What's your favourite retro controller?

The only controllers not included in this poll/discussion are the current three (PS2/XB/GCN) and the Dreamcast controller.

Out of all those, I would have to say the SNES wins. Honourable mentions to the small Saturn controller and the N64 controller.

I vote for the original PSX controller... very un-retro of me, I know, but honestly, most of the controllers I used before then were just dodgy. Even the digital Playstation controller is vastly inferior when compared to today's analog equipped pads. So, no nostalgia from me, I like where we're at today.

Possibly inspired by my recent N64 binge - I voted for the N64 controller. I honestly can't remember a controller that received as much attention as the 64's. Sure it came out after the PSX's (the first real ergo attempt), but it was a far better controller in my opinion than the original PSX digital - the later revised Analogue had far nicer sticks.

The first time I picked up the N64 controller I fell in love - it was so damn comfortable!

SNES, very nice setup, easy to use, and enough buttons for all the games at the time :)

I voted other- The sega saturn 3D controller. It looks like its the worst designed controller in the world but it feels so natural and the control stick is near godly to use. The snes control and n64 controls were great, and I loved the master system's d-pad. Sony's was comfortable and did the job well. The original large saturn controller wasnt too good, and I havent used a smaller one yet. The megadrive controllers werent bad but nothing remarkable either.

I chose the Snes controller, I just loved it the most, and it was very good for playing the games I did manage to play, during the time I had my Snes.
The original PSX controller and also the N64 controller are brilliant too. :)

SNES controller did it for me. :D

Top thread. I can't go past the Snes. :)

Ack! This one is a no brainer for me. The NES controller all the way! :D

C'mon guys, it was so cool! The awkward, pointy corners, only two buttons and that sexy rectangular design. It was everything I could have asked for in a controller. Takes me back to the Double Dragon days. Damn I miss them. :(

I thought the original Playstation controller was good, and it's also what influenced a lot of the current generation of controllers. The N64 was also quite comfortable, and I thought it stood out well in the pack.

The NES controller truly was a triumph in the use of the hardest possible plastic, overuse of right-angles and spectacular grey colour scheme. Most pads use upwards of six buttons nowadays. What's all that about? Two fully funcional gameplay buttons with the ironic Start and the rather mystifying Select sub-buttons. Orthopedic surgeons made a mint off this sucker in the 80s. Classic.

I voted for the PSX controller. The thing sits in your hands perfectly, the shoulder buttons are perfectly placed and NOT ANALOGUE. What's the deal with the analogue triggers these days? I find the pressure sensitive buttons of the Dual Shock 2 far more usable and just as sensitive, if not more so (GT3 players will agree with me there). The only reason I didn't vote for it as opposed to the original PSX control is the size. I love being able to hold a controller and hit every button without shifting your grip. You could still do it with the Dual Shock/2, but it felt more natural on the original PSX.

N64 wins, closly followed by the SNES.

IMHO the Duel Shock is one of the worse controllers out there, your thumbs aren't supposed to sit in that position, and thus it makes playing FPS and Platformers rather uncomortable. Whereas with the GCN and Xbox controllers, your thumbs sits in a comfortable position.(and to a lesser extent, the N64, DC controllers)

Curses! I knew one important controller was missing from the poll. >_<

I voted for Sega Saturn, I loved that controller when I had one. In retrospect I should have voted for the N64. Back in the day I loved the trigger.

I voted other, and my vote went to the Saturn 3D controller. Absolutely spectacular...never been easier to put the actions through a controller I say. Not to mention it was coupled with NiGHTS

I voted snes, nothing beats it. The controller has the right amount of buttons and the perfect layout. I'm bias towards it cause my hand has now been moulded into its shape, but what can ya do :P

If snes wasn't included I'd go with Atari Joystick/pad hehe, the amout of joysicks I went through was amazing, you see.. I thought that if I push the joystick hard enough I would move faster... but also lead to damage.. Also the joypad was so cool, you had the option of using it like a D-Pad or screwing in the little joystick for a 100x coolness factor 8)

I voted for the N64 controller. Although the D-Pad was pretty much not used at all, it was still a great controller.

