Controllers come in all shapes and forms, from unwieldy uncomfortable disasters to just plain ugly contraptions, they often make us question their very existence. The following controllers are just some of the weirdest controllers that have been invented.
10. Dream Machine
Yes, this contraption is indeed a controller. The Dream Machine was invented by Robert James-Herbert, and it was the world’s very first multi-modal physio-interactive video game control simulation system. In order words, it’s a controller that gives you both rotational and four-way pan tilt maneuverability to play any game on any system. Shown at E3 in 2005, players have to use their entire body in order to control the virtual bike, car, plane or skateboard that appear on screen. As if this unwieldy looking controller didn’t look bad enough, it costs a staggering $1700!
9. Paradox for PlayStation 2
From the minds at bodieLobus, a small company based in Detroit came the conception of this unusual looking controller. Take a thumb-operated trackball and a PS2 controller, and you will have the Paradox. Dubbed as the world’s first gaming controller to enable console gamers to have the natural precision of a computer mouse, it didn’t sell well enough for obvious reasons.
8. Virtual Boy
The Virtual Boy sounded good in theory but it never was going to work back in its time. As gamers had to sit completely still with silly looking gigantic plastic goggles on, staring at monochrome red graphics for hours on end- that’s just no fun at all.
7. Resident Evil Chainsaw
Yes, this blood-soaked GameCube controller for Resident Evil 4 could actually be used with the game. Sure it looks rather bad ass, but it performs rather badly as well. Like a zombie crawling on all fours, its cumbersome and sluggish, which no controller should ever be.
6. Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style
The custom Wu-Tang Clan controller that came with the abysmal PlayStation fighter Shaolin Style had no vibration, no analog sticks, and no proper way of holding it.
5. Death Crimson
Yes, this horrific looking creature is actually a controller. Created by Japanese artist Takamasa Sumi, the custom Death Crimson is a gigantic, creepy-looking light gun controller, fitted with a Sega Saturn console and the mess of a game that is Death Crimson which scarily enough, can’t be removed. As if that wasn’t enough, players needed to sit on top of the Death Crimson in order to use it.
4. Sammy Keyboard Controller
Yes, this is what happens when you literally mix a keyboard with a controller and the result isn’t pretty.
3. LaserScope
The LaserScope is one of those ideas that sounded good in theory but just didn’t work out. With a head-mounted lightgun that made you look cool (or so you thought), it wasn’t without its problems. As the slightest bit of sound made the lightgun trigger, using it quickly became a chore.
2. The Slime
This blue blob sure is cute, but flip its underside and you will be greeted with a controller. The Slime is synonymous with Dragon Quest, Japan’s most popular JRPG which Hori saw fit to release a DualShock PS2 controller. As far as controllers go, this is definitely one of the cutest!
1. Trance Vibrator
Rez was one of the most engaging gaming experiences during the early 2000s simply because of its infectious beats that melded perfectly with its gameplay. A special edition of the game took things a bit too far because it came with the Trance Vibrator, a USB device that vibrated to the beat. Because of its portable shape and its vibrating capabilities, many thought it was intended for other purposes.
Yup, it doesn’t get any weirder than that.
