Funny, Interesting, and Bad Controllers - Game Sack

[@GameSack]

Do you have a favorite controller? Or a least favorite? Or one that you just think is crazy?

[@DeaDFaith001]

Steering wheel from mad cats from PS1, it was awesome =)

[@kevintheearl]

Boomerang Ps3 prototype controller

[@princegroove]

DualShock 4 is absolute perfection. Powerglove is the most intriguing. The worst controller I’ve seen would be anything by MadCatz. 🤣

[@gtrzdaddy]

Favorite has to be the Genesis 6-button controller. Least favorite, Playstation 1 regular d-pad.

[@adesignersperspective]

@@DeaDFaith001 i had the mad catz wheel/pedals for the n64 and, yeah, it was surprisingly decent for a mad catz product.

[@arcadeperfectreviews2653]

A friend of mine lost his arm in Iraq and he uses that ascii one handed SNES controller a ton. I got him an SNES to GameCube adapter so he can use it on GameCube Wii and switch, and I got him a SNES to USB and he uses it on PC and his raspberry pi for emulation. He also uses the ps1 version on PlayStation 1 and 2 and 3 with an adapter.

[@Ubersnuber]

Has he gotten good with it?

[@reefchiefer]

Hes probably badass

[@MikeStavola]

The PlayStation version of the grip is also a really good one handed controller. I think you can still buy them new on eBay.

[@SleepingCocoon]

@@MikeStavola i've got a playstation and saturn one and they're both really fantastic! not only are they just functional, there's some serious thought put into the design and the build quality is rock solid.

[@GuestZer0]

When you still have both arms, and are used to using them both, it’s awkward. But if you only have the one…

[@KapiteinKrentebol]

Microsoft: "We need a smaller controller for Japan, focusgroups say the Duke is simply too large for Japan." Meanwhile in Japan.... has GOJIRA! (aka XE-1AP)

[@lordowl3533]

G O J I R A \m/

[@jessragan6714]

I actually had that Joyball. It wasn't a joy, and it wasn't a ball. True story: my brother got so frustrated with it that he said, "I could use my BUTT with this stupid controller and do better!" He sat on the controller and yes, he got farther in Super Mario Bros. than he did using his hands.

[@Tubewings]

There was also a SNES version of the Turbo Touch 360. I remember seeing the commercials for them from back in the day with guys comparing the Turbo Touch and the "ordinary" versions wearing controller costumes.

[@thatguyontheright1]

Steel Battalion controller, play Shenmue II with it.

[@Blueflag04]

or Phantasy Star

[@hemangchauhan2864]

Is it possible??

[@erikbrynildsen7067]

The steel battalion controller only works with steel battalion as far as I am aware.

[@AltimaNEO]

I have it. It only works with steel Battalion

[@thatguyontheright1]

@@AltimaNEO lame

[@RobotacularRoBob]

Typical Gamesack: Uses NES flight stick to play Castlevania instead of Top Gun.

[@braddl9442]

Cause you use the power glove for top gun.

[@sirkastic]

@@braddl9442 Seems legit

[@kaitain7595]

Yup.

[@criznittle968]

if AVGN can powerglove top gun's landing sequence, you can use a flight stick with castlevania

[@elwey5082]

And ultra racing 64 controller with Mario 64, he should review ir with a Top gear 64 Gamesack, this racing wheel plays terrible with a plataformer "0 stars"

[@qmto]

Joe frantically spinning the reel while nothing happens in Road Rash had me in stitches.

[@bland9876]

Gave me anxiety.

[@englishwithphil42]

This is the funniest thing I have seen (not heard) on Game Sack

[@daniellado2523]

The Sega Saturn controller is one of my favorites for 2d action games. The grip and layout fits the hands really good.

[@todesziege]

Peak 2D gamepad.

[@xanderalmighty]

“This controller was made to grind RPGs” (Plays street fighter )

[@MalamiteLtd]

I remember the Barracuda controller. The analog sticks apparently don't act like the ones for the DualShock, but rather the giant "PlayStation Analog Joystick" Sony used to make beforehand. The only game I had that used that kind of control was on Namco Museum Vol. 4; it was fun playing Assault with the two sticks controlling each tread. But yeah, anything that used the DualShock for analog control was not going to work for the Barracuda. Anything that can use the "PlayStation Analog Joystick" (SCPH-1110) is fair game.