I used to have a pad for my Mega Drive that had that feature. Was great for Altered Beast, and even better for Hellfire. 'Course I was never very good at the latter, as it was an import cartridge and my Japanese wasn't the best at the time. :P

SNES, this controller will never be beaten!!! :ph43r:

It sounds like you're talking about the Atari 7800 joypad:



It was released for the Atari 7800, but for some reason a lot them found themselves packed into Atari 2600 Jr's (the most common Atari in Australia).

An Atari 2600 Jr.

Yep the 2600, there she is in all her glory :D
Though I can't remember if I got the joypads with the unit or if they came later.

Snes, by far the best one. Although, the 64 was comfortable, it was big and clunky, it cannot compare to the snes!

Super EN-E-ES ;)

I think the button layout is great, even though for today's games there aren't that many. Close 2nd is the PSX controller.
I find the N64 controller to be somewhat unconfortable by today's standards, even though I loved it during it's prime days.

I voted Snes i love that controller not to simple not to complex.
It looks like its wining 2 and i thought i was the only one.

Not sure about the best, but my most hated would have to be the Apple IIe joystick. A loose toothpick. Try playing Karateka with that people :)

I voted N64 controller, simply because of its intuitive design.

If Nintendo knows 1 thing, it's innovation, especially with its controllers.

The N64 controller sparked the use of Analogue sticks, rumble packs and an unusual design suited for great comfort.

Worthy mention has to go to the Analogue Dual Shock PS controller for it's quality in being average. This is one controller that practically anyone can pick up and use, no fuss. Good stuff Sony.

The SNES pad is the ultimate controller. It cannot and will not ever be beaten. It is the perfect size, shape, has the best button layout and good sized buttons too. I so want one for my Gamecube but the new Hori Digital Pads have the crappy Gamecube button layout.

Ah, there it is. And to think that that thing ran games with only a few KB's...

For the record, I feel betrayed no one shares the retro love and passion for the original NES controller that I do. That thing was hella cool guys, and you know it. :P

Agreed, dude. Even in its un-ergo form, it's still the most user-friendly controller... It served/s me well.

It made pausing a lot easier, too: The Sega Master System Pause button was laughable.

N64 control is a legendary controller

Mmm, blisters. I voted for the original NES pad! Its cool cos Captain Nintendo had one of those plus the ultra cool Zapper! :)

Yeah! Viva the original NES controller revolution! All we really need is two buttons. :P

snes had the best controller design with the L and R.

I went for the N64 controller. The only negative point, in my view, is that it feels slightly too narrow when you grip it (but I only realised this after holding a GCN controller).
Personally, I hate the PlayStation controllers. I don't know whether it's just because I have large hands, but I find I get hand-cramp very easily, and I have to spend the whole time looking to see which button I'm pressing ('Press X, press X!' 'I'm pressing X, damnit!' 'No, you're pressing circle! Quick, hit X or you'll die!' '.....Shit.'). Also, where you grip sticks out at a weird angle.
My honourable mention went to the SNES controller, not just for it's comfortability, etc, but because you could perform many actions in a game with only a few buttons.

I think, at the time, the N64 controller was great, but my vote went for the 6 button megadrive controller. Problem with the N64 was that, now that i use it, i realise just how crappy it is. But, now when i use the megadrive, i still feel comfortable and don't feel like i'm using a dodgy piece of kit.

So, my vote went for the Megadrive. I was tempted to go for the SNES, but i feel that the shape of it wasn't easy enough to hold. The Megadrive was basically the same, just with a more snug fit, really easy to use. Fond memories of playing Jurassic Park with that one.

The best retro controller in my opinion is the humble arcade joystick. It's a stick... with a few buttons near it. :P
Honestly it hasn't been surpassed for fighters really...

Other than that, I'm going to vote for the SNES controller. Simple and ellegant. :thumbsup: