Rating Nintendo’s Controllers

Simply have a look at all these great controllers. I like trying on the evolution of Nintendo’s controllers all lined up like that. In fact, this sort of image isn’t remotely unusual, however more often than not, the again half of this lineup seems fairly totally different. When monitoring the evolution of Nintendo controllers, of us have a tendency to make use of the Wii Distant, Wii U Gamepad, and Joycons. And yeah, that is sensible. Me although? I like the Professional Controllers, and I believe they present a extremely enjoyable evolution on their very own. 

Anyway, I took this image after my Change 2 GameCube controller confirmed up within the mail, and it bought me fascinated about not solely how fascinating it’s to take a look at all of them lined up like this, however which of them are my favorites. I’ve now had some critical time withthe Change 2 Professional Controller, which implies I believe I’m acquainted sufficient with the whole lot to present it a good rating. So, let’s go! 

#9. Digital Boy

Citing the rear is the poor Digital Boy. Look, I don’t hate this controller by any means. The truth is, I prefer it fairly a bit! It’s fairly snug because of the elongated handles, and the buttons really feel good to press. I just like the D-pad, too. It’s not their finest, however it’s serviceable. The issue is, very similar to the console itself, it’s higher in concept than in apply. The twin D-pad factor was a neat precursor to twin analog controls, which makes the one analog N64 controller all of the extra complicated, however their placement right here simply didn’t work all that nicely. Additionally, the facility provide being connected to the again of the controller is a killer. It’s approach too simple to bump the underside of the controller into the desk or desk or no matter you could have your VB on and kill the facility by chance. It’s a neat concept, and fairly strong throughout, however it’s for positive the underside of the barrel for Nintendo controllers. 

#8. Nintendo 64

Now this can be a controller that I actively dislike, however even I can’t fake it’s worse than the Digital Boy one. I perceive the logic behind the goofy trident design, however that also does not make it good. If it’s not instantly apparent to individuals how they’re imagined to even maintain a controller, you already know you’ve screwed up. Additionally, despite the fact that the analog stick was fairly revolutionary, it hardly stood the take a look at of time. That factor is flimsy. 

That stated, there are lots of issues I do like right here. First off, the D-pad is among the many finest Nintendo has ever made. Second, I recognize the creativity on show, even when it’s ill-advised. Third, I like the thought behind the C-buttons. They might ultimately simply make a C-stick, however having the choice of utilizing them as common ol’ face buttons was nice for stuff like Mortal Kombat Trilogy. I additionally liked what number of colours they had been obtainable in. I respect the hassle, however I don’t love the controller. 

#7. NES

I like this controller as a result of it’s an absolute traditional. It simply works, and after coming off the Atari 2600 joystick, it felt positively revolutionary. The concave B and A buttons, the rubbery begin and choose buttons, that great D-pad, this controller has all of it. Effectively, besides ergonomics. Clearly I’m not going to knock it for its lack of buttons, as a result of it’s hardly truthful to evaluate it for that contemplating its age. But it surely’s a freaking rectangle, which isn’t precisely essentially the most snug factor to carry for a very long time. And even to simply maintain onto throughout lengthy play periods! The D-pad is a tad on the sharp aspect as nicely, which may trigger a little bit of thumb misery. It’s nonetheless a masterpiece, and the inspiration on which the whole lot that got here after was constructed, however it’s not with out its points. 

#6. Wii

Sure, the Wii Distant is what made the Wii a “revolution” however this was additionally the birthplace of Nintendo’s first Professional Controller. When the system launched, you may get your fingers on this factor. The primary Nintendo controller with two correct analog sticks. (The GameCube’s C-stick virtually counts, however no). The issue was, it wasn’t formed all that good. It was too spherical, and made for a considerably uncomfortable expertise. It was additionally form of half completed. You had been supposed to have the ability to clip a Wii distant to the factor, however that by no means actually panned out. 

So halfway by the Wii’s life, the traditional controller professional was launched, and what a controller this factor is. It’s bought a spectacular D-pad, a cushty kind issue, and the perfect analog sticks Nintendo had made to that time. It’s actually form of tragic that they didn’t make this its personal standalone factor. The most important disadvantage is the truth that it must be plugged right into a Wii distant to perform, which kinda sucks. It additionally yellows tremendous simple. White rubber analog sticks are by no means a good suggestion. 

