WatchMojo: Top 10 Video Game Controllers Of All Time

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deactivated-5d6bb9cb2ee20

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#1 deactivated-5d6bb9cb2ee20
Member since 2006 • 82724 Posts

10. Sega Genesis 6 button
09. NES Controller
08. Atari 2600 Controller
07. Nintendo 64 Controller
06. Wii Remote
05. Wii U Pro Controller
04. SNES Controller
03. DualShock series
02. Gamecube Controller
01. Xbox 360 Controller

I gotta say, I pretty much agree with the entirety of this list (with the exception of the Atari 2600 placement, but that's because I never played on an Atari, and the controller seems mighty uncomfortable to my modern sensibilities)- and even there, I can understand its placement, owing to its prominence and importance.

But apart from that, I absolutely agree with these rankings. They especially got the Top 3 spot on. Wouldn't change a thing there.

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musalala

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#2  Edited By musalala
Member since 2008 • 3131 Posts

Xbox controller is crap for Fighting games though, just my opinion

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Seabas989

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#3 Seabas989
Member since 2009 • 13567 Posts

A couple things:

  • The PS4 controller is the only good controller Sony ever made.
  • I find the lack of the Sega Saturn Model 2 controller on this list disturbing. hell it wasn't even an honorable mention
  • I agree with the 360 controller but that d-pad sucks
  • The Wii U Pro controller is the best controller Nintendo made. The GC controller is great too but not at no. 2 given the current controllers out now.
  • Ultimately. best controllers lists are almost always subjective.
  • I think the Xbox Duke controller > the Xbox S controller
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GarGx1

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#4 GarGx1
Member since 2011 • 10934 Posts

The best game control system I have is this

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mjorh

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#5 mjorh
Member since 2011 • 6749 Posts

When you get used to X1 controller, it's even better than 360's.

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Salt_The_Fries

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#6  Edited By Salt_The_Fries
Member since 2008 • 12480 Posts

Battery compartment is what brings the 360 one down. Xbone controller provides a massive improvement in that regard. The same goes for its dpad.

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naughtyottsel

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#7 naughtyottsel
Member since 2016 • 1801 Posts

lol so much for the Xbox Elite controller being good

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LJS9502_basic

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#8 LJS9502_basic
Member since 2003 • 180226 Posts

haha...Just watched that. Not a good list though.

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uninspiredcup

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#9  Edited By uninspiredcup
Member since 2013 • 62931 Posts

Xbox Pad practically universal support on PC.

Thank you Microsoft!, and godspeed.

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deactivated-583c85dc33d18

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#10 deactivated-583c85dc33d18
Member since 2016 • 1619 Posts

I'd rather sit on an Atari 2600 controller than play games with one.

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Legend002

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#11 Legend002
Member since 2007 • 13405 Posts

DS4 ftw.

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freedomfreak

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#12 freedomfreak
Member since 2004 • 52566 Posts

Weird how they just throw all dualshock controllers on one pile.

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senses_fail_06

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#13 senses_fail_06
Member since 2006 • 7033 Posts

The only thing MS has ever really given gaming is its controllers. I'd put all three in the top 5. DS2 and DS4 would take the other 2.

N64 controller is a joke, only on the list because of nostalgia.

Gamecube controller is the worst modern controller. It's terrible.

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KillOnSight

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#14 KillOnSight
Member since 2015 • 458 Posts

M&K> Gamepad> Wiimote> 360. Although the 360 could be replaced with just about anything after 1999 and it wouldnt make much difference.

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#15 lundy86_4
Member since 2003 • 62044 Posts

The top 3 I largely agree with, though i've always found the Dualshocks to be a little on the smaller side... Except for the PS4, which is pretty damn close to excellent.

I'd probably mix a few of the latter options, but not by much.

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Juub1990

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#16  Edited By Juub1990
Member since 2013 • 12622 Posts

AH! Gamecube controller in 2nd place. Told you!!!

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Blabadon

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#17 Blabadon
Member since 2008 • 33030 Posts

Further proof WatchMojo makes terrible lists and had no taste.

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deactivated-5d1e44cf96229

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#18  Edited By deactivated-5d1e44cf96229
Member since 2015 • 2814 Posts

I agree with #1 that the Xbox 360 controller is the greatest of all time.

Why are the Xbox One and Sega Saturn Model 2 controllers not even on the list? They should both be in the top 5 and the fact that they are not even on the list at all discredits the list.

The Sega Genesis 6 button controller should not be lower than the NES, Atari, N64, and Wii Remote.

The PS4 controller is the only good controller that Sony has ever made, so I would separate it from it's predecessors and not just lump them all together because there is a massive difference in quality between the DualShock 4 and it's predecessors. The DualShock 1 to 3 are, in my opinion, terrible controllers and would not make the list. The DualShock 4 would get a spot on the list, but definitely not top 3.