[@WalcomS7]

6:28 I'm taking a swing in the dark here but something like that honestly would be good for those with certain types of disabilities. That's kind of the cool thing about stuff like this, is that while it seems useless to us some crazy person out there is using it to beat Double Dragon using their feet.

[@HaydenX]

I knew someone at University that used a one-handed controller with an adapter to play emulated games. He was right handed and lost the thumb from his left hand in a motorcycle accident. He said that after about three days of getting used to it, his gaming skill actually improved using only his dominant hand than it ever did when he used both.

[@maxpower10k]

Why are they crazy of they cant use or dont have hands?

[@baartbman2390]

@@maxpower10k probably means crazy as in crazy cool / wicked. You offended?

[@TonySpike]

You say that, but their is actually a guy that plays street fighter with his mouth cos he has no hands or some shit

[@maxpower10k]

@ Bart Beukman yeah i am lol people with disabilities aren’t crazy. Contextually OP os saying they’re out of their mind for using this controller like they’re some able bodied person playing with a guitar hero controller. Come on, fam lol

[@theabominablekenny]

Joe, I only started watching your channel about 2 years ago but it has to be one of the "fun-est" channels i watch. Thank you for keeping making awesome content during these crazy times, you're the best!

[@NicheCaesar]

I'm convinced that the Turbo Touch was invented by a time traveler from the 2010s that was stranded in the late 80s/early 90s that missed playing NES/Genesis games using a touch screen DPad on his iPhone. It's the only explanation

[@bland9876]

I figured out where they got their inspiration for the steam controller.

[@LeoStaley]

Oh my. I don't know why, but I REALLY want more of this. Demonstrating and reviewing different, innovative (if poorly executed) controller types just really scratches an itch I didn't know I had.

[@nikescar]

Response from all controller manufacturers: You're holding it wrong

[@justsomeguywhoplaysretroga4362]

The best way to start my sundays these last years: watching a Game Sack episode 🤩

[@RGT85]

My Uncle had the Turbo Touch for Genesis and always made me use it as a kid. It looked cool. And that was all.

[@RemoWilliams1227]

@REDBIRD yikes

[@LM-en4hz]

@REDBIRD LMAO

[@swagpyro47]

@REDBIRD is his name larry

[@BenWard29]

Turbo Uncle Touchy

[@MrCumstein]

@REDBIRD 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@louskunt125]

"Now let's try Metal Gear Solid again"

[@3dmarth]

35:41 Love that sneaky little transition. I actually went back to watch it frame-by-frame and try to spot the cut.

[@matmacsug]

Yeah that was really good.

[@elbiggus]

Someone else has probably mentioned this, but you were using the neGcon "wrong". Rather than just twisting the two halves, if you hold it so it's about 45 degrees from horizontal front-to-back and then bend your wrists -- right hand down left hand up to turn right, right hand up left hand down to turn left, sort of "the same" as if it was a steering wheel -- you'll naturally twist the controller in the correct direction. It's a carpal tunnel nightmare, but very effective. (Oddly the Ridge Racer series are perhaps the worst games to use it with, though, as it doesn't really suit the handling model.)

[@VideoGameTakeOut]

What I learned from this episode: Joe is a surprisingly good hand model.

[@louskunt125]

Smooth...Creamy...Delicate... Yet Masculine!

[@jaylucien669]

The old ASCII pad for the SNES was possibly the greatest 3rd party controller of all time. *No I'm not talking about the one handed one Joe used in this video.

[@GameSack]

You know I might agree. It's amazing and it's my daily use controller for the SNES. There are some people that say that it's a hair off. Tetris players I think. But it seems perfect to me.

[@GregsGameRoom]

5:47 - The Quickshot Joyball looks like the “boob” controller from Atari’s arcade game called “Gotcha”

[@steampunkslizer_gaming12]

I remember hearing about it briefly and doing some, uh, research. Sometimes ideas need to be left on the drawing board...

