Top 10 Best Video Game Controllers of All Time
You know the feeling. You're a few minutes into a game and it just clicks. Not just the gameplay, but the way the controller fits in your hands, how the buttons respond, how natural it all feels. The best controllers don't just get the job done, they become an extension of you. You forget you're even holding one because it moves exactly how you think. That's the kind of magic this list is all about.From classic D-pads that helped you beat your first boss battle to analog sticks that made lining up the perfect headshot feel like second nature, controllers have come a long way. Some designs stuck around for years and barely changed because they nailed it the first time. Others tried something new, sometimes brilliant, sometimes baffling, but they all played their part in shaping how you interact with games.
Every controller here earned its spot by doing something right. Maybe it was comfort. Maybe it was innovation. Maybe it just made certain games feel better than they ever had before.
Released in 2001, the GameCube controller features a unique button layout and two analog sticks. It is compatible with the Nintendo GameCube and later supported on the Wii and Nintendo Switch for select titles. If there's at least anything completely undeniable about this little beast, it's that its controller is the king of kings. Also, in my opinion, it has the best analog stick on a controller of all time. I love how the buttons actually have shapes, so I can know what button I'm pressing. It's similar to how I know the buttons I press on a PlayStation controller. Shapes and symbols beat letters any day.
No game I ever played on this system gave me any problems. It beats the Xbox 360 controller because the D-Pad on the Xbox is awful. The only little gripe I have with the Gamecube controller is that the C analog stick is kinda tiny. 10/10. The Xbox 360 is right behind at like 9.8/10.
The DualShock 4 debuted in 2013 with the PlayStation 4 and includes a touchpad, light bar, and built-in speaker. It connects via Bluetooth and USB. I LOVE this controller! My only gripe is that the ergonomics aren't as good as the Xbox One or Nintendo Switch Pro controllers, but the standards are so high that I don't even care. Every button, including the face buttons, D-pad, control sticks, digital shoulder buttons, and analog triggers, is the perfect depth and a joy to press.
Even though it has a battery life of 4-8 hours, it's not a problem since you can just plug it into the console. (Also, you shouldn't be playing video games for more than 4 hours at a time, so you shouldn't have an issue.)
Launched in 2005, the Xbox 360 controller includes wireless connectivity and a guide button for Xbox Live access. It became widely used for both console and PC gaming. You can whine and be a hipster and say, "The SNES was the best controller ever," but with the 360 controller, you can't deny its all-around perfection. Now, I'm actually a 90% PC gamer, and for games where a controller suits best, such as Assassin's Creed, my trusty 360 controller is always there.
The controller, at least when intact, feels really tight to use. The analog sticks snap back firmly and quickly as soon as you release them, and they are easy to maneuver. The sticks are comfortable to place your thumbs on. The shape of the controller is really comfortable to hold in your hands with some nice curves that feel natural.
Also, the left analog is swapped with the D-Pad directional buttons, which, for most games, makes it easier to reach the analog stick without strain. However, fighting games are a little trickier. Although I've never known a fighting game to stop you from using the analog stick for movement as well. The triggers are really nice, spongy, and tight feeling, but I guess the only thing I could possibly nitpick is the shoulder buttons. Some people like a bouncy sort of feel to those buttons, but with the 360, it's just like a click, like a PC mouse. I personally find they feel crisper that way. Since the triggers are used more in games, that's usually fine with everyone.
I've got to say I'm going to miss the 360 now that it's out of date. The Xbox One was sadly such a failure. They even tried to improve the controller by modifying the 360 controller, I guess to make it more modern. It really didn't turn out well and feels VERY cheap. Will I be buying an Xbox One controller for my PC? No, thank you.
The Wii U GamePad, introduced in 2012, incorporates a 6.2-inch touchscreen display and traditional button controls. It supports asymmetric gameplay and serves as a secondary screen. To be honest, this is my favorite controller ever. It's WAY more comfortable than the Switch is in handheld mode. No offense to the Switch, as it's a fantastic console, but the GamePad simply has phenomenal ergonomics and is innovative with its touchscreen too. When I borrowed a console and GamePad from a friend and then got sick, I just lay on my couch and played Super Mario 3D World on the GamePad.
