Nintendo Entertainment System (NES): Controller

The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) controller is an iconic piece of video game history and set new standards in the field of game input in the 1980s. Its simple, rectangular design with clear lines and compact dimensions made the NES controller instantly recognizable. Grey and black tones dominate the color scheme, accentuated by the striking red A and B buttons on the right-hand side.

On the left is the distinctive directional pad - also known as the D-pad - which was introduced by Nintendo and quickly became the standard for consoles. With four directions, the NES controller enables precise control of the game characters. In the middle of the NES controller are the start and select buttons, two small gray rectangles that are typically used to start, pause or select in the menu. The red A and B buttons on the right-hand side of the NES controller are used for interaction in the game, such as jumping, running or attacking, depending on the game title.

The NES controller is connected to the console via a fixed cable and has a proprietary 7-pin connector. Despite its simplicity, the design of the NES controller was groundbreaking. It dispensed with the joystick that was still common at the time and instead relied on a flat control pad, which enabled a completely new type of game control. This innovation influenced the design of many later gamepads.

Overall, the NES controller was a milestone in console design: functional, durable and user-friendly - a true classic that is still regarded today as a symbol of the beginnings of modern video game culture.