Since I started analyzing video game equipment in the 1980s I have played every controller version (including the first) from the NES controller to current ergonomic masterpieces. Because there is a wide variety of opinions regarding whether retro gaming uses original controllers better than newer ones; whether original controllers were better for retro gaming depends on the type of games you are playing and what you are looking for. A few types of games were designed specifically with their original controllers in mind and will function better on the original hardware. However, other games function equally well if not better with newer controllers that have greater build quality and ergonomics.
The original controllers of past gaming systems were developed with real design trade-offs that gamers at that time did not know existed yet. The original NES controller was revolutionary in 1985 but the D-pad produced hand fatigue during prolonged periods of time. The SNES controller included shoulder buttons and improved ergonomics but was designed with hands that are generally smaller than average adult hands. The Mega Drive controller was superior in terms of ergonomic design but the button layout could confuse users who transitioned from the SNES controller. The original PlayStation controller did not include analog sticks until the Dual Shock model was released which significantly impacted how developers created games.
But the key issue is – using original controllers for retro games is about being true to the designers’ intent and understanding how games were created when they were created. Using modern controllers for retro games is about comfort and accessibility. Therefore, determining which is “better” depends on what is more important – being true to the original intent of the designers or the ability to use a device that makes it easier to play for a longer period of time.
Why Original Controllers Are Important
Original controllers are important to the gaming industry because games were designed with specific hardware in mind. Many fighting game input combinations were designed around the button layout of the original SNES controller. Six buttons became the norm for fighting games because Street Fighter II needed that many buttons and the SNES controller provided six buttons arranged in a way that was suitable for the game. Therefore, playing Street Fighter II on its original hardware with an original SNES controller provides a familiar experience due to the button layout matching the game’s original design. Conversely, playing Street Fighter II on a modern controller with a different button spacing does not provide the same familiarity because your muscle memory is trained for the different controller design.
Similarly, the Mega Drive controller’s three-button layout produced a different style of fighting games. The SNES had six buttons arranged vertically while the Genesis had three buttons horizontally. Games designed for each system were optimized for each respective layout. Sonic the Hedgehog was designed to utilize the Genesis controller’s button layout. As such, playing Sonic the Hedgehog on original hardware with its corresponding controller feels natural and playing it on a controller with a different spacing feels unnatural.
For those that compete in fighting games professionally, the concept of controller fidelity is an intimate experience. The layout of the buttons and joysticks on a controller directly impacts how a player competes. The fighting game community has become increasingly concerned with controller fidelity as a result of their professional competition experiences. In particular, the D-pad is the most studied part of a controller in retro gaming circles. The original NES D-pad was a single molding that was not ergonomically ideal. The D-pad forced your thumb to travel diagonally which was not easy to do. The SNES had a more advanced D-pad design that provided a more comfortable experience. The Mega Drive had a different D-pad design that some people preferred. Modern controllers have a completely new D-pad design that is either mushroom-shaped or individual directional buttons. As a result, the feel of games that were designed with a classic D-pad design are significantly different when played on modern controllers with new D-pad designs.
The original PlayStation controller revolutionized the gaming world by introducing analog sticks to consoles but the original version of the controller did not have analog sticks – it was simply a cross-pad controller. The Dual Shock model added vibration feedback and analog sticks to the controller. Games designed for the original controller functioned differently than games designed for Dual Shock. One of the first games to be designed to take full advantage of analog sticks was Ape Escape. It is impossible to play Ape Escape on the original controller as it requires analog stick input.
Why Modern Controllers Are Important
However, original controllers had real problems that modern controllers have solved. The NES controller had sharp edges that resulted in hand fatigue. The buttons required more force to press down than the buttons on modern controllers. The original NES controller’s cord was relatively short. The cumulative effect of these problems resulted in hand pain for users after extended game sessions. For users that wish to play retro games without experiencing hand pain, modern controllers are objectively better.
Ergonomic modern controllers are designed with the human hand in mind. Ergonomic modern controllers are shaped to fit comfortably into the user’s palm. Modern controllers require less pressure to activate the buttons. Modern controllers have smooth triggers and realistic resistance on the analog sticks. If you are playing a 20 hour RPG, modern controllers allow you to complete the game without experiencing hand pain. Retro controllers cause extended periods of play to be extremely painful.
Build quality of modern controllers is demonstrably better than original controllers. Analog sticks on original controllers have drifted after decades of use. Buttons on original controllers have broken or stopped functioning. Modern controllers have better build quality and will last longer. If you plan on purchasing a controller knowing that you will play hundreds of hours, then modern controllers are more practical.
Wireless connectivity of modern controllers is another major benefit. Wireless adapters were necessary for wireless connection with retro controllers. Modern controllers connect to the console wirelessly. Users can play while sitting back in their chair without being physically connected to their console. While some may dismiss this as a minor convenience, this represents a legitimate benefit of wireless connectivity.
