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[B-Genius]

No way. YOU become the directional control pad? Heavens to Betsy, why wasn't I informed!?
That bastard stole my laces and rolled up jeans idea.

The bluntness with which a lot of pictures have been posted in this thread makes me giggle, especially the atrocious third-party/old arcade sticks :lol We could probably make a real top-10 list if we tried hard enough, but to those of you taking this too seriously, it's all pretty subjective (or failing that, just for laughs).

 

[J-Rzez]

Jaguar begs to differ.

+1... worst, controller, packed with a console evar... the overlays for the numeric pad was a cool concept... it was neat swappin' out those plastic cards for the three different characters in Alien vs Predator... though the numeric pad, was not a really well thought and cool concept in the first place

 

[Pedigree Chum]

It ain't THAT bad.

 

[Beer Monkey]

The Jag controller didn't hurt my hands (I played T2K for hours on end), unlike the Duke. Colecovision and 7800 controllers were wrist-busters and should be on the list.

Dual Shock is comfortable but it's pretty crappy compared to the Gamecube and the Controller S.

 

[FlameOfCallandor]

I want to know more about the titansphere. Did anyone actually buy it?

 

[Zombie James]

See...I can understand not liking the GC controller (though your reasons are quite pathetic at best) but now I know you're an idiot.

Someone's taking things a bit too seriously :lol

 

[LakeEarth]

Now that is a sweet looking controller. A little colorful perhaps, but it's got it all!

They were nice for the time. We had a pair when I was real young, the buttons on the handle were hard to push down, and the stick wasn't very responsive, but come on, it was a early 80s controller.

 

[Apenheul]

The worst controllers I've held in my hands personally are the N64 controller, PS2 Dualshock controller and the CDi whatever-controller

 

[Kevtones]

Honestly, if RE4 was unplayable for you then you might be legally retarded.

:lol Funny cause its true!

 

[Ristamar]

Ergonomics says 'hi.'

Yeah, really. Symmetry != comfort. That's part of the reason I think the DualShock is only an above average controller. The disjointed d-pad is the other reason. Can't stand those... regardless, the DS shouldn't be on this list.

Also, I agree with what some others have said about the Duke. It's not the size that makes the Duke bad, it's the shitty buttons in a shitty layout. My hands are fairly big (8" from the base of my palm to the tip of my middle finger), but controller size has never been much of an issue for me, large or small.

 

[Calidor]

 

[JRPereira]

Dual shock is probably #1 on my list for best controller.

I dunno why you guys were badmouthing the n64 controller so much - it wasn't half-bad, and it has probably the best analog stick I've ever used - smooth, rugged, and has evenly-spaced sensitivity levels.

The turbotouch is definately one of the worst. I had one - most retarded idea for a directional pad ever.

 

[GitarooMan]

I dunno why you guys were badmouthing the n64 controller so much - it wasn't half-bad, and it has probably the best analog stick I've ever used - smooth, rugged, and has evenly-spaced sensitivity levels.

The N64 controller is the only controller I've had where the analog stick broke, so I wouldn't call it rugged. When it works I agree it isn't bad though.

 

[MattKeil]

Add another vote for the Dual Shock 2. Definitely the worst of this gen, possibly the worst first party controller ever. The analog sticks are terrible even for the late '90s, and that in conjunction with putting them parallel makes FPS games almost unplayable. I can't believe they're not going to skew them for the PS3. So much more natural in feel.

I hope they at least redesign the sticks' mechanisms so they aren't 50% dead spot.

 

[Yusaku]

I can't believe they didn't mention the Konix Speedking.
Good ergonomics, unless you needed to press the fire button rapidly.

Oh god I owned that thing. It was a nightmare.

 

[the year 20XX]

Colecovision and 7800 controllers were wrist-busters and should be on the list.

The Coleco joystick was a godsend after the Intellivision pad. I remember there was some kind of joystick top that you could stick to the Intellivision to make it more like the Coleco stick.

 

[Beatbox]

Add another vote for the Dual Shock 2. Definitely the worst of this gen, possibly the worst first party controller ever. The analog sticks are terrible even for the late '90s, and that in conjunction with putting them parallel makes FPS games almost unplayable. I can't believe they're not going to skew them for the PS3. So much more natural in feel.

I hope they at least redesign the sticks' mechanisms so they aren't 50% dead spot.

Couldn't disagree more.

 

[Jive Turkey]

Someone's taking things a bit too seriously :lol

Who's taking anything seriously? I'm laughing at you.

 

[terrene]

Add another vote for the Dual Shock 2. Definitely the worst of this gen, possibly the worst first party controller ever. The analog sticks are terrible even for the late '90s, and that in conjunction with putting them parallel makes FPS games almost unplayable. I can't believe they're not going to skew them for the PS3. So much more natural in feel.

I hope they at least redesign the sticks' mechanisms so they aren't 50% dead spot.

I like and prefer the parallel sticks, and they aren't 50% deadzone. "Worst 1st party controller ever" -- what the fuck, man, have you even looked at some of the shit people are posting on here? Have you played any game systems other than the PS2?

I like the PS2 Dual Shock so much that I got the USB adapter for it so my PC can use it -- and I'm not even going to get a wired 360 controller to replace it! I LIKE IT THAT MUCH!

 

[Synbios459]

What's funny is in an interview way back when Miyamoto stated he designed the GC controller just for gamers. Apparently he should stick with games or non-traditional controller designs.

