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ControllerTimeline

Page history last edited by Blake 3 yrs ago

History of Controllers

1977: Atari 2600 AtariInfo

 

- Single button

- joystick

- initial start/pause/select button

 

1982: Nintendo Game and Watch NintendoGameInfo

- introduction of portability

- dual screen

- cross-shaped control pad

 

1984: Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) NintendoInfo

- multiple buttons

- start of two hand thumb control

- light gun

 

1986: Sega Master System (SMS) SegaInfo

 

1989: Sega Genesis SegaGenesisInfo

 

1990: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) SuperNintendoInfo

- shoulder buttons

- multitap (for additional players)

 

1995: Sony Playstation (PSX) SonyPlaystationInfo

- dual joysticks

 

1995: Sega Saturn - 3D Control Pad SaturnInfo

- analog buttons are introduced allowing sensitivity to touch

- analog triggers

 

1996: Nintendo 64 (N64) SixtyFourInfo

- combination D-pad and joystick

- expansion bay for a memory card AND rumble pack

 

1999: Sega Dreamcast (DC) DreamCastInfo

- VMU (LED screen and separate functionality)

 

2000: Sony Playstation 2 (PS2) SonyPlaystationTwoInfo

- DDR pad

- Samba de Amiga (includes maracas for playing - present version would be Donky Konga's bongos)

 

2001: Nintendo Gamecube GamecubeInfo

 

- Double-function Triggers (Trigger w/ click)

 

2001: Microsoft XBOX XboxInfo

 

- Steel Battalion (game specific, 40 button controller for controlling mech)

 

2005: Microsoft XBOX 360 Xbox360Info

- Online interaction button

- Multi-purpose LED

 

2006: Sony Playstation 3 Ps3Info

 

- Boomerang shape for true ergonomic design

 

2006: Nintendo Revolution RevolutionInfo

 

- Gyroscopic Free-Motion Play

- Distance Sensor

- Other innovations rumored to exist...

 

 

ImportantControllers - a quasi-timeline of important controllers and their contributions to gaming,

 

some of which are not included above.

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