The Five Worst Videogame Controllers Ever

It goes without saying that the controller is a very important part of a videogame console. Being the only piece of hardware that you are physically interacting with, it's critical that it is a well thought out device. It should be sturdy, comfortable, and have a solid feature set. No brainer right?

Well it turns out that it isn't as obvious as it seems. Check out the article to see a list of the top five crappy videogame controllers to ever grace Infinite Bits carpel-ridden hands.

[Scrooge McDuck]

lol i knew they would use the sony six axis. Shouldn't 360 controller be on there 2 since its an almost exact copy of dreamcast but with another analog

[Homicide]

Well it is terrible. The weight of the thing was horrible, and the triggers aren't good at all. They easily get loose and aren't as well built as the 360.

[DasBunker]

i guess they forgot the size and weight of the original xbox controllers..

[nothere413]

All this article did was reminded me how much I need a Dualshock 3. My SIXAXIS is broken more ways than one...

[swiftshot93]

besides, you are required a dualshock to play God of War 3 =P

[Tony P]

The Sixaxis isn't one of the worst ever. It's more like, a disappointment considering the expectations. Steel Battalion shouldn't count, it's an enthusiast's controller for a very niche game.

My picks would be *drumroll*

MS's original Xbox controller. Was Shaq in the focus group?

Nintendo's NES brick was one of the most painful controllers I've ever held. Absolutely no thought to ergonomic design went into it.

The Atari Jaguar controller was basically a friggin' calculator.

I'll give it up to Sony, the dual shock design is one I really like. Although they probably dodged a bullet with that awful looking boomerang.

[La Chance]

LOL at the steel battalion controller

[CaptainHowdy]

The original xbox controller or N64's for me

[truewittness]

imo the worst is:
1. atari jaguar
2. sega dreamcast
3. original xbox 1st controller
4. wii mote (when holding it side-ways)
5. ps3 sixaxis

Steel Battalion controller was an awesome controller for that game. and the N64 controller was good.

[thebudgetgamer]

stupid non centering joystick, and thats if it worked at all.
damn i hate the 5200 so much.

>:<

[Idid not murder him]

I whip my ass with the 360 controller after the showers...

[truewittness]

you "whip your butt" with a controller?!?!?!

[Philip J Fry]

Just wanted to let you know I am giving you bubbles because your avatar is my current desktop picture.

[jadenkorri]

I predicted before even opening the ps3 controller would be in the list.... how i was right, and the N64 controller wasn't that bad, thou compared to the ps1 original controller.. anyways where the hell is the xbox controller....oh wait wait...thats right, MS can't do no wrong, sry i forgot, everything they do is right and everything else fails...

[talltony]

No original xbox controller mention = BOT ARTICLE!

[Tarasque]

Not only was the list funny, but what was funnier was the whiney @ss sony fanboys. Boo f#$king Hoo, i am not coming back to this site. I am sure people would agree they are doing gamers a favor.

And on a side note sixaxis was.....well i felt like i could tear it up just using it.

[-MD-]

360 controller is probably the best controller I've ever used to be totally honest.

The only complaint I have is the D-pad but I pretty much never use it anyways.

[JL]

I never understood all the grief the sixaxis gets. Yes it's lighter, but that doesn't bother me at all. Still has weight to it and after a lil bit of use you get used to the lighter weight. Never once have either of my sixaxis controllers broke on me. To me it's just like the ultimate controller (dualshock) just lighter. Never had problem with the triggers or anything. For mine, Sony has always had great controllers.

[Mini Mario]

I cant believe they put the n64 controller on there.

"You need three freaking arms to use it! Nintendo actually purposefully designed it so that it could be held in multiple positions, not realizing that most gamers prefer to be able to reach all the buttons no matter what position the controller is held. The N64 controller holds the record as the goofiest designed controller ever."

Basically (if right handed) u use the buttons on the right. Your left hand is either on the analog stick or the numb par (one or the other). And your index figure sits on the button at the back. How do u need 3 arms>? The only time you change hands is when u use the d-pad (which was mainly for fighting games anyway).

Also the original 1st edition xbox controller (similar to the dreamcast controller) was much worse than the six axis. That thing was huge.

[callahan09]

This list is horribly wrong. Where is the Atari Jaguar controller? That thing was horrible. What about the original Xbox Controller F (the F stands for Fat)? That thing was an unwieldy mess, and should've been on here any day before the Dreamcast controller, the Sixaxis, OR the N64 pad. What was so horrible about the Steel Battalion controller? It was actually very well-built, sturdy, and each of those buttons had a use in the game. If you didn't want to feel like you were piloting a mech in the most realistic-feeling mech simulator of all time, then that's your tastes and dislike for the game itself, not the controller's fault.

