Nintendo 64: Controller Gray

The original Nintendo 64 controller was released in 1996 together with the console of the same name and was a real novelty in the field of video game control at the time. The most striking feature of the Nintendo 64 controller was the unusual trident design with three handles, which seemed unusual at first glance, but enabled flexible handling. Depending on the game, players could hold the Nintendo 64 controller in different ways - either using the classic directional pad on the left-hand side or using the middle handle, which housed the new analog stick.

The analog stick of the Nintendo 64 controller itself was a real innovation and offered precise 360-degree control for the first time on a home console, which enabled a completely new gaming experience, especially in 3D games such as Super Mario 64. The controls of the Nintendo 64 controller were supplemented by the classic A and B buttons and four yellow C buttons, which were often used to control the camera or for additional actions. A start button in the middle, two shoulder buttons (L and R) and the Z-trigger on the back rounded off the control concept.

Another feature of the Nintendo 64 controller was the expansion compartment on the back. Various accessories could be connected here, such as the Rumble Pak for vibration effects, the Controller Pak for saving game states or the Transfer Pak, which could be used to transfer data from Game Boy games to the console - such as Pokémon Stadium.

Despite its many innovative approaches, the Nintendo 64 controller was not without controversy. Some players found the shape unwieldy and the analog stick was prone to wear and tear with intensive use. Nevertheless, the Nintendo 64 controller is still considered a milestone in the history of game design and was instrumental in revolutionizing control in three-dimensional game worlds.