It gets a lot of hate for being bulky, but that's actually one of the controller's strengths. It's bulky yet really light, so it's quite satisfying to hold in your hands. 10/10.
Released in 1990, the Super Nintendo controller features a directional pad, four face buttons, and two shoulder buttons. It was bundled with the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Just nice and simple and classic. That's all I need!
This controller literally invented how modern controllers are built, with that 4-button layout and the shoulder buttons.
It looks like a dumb controller, but it is nice.
The Wii Remote launched in 2006 with motion sensing capabilities and a speaker. It communicates wirelessly with the Wii console using infrared and Bluetooth. By itself, it's a decent controller, but the Nunchuk really helps it shine. The motion controls are rock-solid, especially when they need to be. When you think about it, the Wii Remote and Nunchuk resemble the two rightmost prongs of a Nintendo 64. You have the joystick, the A and B buttons, the D-Pad on the right side above A and B, the + and - buttons that replace the start button, and the C and Z on the Nunchuk for shoulder buttons.
Wiimote: I love this controller. It has the best motion controls out there! Nintendo was so creative that in some games (e.g., Mario Kart Wii, Super Smash Bros.) you turn it sideways like it's an NES controller or something. Best controller ever!
Nunchuck: The reason why I like this one is because it gives you more buttons (Joystick, C, Z), so it makes Super Smash Bros easier to understand. Also, you NEED it for some games. I like it because you can actually hold all three buttons at once.
Classic Controller Pro: I haven't used it or even seen it in stores yet! So right now, I know nothing about it except that it makes it an actual controller. I think the one with the grips looks better. How about you?
The Xbox One controller, released in 2013, refined the Xbox 360 design with improved triggers and wireless connectivity. It is compatible with Xbox One, Series X/S, and PCs. Between this and the Switch Pro Controller, I'd say it has slightly better ergonomics due to the meaty build of its grips. My one real issue is that the face buttons are very shallow, and the directional pad and shoulder buttons are very clicky. Fortunately, the sticks are very good, and the analog triggers are decent.
The Xbox One controller, to me, is the definitive video game controller. Improving on the already great Xbox 360 controller, the Xbox One controller does everything you would want a controller to do. No gimmicks, just flawless functionality.
The Xbox One controller has the best layout of any controller. Everything is an ideal size for gamers of all ages. The triggers are some of the best I have ever come across and are perfect for both racing and FPS titles, as they just feel so natural to push.
The only downside I can find is the fact that it takes AA batteries as standard instead of having an internal rechargeable battery. However, battery packs are easy and cheap enough to buy.
The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller became available in 2017 as an optional accessory for the Switch. It includes HD rumble, motion controls, and USB-C charging. The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller took everything that was ever good about the Nintendo Gamecube Controller, perfected it, increased its build quality, and made ergonomics the number one attribute. It feels so nice in the hand, the gyroscope motion controls are absolutely perfect for games like Splatoon, and the buttons are sized just right. This is the best controller ever made.
This is by far the greatest controller. Perfect ergonomics, triggers, etc. No idea why the Gamecube controller is #1. I mean, sure, it's beautiful and has a good layout, but the buttons are as unresponsive as they can get. Half of the time, I don't know if I jumped in time.
Sony's Sixaxis and later DualShock 3 controllers for PlayStation 3 supported motion detection and Bluetooth. They introduced wireless play and pressure-sensitive buttons. This controller is perfect! Putting the joysticks on the bottom feels more comfortable for me, and the D-Pad being four close-together buttons is better. The triggers on the back respond great!
Dude. The joysticks also work as buttons. In Minecraft, you press the left joystick to change your view (I'm used to the third-person view) and press the right joystick to fly down or crouch.
They are all the same controllers, so it's a tie for the same spot.
Update: I take that back. This is the best DualShock controller to date.
