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Before PS1, designers didn't know about ergonomics

submitted by Conspirologist to gaming 5 monthsNov 26, 2024 09:54:35 ago (+4/-3)     (gaming)

Have you noticed that all controllers before PS1 were junk? Only the PS1 managed to have a controller designed to be ergonomic. After PS1, all other controllers switched to ergonomic design too.

This makes me think that most designers are idiots.


27 comments block

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[ - ] RabbiKinderschtupper 5 points 5 monthsNov 26, 2024 10:30:25 ago (+5/-0)

I grew up with an Atari 800 and a Colecovision. I was basically forged in the fires of Mount Doom.

[ - ] Wahaha 4 points 5 monthsNov 26, 2024 10:15:49 ago (+5/-1)

PSX just has a glorified SNES controller. They added two sticks to it after the N64 controller came out.

First ergonomic 1st party controller came with the GameCube.

The PSX controller looks a lot like the PS2, PS3 and PS4 controller, but it feels completely different. If you had ever touched one you'd knew it wasn't ergonomic in any way. Even the N64 controller felt better.

[ - ] oyy_veyy_goyy 1 point 5 monthsNov 26, 2024 10:46:07 ago (+1/-0)

Just a slight correction: the PSX controller looks a lot like the PS2 and PS3 controller. The PS4 controller was the first real ergonomic re-design, and it was a real improvement IMO. The first 3 generation of controllers felt like they were designed for toddlers, even to someone like me who has small hands, while the PS4 controller (the DualShock) felt pretty good to use. I haven't used the PS5 controller (the DualSense) so I can't comment, but from what I hear the rumble features are next level.

[ - ] Wahaha 1 point 5 monthsNov 26, 2024 12:09:03 ago (+1/-0)

Indeed, the first (and last) comfortable Playstation controller is the PS4 one. I had the misfortune to try a PS5 controller in an electronics shop. Big mistake. Just holding it gave me instant enormous pain in both hands. I didn't get to try any buttons before releasing my grip. There are apparently many stories on the web of people who actually destroyed their hands using the damn thing, since it's the only compatible controller for the PS5.

[ - ] oyy_veyy_goyy 0 points 5 monthsNov 26, 2024 15:22:22 ago (+0/-0)

That's a shame, I really wanted to get one at some point to try out the advanced haptics.

[ - ] DivineLight2 3 points 5 monthsNov 26, 2024 11:42:08 ago (+3/-0)

I liked the mega drive and N64 gamepads. I liked that we got a 3d stick with the N64, something ps1 copied and implemented well with the dual shock.

The GameCube for me was a near perfect controller and Microsoft made subtle improvements on when they copied the design for the 360.

[ - ] Wahaha 1 point 5 monthsNov 26, 2024 12:12:58 ago (+1/-0)

I really like the button layout that the GameCube had and that for some reason no one copied. A center button with three others orbiting it feels so natural. Only downside was the D-Pad, which sucked. So it's unusable for 2D games.

[ - ] Conspirologist [op] -2 points 5 monthsNov 26, 2024 13:03:12 ago (+1/-3)

N64 and Dreamcast controllers were junk. You don't understand what ergonomics mean.

[ - ] fritz_maurentod 2 points 5 monthsNov 26, 2024 10:08:17 ago (+2/-0)

What about Sega?

[ - ] Conspirologist [op] -1 points 5 monthsNov 26, 2024 10:52:33 ago (+1/-2)

Sega was never ergonomic. The controls were made random.

[ - ] Dingo 2 points 5 monthsNov 26, 2024 11:33:03 ago (+2/-0)

The NES system had what might as well have been a block of wood with buttons on it.

[ - ] RobertJHarsh 2 points 5 monthsNov 26, 2024 12:53:21 ago (+2/-0)

But it worked.

[ - ] MuricaPersonified 2 points 5 monthsNov 26, 2024 13:48:12 ago (+2/-0)

The fuck is wrong with you? The SNES controller was kino. The Genesis one wasn't half bad either. The PS1 controlle was uncomfortable but we got used to it. It wasn't until the Dualshock revision where it became acceptably confortable. Hell, even the 64 controller was more ergonomic. It wasn't until Gamecube and original Xbox where controllers really started taking ergonomics into the design.

[ - ] bonghits4jeebus 1 point 5 monthsNov 26, 2024 14:02:36 ago (+1/-0)

[ - ] Conspirologist [op] -1 points 5 monthsNov 26, 2024 14:51:23 ago (+0/-1)

Gamecube and XBox controllers were made after PS1. They just switched the analog sticks.

[ - ] MuricaPersonified 1 point 5 monthsNov 26, 2024 16:22:22 ago (+1/-0)

It wasn't until

As stated there, I damn well know that. I was saying ergonomics were not a major consideration in controller design until then.

There's more to their ergonomics than just the staggered sticks. Peak controller design is definitely the XBOne and PS5, with an edge going to the former because the sticks hold up better and it's more compatible with many more devices.

[ - ] deleted 1 point 5 monthsNov 26, 2024 11:14:00 ago (+1/-0)

deleted

[ - ] bonghits4jeebus 0 points 5 monthsNov 26, 2024 14:11:57 ago (+0/-0)

Which is why big Xbox controllers were the shit before they standardized on smaller ones.

[ - ] Niggly_Puff 1 point 5 monthsNov 26, 2024 13:07:23 ago (+1/-0)

And even PS1 fucked it up and realized their mistake half way through, releasing the dual shock. The ps4 controller is the pinnacle of controllers.

[ - ] Conspirologist [op] -2 points 5 monthsNov 26, 2024 13:16:41 ago (+0/-2)

PS1 already had the Dual Shock.

[ - ] Niggly_Puff 3 points 5 monthsNov 26, 2024 13:31:47 ago (+3/-0)

No. https://files.catbox.moe/eunowx.png is the original ps1 controller. Dual shock came later after release.

[ - ] Conspirologist [op] -1 points 5 monthsNov 26, 2024 14:53:32 ago (+0/-1)

I repeat, PS1 had the Dual Shock soon after release. I was there. You are just trying to get info from Wikipedia.

[ - ] Niggly_Puff 1 point 5 monthsNov 26, 2024 14:55:12 ago (+1/-0)

Nigger I was there too and had that controller. And subsequently got the dual shock. You are the one acting like it didnt exist or isn't relevant.

[ - ] Master_Foo 0 points 5 monthsNov 26, 2024 15:29:30 ago (+0/-0)

The NES controller was fine, stop being a faggot nigger zoomer.

[ - ] Trope 0 points 5 monthsNov 26, 2024 22:34:29 ago (+0/-0)

The PlayStation 1 controller was always my favorite.

Never cared for the joysticks added in later revisions. Always preferred the simplicity of the D-pad.

[ - ] KyleIsThisTall 0 points 1 monthApr 2, 2025 12:50:46 ago (+0/-0)

nope Sega Genesis 6 button with macros was ergo

got it for Primal Rage

[ - ] Conspirologist [op] -1 points 1 monthApr 2, 2025 13:38:45 ago (+0/-1)

Yes, it was better than NES junk, but still not ergonomic for 100%. Only SONY managed to design a full ergonomic PS1 controller. SEGA and Nintendo made junk.