[truewittness]

@ Philip J Fry
lol that's funny, bubble for you too.

@ talltony
it could be a pro-xbox artical, but some did like the xbox controller. i remember the ogre twins used it until the end of the xbox life in mlg.

i loved the n64 controller, i used it with goldeneye. IMO, the best is the 360's. the d pad though is garbage.

[DasBunker]

ive never had any problem with any controller ive ever used... thats what a skilled gamer is capable of.

[thebudgetgamer]

you must have never owned a 5200.

[Forrest Gump]

Hmm,flawed.

[Xof]

What, seriously? The sixaxis is one of the worst controllers?

And here I thought it was one of the best. Hell, the only thing it's missing is rumble. That's it.

I mean, there's a reason Sony's been able to use the same basic controller design FIVE TIMES IN A ROW. That's five times more than any other controller series, ya' know.

This kind of blatant fanboyism is just pathetic.

[Smacktard]

I'm surprised that the original XBOX HUEG controller isn't on that list. It definitely should replace either the N64 controller or perhaps the 6-axis. The only reason I'd take points away from the N64 controller was because the analog stick wore out REALLY quickly. Otherwise its design was kind of wonky, but you never needed both the D-pad and the analog stick, so it wasn't a big deal. And damn was it comfy.

I was never a fan of the Sony controller. It's too small for me and hurts my hands.

[Max Power]

was one terrible controller, the whole thing was very uncomfortable, down the to the button layout. I waited until there was a bundle with the smaller Japanese controllers, picked one up from Costco that came with Halo, two s controllers, and the dvd controller with attachment.

[Smacktard]

The smaller controllers were a huge upgrade. It was still kind of uncomfortable and clunky, but those weren't really a "bad" controller.

[ChampIDC]

My hands were big enough to use that old beast, so I never had a problem with it. It was comfortable...if you could even hold the darn thing right.

The S controllers were definitely a good fix. Their only downfall were the black and white buttons. The bumpers on the 360 controller are a great replacement for those.

[Smacktard]

The original Xbox's big black beast was just very uncomfortable to hold... and it was very heavy. It'd really tire out your wrist if you used it for too long.

[LinuxGuru]

I had a sneaking suspicion the sixaxis would be on the list, and there it freaking was.

So predictable, and so wrong. There is nothing wrong with the sixaxis besides the lack of rumble, and that wasn't their fault even...they went through litigation processes and eventually re released one with rumble.

[Fishy Fingers]

Pretty much was their fault, they tried to use Immersion tech with paying them royalties. Immersion where well within their rights to contest that.

[Sibs]

Not really... there's a whole messed up story about that...

Stupid money mongers...

[ian72]

Nothing wrong with sixaxis to me. Apart from no rumble, Its light, comfy, easy to use with push sensitive buttons. Even better with the extra add ons for R2 and L2.(can get the add ons from pc world £1.99 or game £2.99) In the UK.

[kewlkat007]

I have no other issues with it besides, if you have big hands, it sucks holding it for long periods of time and the analog locations.

[LinuxGuru]

I have no problems with the my PS3 controller at all (for any type of game). I am a pretty tall guy with big hands and the Sixaxis / DS3 feels great. Especially if you add a silicon glove to it. Very pleasing from a tactile sense.

Also, the xbox / 360 controller's triggers get squeaky and creaky after a lot of shooter playing. So every time you're pressing the trigger it's *squeak squeak! Creak creak*

[na2ru1]

Yup they do speak. There is also a larger dead zone with 360 analogue stick and no pressure sensitive buttons.

Personally, I believe hands to be symetrical. Not sure about 360 fanboys, but I do and that's why I prefer analogue placements on Sixaxis/DS3.

.

[Tarasque]

Actually the buttons are pressure sensitive on the 360, cause that was one of the big things for DOA. And i have had the exact same controller since launch and my buttons do not squeak.

[jmare]

The only time the PS3 controller sucks for shooters is when the L2 and R2 triggers are used instead of L1 and R1. That is the only time I have ever noticed how slippery the triggers are.

[PirateThom]

For me, R1 trigger for games is a lot more natural, it's where my trigger finger is.