 

[Red Blaster]

Add another vote for the Dual Shock 2. Definitely the worst of this gen, possibly the worst first party controller ever. The analog sticks are terrible even for the late '90s, and that in conjunction with putting them parallel makes FPS games almost unplayable. I can't believe they're not going to skew them for the PS3. So much more natural in feel.

I hope they at least redesign the sticks' mechanisms so they aren't 50% dead spot.

My opinion could beat your opinion.

 

[FlameOfCallandor]

Guys the Gamecube controller is the most comfortable controller on the market. The only, only thing wrong with it, is the size of the D-pad.

 

[Jive Turkey]

Guys the Gamecube controller is the most comfortable controller on the market. The only, only thing wrong with it, is the size of the D-pad.

Shhhhh! Didn't you get the memo? Nintendo does EVERYTHING wrong!

 

[Keru_Shiri]

What's funny is in an interview way back when Miyamoto stated he designed the GC controller just for gamers. Apparently he should stick with games or non-traditional controller designs.

Yeah that's hillarious [/sarcasm]

As for the Duke, while I don't understand all the Duke love, and much perfer the S controller, I don't think it belongs on the worst controllers of all time list.

Actually, when looking at all of the controllers of the past, I think every 1st party controller (Duke included) is at the very least adequate.

If I had to rate them, it would be....

1. 360 (it's nice to hold)
2. GCN (contours, for the win)
3. S-type
4. PS2
5. the Duke

 

[tedtropy]

Guys the Gamecube controller is the most comfortable controller on the market. The only, only thing wrong with it, is the size of the D-pad.

Well, that and it needs two decent analog sticks. Not just one and a "C" nub. I like the Gamecube controller for the most part, and think it's probably the perfect platformer controller, but there's alot of things it ain't great at. Still, calling it one of the "worst" is a stretch.

 

[SonicMegaDrive]

Guys the Gamecube controller is the most comfortable controller on the market. The only, only thing wrong with it, is the size of the D-pad.

*Sigh*

This is sadly, true.

Although, I could find fault with the lack of face buttons(not to mention size and placement), and the utter uselessness of that little blue button on the top.

 

[terrene]

*Sigh*

This is sadly, true.

Although, I could find fault with the lack of face buttons(not to mention size and placement), and the utter uselessness of that little blue button on the top.

I forget what GBA game I was playing on the Cube's Gameboy Player, but I'm pretty sure it was Zelda: Minish Cap, and I'm pretty sure that I fucking hated the triggers on the GC controller with a passion.

The 360's triggers are so goddamn amazing. They resist you just the right amount.

 

[SonicMegaDrive]

I forget what GBA game I was playing on the Cube's Gameboy Player, but I'm pretty sure it was Zelda: Minish Cap, and I'm pretty sure that I fucking hated the triggers on the GC controller with a passion.

The 360's triggers are so goddamn amazing. They resist you just the right amount.

Oh, yes, you're right. Mario Kart for GBA is a good example, as you need those little shoulder buttons in order to play it correctly.

 

[ghostmind]

oh wait, that's my TV remote...

 

[I <3 Katamari]

Honestly, if you think the GC controller is the worst game controller ever, you must have only played two systems in your lifetime: GameCube and PS2.

The controller has its flaws, but give me a break, worst ever? It works great for a lot of stuff. And anyone that thinks RE4 is "unplayable" on it, when it was built around the controller and works PERFECTLY, needs to be smacked.

 

[R0nn]

Actually, the asymmetrical layout of the GCN controller is much more logical than the symmetrical layouts of the DS2 and Xbox controllers. Just like others have said, you have a big and green A-button centralised for primary functions, a smaller red B-button for secondary functions and cancelling, and two grey X and Y-buttons for tetriary functions. For most games this generation, it works really great and feels natural.

The four big gripes of the GCN controller are the C-stick nub, the D-pad which is too small, the awkwardly placed Z-button and the clicking triggers which don't work all that great. Other than that, there's nothing really wrong with the controller. It might be too small for some people with big hands and the asymmetrical layout DOES suck for games which utilize all buttons about equally (like fighters), but other than that, it's a very decent to good controller.

 

[ocelittle]

oh wait, that's my TV remote...

HEY!
That's MY TV remote!

60" SXRD FTW!!!

 

[Zweisy1]

Yeah Dual Shock 2 isn't very good.. definitely the worst first party controller this gen and worst since the Dreamcast one. Duke at least had good analog sticks.

As far as good controllers go:

1. Saturn (The japanese version)
2. SNES
3. 360

 

[SonicMegaDrive]

Yeah Dual Shock 2 isn't very good.. definitely the worst first party controller this gen and worst since the Dreamcast one. Duke at least had good analog sticks.

As far as good controllers go:

1. Saturn (The japanese version)
2. SNES
3. 360

Yup!

Though, I might be tempted to put the six-button Genny controller above the SNES in terms of functionality and comfort.

 

[marc^o^]

The worst controller (omitted in this thread) is the PSP one IMO: the dpad fails at providing constant controls on diagonals, and the nub stick is misplaced and not precise enough to carry games that require perfect control. Capcom had to come up with their own solution to take care of these issues, but that's far from ideal. Sony owes us a redesigned PSP fixing this control problem.

 

[Parallax]

im gonna have to go with the nes controller. play with it too much and it digs into your hands.

and the gc controller isnt bad, i couldnt imagine playing smash with anything else, thats for sure

 

[Tony HoTT]

Really, what were they thinking?

This controller wasn't the bad part of the system. The controller was actually one of the cooler parts.