#5. GameCube

I can’t shake the sensation some of us can be offended to see this one so low on this listing, however I’ve by no means seen this controller as the identical shining instance of excellence lots of other people do. However I respect the ever loving crap out of it. It ditched the N64’s bizarre trident design, and got here up with probably the most snug formed controllers anybody’s ever made. It additionally tried one thing new with its button structure, which was fairly a superb concept in concept. They wished one main motion button, with all the opposite buttons having simply recognizable shapes as secondary satellites to it. The thought was to make the act of discovering the button you’re in search of simpler than having to look down at your controller. The issue was, this setup solely actually works for video games designed for it. Most conventional video games wound up taking part in worse due to it. 

It additionally weirdly solely had 3 shoulder buttons as an alternative of 4? Like, why depart the left aspect clean like that? Then there’s the triggers, which had been once more an excellent concept, however any sport that wanted shoulder buttons that weren’t squishy analog triggers had been type of a large number to play. I’ve by no means been a fan of the analog sticks both. The notion of the C-buttons being their very own stick made sense, however having that little nubby factor as a second analog stick wasn’t nice. The truth is, I’ve by no means been a fan of the common stick on this factor both. I hate the entire angular analog stick nonsense. Give me a circle any day. And don’t get me began on this factor’s Recreation Boy Advance D-pad. Severely, it’s the identical D-pad because the GBA, and it’s approach too small for console gaming! 

It’s a spectacular controller, however its faults have at all times caught out to me greater than most. It will get a lot proper, particularly its inherent ergonomics and the elegant wi-fi Wavebird choice, however it’s removed from Nintendo’s finest. 

#4. Wii U

This method will get a ton of flack, and nearly all of it’s nicely deserved. However whereas the Gamepad was a neat idea, it’s removed from my favourite controller to make use of. However, the Wii U Professional Controller is spectacular. It was my absolute favourite trendy controller for some time there. It’s bought actually easy round analog sticks, a improbable D-pad, and it’s tremendous snug to carry. The buttons are good too, and its battery life is someplace round 60 hours. This factor is improbable. The one factor it’s lacking is the system’s trademark movement sensitivity, however that’s a small worth to pay for what was, on the time, darn close to perfection. I suppose the buttons and the proper analog stick being positioned the place they’re is a bit odd, however not terribly so. I like this factor. 

#3. Change

That is it, of us. This controller proper right here is darn close to perfection. It’s a pleasure to carry, it’s bought all of the performance of the Joycns, an excellent analog stick, improbable face buttons, killer battery life, the works. It took the whole lot that labored from each earlier controller and put it in a single handy place. I like this factor, with one obvious exception. It’s fairly presumably the worst D-pad Nintendo has ever produced. It’s snug, positive, however it continuously registers incorrect inputs. Tetris? Road Fighter? Nigh inconceivable to play on this factor. Apart from that, it’s a masterpiece. 

#2. Tremendous NES

Talking of masterpieces, that is it for me. Once more, judging it based mostly on how good it was for its time, I can’t discover any flaws on this controller. It’s excellent. It has the perfect D-pad ever made (by Nintendo. The Saturn pad is likely to be my precise favourite) 2 spherical buttons, 2 concave buttons, shoulder buttons, an extended wire, it simply will get the whole lot proper. It blows the Genesis pad out of the water, and improves on the NES pad in each approach. It’s nonetheless a pleasure to carry at the moment, a lot in order that the brand new duplicate one they made for Change is my go-to for many video games requiring a D-pad, because the Change Professional’s D-pad stinks. 

#1. Change 2

They actually did it. I can’t consider how a lot I like this factor. The Change Professional was, for me, almost good. However this fella proper right here is even higher. There’s no seam across the plastic for grime to get into. The analog sticks are impossibly easy. The buttons someway really feel even higher. It’s bought a headphone jack. And better of all, the D-pad is phenomenal. I’ve been making an attempt my finest to place this factor by its paces to search out some form of tragic flaw, however I can’t. It’s tremendous responsive, the plastic feels tremendous top quality, I simply adore it. I suppose I might knock it for the value, however I actually really feel prefer it’s truthful given what this factor is able to. It even connects to the system sooner than the previous ones did. 

Oh, and people GL and GR buttons? Great. I do know they aren’t precisely a brand new concept, however the truth that they’re right here now and so they perform on a system stage is elegant. The Change 2 might not be an ideal console, however I can’t consider something this factor will get flawed. It’s the perfect controller I’ve ever used. 

And that’s it! These are my rankings. What are yours? Be at liberty to let me know within the feedback how unbelievably flawed I’m.