by staff - 05.29.05

Found this interesting family tree for video game controllers. Awsome work here, as you can see Nintendo is one of the main innovators in the biz, almost all of the controllers on the tree stem off from a Nintendo creation. It even has page of info for each controller so you can find out more about them. Check it out Here.











I just went onto this and it really is good and on the whole, well researched. That NES/PS2 controller is amazingly nice, and just so… simple. If contorllers could be like that more often…. *dreams of heaven*
zooba - 05.29.05 3:53 pm
I am glad someone made this, I have always noticed this but no one seems to say so. I have always hated how PS always has the same lame-ass controllers.
Nintendo is always the risk taker.
Courtney - 05.29.05 4:05 pm
He lists the NES Max, but not the Advantage? What’s up with that?
Chuck - 05.29.05 4:50 pm
Haha, I didn’t notice that the Dreamcast’s controller was so alike to the XBox before! A fantasic chart, although the “branches” are in theory, rather than fact.
Dejital - 05.29.05 4:56 pm
X-box likes to copy a little too much…
luigi7667 - 05.29.05 5:48 pm
I love it but the list is missing the rather odd controllers for the Atari 5200+. I would put it inbetween the 2600 controller and the Colecovision controller. It had a joystick and a funky number pad. Several games had control “overlays” for the number pad. Ahh… It sure does bring back memories of my otherwise wasted childhood! Bring on the Moon Patrol!
Philosopher - 05.29.05 7:56 pm
I have the PS2 Retrocon. It is pretty nice, except the vibration is REALLY loud and annoying [which you can turn off] and intense. The shoulder buttons are a little cramped, but I kinda like them, anyway. And the analog sticks are skinny and they click when you turn them around, and it feels annoying when playing Katamari Damacy. But it is still a nice little controller that is really pretty when it lights up. And yes, everyone seems to copy Nintendo. I didn’t know they started the analog sticks.
Kammo - 05.29.05 8:27 pm
ah, that’s some great stuff. It definately needs the NES Advantage, Power Glove, Power Pad, and zapper, and the Atari paddles. There’s some other 3rd party stuff that deserves to be on there I think, but still very nice to see. The connections can’t be easily proven, but I think many of them are dead on, particularly the SNES->PS2 and DC->XBOX branches. It’s undeniable fact that the cross-pad idea was copied from the G&W.
Sir Kero - 05.29.05 10:16 pm
actually.. the power pad, power glove, and zapper wouldn’t really tie to anything on the tree.
oh well
Sir Kero - 05.29.05 10:28 pm
The First Ganecube Prototype is odd, just not used to seeing a controller with out the D-Pad I guess.
I was kind of wondering where the other’s were as well. You Jbiw the 5200, the Jaguar, the Magnovox Odessy etc etc
flamecondor - 05.29.05 10:31 pm
It really needs the Famicom controller, and any other Japanese versions if they are different. The Famicom controller specifically since it had a mic in it and that ties into the DS and possibly Rev’s features.
J - 05.29.05 11:06 pm
All 1st party controllers (except The MadCatz Retrocon Controller), but a cool look at the past.
Did anyone ever use the NES Max? I know my NES Max has only been used a handful of times, and I’ve had it since the late 80’s/early 90’s/
SithLord - 05.30.05 9:01 am
A friend of mine had the NES Max and I hated that damn thing.
Chuck - 05.30.05 12:27 pm
They need to have the Jaguar controller somewhere between Coleco and Saturn…
Goob - 05.30.05 6:26 pm
I loved the Nes MAX. Totally rocked for playing ikari warriors.
EB - 05.31.05 11:24 am
He seems to have updated it with more branches and controllers etc.
zooba - 06.01.05 5:26 pm
that ps3 bomarang got nothin on the revos nunchucks
bidunkadunk - 09.20.05 8:36 pm
that ps3 boomerang is indicitive of Sony’s commitment to gaming. “Oh, so, people still buy it, so let’s just make it the same, but lets make it look ‘funky’! Yeah, that’s ‘cool’, isn’t it? Funky is the new cool, do kids say cool still? Oh man, I need more crack”
666 - 09.21.05 5:15 am