The DualShock 2, released with the PlayStation 2 in 2000, features analog input on all buttons and dual vibration motors. It connects via a wired interface.
The Newcomers
Released in 2020, the DualSense controller features adaptive triggers, haptic feedback, and a built-in microphone. It connects via USB-C and supports wireless play.
The DualShock 2 controller, bundled with the PlayStation 2, includes pressure-sensitive buttons and dual analog sticks. It retains the form factor of the original DualShock.
The original PlayStation controller, launched in 1994, includes a directional pad and four face buttons without analog sticks. It was later followed by the Dual Analog and DualShock variants. The one that started it all with the white color. The controller was not too bad. Moving in a few games was quite weird, but it was a fine controller.
Released in 1996, the Nintendo 64 controller features an "M" shape with three prongs and an analog stick in the center. It introduced the Z-trigger and supported Rumble Pak accessories. I like this controller, except for the analog stick. But hey, it's really good for its time.
Look at the analog stick. The N64 made the DualShock exist.
I love it. So weird it totally works out.
Released in 1988 (Japan) and 1989 (North America), the Sega Genesis controller originally included three face buttons and a directional pad. A six-button version was introduced later for fighting games. This controller is very comfortable for my hands. The layout and number of buttons are really good for its time!
The Wii Classic Controller Pro connects to the Wii Remote and features dual analog sticks and a button layout similar to traditional gamepads. It was released in 2009 for use with Virtual Console and compatible titles. It's probably the best controller for 2D gaming, period.
So much better than the old classic controller. That one was like holding a bar of soap.
The Sega Dreamcast controller, launched in 1998, includes a single analog stick, a VMU slot for memory and display, and a trigger-based layout. It connects via a wired interface. The Dreamcast controller is my favorite.
Yeah, kind of weird at times, but yeah, good.
Released in 1983 (Japan) and 1985 (North America), the NES controller includes a rectangular shape with a directional pad, two action buttons, and Start/Select. It connects to the NES via a wired connection. I would place this in the top 10 easily over the Wii or XB1 controller.
Very good, could be a little less rough around the edges, though.
The NES Advantage is a joystick controller released in 1987 with turbo function buttons and a large arcade-style layout. It plugs into both controller ports for full functionality. This controller is great. The turbo buttons are useful. The 8-direction joystick replacing the D-pad is worth it. It's kind of large but still great. Perfect, Nintendo!
The Model 2 Sega Saturn controller, released in the mid-1990s, features a rounded ergonomic design with six face buttons and a D-pad. It replaced the bulkier Model 1 controller in later console bundles. Be sure to pick up the Japanese version of the controller because I've heard it's amazing.
This controller has everything you need, basically.
Released in 1977, the Atari 2600 joystick controller includes a single button and a digital stick. It uses a DE-9 connector and was compatible with several early systems. This thing is really good! The only downside I can think of is that sometimes if I need to use the trigger button and the joystick, my hands can get uncomfortable after a while.
The Wii U Pro Controller, introduced in 2012, offers dual analog sticks and a button layout similar to Xbox controllers. It connects wirelessly via Bluetooth. One of the most comfortable controllers I've ever used, and I love the button placement. Two sticks on top is outstanding, just like the GamePad, and the battery beats every controller on this list - 80 hours!
Best Nintendo controller ever and best controller ever. 80+ battery life, wireless. The only downgrade is the digital triggers.
The PC Engine controller, released in 1987 in Japan, includes a directional pad and two face buttons. It connects to the console using a proprietary port.
The Xbox Controller S was introduced in 2002 as a smaller, more ergonomic alternative to the original Xbox controller. It became the standard controller for Xbox consoles outside Japan. A big improvement over the Big Duke controller that was originally launched in 2001. A few years later, this controller handled much better compared to its predecessor.
The Model 1 Sega Saturn controller, launched in 1994, features a wider body and concave buttons. It was replaced by the Model 2 controller in later hardware revisions.
The Super Famicom controller, released in 1990 in Japan, includes four face buttons and two shoulder buttons. It uses a rounded design similar to its international Super Nintendo counterpart.