Seeing everyone bitch about the XBox controller, and the go on about their favorite controller, I have a different question. Which first-party controller did you hate most of all?

For me, it was the original NES controller. To this day, I can still remember the way the rectangular pad never fit into my hands correctly, and the odd, painful impressions it left behind after hours of playing. It was also the first with a d-pad, which I cannot stand to this day. The two buttons weren't aligned properly for simultaneous pressings either.

The only saving grace is that for once, like Microsoft, Nintendo offered several first party controllers for this system. The Advantage joystick is what this controller should have been.

Intellivision. What the hell were they thinking?

Atari 5200 (non-autocentering analog joysticks with sticky fire buttons)

Colecovision (Short joystick, sounds like I am going to break it everytime I use it).

I never got to experience the Atari 5200.

The Colecovision joystick was pretty bad, I'll admit, but at least it's two buttons were fairly easy to use, and the controller didn't physically hurt to use.

I'd also throw the Atari 2600 joystick on the pile of bad joysticks. It's a classic, and it wasn't completely bad, but it was way too fragile.

The origial NES one was pretty bad. Though I did like the D-pad. It was the only way to go for 2D side scrolling games. I don't think I could stand to use something like the atari sticks for a side scroller.

Out of more recent systems, I don't like the Dreamcast or Original X-box controllers. They're just too big for me, especially the X-box one.

The GC controller, Dual Shock, and Type S are all pretty good, though each has it's flaws.

Unless you had really small hands or gripped the NES controller way too tight, I don't see the big problem with it. It was small enough to fit in my hands just fine.

I thought the Sega Genesis controller was pretty crappy. Bulky and the buttons were too hard to push.

The NES controller just wasn't very ergonomic being rectangular. I bought some kind of grips ("power grips" maybe?) that slid on the sides, and that fixed the problem for me.

The NES controller....I mean it was a rectangle, and everyone knows that rectangles suck.

I take into account what was being developed at the time and at that point who had the worst controller. Looking back now, yeah the NES did.. but overall.. first approach and nothing to go by except the moment... I'd say either the X-Box controller.. or the Jaguar controller.

Non-self-centering analog stick (just think about that executive decision!) plus a keypad = Atari 5200 easily.

There can be no debate, really. Nothing else comes close.

Has to be the Jaguar. Not only was it uncomfortable and bulky, but how UGLY was that thing? Was it a phone or a controller? I didn't mind Nintendo, though rectangle isn't the greatest.

I like the Xbox GC and Dual Shock all for different reasons. I wish they could just combine the features of all 3 for the perfect controller. 4 Shoulder buttons, 2 normal, and 2 analog (those the right terms?), 6 face buttons in 3 over 3 formation like Street Fighter had it, and then position the dual analog sticks like the XBox and GC. I don't like the Dual Shock positioning. Also throw in digital pad the same as those 2. That would be my favorite controller.

I was going to mention those. They are "Power Grips", and I still have mine. They made it a very comfortable fit for the NES controller, like a Genesis controller.

Don't forget that the 5200's fire buttons are all very soft and has a tendency to stick so you can't even press it again.

And there are more broken 5200 controllers than anything made for that system

While they worked....

The intellivision is the worst
The Atari 5200 is a close second.

Overall....

The atari 5200 rarely worked so it wins hands down.


I still remember being in awe of the graphics of Super Breakout

blasphemy.

defender on the 5200 still stands as the most fun i ever had with a console...it was also great for pole position.

wasn't analog though...strictly digital. once i couldn't find controllers anymore and i was down to my last one, i actually had a system where i used pieces of tin foil to make the connections.

oh the memories.

Worst controller's for me was

Intellivision-I still love the system but the controller looked like a touch dial phone

Super Nes-I dont knwo why but i just hated that controller for some reason

capt

Nintendo Power Glove? I never had one but I don't think more than a couple games supported it.
I had the NES track pad thing that you ran on. That thing was terible, I could barely beat turtle with that stupid thing.

I absolutely hated the N64 controller. I refused to get the console because of it. I mean seriously, do I have three hands? It was just too much.

Easily the Intellivision controller. The thing was so damn convoluted, and it was a pain in the ass (well, more specifically the hand) to use for more than two minutes. And what the hell was with the four foot long cord?
I still don't let it get in the way of a little Sea Battle, though.

I win.

"And there are more broken 5200 controllers than anything made for that system"

I'd wager xboxes to jaguars that there are more broken Atari 5200 controllers than anything else for any other console, ever. period.

Worst controller ever easily had to be the Atari 2600 mental Mind link controller, for which you used your mind to move the controller. Here is the info from videogames.org:

"CX?? - Mindlink Controller
Now *this* is incredible!

I'm not sure if this was ever released--the Mindlink Controller was virtual reality before it was called virtual reality. The idea was that as you tilted your head, you could control the action on the screen.

Here's what the scanned ad that's on this page says:

"Looks Like Magic - Works By Relaxation. Atari Mindlink lets you control your 2600 or 7800 ProSystem in ways never before possible, by the power of your mind alone. You guide it without moving your hands. Mindlink sends electronic impulses from your brain to your game console--with no wires or cords between. It looks like magic--but works by relaxation. Special cartridges enable you to use Mindlink to play exciting new games, to reduce stress with bio-feedback programs, and to explore educational and creative software."

http://videogames.org/html/2600Stuff...ntrollers.html

Another vote for the N64 controller

I'd have to vote for the atari 2600 paddles. So aggravating as a kid always wanting to play games using these controllers, but they seemed to wear out so fast that the games would be unplayable. Breakout is a lot harder when your little player at the bottom squiggles so fast that you can't possibly hit the ball

I've still got him sitting on my bookcase. Good Ole R.O.B.

The Mindlink was never released, there may have been a few prototypes, I wouldn't consider them to be the worst if they were never mass produced.

And R.O.B. is not a controller. It "enhances" gameplay or whatever but you don't hold it and push buttons to affect on screen action (it is pretty useless and autonomous no?)