Very bad game controllers

Usual game controllers have not changed much since the mid 80s of the 20th century. Analog sticks and triggers on gamepads appeared in the mid-1990s, when the popularity of 3D games increased and there was a sharp need to adapt management, but overall the appearance of the controllers of popular gaming systems did not undergo significant changes, so even a modern child of five years knows, that the controller from the "Dandy" is from the video game, is not lost and starts to poke the buttons with enthusiasm, watching what is happening on the screen.

But among the controllers there were exceptions. Many manufacturers of gaming systems sought to make their product unique, unlike the rest of the device. In pursuit of futurism, unusual opportunities and in an effort to do something out of the ordinary, they are sometimes too carried away.

Sometimes developers really managed to do something interesting and necessary. For example, a controller mat for a series of dance simulators Dance Dance Revolution or a gamepad guitar for Guitar Hero - with these devices it really became more interesting and easier to play, and the features provided by the controller raised the involvement in the game process to a whole new level, providing games with excellent sales and cult status, but today it will not be about them. Let's look at how you do not need to make game controllers!

Atari Mindlink

The controller Atari Mindlink never went on sale, but when it was in development, the creators claimed that this device will control the game process by the power of thought. In fact, Mindlink used instead of the usual button presses the movement of the facial muscles, which, according to the creators, were supposed to provide players with a new and interesting gaming experience. For this innovative controller even made as many as six working prototypes of games that were presented to the public at the Consumer Electronics Show. Unfortunately, those who were lucky enough to try the device on themselves, instead of bright gaming impressions, they got only fatigue and a headache. Regretting the time spent, gamers one by one left the Atari demonstration stand, and Mindlink himself soon after left the bowels of research laboratories and went to the dustbin of history.

Fragmaster

When two devices work fine by themselves, there is a great temptation to make a revolution by combining these two devices into one. In our case, the developers decided to combine a keyboard and a mouse in one device. No, it's not about a keyboard with a touchpad or a trackball, it's much worse. Fragmaster, which can be seen above, it was necessary to move around in a circle instead of, for example, quietly aiming the mouse. To shoot, jump, accelerate and do many other things was suggested using buttons located on the controller. Conveniently? Considering the speed and convenience of aiming with a conventional mouse or stick of a simple gamepad, any sane gamer would not agree to buy a Fragmaster for any gimmicks. However, if this product of ThrustMaster company impressed you, you can try to search on Amazon, for example - they are still sold at a relatively small price.

Controller-chainsaw Resident Evil for Nintendo GameCube

This controller was released for the game in Resident Evil 4. And while many people like it, has experienced not one HD-reissue, having pleased the fans of the series on different platforms, the game-chain saw itself became a real ergonomic nightmare for the players. The two handles for which the chain saw must be kept are too far apart, and the buttons are very uncomfortable, they simply will not be able to be pressed normally. However, the controller will perfectly fit into the interior and will be an ornament of the collection of any fan of Nintendo and Resident Evil.

Tony Hawk Ride Skateboard

Professional skateboarder Tony Hawk from the first days took the most active part in the development of the game series Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, so the controller-skate for the next game he personally introduced the fans to the scene. Released at the height of the popularity of the Nintendo Wii, the skate was, it seemed, created in order to give new sensations to the players. But, as it turned out, advertising is the only place where people managed to ride it comfortably. In fact, the board turned out to be quite a difficult and unreliable toy, literally forcing the player to master all the subtleties of the crooked control instead of just plunging into the world of virtual skateboarding.

Steel Battalion Control Panel

The skate controller caused a flurry of criticism from fans in response to what was not very convenient. But this is all the flowers in comparison with the control panel of the tank from Steel Battalion for the original XBOX! Yes, this controller is made for one player and probably would have liked the fans of tank simulators for its realism, but if you compare it to a conventional controller from XBOX, it becomes clear that everything is not so unambiguous. The three-panel giant came complete with pedals and, judging by everything, not too pleased the fans. I wonder what fans of World of Tanks will say about him?

Guitar Hero Grip

A popular series of games about rock musicians appeared on different platforms, it did not bypass the portable game system Nintendo DS Lite. To connect to a pocket toy the high-grade guitar nobody decided, therefore for it the special controller which was fastened to the console in a socket for cartridges from Game Boy Advance has been developed. To start playing metal and wildly chopping, all you had to do was insert the cartridge into the console, the controller into the connector, pass one hand through the special strap, and holding the console in the manner of the opened book, with the other hand, press the special strings-mediator . It's still fun. The gameplay inevitably brought the players into despondency, bordering on depression. It is a pity that the game for the DS did not release the add-on Post rock Hero - it would surely have gone well, the controller perfectly created the right atmosphere.

Power Glove

Perhaps, it is one of the most famous peripheral devices that did not find popularity and failed miserably. The Power Glow glove was designed to be played with movements. The device is equipped with two transmitters, sending signals to three other sensors installed in the glove's area of ​​action. Communication between them was extremely unstable, and all the subtleties of the movement of the hand, she did not transmit, constantly giving breakdowns and disfiguring the gameplay. Even worse was the game: all the two games, "Super Glove Ball" and "Bad Street Brawler", created for this glove, were sold separately. The purchase of such a trumpet set flew a pretty penny, and the pleasure delivered a dubious one.

The article is based on materials https://hi-news.ru/consoles/ochen-ploxie-igrovye-kontrollery.html.