Game Controllers From Spacewar! to SNES

In The Beginning

Spacewar (1961) First game controller Replaced the keys provided by the computer Did not transition well into arcade games (Computer Space)

First game controller

Replaced the keys provided by the computer

Did not transition well into arcade games (Computer Space)

Magnavox Odyssey (1972) Two basic games, two controllers In the table tennis game two dials were used Light gun was used for some games

Two basic games, two controllers

In the table tennis game two dials were used

Light gun was used for some games

Pong (1975) Improved on the Magnavox Odyssey design Reflected simpler gameplay One dial to control each paddle

Improved on the Magnavox Odyssey design

Reflected simpler gameplay

One dial to control each paddle

Coleco Telstar (1976-78) Similar to Atari Pong configuration Ranger model included two detachable controllers and a plastic gun

Similar to Atari Pong configuration

Ranger model included two detachable controllers and a plastic gun

Coleco Telstar cont’d The Coleco Telstar Arcade featured three sides for three different types of gameplay

The Coleco Telstar Arcade featured three sides for three different types of gameplay

Fairchild Channel F (1976) Joystick, no base Could be used for a variety of interactions

Joystick, no base

Could be used for a variety of interactions

Atari 2600 (1977) Shipped with four controllers: two joysticks and two controllers for pong. Due to the success of the Atari 2600 the controller became a model for other gaming systems.

Shipped with four controllers: two joysticks and two controllers for pong.

Due to the success of the Atari 2600 the controller became a model for other gaming systems.

Magnavox Odyssey 2 (1978) Similar to Atari 2600 Keypad on the console itself

Similar to Atari 2600

Keypad on the console itself

The Dark Ages

Mattel Intellivision (1980) Similar to television remote Two buttons on each side Numeric keypad. Overlays for the keypad Control dial (16-directions)

Similar to television remote

Two buttons on each side

Numeric keypad. Overlays for the keypad

Control dial (16-directions)

Atari 5200 (1982) Joystick, keypad, start/pause/reset buttons Joystick was not self centering

Joystick, keypad, start/pause/reset buttons

Joystick was not self centering

Milton Bradley Vectrex (1982) Modeled after arcade controls First console with analog joystick

Modeled after arcade controls

First console with analog joystick

ColecoVision (1982) Joystick, Keypad. Console had many peripherals including a steering wheel.

Joystick, Keypad.

Console had many peripherals including a steering wheel.

The Renaissance

NES (Japan 1983, US 1985) Cross shaped control, patented by Nintendo. Design based on of the Game and Watch

Cross shaped control, patented by Nintendo.

Design based on of the Game and Watch

Sega Master System (1986) Borrowed from Nintendo, but with fewer buttons

Borrowed from Nintendo, but with fewer buttons

Atari 7800 (1986) Simpler design than the 5200 Ignored Nintendo controller design Notice the lack of a keypad Good job Atari!

Simpler design than the 5200

Ignored Nintendo controller design

Notice the lack of a keypad

Good job Atari!

SNES (1990-91) Two shoulder buttons Blueprint for most modern controllers

Two shoulder buttons

Blueprint for most modern controllers

~ Fin ~