[JL]

@na2....i SO much agree with that. i've played a friend's xbox on several occasions and i couldn't ever really get used to that controller. i've never been able to understand how people claim the xbox analogs are better than sony's. that whole asymmetrical thing going on with the xbox controller really throws me off and seems totally unnatural. i think sony's controller is perfect (even the sixaxis i like--i never really was all that attached to the rumble, didn't seem to really make it too incredibly much more enjoyable for me)

@pirate...agreed as well. R1 very much seems like the more natural selection for me for shooting as well. i mean it's right there in position with your trigger finger and how you would normally position to squeeze a trigger. i don't like having to reach to the back of the controller for either the xbox or the playstation controllers in order to shoot.

[BiggCMan]

wow seriously? the six axis? thats the most bullshit article ive ever read. i loved the n64 controller, and theres nothing wrong with the six axis. the original xbox controller should have definitely been on there instead, end of story.

[A LIVING LEGEND]

Gamecube,without a doubt for me.Its only saving grace was that it was accepted as an excuse for losing at Madden.
Always liked sony's controller,never at a loss with it.
The original X-box controller deserves some harsh criticism.Those odd black and white buttons,so strange yet so critical.
360 controller is decent enough just not a fan of its shape,numerous drops and slips.
Who can forget the N64? I had a bruised/mangled thumb from that horrid analog stick,kept playing though.=)

[eZJrg6ur]

Haha, honestly I'm a HUGE Sony fanboy. I have a freaking PS2 tattoo!

But I was massively disappointed with the Sixaxis. I know it wasn't Sony's fault that it didn't have rumble, but that doesn't change the fact. Rumble is a massive deal, imo -- especially if you're into racing games or shooters. Playing CoD4 on the PS3 is way less tactile and immersive compared to playing it on the 360.

Sony additionally gets dinged on the Sixaxis because of how horrible and arrogant their arguments were. "Oh rumble and motion can't work together" "Pfft, nobody wants rumble -- it's last gen technology. People want motion controls!"

But yeah, its a solid argument to say the Xbox 1 controller should be up there too. Damn that thing was a beast.

-Colin
Infinite Bits

[kewlkat007]

I think your too kewl for N4g..

[moparful99]

Your gripes with the sixaxis have no bearing on its quality.. This is the biggest problem with journalism, instead of maintaining a neutral view you justify the ranking of these controllers based on opinion... Sony's controller design is , arguably, the best designed controller in the history of our beloved medium. I cant help but think of the controller standards that sony's design has given us.. But your label as worst is only justified by lack of rumble due to legal litigation? Sixaxis motion control is actually very good if its implemented correctly.. Just look at warhawk very well done and a perfect example of how to use the motion control... Heavenly sword had a briliant segement where you guided an arrow along its flight path with the sixaxis and it was not only fun but very well done.. Just because developers dont spend the time to implement proper motion controls into their games is not a justifiable reason to fail sixaxis...

[Dead_Cell]

I even prefer it playing First Person Shooters.

[Cajun Chicken]

Still haven't picked up a Dual-Shock 3. Bloody expensive, I'll just stick with my two Sixaxis controllers for now.

[Blink_44]

According to the dissagrees you wont be staying with your two six-axis controllers.

[Major_Tom]

First generation Xbox, hands down worst crap ever.

[Fishy Fingers]

I was going to say the same, the original Xbox pad http://static.howstuffworks... was hideous.

[KingKionic]

The xbox controller after that was better.

[Shnazzyone]

Sure sixaxis was bad but #1?!?. How about the philips CD-i controller or the jaguar controller?!?! I agree with everyone... the original xbox monstrosity is absolutely lacking. It was the same size as the jaguar controller only with way less buttons. I think they just bought all the dreamcast controllers and used their internal parts but left out that "unique" memory card slot.

You gotta hate people who are under 16 who write these articles.

see my top 3 list below

[Shendow]

They didn't put NES controller? or Wii? wow I guess they just wanted to make something up to get alot of people to comment about it, as for the Xbox should be....well yes but I didn't mind it an Dreamcast??? come on that was a pretty nice set up an alot better then N64 (Even if I own one lol) but its just a site that likes to bs Sony an some little systems just to make it look like they aren't picking on Sony (They had a PSone pic!!! look at the people with the controllers)

[Minute Man 721]

Xbox and Atari 2600 controllers tops my list

[JOLLY1]

Hey minute, What is your avatar?

[rupi]

lmao! Sixaxis is the worst controller ever! lol, how did the virtual boy not get on there?

[Shnazzyone]

the virtual boy controller wasn't that bad... however the system itself was.. it was confortable for being weighed down by almost 8 AA batteries. Better then that weight being on my face. Still... virtual boy was awful. Controller fine... system... god awful.

