The ugliest and weirdest PlayStation controllers
The DualSense for the PS5 is one of the most innovative controllers out there. However, many of the functions that are absolutely common today were not possible due to technical limitations on previous PlayStation consoles. That’s why quite a few controller manufacturers tried to stand out from the crowd with special features and designs. We present a few of these strange and sometimes ugly controllers in this article.
Modern controllers have a variety of features that provide more immersion, comfort or new gameplay options. Certainly the PS5’s DualSense controller is at the forefront of this evolution with its innovative features like HD rumble, gyro sensors and adaptive triggers.
Although these features were not yet possible in the past, there were certainly a few gamepads on earlier PlayStation models that had interesting additional functions. However, design decisions were sometimes made for these that appear “questionable” at best from today’s perspective. In this article, we would like to introduce you to a few of these, well… interesting controllers in chronological order.
PlayStation 1
Even Sony’s first console had some innovative gamepads that had extra features that the PlayStation’s standard controller didn’t have. Particularly noteworthy is a controller that could also come from a casino.
Ex Jinsei: The Game of Life Roulette Controller
What kind of controller is that? Surely many of you still know the well-known board game “The Game of Life”. This was also released as a PlayStation version in Japan in 1997. In addition, the manufacturer Takara released a Sony-licensed and exclusive gamepad with a very interesting gimmick: a colorful roulette wheel in the middle of the controller. Unfortunately, this didn’t seem to be accurate at all, as you can see in this video:
In addition, it is doubtful whether the controller is really fun to play in other games or whether it is just extremely annoying due to the flat, elongated shape and button arrangement.
Can you still buy the controller? If you still want to buy the Game of Life controller, you can only try your luck on ebay. However, as with roulette, you should not calculate too many chances.
You can read an article about the world’s first console here:
The world’s first game console could not display graphics, relied on a unique trick for games
PlayStation 2
Now it’s getting really wild. Because anyone who suspected that the controller shown in the title picture is a photo montage is wrong. The absurdity is actually real and part of the Freaks gamepad series from the well-known electronics manufacturer Philips, which was released for the PS2. What the group was thinking about these abominations at the time is difficult to understand.
PS2 freaks gamepad series
What are these controllers? The controllers of the Freaks Gamepad series have all the functions of the DualShock 2, but they are ugly, repulsive and absolutely impractical and not ergonomic at all.
It’s hard to imagine real immersion occurring when you’re constantly being irritated by the Freaks Ninja gamepad’s many pointed and sharp spots, like the claws at the end of the handle – the omnipresent grimace in the center of the controller that you see while gaming always looks deep into your soul, apart from that.
YouTuber Rerez even called the Freaks Ninja gamepad “the worst controller ever made”.
It’s best not to say anything about the Fleshy model in the series anyway.
Can you buy the controller? Anyone who – for whatever reason – decides to purchase one of these controllers, can take a look on ebaybut should be aware that he will never again have a quiet night without nightmares with the controller on the shelf.
PlayStation 3
The particularly curious controller for the PlayStation 3 comes this time from Sony itself and is fortunately not nearly as horrid as the gamepads just mentioned. Also, there is an interesting anecdote about this one.
The Boomerang
What kind of controller is that? The gamepad was first shown to the world public in 2005 at Sony’s presentation of the PlayStation 3 at E3. The controller with the streamlined shape was initially supposed to be the standard gamepad for the new console. Although the controller never received an official name, it quickly became known as the “Boomerang”.
However, since the reception of the new gamepad was immediately overwhelmingly negative, Sony decided to launch its new console with the SixAxis, a controller that was again much closer to the DualShock.
The two “thumbsticks” on the boomerang, which were almost identical to the analog stick on the PSP, are particularly daring. Although this was sufficient for mobile gaming on Sony’s handheld, it is doubtful whether this would have been the case with a conventional controller, which requires more precision.
Can you buy the controller? Due to the negative feedback, the controller was never sold commercially.
If you want to see more crazy controllers for other consoles, you can find a selection in this article:
6 Crazy Controllers You Can Really Play With
PlayStation 4
There were also some extravagant controllers for the previous console of the PlayStation 5. We have selected two gamepads that stand out due to their design.
Hori Dragon Quest Slime Controller for PS4
What kind of controller is that? Hori’s Dragon Quest Slime Controller was released in Japan in 2017 as part of a PS4 promotion.
Even if it doesn’t look like it at first glance, the Dragon Quest Slime Controller is actually a fully functional gamepad. Not only does the controller have all the buttons of a regular PlayStation controller, it also has a working touchpad.
However, it also lacks a few features that are known from the regular DualShock 4. For example, the gamepad has no headphone jack and no rumble motors for vibration.
As fun and original as the device may be; due to the absolutely unwieldy shape, one can assume that the fun – especially during longer sessions – will probably be limited.
Can you buy the controller? Unfortunately, the gamepad is currently not available in Germany. If you still want to try out the Dragon Quest Slime Controller and also own a Nintendo Switch, you can have the device for the console imported from Japan for a steep price of €299.00.
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Snakebyte GAMEPAD 4S
What kind of controller is that? The next PS4 controller isn’t necessarily particularly strange, but it’s also not exactly particularly beautiful. Tastes are known to differ and the Snakebyte S4 is far from being a Freaks PS2 gamepad, but the color scheme and the chunky design are rather daring. It is not for nothing that the colleagues from GamePro already have it in 2019 as the ugliest PS4 controller yet designated.
Apart from that, the Snakebyte S4 offers all the standard functions that you know from a normal PS4 controller and at €29.99 it is also a really inexpensive alternative.
Can you buy the controller? If the design doesn’t put you off and you’re looking for a cheap gamepad for your PS4 anyway, you can buy the Snakebyte 4S here:
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PlayStation 5
For Sony’s latest console, there aren’t that many licensed gamepads that impress with a special design. Instead, we have selected two more or less strange gimmicks for the DualSense that want to upgrade the controller with additional functions.
mini keyboard
What is that gimmick? If writing with the thumbsticks or the touchpad of the DualSense is too tedious for you, the Amiles brand offers a useful accessory with this interesting-looking attachment for the PS5 controller. Obviously, the keyboard should make it easier for you to write and chat.
Since searching for the individual letters with the DualSense can actually be a bit annoying and – especially if you want to go fast – also really annoying, the mini keyboard definitely has its right to exist.
In addition to the buttons, the controller attachment also has integrated speakers and a headphone input. This means that communication via voice chat is still possible. The additional headphone jack is also elementary, since you connect the keyboard via the headphone input of the DualSense controller and this is therefore occupied.
Can you buy the gimmick? The keyboard is currently available on Amazon at a price of €25.99.
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GK-Pipes hookah hose holder
What is that gimmick? Compared to the DualSense keyboard, the next accessory seems a little less “special” and is probably only intended for a very specific target group. If you are not only an enthusiastic gamer, but also a passionate shisha smoker, this hose holder from GK-Pipes might be worth considering.
The manufacturer advertises the attachment with an “elegant, cool design” and easy and flexible handling. According to GK-Pipes, the “feather-light” attachment is also compatible with all hoses.
Can you buy the essay? You can currently buy the shisha hose holder for €15.95 on Amazon.
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On 10/18 Incidentally, Sony has revealed specific details about their first own pro controller, the DualSense Edge. Equipment, release date, scope of delivery and also the high price of the gamepad are now known.
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