The N64 Controller's Tri-Handle Layout Revisited From a Modern Perspective

[S.Peelman]

thismeintiel said:

Nah, it was one of the worst controller designs ever. Not in comfort, as it was definitely comfortable to hold. But, for actual gaming, it was pathetic. Games had to limit what you could do, because you couldn't reach all of the buttons without switching grip, which is the first sign something has gone wrong. I mean not being able to strafe with L and R, while using the analog and Z buttons, and having quick access to the Dpad to switch weapons, was poor design.

There's a reason Nintendo, and pretty much everyone, switched over to a design more like the Dual Shock.  Which is why I think it's funny when people complain about the DS.  Usually using the poor excuse of symmetrical analog sticks.  Sorry to break it to you, but your hands are symmetrical, as well.  There is no dominant or secondary position on a controller.  Especially on something like the DS, where if you relax your hands and grip it, your thumbs usually rest in between the Dpad/Left analog stick and face buttons/Right analog stick.

My hands being symmetrical is exactly why you’d want a controller to be assymmetrical. I want my left thumb on a movement stick and my right thumb on action buttons when having my hands in their most neutral and natural positions because I’m mostly going to need those button types simultaneously. Now, on a Dual Shock, I am holding my thumbs in an asymetrical way because my left thumb is down while my right is up. And that’s even ignoring the fact that holding my left thumb down all the time, because I mostly don’t need to move it away from the movement stick, is unnatural. Hold your hand in a resting position; your thumb points up. Even having both sticks in the upper position, while still bad, would’ve been better.