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The N64 controller did Nintendo no favors, particularly with games like Goldeneye. The original playstation controller didn't stand the test of time either, bu

The N64 controller did Nintendo no favors, particularly with games like Goldeneye. The original playstation controller didn't stand the test of time either, but once the analog sticks were added it became an instant classic.

trey-jones 5y ago
The controller was weird then and is even weirder in hindsight but as I recall: 1. This was the first console controller with any analog stick at all. 2. Goldeneye, though it controls differently to modern shooters, was an excellent use of the single stick at the time. You could also use dual sticks by using two controllers at once - groundbreaking! 3. The Z-button was the first trigger-style button on console controllers. 4. The rumble pack was one of (if not) the first force feedback options for console controllers. So obviously very many of the concepts in the N64 controller laid the groundwork for what became the standard controller design later, with dual triggers, dual sticks, and built-in force feedback. Personally I think the N64 controller was less weird than: 1. Gamecube controller 2. Wiimote 3. Dual Screen handheld with touchscreen and stylus 4. Probably whatever the Wii-U had.
- mwaitjmp 5y ago
  The wii u tablet controller is actually pretty comfortable to use.
- giobox 5y ago
  > Goldeneye, though it controls differently to modern shooters, was an excellent use of the single stick at the time. You could also use dual sticks by using two controllers at once - groundbreaking! Wait, what!!? Can you really play dual-stick Goldeneye on original N64 hardware this way? Edit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDQ_ri2ZbY4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDQ_ri2ZbY4 Amazing!
- kevin_thibedeau 5y ago
  > This was the first console controller with any analog stick at all. Atari 5200 beat them there.
- mrtranscendence 5y ago
  > Gamecube controller The Gamecube controller may have looked a bit funny, but it's at least recognizable by modern standards. I recall it being quite comfortable to use at the time. If you gave both it and the original N64 controller to a young person today who had no idea about Nintendo's history, I daresay she'd call the Gamecube controller the less weird of the two. Also, it wasn't Nintendo, but I'd call the Dreamcast controller a bit weird. Gigantic, weirdly shaped, a dinky LCD smack dab in the center ...
mrtranscendence 5y ago
I'll give them a pass on that one. In the era of the N64's design stage I don't think anyone knew what a good controller setup with (an) analog stick(s) would be like. Even the original Xbox came with an awful controller, though at least they got the layout right.

trey-jones 5y ago

The controller was weird then and is even weirder in hindsight but as I recall: 1. This was the first console controller with any analog stick at all. 2. Goldeneye, though it controls differently to modern shooters, was an excellent use of the single stick at the time. You could also use dual sticks by using two controllers at once - groundbreaking! 3. The Z-button was the first trigger-style button on console controllers. 4. The rumble pack was one of (if not) the first force feedback options for console controllers. So obviously very many of the concepts in the N64 controller laid the groundwork for what became the standard controller design later, with dual triggers, dual sticks, and built-in force feedback. Personally I think the N64 controller was less weird than: 1. Gamecube controller 2. Wiimote 3. Dual Screen handheld with touchscreen and stylus 4. Probably whatever the Wii-U had.

mwaitjmp 5y ago
The wii u tablet controller is actually pretty comfortable to use.
giobox 5y ago
> Goldeneye, though it controls differently to modern shooters, was an excellent use of the single stick at the time. You could also use dual sticks by using two controllers at once - groundbreaking! Wait, what!!? Can you really play dual-stick Goldeneye on original N64 hardware this way? Edit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDQ_ri2ZbY4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDQ_ri2ZbY4 Amazing!
kevin_thibedeau 5y ago
> This was the first console controller with any analog stick at all. Atari 5200 beat them there.
mrtranscendence 5y ago
> Gamecube controller The Gamecube controller may have looked a bit funny, but it's at least recognizable by modern standards. I recall it being quite comfortable to use at the time. If you gave both it and the original N64 controller to a young person today who had no idea about Nintendo's history, I daresay she'd call the Gamecube controller the less weird of the two. Also, it wasn't Nintendo, but I'd call the Dreamcast controller a bit weird. Gigantic, weirdly shaped, a dinky LCD smack dab in the center ...

mrtranscendence 5y ago

I'll give them a pass on that one. In the era of the N64's design stage I don't think anyone knew what a good controller setup with (an) analog stick(s) would be like. Even the original Xbox came with an awful controller, though at least they got the layout right.