[@Marzimus]

Rage Racer: best racer. 😍 Also the JogCon was a gimmick whereas the NegCon just worked.

[@Scott-fj9uf]

Once again I was watching Game Sack and didn’t even realize there was new Game Sack!

[@SamuraiTacos1]

yep

[@thedaily30]

That 250lb punching bag of an ex-cohost is reading this somewhere, punching the air

[@sozaj]

Hell Yeah!! Beginning the episode with the Official Soundtrack version of the Title Theme from my favorite RPG ever! Shining the Holy Ark needs a Sequel!!

[@themanwithnoname4385]

4:47 It's AVGNs Beat-a-Game button

[@benvanasdale6273]

I know it's been a while, but thank you for keeping Game Sack going, Joe. You're the man.

[@LonSeidman]

Wow After Burner II was one of my all time favorites on the Genesis back in the day and I had no idea this analog option (or controller) existed!

[@nicks4802]

Haha Joe playing track and field with the fishing pole made my night

[@kbramlett6877]

High Frequency was the Toys R Us house brand of gaming accessories

[@SonicMrSumo]

The clicking on that bizarre Quick Shot controller was hilarious!!

[@OuTSMOKE]

While it's been a sad transition... I have to say after continuing to watch GS videos, you've done a good job continuing on your own. :)

[@stinkbanana2522]

AHHH! I had that Pelican Accessories controller! Same one. Got it at Blockbuster on sale for like $8, no one must have wanted them

[@exmaarmaca]

I feel those 1 hand contorllers are also made for visual novels, mainly those that might be 18+.

[@RawrX32009]

Oh no💀

[@alexlecy4252]

I just discovered game sack recently, I love this channel. I do miss Dave with Joe but still love it.

[@scamazonprime]

Videos like this don't come along often. I want them again and again.

[@Aenima308]

This video is cute, built good.

[@llpBR]

I find it amazing the number of things you show in every video, for so long. Half of the half and it would be still so very nice. You're awesome.

[@Silenhalle]

i love really weird controllers. i wanna know the thought process behind some of them

[@marcosdheleno]

@Brooke Stern unless you are talking about confort, those controllers are not ergonomic at all!

[@Level1Sword]

Had the Barracuda 2. You're right about the rumble, it's crazy how strong it is. My one complaint is that I went through 2 of these very easily from the cables getting frayed due to normal use.

[@anthonya.jumelles7103]

It's amazing how many of these controllers are ahead of their time. The Turbo Touch would be revisited with touchscreens and the Steam Controller. The Framemeister one had dual joysticks way before it was mainstream.

[@lowdefal6306]

The XE-1AP is essentially a joypad version of the Cyber Stick, which came out first. That lets you physically swap the sticks between each aide.

[@jameslangridge8849]

Joe on the one hand controller: "im left wondering why i bought this". Because you wanted to demo it for us, and I for one Thank You. Keep up the great content! 😄

[@sirkastic]

7:10 That dome controller looks like it would be good for people with physical disabilities. Your disabilities seem to be more mental in nature so I can understand why you wouldn't appreciate it

[@braddl9442]

Several of the controllers I can see how they would be good for someone with disabilities making some movements hard, limited mobility or missing a hand.

[@overweightactor]

Savage

[@sirkastic]

@@braddl9442 Pity that none of them work with people missing a brain, otherwise you might have a controller that works for You

[@AnimeForeLife]

I want to live in the reality of your post credit skits

[@kevinhibbard320]

I'm up too late. Now my sunday morning poop ritual is gonna be off haha

[@8thLife]

You definitely started this video out with a real doosie!

[@RodrigoDigoJunho]

Horrible Quarantine: glad there's this wonderful channel to make me happy 😀

[@Dreadjaws]

24:11 - _"The first boss fight, which is normally quite easy, almost feels as it's as tough as a final boss fight in another Castlevania game"_ Very appropriate, considering that _is_ the final boss fight in another Castlevania game.

