Control: The Many Input Devices of Games

Every game has an input device. Mouse and keyboard, digital directional pads, cameras, no matter what you're playing, something is between you and the game. Arguably, the input device is the most important thing to consider right after "is the game I'm playing any good." Recently, Nintendo has based entire press conferences on revealing input devices. You may or may not agree that a Wii Remote is worth all the fuss, but it doesn't mean that input devices are any less important.

Below, I will draw attention to the many input devices used over the years and discuss why each one is or is not important, why each one was or was not successful, and rate them based on my personal preference. In my rating, I will consider comfort, ease of use, and the ways in which software developers used it. This article will include only core input devices. Don't expect to see the NES Light Gun or Samba De Amigo Maracas here. Also, controller redesigns will be ignored or only briefly mentioned, except in the case of the PlayStation controller redesign, the DUAL SHOCK, because it became the main controller later in PSX's life.

PattyCakes' E3 Impressions

I was out of town and largely without internet throughout the majority of E3. I missed the press conferences and the big reveals of the first few days and have spent a few hours playing catch up.

Beyond Good and Evil

No matter where your loyalty lies today, it's difficult to argue that Nintendo is the best at what they do. Side scrollers, platformers, kart racers, dungeon crawlers, you name it, if Nintendo's made one, it's unmatched. That having been said, I still enjoy many of those games types made by developers other than Nintendo. Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World 1 and 2 are the best that sidscrolling platformers have to offer. That doesn't mean I don't enjoy the Genesis era Sonic the Hedgehogs. Mario Kart 64 is the kart racer that all others strive to be, that includes the Mario Karts that have been released since. That doesn't mean ModNation Racers isn't excellent. Some may argue this next one with me, but I say that there is no on-rails shooter like Star Fox 64. Yet, I still enjoy many other similar titles like Afterburner.

Games as Art: A Look at Playdead's LIMBO

Over the Christmas holiday, Microsoft discounted LIMBO and my lovely wife let me use some of her Microsoft Points to make the purchase. I had watched many videos of the game and heard about how wonderful it was, but no review could have prepared me for just how amazing this game truly is.

NOTE: This post contains a few spoilers. Nothing that will ruin the experience completely, but if you haven't played this magnificent wonder, please stop reading this and go play it.

Where there is motion gaming, there is useless peripherals.

Playing Wii Sports Tennis feels more realistic with a tennis racket attachment? Have you perhaps tried playing real tennis? The market is flooded with these add-ons for Wiimotes and now the Playstation Move. But Microsoft's Kinect is safe from these useless peripherals, right...?