Daily Debate: Which Video Game Controllers Make You Feel The Most Nostalgic?
Posted on August 01 2022 by Sean Gadus
Dating back to the early days of gaming, different controller designs have been an indispensable part of the console gaming experience. The number of buttons and the layout of those buttons helped define a console’s identity. Certain controllers, like the NES and SNES controllers, have become iconic enough that they grace merchandise and clothing. In discussions about their favorite consoles and game systems, people often cite controller design or comfortability as part of the reason why a console is superior or inferior to its counterparts.
With this in mind, which video game controllers make you feel the most nostalgic? There is a lot to consider when discussing video game controllers including the size of the controller, the general shape of the controller, button layout, as well as the color scheme or options. Additionally, a person might be very nostalgic for the controller they used when they first started playing video games, or the controller they spent the highest number of hours playing games with.
I will always feel the most nostalgic for the Nintendo 64 controller. The three pronged controller has a very distinct design compared to many other controllers of the same era. The controller also came in a variety of flashy colors including the iconic Atomic Purple and Jungle Green. The layout of the C buttons, L and R buttons, and Z button still feel extremely comfortable for my hands, and this button layout is still my preferred method of playing Ocarina of Time. Another controller I have a lot of nostalgia for is the Wavebird, which was the first wireless controller I ever used. My friend let me borrow his GameCube to play The Wind Waker, and the wireless controller felt very impressive and innovative. Despite its somewhat clunky size and its thirst for AA batteries, I spent hours sailing the Great Sea with the trusty Wavebird. Finally, the last video controller I am nostalgic for is the PlayStation 2 controller (Dualshock 2). I loved playing Shadow of the Colossus with this controller, and the PlayStation 2 remains one of my favorite consoles ever.
What do you think? Which video game controller or controllers do you feel the most nostalgia for? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Sean Gadus is a Senior Editor at Zelda Dungeon. His first Zelda game was Ocarina of Time, and he loves all of the 3D Zelda games from 1998-2011. The final battle of Tears of the Kingdom is one of his favorite final battles in the entire series. He wants to help build a kinder, more compassionate world. You can check out his other written work at The-Artifice.com.