[@urmie]

Late night, nothing to watch, lemme hit refresh one more time, freakin Joe comes thru every single time!! 🔥

[@stevenc9251]

Awesome video Joe. I've been a huge fan of Game Sack since 2013 and have watched all your vids (shout out to Dave, miss ya bud!). Thanks for all the work you do Joe. Quarantine is that much more bearable with all those Game Sack vids to watch!

[@videogameobsession]

That's the first time I've ever heard the neGcon pronounced that way. I've always just given it two syllables. I'm sure you're right though. It sounds more Japanese.I was never a fan of the JogcOn.. It always made me feel like I was going to edit an SVHS tape. :P

[@zzzae]

Yep, Joe actually pronounced NeGcon correctly. It's from the Japanese word "neji" meaning "screw" or "twisting". Amazing controller, too. It's become my go-to for all PS1 racing games.

[@JustinKolata]

IIRC, that middle setting on the Barracudas was to emulate the PS1 flight stick controller. The flight stick apparently sent a different analog signal to the system than the later analog pad and dual shock, so the dual shock couldn't give you analog control on the earlier flight sims made for the flight stick, but the Barracudas could.

[@HoroJoga]

That smooth transition between the two cable scenes was great.

[@videogameobsession]

Basically, when it came to controllers, back in the day, I'd always use the first party controllers, and stick my friends with the 3rd party junk. They didn't care, and were often not careful with them. So it made sense.

[@Horzzo]

Hey, that first Quickshot is the "Beat-a--Game Button"! The second dome Quickshot is awesome! I always give it to friends to use when playing 2 player games.

[@braddl9442]

Some of those controllers look like they were made with the Disabled in mind. I know people that would need to use things like those quick-shot controllers since their hands would not work with normal joypads.

[@rayelgatubelo]

I see a lot of Quickshot controllers at furry conventions, since a lot of people have fursuit paws that aren't as dexterous as bare hands.

[@CassiDS]

31:17 "Not a bad controller if you need to have your other hand free for your own personal 'reasons'." Yeh, like no fork spaghetti!

[@mbe102]

Jeeze, when youtube says 'uploaded 35 seconds ago' you know you're early :O.

[@h1m1ko]

I had that Stryker controller for the Genesis. Its missing the red plastic extensions on the dpad that made it a fake arcade stick. I still have one to this day and it brings memories seeing it.

[@midievalcat7770]

That CE-1ap controller looks like the Saturn 3D control pad a bit

[@bartek.szuster]

Great work Joe. A lot of unusual controller and interesting controllers here!

[@BugsyFoga]

Weird ass controllers are always a odd ascetic i dig .

[@Blueflag04]

Good for you

[@uubrmanx]

8:48 I saw a pair of weird NES joystick-like controllers in Goodwill once, and now I know they were actually Jazz Sticks.

[@philosophyoftrucking]

"In the beginning, Sack reviewed the Menacer and the Super Scope. And gamers saw that it was good." Jenesis 1:1

[@kbramlett6877]

Why in the would you want to mock the Bible?

[@philosophyoftrucking]

@@kbramlett6877 Sunday morning video release. Game Sack is church. Joe is our minister. Gaming is our religion. "Remember the Game Sack, to keep it holy."

[@vivisect53]

@K Bramlett Why wouldn't you?

[@kbramlett6877]

@@philosophyoftrucking No I would never mock the word of God. And if you consider Joe to be your minister and Game Crap to be your so-called church then you have more issues than a magazine subscription.

[@philosophyoftrucking]

@@kbramlett6877 🤣🤣

[@shoked99]

excellent video joe. there are a lot more bad controllers than good. i remember those colorful controller ads in the 1980s.

[@xtlm]

I had a Zoomer. It looked nice, didn't actually use it much.

[@PhilShary]

Okay Zoomer.

[@blake3120]

Great episode, really took me back in time. Another weird controller I remember is the Nyko Air Flo on the original xbox, it was awesome, kinda.

[@itsameyoshio]

The one handed controllers must be accessibility related.

[@marcosdheleno]

yeah, kinda sad how they are less common now, specially due to how much more popular gaming is nowadays.