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KEND0_KAP0NI

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#19  Edited By KEND0_KAP0NI
Member since 2016 • 1231 Posts

@LJS9502_basic said:

haha...Just watched that. Not a good list though.

lol yeah. N64 and Wii Remote on that list? no...

GameCube controller at #2? Horse poo poo

The DS4 is pretty much the best controller, its just has bad battery life. Other than that, its the best standard official controller.

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Kruiz_Bathory

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#20  Edited By Kruiz_Bathory
Member since 2009 • 4765 Posts

Why is the move not there, that trigger button should've been used on the ds4.

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Blabadon

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#21  Edited By Blabadon
Member since 2008 • 33030 Posts

As usual, the channel barely puts effort in making the video; it just takes a bunch of footage from channels like CGR, Blunty, and more and talks over them without much critique or information to add.

A lot of these controllers aren't nearly as timeless as people make them out to be, and a lot of them in general really only are revered for being the only options of their time.

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Ant_17

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#22  Edited By Ant_17
Member since 2005 • 13634 Posts

Wow, the GC conntroller is the best Nintendo controller...and the N64 is worse then the SNES, but better then the NES...

And wow, Dualshock "series", like you scared to say which one, unlike the 360 controller...

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#23 SolidTy
Member since 2005 • 49991 Posts

@musalala said:

Xbox controller is crap for Fighting games though, just my opinion

No, it's true...and any 2D dpad type games.

The 360 controller is a great controller, save for fighting games and 2D games that require a solid Dpad.

The one weakness of the Xbox Brand is they have yet to perfect the Dpad, something the Japanese manufacturers do better (Nintendo, Sega, Sony).

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#24  Edited By hrt_rulz01
Member since 2006 • 22688 Posts

@mjorh said:

When you get used to X1 controller, it's even better than 360's.

Yeah agreed. And I totally disagree about "Dualshock series"... as said above, the DS4 is the only decent PS controller.

And good to see the Gamecube controller up there. That is such an underrated controller (as was the console itself).

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deactivated-5cd08b1605da1

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#25 deactivated-5cd08b1605da1
Member since 2012 • 9317 Posts

I have a 360 controler to play on PC and honestly, its overrated as sh*t by gamers. Its only good for shooters cause of the admiteddly awesome triggers, but for everything else is crap.

Best controller of all time my ass

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mjorh

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#26 mjorh
Member since 2011 • 6749 Posts

@hrt_rulz01 said:
@mjorh said:

When you get used to X1 controller, it's even better than 360's.

Yeah agreed. And I totally disagree about "Dualshock series"... as said above, the DS4 is the only decent PS controller.

And good to see the Gamecube controller up there. That is such an underrated controller (as was the console itself).

Dualshock is perfect for FIFA and that's it. But X1 controller is great for any game.

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#27 Mr_Huggles_dog
Member since 2014 • 7805 Posts

The Atari joystick close to one of the worst in history.

How it made the top 10 is beyond me.

The SNES and N64 controllers both changed the game.....and should be much higher.

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Sollet

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#28 Sollet
Member since 2003 • 8288 Posts

No Dreamcast controller?

And lol "Dual shock series" dafuq..

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Sweetbackhair

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#29 Sweetbackhair
Member since 2007 • 2959 Posts

Some I agree, some I dont. I'm really liking the Xbox one controller and I think it should've been #2.

I had a Mad Catz GameCube controller and that was by far the best GameCube controller I ever used, but the standard controller isn't #2 for me.

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Fairmonkey

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#30 Fairmonkey
Member since 2011 • 2324 Posts

Dual shock 4 #1 then 360 controller #2

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#31 finalfantasy94
Member since 2004 • 27442 Posts

I never did like the 360 controller. I found sonys better.

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LostProphetFLCL

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#32 LostProphetFLCL
Member since 2006 • 18526 Posts

Wow what a terrible list. The shit ass GC controller at #2? Yeah, no.

Oh and that Atari controller being on there? Yeah no.

Also think Dual Shocks should be #1 with X-Box controllers bumping back to #2.

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#33  Edited By 22Toothpicks
Member since 2005 • 12546 Posts

@Sollet: Nro DC controller for good reason: low build quality, huge dead zone in the analog stick, a d-pad that feels like a razor blade after only a few minutes of Street Fighter Third Strike, springy triggers and a cable that awkwardly comes out of the bottom. Yeah, theDC controller is dog shit.

As for the list I disagree with most of it. Especially with the GC. Such a mess of a design with its weird shape, very unergonomic c-stick and tiny d-pad. Plus I always felt it was just too small and I dont even have big hands. X1 should be number one.

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#34 22Toothpicks
Member since 2005 • 12546 Posts

The omission of the Saturn controller is also a travesty (not really but extremes are fun...sometimes). Best cotroller for 2d games IMO. Edges out the SNES pad because of that sweet d-pad.

