The Top 10 Worst Controllers of All Time

Being an avid console collector, I’ve gotten the chance to play with a lot of controllers over the years. Most of them are serviceable, a few are amazing, and then…well, there are those that would be more useful as a paperweight. There are more of these sub-par controllers out there than you might think. Most companies followed the mold of the times with perhaps their own twist here or there, but others, in an attempt to be innovative or groundbreaking, missed the mark completely and gave us controllers that are almost too awful to play with. Bad design, poor quality, or sometimes both, the following controllers could make otherwise enjoyable video games a nightmarish ordeal to experience.

Note that the following controllers are pulled from my own personal experience. Although I’ve encountered 3 times as many controllers as most gamers will ever have the displeasure of holding for themselves, I don’t pretend to have played with every single controller ever invented. This list does not attempt to cover the multitude of specialty controllers manufactured over the years or those produced by third party companies. Only original and/or widely considered “standard” controllers are included.

In some cases I seem to be in abundant company when it comes for my dislike, yet in others my picks aren’t so universally disparaged. Ranging from the rarely seen to those that all of us have used at some time or another, here are my Top 10 Worst Controllers of All Time.

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Written by The Cubist

Number 10 >>

Written by The Cubist

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I collect as much video gaming paraphernalia as I can get my hands on, especially when it comes to hardware. With over 40 systems including oldies like the ColecoVision and Intellivision, obscurities like the CD-i and 3DO, and the latest and greatest including the Wii U, PS4, Xbox One, 3DS, and PS Vita, I get easily overwhelmed. Most of the time you can find me firmly nestled sometime between 1985 and 1995 when it comes to my games of choice, but I’m also having a great time seeing what the 8th generation has to offer.

Currently in love with: Mortal Kombat

Email me anytime, about anything: thecubist@butthole.nerdbacon.com