[@javiersaneiro6412]

@@marcosdheleno Well, today we have Xbox Adaptative Controller for people with accessibility issues, that controller is totally customizable, and even there are mouth controllers for people that can't use their hands

[@marcosdheleno]

@@javiersaneiro6412 sure, but they are far from being as price accessible as they used to be.

[@jecobian]

6:51 that's some ASMR gold right there. GOLD!

[@laos85]

Guess what is the worse controller of all time??? It's Touchscreen that we have on phone

[@StageRight123]

@crazy silly Keyboard and mouse are far more efficient than any controller.

[@CAMSLAYER13]

@crazy silly git gud scrub

[@punchabunchabuttons]

Ok at 27:31 was i the only one laughing with tears in my eyes? That poor badass driving his Harley with a fishing road?! oh my god thats funny...

[@Vanessaira-Retro]

SmokeMonster, Jenovi, MLiG, now GameSack all talking controllers as of late. Pretty awesome.

[@jonbourgoin182]

A pre-emptive congrats on 250k subs, Joe! Long live the Sack.

[@knifeteeth]

I'm still missin' Joe.

[@jjenk911]

The dude doing the shows is Joe, you numpty

[@marakarthegreat]

you mean Dave?

[@saninpain]

Look bud, we all miss Dave from time to time, but Joe is doing a bangup job.

[@videogameobsession]

Well lucky you! This show is 100% JOE!, SAME JOE TIME, SAME JOE CHANNEL!

[@OfficialNukeDukem]

It's just not the same without Joe.

[@jasongillson6563]

I had one for PS3 called HKS Hipermax III. It's a racing controller that's shaped like a regular controller. The directional pad is replaced with a left and right wheel and the brake and accelerate buttons look like actual foot pedals and the centre of the controller has a speedometer. It worked well on NFS Undercover

[@PsychomachineryEBM]

Bad controller: N64, the worst

[@jaylucien669]

I love the N64 controller and hate the GameCubes. I know, I'm in the vast minority.

[@PsychomachineryEBM]

@@jaylucien669 GameCube controller wasn't perfect, but to my taste it was way better than the N64 one, starting with a better comfortable shape and superior quality analog sticks. But to each their own

[@aaronstepien2363]

Took forever to adjust to it

[@Qbort.]

I had that Beeshu(sp?) Striker controller. It came with a little joystick that screwed into the D-pad. Maybe it's stiff to handle that extra leverage that joystick causes.

[@chrissawyer1484]

That's exactly why, but I rarely used that little joystick piece. The sell for me was the rapid fire because it was the only controller I could find that had it besides the Genesis Joystick. It was a riot with Whip Rush and Rocky on the Master System.

[@Qbort.]

@@chrissawyer1484 The only reason I had it was because my dad met one of the dudes that worked there while he was on his honeymoon and the guy have him a controller to give to me. That's how I know for a fact that they named "The Angler" while on a fishing trip!

[@nppj1407]

Beard makes you look like a dirty lib, Joe, lol Fun episode though, informative as always.

[@NewGabeOrder]

24:37 I assume it's that "green" analog mode from the Dual Analog Controller and the SCPH-1110 (analog joystick). Both sticks are mapped to the flight sticks, directional buttons are mapped to the POV hat, and L3 and R3 are mapped to the left stick trigger and right stick trigger respectively. Position 2 ("green" analog) is only usable on games that support the SCPH-1110 (analog joystick).

[@joshc643]

It's my bday! I'm old. 36. Any love for me guys?

[@GameSack]

Yes.

[@Deson_Bowenford]

A friend of mine had a variant of that Ultra Racer 64 for the PC. We used to play one of the Need for Speed games in his PC. My biggest problem was oversteer. In my small collection from my early gaming days is a joystick I literally can't use anymore (unless there is some sort of adapter made). It's a Gravis Phoenix. Loved the heck out of that thing.

[@Geferulf_TAS]

Hardware spotlights are my favorite episodes!

[@ThetaReactor]

I actually have fond memories of playing G-Police and Colony Wars with that giant Barracuda controller. The buttons were a bit stiff, but it was the first analog PSX pad I got. I've got the ASCII Grip, too, and I'm still working on beating Einhander with it.

