Choose your controller wisely(part 1 of 4) - bluengold34_OS's Blog

bluengold34_OS's Blog

Choose your controller wisely(part 1 of 4)

Posted on June 4, 2013 at 10:15 PM.

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From the Atari 2600 and the Magnavox Odyssey, to the soon-to-be released Playstation 4 and Xbox One, game controllers have and will always play a huge part of a consoles success. Even dating back to the genesis of the gaming console, companies� controller design decisions have ranged from the simplicity of the Atari 2600�s 1-button joystick to complexity of the Intellivision�s remote style controller with full keypad, disc-style navigator, and side-buttons. Some design choices have been amazing while others have left gamers seeking anger management, after feeling the need to smash, bash, or violently chuck the controller at the wall in episodic fits of gamer rage.

It�s really rather simple, as gamers simply want a controller that fits in their hands comfortably, doesn�t weigh too little or too much, and all the buttons are easily accessible and responsive. So why have companies seemingly gone out of their way to make such a simple task seem monumental and an unobtainable? Of course this point of view is extremely subjective, as some will tell you they love the design of the original fat Xbox controller, and some will argue that the original controller for the PS3 is perfect both in size and weight � although we would strongly disagree on both accounts. Finding a great controller is the equivalent of finding the perfect TV or car, as it is the point of origin that leads to all the great experiences and has the ability to greatly enhance the journey or completely ruin it.

We want to take a good hard look at some amazing innovations and how they have truly brought certain consoles to the forefront of gaming, and how some have caused certain consoles to be designated dead on arrival. As much as gamers love their consoles, love their games, and love their new technology, the love (or hatred) for a controller can run as deep and as passionate as any of the above mentioned items. In this 4 part series we will take a look at some of the best designs, some of the worst, and some of the dumbest. We will also take a look at some of the early innovations that helped shape and mold the controllers of today. We will breakdown the new PS4 and Xbox one controller and see who we think will have the edge this fall, as the new consoles hit the market. So over the next couple of weeks please join us as we take trip into the past and see how it has helped shape the future of gaming for better or worse!