[yog-sothot]

this article is just a "hidden" troll against Sony, they put crappy controlers and then the sixaxis so it looks like they are not stupid fanboys... The sixaxis should not have existed, it should have been the dualshock from the beginning, but you have so many horrible controlers much worse than it ! Look at the Colecovision goddammit

[JonnyBigBoss]

That news article is backward. I like the N64 controller and love the Dreamcast controller. The sixaxis is my favorite controller for overall gaming to date, despite the lack of rumble which is overrated anyways. The worst controllers were the original Xbox controller and the Atari Jaguar controller.

[Halo3 MLG Pro]

Wow why is everybody bashing on the first Generation Xbox controller? That was my favorite controller of all time. The Duke! No other controller had precise analog movements like the Duke. Not even the smaller controllers that replaced it.

[JOLLY1]

Their hands were fully grown yet. It really isn't their fault.

[TheBand1t]

You mean ths freak of nature?

http://www.rockerssoft.org/...

[na2ru1]

LOL!

So far, DS3 is top when it comes to accuracy with analogue. Has a far better mechanism that gives it that fluidity and no springy feeling and also a smaller dead zone.

A very important feat. when playing shooters and Gran Turismo.

[YogiBear]

because it was a horrible controller.

[PirateThom]

It was a terrible controller because it was too big, too heavy, the button placement was terrible.

[SantistaUSA]

They forgot the Atari Jaguar 64 controller!!! That controller sucks!!!

http://upload.wikimedia.org...

[xabmol]

I used to do my math homework with it. lol

[steck67]

I dont know about you guys but the Wii mote sucks imo.

[NegativeCreep427]

What the F*ck is this? "Bust Sony's Balls Until They Pop Like Little Grapes" week???

This article is nothing but total partialized Bullsh*t.

Next thing you know: The Top Console With The Least Amount of Great Games = The Playstation 2!!!

The Most Reliable Console in History = The Xbox 360.

No, this must be "Parallel Universe" Week!

[user3915800]

Wow, someone its not afraid to tell it like it is and I agree to his statement and then he forgot to announced the ugliest console ever made THe PS3, but wait also the pink dildo gets its announcement such as: Sonys draft of backlash fanboys cut kissing, leaking and hugging a pink dildo. And now its an outrage, because sony fanbase did not like such statement, but dont worry I will give you comfort, so just eat me lol..

Lets see what he said in your face:
Sixaxis: Poor Sony. Entangled in a lawsuit over force feedback, mocked over their initial 'boomerang' prototype, and taken by suprise at the amount of love the Wii-mote was getting went back to the drawing board and came up with the Sixaxis - the first controller since the PS1 that didn't have rumble. Using their classic controller design (which admitadly is an insane garbage), they simply ripped out the force feedback and added in their own motion controls to combat Nintendo. The problem is that rumble rocks and after 10 years of playing videogames with it, the lack of it was extremely noticeable in a negative way. And to make matters worse, the touted motion control tech kind of sucked and was laughable in the face of the Wiimote. Also, even though it had great battery life, it had no auto turn-off switch, which meant for many gamers that 30 hour battery lifespan equaled one day. Sony eventually made things better by settling their force feedback lawsuit and releasing the DualShock 3, as well as patching in an auto turn-off functionality, but not soon enough to keep the Sixaxis from being one of the biggest disappointments in controller history.

@ 1 The Top Console With The Least Amount of Great Games = The Playstation 2!!! No you right its not, its the PS3.

[NegativeCreep427]

"@ 1 The Top Console With The Least Amount of Great Games = The Playstation 2!!! No you right its not, its the PS3."

Oh Geee I never saw that coming!!!!

How do you Microsoft A$$-Riders stay so fresh???

The PS3 has no great games, huh? Well what is up with all your "MGS4 will make it to 360" fanboy forum crusades?

I mean after all, why would you want such a horrible game like MGS4 to be ported over to your console of choice?

I know why, because your full of sh*t, thats why!

[Omega Zues]

infinite-bits.com

Last time I ever go to that site.

[Thoreau]

sony has had and still has the best controllers. the 360 controller....well....everythi ng on it is yuck except for the analog sticks.

[MriownBOTH]

xbox mlg is going to have to disagree....you mean everything is perfect....except the d-pad....and only really need that for 1 v 1 fighters....but thats what the PlayStation is for

[air1]

its not just better in the a sticks but better for shooters and holds a longer charge. but you wouldnt know that its not like you REALLY own a 360, even though you wish you did :P

[ambientFLIER]

I'm just going to say this:

Thank god for the adapters that allow you to use xbox controllers on the ps3.

