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Game Controller Evolution At A Glance

gamer culture

by Joe Juba on September 07, 2011 at 04:33 PM

17,733 Views

Over the years, controllers have refined the number and location of joysticks and buttons. From the sparse beginnings to the glut of controllers in the early '90s, this image shows how your gamepads have influenced each other.

The chart below (found on Reddit) covers the obvious controllers like the Atari and Nintendo pads, as well as some surprises like the Miracle Piano and the Samba de Amigo maracas. There's a lot of info in a small space, so you may want to save the image to your own computer so you can scroll and zoom to your heart's content.

(Source: Reddit)

Email the author Joe Juba, or follow on Twitter, Facebook, and Game Informer.

Filed under: News, Gamer Culture, Evolution, joysticks, gamepad, buttons, controllers

Comments

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by Jruss21 Wednesday, September 07, 2011 at 04:36 PM

Thats pretty cool. Never really thought about it that way.
by Lancehead255 Wednesday, September 07, 2011 at 04:38 PM

The WiiU controller is sitting all alone at the bottom. That is actually a testament to Nintendo's innovation, mind you!
by TheSilentProtagonist Wednesday, September 07, 2011 at 04:44 PM

I had a total flashback when i saw the eye toy up there. then a sex reference. oh god...
by Cody Gilley Wednesday, September 07, 2011 at 04:45 PM

Clearly the Power Glove is should be the beginning of this chart. Nothing beats the power glove...it's so bad.
by The_Tremble_Copter Wednesday, September 07, 2011 at 04:45 PM

I like that the Xbox controller stems from the Dreamcast controller. My friends and I had an in-depth conversation about how similar they were a while back.
by Kyon Wednesday, September 07, 2011 at 04:46 PM

A gun at the top and a gun at the bottom.
by Yusuke Urameshi Wednesday, September 07, 2011 at 04:48 PM

I started on a GameCube controller. Man, that thing just melded to your hand like nature. Ah, good times.
by Josh karmel Wednesday, September 07, 2011 at 04:48 PM

lol wii u, and i actually have the snes advantage!
by Ed is a troll Wednesday, September 07, 2011 at 04:48 PM

lol notice how wii u is alone. now thats innovation. :)
by D. Robinson Wednesday, September 07, 2011 at 04:50 PM

No DK bongo controller? It's pretty much a peripheral, but wasn't the Samba de Amigo controller too? I don't really care that much, so it doesn't matter. This is quite cool. Gotta love the Wii U controller all lonely down bottom lol.
by Justin Regier Wednesday, September 07, 2011 at 04:51 PM

It's like the fossil record, only more awesome.
by gamefan4564 Wednesday, September 07, 2011 at 04:51 PM

I have a picture that's sort of like that, but it's smaller and doesn't have all that
by ThisFreakinGuy Wednesday, September 07, 2011 at 04:52 PM

Needs to be a poster
by vegetollo7 Wednesday, September 07, 2011 at 04:52 PM

Awesome. Awesome to the max.
by Danial885 Wednesday, September 07, 2011 at 04:54 PM

The wii u is all alone that is some innovation!!!
by Madd0x Wednesday, September 07, 2011 at 04:54 PM

and i thought I had held most controllers in my lifetime...I was off by few ;)
by Jakab11 Wednesday, September 07, 2011 at 04:56 PM

i didn't see tony hawk's skate board controller... this is good
by Louis Marcos Wednesday, September 07, 2011 at 04:58 PM

I'm waiting for the day some revolutionary creator gives us a controller with the complexity and accuracy of a mouse and keyboard, and the learning curve and comfort of a controller. Imagine, playing a hack and slash like DMC perfectly like you couldn't with a keyboard, then switching to an MMO or RTS with just as much complexity as before. A man can dream.
by Steve XLII Wednesday, September 07, 2011 at 04:59 PM

There was a Super Nintendo Advantage? I suddenly feel compelled to get a Super Nintendo and one of those, because I can. Among one of the few reasons I recently purchased an NES was the NES Advantage. I am inspired.
by Andrew Wednesday, September 07, 2011 at 05:08 PM

I didnt even know their were that MANY controllers lol