      Big A2 Nov 29, 08
      quote
      Never used the GC control but it just looked like it would have sucked.
      Trust me, it's the most comfortable controller you'll ever come across, and the button layout is perfect. You can''t say that something sucks because it looks like it will. That's like watching one trailer and then writing a review for the whole movie.
      • 0
        Gamesta100 Nov 30, 08
        I never said it sucked.Saying something LOOKS like it sucks is not saying it does indeed suck.
  • 0
    Revenger of Wastelan Nov 29, 08
    For me it's the Dual Shock! I mean c'mon it's just set perfect for everyone who wants to touch it.
    • 0
      Ammy and Issun Nov 29, 08
      I Agree, the Dual shock is the best there =p i'm surprised the N64 controller is there, it's quite hard to use.
  • 0
    TwilightPrince Nov 30, 08
    Terrible list, tbh. The Gamecube controller isn't the best, the 360 controller and Dualshock are superior. And the DDR pad? What a joke.

    This is a way better list: http://www.gamegrep.com/news/1990-the_five_best_console_controllers_of_all_time/
    • 0
      Livewire_19 Nov 30, 08
      Funny that you think that it's better, You submitted it.
      It is a much better of a list though.
      I'm not sure if a Dualshock is superior to a Gamecubes controller, the left analog stick on a Dualshock has always felt weird for me, maybe it's something you get used to.
  • 1
    Woudo* Nov 30, 08
    How are the Xbox controllers not up there? The original Xbox controller was freakin' god, it actally fit into your hand. It actually felt like you were driving a warthog in Halo CE. The 360 was smaller and lighter, but it atleast still had some meat to it.

    When I played LBP at my mates house, I could not get over how small and lightweight the playstation controllers are. How can you even hold them? My palm takes up half the controller itself and it was weird finding a place for my pinky fingers to sit.
    • 0
      Final Blade Dec 1, 08
      No, the original Xbox controller was a brick like controller which was huge. The 360 controller design actually fits in your hand better. You seriously don't know the difference I see, these are the differences and as you see 360 controller is far superior in design and comfort.
      Xbox 1 controller:
      Xbox 360 controller:
      • 0
        Capn Droid* Dec 3, 08
        Bizarrely, after seeing both photos, the 360 controller looks even more like a brick than its older brother.

        Don't get me wrong, though; the 360 controller is sex.
        • 0
          Woudo* Dec 3, 08
          They're not to scale. The 360 controller is half the size of the original, but the original felt like a real man's controller.
        • 0
          Seeker X Dec 3, 08
          Hah, in terms of sheer size? The *bleep*ing KEYBOARD is a MAN'S MAN controller...yeah ok.

          I really don't see how big a controller is would be such a huge factor.
        • 1
          Woudo* Dec 4, 08
          Sorry boss, ima jus go back out to the cotton fields where I belong. Not havin' no opinion or nothin' now.
  • 0
    StabWound Nov 30, 08
    Saturn was the best this is fact.
  • 0
    King_X2 Nov 30, 08
    I really liked the Gamecube controller, so I don't mind it being number one spot. The N64 was the first controller I ever used, and it's high on my list as well. The NES and Atari controller are just awesomesauce.
  • 1
    Zeon I Nov 30, 08
    The Dreamcast Controller does not deserve to be up there. It's *bleep*ing huge, The Analog Stick can hurt your thumb, and it's just awkward to hold and play with.
    • 0
      Dark Arcanine Dec 3, 08
      Agreed on that one, I remember using it in my younger years round my friend's place.
      • 0
        FinalFantasyFanaticc Dec 3, 08
        Hey! I still play on my Dreamcast nowadays and though i must admit the controller is quite big, its still very comfortable.

        Just because its big doesn't mean its uncomfortable
        • 1
          Zeon I Dec 5, 08
          I bet it's still incredibly awkward to play with.
        • 0
          Dark Arcanine Dec 5, 08
          This conversation is sounding so dirty to me. I don't see how a big controller isn't uncomfortable though, because your hands won't conform to it appropriately.
  • 0
    Linkerd101 Dec 3, 08
    Nobody sez noting about da Wiimote & Nunchuk..
    Mastur Ch33f sad..
    [arby n chief reference]I seriously think da wiimote and nunchuk should be in the top 3. Its seems funny when you look at it, but it is the most comfy controller ever you can basically sit/stand is any position while leaking finger grease all over the place
    • 0
      Woudo* Dec 3, 08
      Yes, I to believe Canada is America's hat. I'm glad you agree with me.
  • 1
    Storm Dec 3, 08
    Wow, this list is rather one-sided. I'd put the GC controller, 360, and PS2 as the top three.
    • 0
      Supernouva Dec 4, 08
      The 360 controller is nice, but the D-pad sucks (which is why hate playing fighting games on the 360).

      Anyway, it's funny how the Dual-shock is on the list, and yet the Dualshock 2 and 3 aren't. They're all basically the same (well, on second thought, those triggers on the DS3, not cool).
      • 0
        Ameer Dec 6, 08
        Even that's open to personal opinion. I love the triggers compared to the flatness of the two preceding DualShocks.

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