Video game controllers, also known as gamepads, are handheld input accessories used to interact with video game consoles. Consisting of varied sets of buttons with specific functions and complexities suited for each generation of gaming, game controllers typically include a directional button (D-Pad) for the left thumb, buttons for the right thumb, shoulder buttons (bumpers or triggers) for additional fingers, and assistive ‘Start’, ‘Select’, and ‘Home’ buttons at the center of the input.
Since the introduction of early video gaming joysticks and paddles, video game controllers have evolved over time with new features such as additional buttons, additional analog thumbsticks, wireless capabilities, and three-dimensional sensors and accelerometers for an increased level of interaction—as seen in the Wii Remote.
Video game controllers started as simple knobs or paddles, like those for Pong. They evolved into joysticks with a button or two in the early arcade and home console days. Nintendo's NES introduced the iconic D-pad and more buttons, setting a standard. As games grew more complex, controllers did too, adding more buttons, triggers, and eventually analog sticks for 3D movement. Sony's PlayStation controllers introduced vibration feedback. The 2000s saw innovations like motion control with Nintendo's Wii Remote and touchpads on Sony's PlayStation controllers. Over time, they transformed from basic input devices to sophisticated, ergonomic tools enhancing gaming immersion.
In the future, video game controllers might embrace even more immersive technologies. Haptic feedback could evolve, simulating textures and resistance, making virtual environments feel real. We might see controllers with adaptive triggers and buttons that change shape or tension based on in-game actions. Gesture and voice controls could become more refined, allowing for hands-free gaming.
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies will likely integrate more seamlessly, with controllers becoming extensions of our own hands in virtual spaces. As gaming becomes a larger part of social interaction, controllers may also become more personalized, reflecting individual tastes and styles in their design and functionality.
The first appearance of video game control can be traced to the switches and toggles used in the 1962 game ‘Spacewar!’, which would lead to the development of arcade machines with similar button-based controls. The first home-based video game controller were the pair of dial controllers included with the 1972 Magnavox Odyssey.
While not all video game controllers are cross compatible with out-of-box use on the PC, more modern controllers, those with Bluetooth and wireless connectivity, can be paired to the PC device by accessing your operating systems ‘System Preferences’ and ‘Bluetooth Accessories’ and selecting the discovered controller to be paired.
Though there isn’t a ‘best’ controller, many gamers have preferences for their favorite gaming controllers. Sony’s most recent DualShock 4 is often considered to be the most comfortable video game controller to hold, while Microsoft’s Xbox One Elite controller may be preferred for their responsive triggers and joysticks. Other gaming controllers have famously helped change the industry by adding innovations like the freedom of the Wii Remote, joystick of the N64 Controller, and feedback of the original Dualshock Controller.
