If you could design...

[lvl9000_woot]

...a new controller for a console, what would it look like and why?

Would you go back to basics and make it look/feel like the NES one? Or would you make some wacky temperature detecting joystick that changes color? Maybe you'd add padding to it so when frustrated people throw it at their TV, both devices remain unharmed.

Discuss!

 

[Gxas]

I really liked the boomerang controller design that the PS3 had. I wanna try that out.

 

[Baby Tea]

It would be the Xbox 360 controller with a better Dpad.
That would be perfect for me.

 

[Chester41585]

A wireless controller with an impact-resistant housing. Built-in rechargeable batteries (Or a better battery housing). Impact-hardened input controls. High-G Shock resistant circuitry. Textured and rubberized directional pad and analog sticks. Ergonomic palm and finger grips. Vented, rubberized, textured palm and finger grips. Adding that Micro-ban antibacterial infusion would be awesome, too.

Also, a place for a belt/pocket clip or lanyard.

 

[Zacharine]

It would pretty much identical to this rare combination called by some the 'keyboard and mouse'.

I just can't wrap my hands comfortably around any of the modern console controllers, they just feel to large, clunky, akward and unintuitive. Must be the years of PC gaming, I'm unused to anything other than a joystick+keyboard and mouse+keyboard. I'm spoiled to having 20 quick-keys right under my left hand and controlling the camera with my right wrist even as my mouse has over five more functions bound to it's buttons. No switching hand positions needed, no use for complex button-sequences, no accidentally pushing the wrong button due to too strong a grip.

 

[Mr.Governor]

similar to a ps2 one,ps3 ones sucks and xbox ones are big.

 

[CloggedDonkey]

It would be the Xbox 360 controller with a better Dpad.
That would be perfect for me.

some third party wired controllers have a far better Dpad

I would make a simple controller, L and R buttons, one thumbstick, A B Y X buttons, and no L2 and R2 buttons.

 

[lvl9000_woot]

A wireless controller with an impact-resistant housing. Built-in rechargeable batteries (Or a better battery housing). Impact-hardened input controls. High-G Shock resistant circuitry. Textured and rubberized directional pad and analog sticks. Ergonomic palm and finger grips. Vented, rubberized, textured palm and finger grips. Adding that Micro-ban antibacterial infusion would be awesome, too.

Also, a place for a belt/pocket clip or lanyard.

I'm guessing your hands get very sweaty?

 

[Chester41585]

Indeed they do.

 

[Jazzyluv2]

keyboard and mouse, really... i love my keyboard and mouse.

 

[powernade]

Either a PS3 controller with re-positioned analog sticks and grips (still symetical, I just think it could fit your hand better than it does) or a numberpad-style keyboard and mouse.

 

[Trivun]

Does this mean that I'm the only person on this site actually looking forward to Project Natal? I mean, current controllers are fine as far as I care, and otherwise, I really just want to see true controller-less gaming. True motion control, which Natal can potentially give us. Just saying...

 

[Vrex360]

I'd just make an Xbox controller that has a large sharp steel mouth with serated steel teeth in it and so when someone's being a dick online you push a button and the mouth bites the person.
Alternativley I'll just make a controller shaped like an Energy Sword.

 

[Jamienra]

we didnt need to move away from the perfection of the PS2 controller. they finaly figured it out. then for absolutely no reason made the triggers stupid. why sony why??

 

[wizzerd229]

a motion contoler with actual feedback, like say a mech

 

[A Weary Exile]

It would be the Xbox 360 controller with a better Dpad.
That would be perfect for me.

The 360 controller is very well-designed, I feel that it is the only advantage that the 360 has over the PS3. *Prepares to get verbally torn asunder by 360 players*

My design would be very similar to the 360 design, pretty much what Baby Tea said.

 

[irmrbrian]

What controller Microsoft is designing a magic TV Video game system where you are the controller, as they so clearly stated at E3. Problem solved. Kind of.

 

[the1ultimate]

Probably something like half a power glove with motion sensors, my two index fingers or thumbs serving as the joystick replacements a button for each other fingers.

But it would have to be the sort of thing you could just pick up, not struggle to get on like a glove.

Also the Wii's aiming system is the best thing short of a mouse, so including that in a next generation controller would be a good idea.

 

[badgersprite]

It would be the Xbox 360 controller with a better Dpad.
That would be perfect for me.

This. It's just so comfortable. I can't really see it needing any major changes.

 

[lolandrew4]

the 360 controller, possibly a little smaller, can't get anymore practical than that.