Cross-platform compatibility of modern controllers is a feature that benefits some users. If a user wants to use the same controller for retro games on their TV and modern games on their computer, then modern controllers have this capability. Retro controllers require a wireless adapter to be compatible with modern systems. Some third-party modern controllers, like the 8BitDo wireless controllers, have cross-system compatibility and can be used on a variety of systems including TVs, computers and mobile devices.
Technical Differences That Matter
Casual gamers may underestimate the importance of button activation. Original controllers used rubber dome switches underneath the buttons. Modern controllers use mechanical switches with different activation points and feedback. Rubber dome switches require more force to press down than mechanical switches. Mechanical switches activate quicker than rubber dome switches. For fighting games where frame-perfect input is critical, this difference is quantifiable. Many professional fighting game competitors use original controllers or high-end modern controllers that mimic the functionality of arcade controllers, because the activation point of the button is critical.
Analog sticks are a second area of difference between modern and original controllers. Original PlayStation analog sticks had a certain resistance and movement range. Modern controllers have a different resistance curve. Games that were designed to use the original analog sticks may feel incorrect when used with modern controllers, even though the input range is the same. The resistance curve of the original analog sticks is a unique experience and moving the stick in the same manner produces a unique feeling. Similarly, moving the stick in a similar manner on a modern controller produces a different feeling.
The D-pad is where the technical differences are most pronounced. Original controllers had a certain resistance and movement range for the D-pad. Modern controllers often have mushroom-shaped D-pads that produce a completely different feel. Some modern controllers have separate directional buttons that provide an even different feel. Playing a game designed to use the original D-pad on a modern D-pad illustrates how important the original hardware design was.
Haptic feedback is a feature that original controllers did not possess. Modern controllers provide haptic feedback through rumble and vibration. Some games were designed to use the limitations of the original controller to produce a specific experience. Providing haptic feedback to these games changes the experience. Whether the addition of haptic feedback is beneficial or detrimental is dependent upon whether you place more emphasis on authenticity or additional sensory stimulation.
What Is Best To Use
The honest answer is that it depends on what you are playing and what matters to you. If you are competing in fighting games competitively or seriously, original controllers or high-end modern arcade-style controllers are worth considering, as accuracy and precision of input matter. If you are playing story-based RPGs or action games casually, then modern controllers are more comfortable and therefore more practical for longer sessions.
If you are attempting to recreate the original experience of the game, then original controllers are the best choice. Playing Street Fighter II on its original hardware with an original SNES controller will teach you about how the game was originally designed and cannot be replicated when playing on a modern controller. Your hands may ache, but you will learn more about the design of the game.
If you are playing retro games primarily for entertainment and not to preserve history, then modern controllers are more practical. You can play for longer periods of time without hand pain and the build quality of modern controllers will last longer. The gameplay experience will be virtually identical.
8BitDo controllers are a hybrid option. They are modern controllers with original button spacing. They are designed with ergonomic design and are built with high-quality materials. They support cross-platform play so you can use the same controller to play retro games on your TV and modern games on your computer.
Some collectors only use original controllers to maintain the historical aspect of the experience. Some players only use modern controllers because they do not want to endure hand pain. Most players should have access to both types of controllers and choose based on the type of game they are playing. Serious fighters will likely require specific controllers. Casual players will likely be satisfied with whatever controller they use.
The Honest Answer
Original controllers are relevant to the gaming community today because they demonstrate how games were originally designed. They are historically relevant and can educate users about aspects of game development that are not present in modern controllers. However, original controllers also have real shortcomings – ergonomic problems, durability issues and overall poor build quality that degrade over time.
Modern controllers are relevant to the gaming community today because they are practical and comfortable. They have superior build quality, additional features and are capable of connecting wirelessly to your console. They enable users to play for extended periods of time without hand pain. However, they may not feel the exact same way as games designed for specific hardware.
The best solution is to have both options. Occasionally play retro games on original controllers to experience the authentic experience. Regularly use modern controllers to play retro games for longer periods of time without hand pain. Both are not inherently better – they serve different purposes.
If you are currently purchasing controllers for retro gaming, then determine what you will ultimately be playing. If you will be playing fighting games and want to experience authenticity, then original controllers or high-quality arcade-style modern controllers are the best option. If you will be playing all other genres and desire comfort, then ergonomic modern controllers are the best option. If you want to experience the best of both worlds, then 8BitDo controllers are the best option as they provide original button spacing and modern quality.
Samuel’s been gaming since the Atari 2600 and still thinks 16-bit was the golden age. Between accounting gigs and parenting teens, he keeps the CRTs humming in his Minneapolis basement, writing about cartridge quirks, console wars, and why pixel art never stopped being beautiful.
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