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Magnavox Odyssey Controllers
CommercialThe Magnavox Odyssey is the first home video game console, introduced the first controller technology. These mostly came in a pair. By this idea, many other video game consoles surged such as the Atari Pong. These controlers sometimes had poor responding which irritated the players. -
Atari 2600 Controller
CommercialAtari introduced the Joystick controller to the home videogame industry. The joystick allowed 8 directional digital movements (up/down/left/right/angles). These were bulky with a heavy base, and a long prtruding handle that could be gripped with a fist. The joystick allowed disconection from the console unlike previous controllers such as the Attari Pong. -
Bally Astrocade Controllers
Bally Astrocade was the first console to adapt to a newer version of the joystick which reduced the amount of force exerted by excited gamers. The new controller was shaped into a maller handle that could be manipulated by either a thumb or two fingers. It felt like a pistol's handle and had a trigger-like action button. -
Mattel Intelevision Controllers
Mattel Intelevision shhok up the controller evolution by rather than using a joystick, it incorporated a metallic circular direction disk that could be manipulated by the thumb. The digital controller would handle 16 directions. Some future console incorporated key pads which could be used to effect the game play. -
Nintendo Famicom's D-Pad
Invented by Gunpei Yokoi the Digital Pad which was manipulated by the thumb, (similar to Intellevition's disk) allowed for 8 directional movements and featured 2 action buttons. Smaller buttons were also incorporated for Start, Pause, and Select game pla options. This would grow to replace the Joysticks with the Joypads. Yokoi's innovation influneced future designs largly. -
Sega Genesis' Pad
While Sega continued with the idea of the D-Pad it introduced a third action button and modified the design so that it would feel more comfortable in the hands of gamers. With this design Sega developed the fist successful Infra Red (IR) wireless controller. However this controller's weakness was that it had to hav an uninterruped line of sight with the machine or else it would lose control. -
Nintendo 64's Innovations
Nintendo placed 6 buttons (4 cross-shaped style with an additional 2 buttons imidietly to the left), 2 shoulder buttons at the bottom the were used as gun triggers. The controler featured a digital pad and an analog joystick, which allowed for a 360 degree movement. This controller also featured the Rumble Pack which allowed the controller to vibrate. -
Play Station's Controller
Incorporating technology from both Sega and Nintendo and adding 2 more action buttons in order to get 8 action buttons in total without counting the Start and Pause buttons, plus the pair of analog sticks and the built in rumble-pack the Dual Shock Play Station controller became one of the most advanced controllers with its extremely friendly ergonomical feel. -
Play Station 2's Analog and XBOX's Design
Dual Shock and Play Station introduced the sensitive analog sticks which could define the strength of a punch in a combat game for example. The XVOX controller followed the same principals as the PS2 ones however the design was much bigger and reciever complaints for it. -
Bluetooth for Wireless
Play Station, XBOX, and Wii recently omproved thir controler by using bluetooth technology in their controlles. Through these innovations, the Nintendo Wii creates interactive games for its controlers, The XBOX 360, and the Play Station 3 use it for small amounts of interaction but mostly for more freedom.
