The Best Video Game Controllers of All-Time

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Controllers are the conduits that connect us to the virtual world of video games. When determining the best video game controllers of all time, it’s important to think about a few factors: the design, overall features and gimmicks, and of course, available color variations.

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It’s also important to consider what the controller did for innovation within the video game industry.

XBOX 360 CONTROLLER It’s safe to say the Xbox 360 controller will show up in all lists like this one, and for good reason. Everything about this controller, from its shape to the button controls layout, just makes sense. It’s a major step-up in design from the original Xbox controller.

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GAMECUBE CONTROLLER If I didn’t know anything about video games and saw the GameCube controller in a toddler toy aisle at the store, I probably wouldn’t bat an eye. I would never think it was one of the best video game controllers of all time.

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XBOX ADAPTIVE CONTROLLER The Xbox Adaptive Controller is one of the best video game controllers solely for how far it pushed accessibility in the medium. The majority of video game controllers are made with the assumption that the user can hold and press its buttons.

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SUPER NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM GAMEPAD One memorable feature of this controller is its concave X and Y buttons. This was the first Nintendo controller to give its buttons different characteristics to make gaming more approachable.

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WII U GAMEPAD One of the reasons the Wii U was a flop was because it relied too heavily on gimmicks. It’s all the gimmicks of the Wii U gamepad that make it one of the best video game controllers of all time, if not one of the most unique.

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SONY DUALSENSE CONTROLLER The DualSense is hands down the best video game controller that PlayStation has ever put out. For years, Xbox was taking them to the cleaners with their comfortable and colorful controllers.

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NBA 2K Is The Most Popular Sports Video Game In America

[{"selector":"#anim-59cadbc2-f077-4401-87b3-8e1691079900","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

The Best Video Game Controllers of All-Time

Controllers are the conduits that connect us to the virtual world of video games. When determining the best video game controllers of all time, it’s important to think about a few factors: the design, overall features and gimmicks, and of course, available color variations.

It’s also important to consider what the controller did for innovation within the video game industry.

XBOX 360 CONTROLLER It’s safe to say the Xbox 360 controller will show up in all lists like this one, and for good reason. Everything about this controller, from its shape to the button controls layout, just makes sense. It’s a major step-up in design from the original Xbox controller.

GAMECUBE CONTROLLER If I didn’t know anything about video games and saw the GameCube controller in a toddler toy aisle at the store, I probably wouldn’t bat an eye. I would never think it was one of the best video game controllers of all time.

XBOX ADAPTIVE CONTROLLER The Xbox Adaptive Controller is one of the best video game controllers solely for how far it pushed accessibility in the medium. The majority of video game controllers are made with the assumption that the user can hold and press its buttons.

SUPER NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM GAMEPAD One memorable feature of this controller is its concave X and Y buttons. This was the first Nintendo controller to give its buttons different characteristics to make gaming more approachable.

WII U GAMEPAD One of the reasons the Wii U was a flop was because it relied too heavily on gimmicks. It’s all the gimmicks of the Wii U gamepad that make it one of the best video game controllers of all time, if not one of the most unique.

SONY DUALSENSE CONTROLLER The DualSense is hands down the best video game controller that PlayStation has ever put out. For years, Xbox was taking them to the cleaners with their comfortable and colorful controllers.

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NBA 2K Is The Most Popular Sports Video Game In America

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