[@TuHermanaEnTanga7]

Thanks for this episode, Joe. It was amazing.

[@Harperlarp]

I almost spilled my coffee from laughing watching Joe frantically trying to get the NeGcon to work with MGS. Another great episode!

[@acvieluf]

I was in LOVE with that ascii SNES controller when I saw it in the ad in a gaming magazine back in the day. That would be SO nice to play FF2 on, which I did a LOT of when I was young. I used to DREAM of eating a sandwich and playing at the same time! Haha

[@MoteofLobross]

I had that Performance clunker for the Dreamcast. That is what you call a "crappy friend controller" when we had four player games going.

[@thedrunkmonkshow]

18:05 That's amazing that you tracked down this Striker controller for the Sega Genesis! I remember buying that I think from Radio Shack at the time and renting Jewel Master from a local movie rental place over that weekend. The nostalgia is real with that controller and I did enjoy the passthrough headphone jack 😇

[@flyingonblades]

Joe!!! The turbo touch was designed for quarter circle hadoken moves! Also that quickshot track ball is amazing for playing marble madness. Great video :) the beeshu zipper is my favorite 3rd party controller of all time.

[@shawnshedivy4500]

Many High Frequency (TRU Rebrand of Mad Catz) Controllers were disassembled for me to solder onto to build people Fight Sticks in the 16 and 32 bit eras.

[@techtinker5089]

The one handed controllers make me think of a friend I had growing up. He had one usable arm from an accident. He used to play games with regular controllers in the most uncomfortable looking way. Even so, he would stomp us from time to time in games. He would’ve really appreciated these one handed controllers.

[@pcachu]

You, looking for a controller alternative: Huh, wonder how this-- Quickshot Joyball: *_CLACKITY-CLACKITY-CLACKITY-CLACKITY-CLACKITY_*

[@aaronstepien2363]

Sound like cherry MX switches

[@jbfarley]

@@aaronstepien2363 I have a razer black widow with MX greens that sounds almost exactly like it. It's a guilty pleasure if mine

[@aaronstepien2363]

jbfarley I got one too, lol The one where the keys look like they spark when you hit them in dim light

[@irfanafendi4837]

26:41 And speaking of 'underappreciated overlooked gem games'... how about talking about some Soul Blazer, Strider 2 and Spawn: Armageddon in your next Criminally Underrated Games episode?

[@cheepdude97]

If you do another one of these videos, you should absolutely check out the Phantasy Star Online controller that was made for the gamecube, or the Dragon Quest Slime controller made for the PS2, PS4 and Switch

[@chrissawyer1484]

Ah, the PSO controller for the GameCube. My friend had that. The keyboard was great. The rest of it...did I mention the keyboard was great? I was extremely curious about the slime controller as well as that Resident Evil 4 chainsaw controller.

[@slusheewolf2143]

I want an episode where you try and get non-Sony controllers working on a PS4. I swear, that thing rejects all controllers like they were a vending machine that won't take a crisp $1 bill lol

[@aaronstepien2363]

I never see people mentioning that

[@AirknightTails]

33:48 What's Funny is that I have sort of the same D-Pad Style on my old Microsoft Sidewinder Gamepad xD

[@colonelsandwich641]

That transition from the PS1 controller to the NES one in the skit was pretty good

[@arcadeperfectreviews2653]

I used to use that madcatz controller on the Dreamcast to pad hack and make arcade sticks with since the 6 button layout made it super easy to do and lag free. Plus for a time it was like $3 on ebay

[@aaronstepien2363]

Nice

[@hammerheadms]

I had a Performance Astropad for Dreamcast, and a Stryker pad for Genesis and really liked them. The Astropad's size was what I really liked about it. It felt much more ergonomic than the standard Dreamcast controller, and still works great to this day. The Stryker I really liked too because there was a removable peg that went into the D-pad to make it like a small joystick. That really helped with the stiffness and was my go-to for Star Control. The contour of the buttons, and the finger recesses on the back made it very comfortable also. It really was a nice controller right up untill the buttons stopped working a year after we got it.