7. Gamecube Controller: For something that looked like a Fisher-Price Toy when Nintendo unveiled it turned out to be a pretty damn awesome controller if you ask me. Yes, okay, purple wasn’t the best initial choice Nintendo could have gone with for a console, but the black, orange, and even silver console iterations helped that along. Point being, regardless of color, it was a comfortable controller that one could nestle in their hands for hours and never have a qualm about it. Playing games like Pikmin, Resident Evil or even Mario Party felt smooth and comfortable, making the C button stand out among the other as probably one of the most comfortable things to touch on a controller in recent memory. Besides that, everything else was laid out in a way where hitting the wrong button became virtually impossible. Additionally, the Wave Bird version would eventually become one of the best controllers I’ve ever owned, being wireless and sweet to hold, it’s easy to see why Gamecube controllers still exist.
6. Original Xbox Controller: The monstrous beast that was the original Xbox controller was about as scary as a semi three times too big to fit in the tunnel a mile down the road, but for some people who could actually use it comfortably, there was little to complain about. For the other nine out of ten gamers who would’ve found holding onto a fully-grown grizzly bear to be more of a comfortable endeavor, there was the S controller released a bit into the consoles lifespan. Regardless of what controller you held, there were certain things about it that just felt perfect – from the size of them to the placement of the controllers, triggers and bumpers, it all just felt right. Whether you were playing Halo, Mechassault, Crimson Skies or Phantom Crash, you used the staggered control sticks to crippling effect. In fact, many of the original tenets from the original controllers can be seen in the later design of the 360 controller, except for the single fact that they’re all significantly improved on. As well made as they were, their size is what keeps them from being fondly remembered as well as keeping them from being forgotten.
5. N64 Controller: Everything about this controller was done better in later designs, but for those of you who remember using it, you won’t ever forget it. From the first time playing Super Mario 64, the single analog stick in the center felt as natural as rolling out of bed in the morning. But depending on what game you played, it was like seeing a new controller each time you loaded a new cartridge into the system. The Turok series, for example, used the C buttons to move the character and allowed the analog stick to target and look around making for one of the more immersive, not to mention insanely fun experiences the console ever had. On the other hand, titles such as Goldeneye and Perfect Dark used the controller in an entirely different way, allowing you to target with the analog stick, precision target using a shoulder button and merely strafe with the C button. For those too young to remember, target assistance was a huge deal back in those days…it made certain games playable, to say the least. Ultimately, while comfortable for the most part, some people found holding it to be god awfully bad and made sure Nintendo knew it prior to the introduction of the Gamecube. However, it was still fun to use and if it didn’t exist, I wouldn’t be able to have ever finished Jet Force Gemini.
4. Dreamcast Controller: Yeah, I bet you thought I forgot about this little gem while others among you are busy rolling your eyes. Either way, this is definitely a controller that wasn’t to be missed. Created during the twilight period between when the N64 and Playstation generation and the Gamecube and Playstation 2 era, this controller attempted to show off the best design possible and for the most part did a pretty stellar job. Comfortable and form-fitting to one’s hands, it was without a doubt well made. The buttons felt smooth to the touch and the analog stick tucked in one of the corners made sense for just about every game that caused the player to use a trigger. Straddling the best in breed of the current controller designs at the time, it was able to play games like Skies of Arcadia, Sonic Adventure and Seaman with contemptible ease. Unfortunately, as it stood like a middle child between the two juggernaut systems, it was easily visible while the console and its controller faded into the background as bigger and better things arrived to eclipse it. But for those who played any game using it, I’d be willing to bet they still have a soft spot in their heart for it, even to this day.
This feature top 10 list concludes on the next page, please click below to reveal our final 3 choices for Top Video Game Controller of All-Time.
