Rating Nintendo’s Controllers

Simply have a look at all these fantastic controllers. I like wanting on the evolution of Nintendo’s controllers all lined up like that. After all, this type 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 smart. Me although? I like the Professional Controllers, and I feel 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 acquired me fascinated by 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 severe time withthe Change 2 Professional Controller, which suggests I feel I’m acquainted sufficient with every thing to provide it a good rating. So, let’s go! 

#9. Digital Boy

Mentioning 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 due to the elongated handles, and the buttons really feel good to press. I just like the D-pad, too. It’s not their greatest, however it’s serviceable. The issue is, very like the console itself, it’s higher in principle than in observe. 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 effectively. Additionally, the ability provide being connected to the again of the controller is a killer. It’s manner too straightforward to bump the underside of the controller into the desk or desk or no matter you might have your VB on and kill the ability by chance. It’s a neat thought, and fairly stable throughout, however it’s for certain 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 alleged to even maintain a controller, you recognize 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 mentioned, there are a number of issues I do like right here. First off, the D-pad is among the many greatest Nintendo has ever made. Second, I admire the creativity on show, even when it’s ill-advised. Third, I like the thought behind the C-buttons. They might finally 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 cherished what number of colours they had been out there in. I respect the trouble, however I don’t love the controller. 

#7. NES

I like this controller as a result of it’s an absolute basic. 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 fantastic D-pad, this controller has all of it. Nicely, 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 facet as effectively, which might trigger a little bit of thumb misery. It’s nonetheless a masterpiece, and the muse on which every thing 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 kind 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 basic controller professional was launched, and what a controller this factor is. It’s acquired a spectacular D-pad, a snug type issue, and one of the best analog sticks Nintendo had made to that time. It’s truthfully kind 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 operate, which kinda sucks. It additionally yellows tremendous straightforward. White rubber analog sticks are by no means a good suggestion. 

#5. GameCube

I can’t shake the sensation some of us will probably be offended to see this one so low on this checklist, however I’ve by no means seen this controller as the identical shining instance of excellence a number 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 one of the vital snug formed controllers anybody’s ever made. It additionally tried one thing new with its button structure, which was fairly an excellent thought in principle. They wished one main motion button, with all the opposite buttons having simply recognizable shapes as secondary satellites to it. The concept was to make the act of discovering the button you’re searching for 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 enjoying worse due to it. 

It additionally weirdly solely had 3 shoulder buttons as an alternative of 4? Like, why depart the left facet clean like that? Then there’s the triggers, which had been once more an amazing thought, however any sport that wanted shoulder buttons that weren’t squishy analog triggers had been sort 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 Sport Boy Advance D-pad. Critically, it’s the identical D-pad because the GBA, and it’s manner too small for console gaming! 

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

#4. Wii U

This method will get a ton of flack, and nearly all of it’s effectively deserved. However whereas the Gamepad was a neat idea, it’s removed from my favourite controller to make use of. Alternatively, the Wii U Professional Controller is spectacular. It was my absolute favourite fashionable controller for some time there. It’s acquired actually clean round analog sticks, a unbelievable 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 unbelievable. 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 acquired all of the performance of the Joycns, an amazing analog stick, unbelievable face buttons, killer battery life, the works. It took every thing that labored from each earlier controller and put it in a single handy place. I like this factor, with one evident exception. It’s fairly probably the worst D-pad Nintendo has ever produced. It’s snug, certain, however it continually 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 primarily based on how good it was for its time, I can’t discover any flaws on this controller. It’s excellent. It has one of the best D-pad ever made (by Nintendo. The Saturn pad is perhaps my precise favourite) 2 spherical buttons, 2 concave buttons, shoulder buttons, a protracted twine, it simply will get every thing proper. It blows the Genesis pad out of the water, and improves on the NES pad in each manner. 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, for the reason that Change Professional’s D-pad stinks. 

#1. Change 2

They actually did it. I can’t imagine how a lot I like this factor. The Change Professional was, for me, practically good. However this fella proper right here is even higher. There’s no seam across the plastic for filth to get into. The analog sticks are impossibly clean. The buttons in some way really feel even higher. It’s acquired a headphone jack. And better of all, the D-pad is phenomenal. I’ve been making an attempt my greatest to place this factor by its paces to search out some kind of tragic flaw, however I can’t. It’s tremendous responsive, the plastic feels tremendous prime quality, I simply adore it. I suppose I may knock it for the value, however I truthfully really feel prefer it’s truthful given what this factor is able to. It even connects to the system quicker than the previous ones did. 

Oh, and people GL and GR buttons? Fantastic. I do know they aren’t precisely a brand new thought, however the truth that they’re right here now and so they operate on a system stage is elegant. The Change 2 is probably not an ideal console, however I can’t consider something this factor will get incorrect. It’s one of the best controller I’ve ever used. 

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