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#35 Heil68
Member since 2004 • 60833 Posts

Atari controller, although iconic wasn't very good and certainly shouldnt of made top 10.

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Flyincloud1116

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#36 Flyincloud1116
Member since 2014 • 6418 Posts

DS4 best all around controller.

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#37 thehig1
Member since 2014 • 7556 Posts

Agree with 360 controller at number 1, dont agree with the Wii controller being the list, that controller is the reason I missed out on some great Nintendo games for years, until my PC could emulate them and let me use a normal controller.

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#38  Edited By Jag85
Member since 2005 • 20691 Posts

GameCube controller is the best for 3D gaming.

Sega Saturn controller is the best for 2D gaming.

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#39 CountBleck12
Member since 2012 • 4726 Posts

lol watchmojo

I thought it's already been established that their picks are horrible.

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lamprey263

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#40  Edited By lamprey263
Member since 2006 • 45487 Posts

Well, aside from thinking that the GameCube controller is way overrated (they pretty much had a major hard-on for Nintendo in this video), they at least nailed it with the Xbox 360 controller topping the list. Anyhow, better stay away from that WatchMojo, that shit is heroin, despite how I never agree with their list or feel they miss the most obvious stuff for their lists. BTW, it's an actual studied thing that websites that do top such-n-such lists get the most traffic, followed by websites that get contentious debates. Maybe it's part of their formula to make offensive lists people take issue with to keep people viewing.

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#41 Natieurz
Member since 2016 • 10 Posts

Dual Turd controller shouldn't be on the list. Yes the 360 and the One controllers are objectively the greatest controllers and the gold standard. See Xbox gamers generally have a much higher skill level than Playstation gamers do and thus the need for a good controller is higher. That's why the ELITE controller has been praised so much as being a gift from the gaming Gods. Xbox One has a higher standard that the controller meets. Playstation has a crap controller because it has a crap player base with low standards.

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deactivated-5d68555a05c4b

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#42 deactivated-5d68555a05c4b
Member since 2015 • 1024 Posts

I think I like the Xbox One controller over the 360 pad, otherwise this list is pretty good

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#43 Kenny789
Member since 2006 • 10434 Posts

I more or less agree with the top 3. At times, I'd say the DS4 is better than the 360 controller because of the d-pad but overall I kinda agree,

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Planeforger

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#44 Planeforger
Member since 2004 • 20146 Posts

I haven't liked any of the Playstation controllers. The incorrect placement of the analogue stick always makes long play sessions uncomfortable, since your thumbs naturally rest on the D-pad rather than the analogue stick.

Anyway, Gamecube controller should be number 1. It's easily the most comfortable controller ever made.

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emgesp

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#45  Edited By emgesp
Member since 2004 • 7849 Posts

The Atari 2600 controller was a POS in 1977 and is still a POS now. Sure there are way worse controllers out there, but this Joystick doesn't deserve to be on any top best game controller list.

Also, while the N64's Gamepad made 3D gameplay much easier to control when it initially came out its still inferior compared to the Saturn 3D controller and Original Playstation Dualshock.

Mojo's list is obviously nostalgia based while looking through rose tinted glasses.

My top 10 list.

10. TG-16 (Almost as good as the NES, but the D-Pad just isn't as responsive.)

9 Gamecube (Would have been higher if it didn't have such a shitty D-Pad)

8. NES (Great D-Pad and simple layout, but not very ergonomic.)

7. Sega Genesis 3-Button (Prefer this over the 6-Button because of the size.)

6. Panasonic 3DO Model 2 Controller (A hybrid of the SNES and 3-Button Genesis Controller. A very underrated controller.)

5, SNES Controller (Nintendo perfected the button layout with this controller. Pretty much perfect for 2D gameplay.)

4, Standard PS1 controller without analog sticks. (Like the SNES, but a tad more comfortable and has two extra shoulder buttons.)

3, DualShock 3 (Just an all-around great controller.)

2. XB1 (More comfortable than the DS3 and has superior analog triggers.)

1. Dualshock 4 (As comfortable as the XB1 controller, but with a superior D-pad and shoulder buttons. I also prefer the analog stick layout.)

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jg4xchamp

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#46 jg4xchamp
Member since 2006 • 64057 Posts

The gamecube controller is a fraud.

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#47 Jagoff
Member since 2016 • 515 Posts

The 360 controller is just about perfect. If not for the lousy D-pad, that is.

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#48 cainetao11
Member since 2006 • 38077 Posts

X1 elite controller is the best I have ever used. I love that thing.

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Flyincloud1116

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#49 Flyincloud1116
Member since 2014 • 6418 Posts

The 2600 controller should have been number 1.

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#50 sonic_spark
Member since 2003 • 6196 Posts

Dualshock 1-3 are not Top 10 controllers. They're junk. Good for fighting games, at best.

I think not having the Dreamcast controller there is a travesty. It essentially is the template for the 360 controller.