[-MD-]

Wait you can do that? 360 controller on PS3? GTFO

I need to buy this if it exists.

[chisox100]

how can I do that?

[BengaliGangsta]

haha the XBOX controller is worst than the N64's. Why the fcuk would you need 3 arms to play it? It was designed in such a way to prevent it from happening. I always preferred the N64's controller than the original PS controller. The PS controller should have defo been up there.

[MriownBOTH]

yeah the first xbox controller was ridiculously huge.....had the layout right ..just a tad to big.........but the next xbox controller was PERFECT!!!esp for halo

[DNAgent]

It's obviously a fanboy article and you can tell that the person who wrote it is having buyers remorse from buying the 360.

Thank god for the adapters that allow you to use ps3 controllers on the xbox 360 (though doing so would be pointless unless all you care about is chatting & netflix cause since the 360 doesn't have any games).

I can't wait to see their list of the best controllers where they add the xbox controllers despite them really being the worst controllers.

[Etseix]

lolololololololol

[robotnik]

Holy sh¡t, you need two persons to hold that thing.

[OhReginald]

That controller was so f*cking bad that they had to immediately replace it a coupe months after xbox's launch.

it even won "blunder of the year" in gameformer 2001 issue.

[dogmeat eater]

It was so fat. It made my hands get really sore after a while.

[dogmeat eater]

The gamecube controller should of been on here. That thing was another awkward controller to use. Nintendo really likes bad controllers for some reason.

[Etseix]

the list is good, but... is like if hes an xbox fanboy trying to get some points puting bad controllers in there, then adding the Dual Shock in last.. hes trying to make us think
*o hes right about all the others so.. hes right about this one too!!*
<-- evil society :O

[rezzah]

Have you guys notice the diff between the SA and the DS? I swear i play better when using the DS. Plus the DS does not break easier, and has a longer life than the SA.

[Ravage27]

I been playing with the DualShock series for about 10 years now, and regardless of what this monkey says, it is the most confortable controller design for me.

Before people start asking...yes i have tried the 360 controller before, and no, it is not as comfortable. Why some people prefer 360 analog placement is beyond me

[Javier19]

Sixaxis was a huge disapointment, it felt light and plasticy and no rumble was retarded, WHAT where sony thinking!?

As well as this, L2 and R2 sucked on the sixaxis and they still suck on the DS3, and because of this i have RealTriggers attached.

[chasegamez2]

SEND YOUR PSN ILL GIVE YOU A TOUR
HURRY UP GOING 2 MIAMI TONIGHT

[NDoerrFans]

It's his opinion. If you don't respect it, that's fine, but don't judge the quality of an entire site or a person's merit over a single opinion.

For all you know, Colin and I may have worked at www.ps3fanboy.com before starting up this site.

...Oh, wait. We did! =)

Colin's a great writer and this was supposed to be a light-hearted jab at some of the more awkward controllers we've encountered. He probably didn't cover the Jaguar's million button mess because... well... the console barely existed. He probably forgot about it.

That said, I disagree with his Sixaxis choice completely; while it was missing key features, it's still a great, ergonomic controller. I really wish he put the original Xbox controller on there - seriously, what was that giant plastic green X in the middle of the controller for, anyway?

[Nateh8sYou]

The steel battalion controller was epic awesomeness. Anyone who has actually played the game knows this

[kaveti6616]

This guy should have included the original Duke controller for the xbox. Thank God I never touched that thing. I got my xbox as a gift and it came with S controllers, but I noticed images of the Duke and I was like, "What the hell is that Piece of garbage?" The Sixaxis controller from Sony is not a problem. Some people probably don't give a crap about rumble, especially people who play JRPGs. It's not necessary. But nowadays, if you're going to buy a controller then the DS3 is the definitive version. I assume it's exactly the same except with rumble, and it should have an on/off feature.

[saimcheeda]

no way the sixaxis was one of the worst...the xbox contollers are much worse...holding them for some time will make your hands hurt!

[silvacrest]

how did the original xbox controller not get in the list?
i will admit the sixaxis should probably be there (its kinda flimsy)
but the 360 should also be there (the D pad might as well not be there)

im definatley gonna get a dualshock 3, atleast before GOW3 comes out

[ForROME]

I love the 360 controllers, and the PS1 controller was the bomb, but not to have the original xbox controller are you kidding me if you were 6'5 and size 32 shoe that was a pain in the a$$ controller, Im only size 30 shoe... haha