The design of controllers has evolved considerably since their initial appearance as basic rectangular devices with few buttons. Development continuously advances it into its modern state as ergonomic masterpieces with haptic feedback systems. But sometimes, some companies take things in a completely unexpected direction.
Here are some of the strangest limited-edition controllers ever made. If you’re more of a digital table games fan, try Bizzo Casino for the smoothest, most seamless online experience there is!
1. Chainsaw Controller (Resident Evil 4 – GameCube & PS2)
The Resident Evil 4 Chainsaw Controller stands as one of the most notorious controllers ever made because it imitated a bloody chainsaw in appearance.
It served both consoles and contained a genuine pull cord, replicating authentic noises. It was nothing more than a visual representation, yet it was a nightmare. Adopting an irregular look compromised comfort and it had subpar button positioning. The larger fanbase considered this item a top-level collector’ piece.
2. Doraemon Taiko Drum Controller (Taiko no Tatsujin – PS2)
Japanese rhythm game Taiko no Tatsujin has always had a unique drum controller. But Bandai Namco took it a step further by releasing a Doraemon-themed version.
This one was shaped like the iconic blue robotic cat, Doraemon. Players had to smack his round belly like a drum to keep up with the rhythm. It was adorable but also a bit weird, especially if you weren’t familiar with Doraemon.
3. Wu-Tang Clan Controller (Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style – PlayStation 1)
During the late 1990s, Wu-Tang Clan launched their PlayStation fighting title Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style, along with the “W” logo controller, which they released as a companion piece.
The concept seemed appealing but reality made using this device impractical. It had an ill-designed structure and its buttons positioned themselves awkwardly. For true diehards though, these design flaws did not matter.
4. Dragon Quest Slime Controller (PS2 & PS4)
Square Enix loves making weird Dragon Quest merchandise, and the Slime Controller is proof.
Designed to look like the iconic blue Slime enemy, it was released for the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 4 and was a giant plastic ball with buttons on the bottom. This made it incredibly silly to hold. Playing with it was a challenge, but if you were a Dragon Quest fan, it was a fun collectible.
5. Onimusha Katana Controller (PS2)
Capcom took things to another level when they released a katana-shaped controller for Onimusha 3: Demon Siege.
It was shaped like a samurai sword, complete with a long handle and a blade-like extension. It had buttons on the hilt, but using it was not practical at all. It was more of a display piece than an actual useful mechanism.
6. Sega Fishing Rod Controller (Dreamcast)
The Sega Bass Fishing games for Dreamcast introduced a fishing rod controller that functioned effectively for its designated use.
The device contained built-in motion detectors that let users engage in actual rod movements such as casting and reeling. Yet, it was entirely useless for any other game or activity. Fans attempted to utilize the device to play Street Fighter and Sonic Adventure leading to humorous struggles.
7. Tony Hawk Ride Skateboard Controller (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)
Through Tony Hawk Ride developers aimed to introduce authentic skateboarding mechanics to video games. Users needed to stand on a skateboard-like peripheral instead of using a conventional controller.
The plan showed promise but failed horribly during implementation. Balancing the board proved challenging and many sensory errors worked against its functionality.
8. Steel Battalion (Xbox)
When Capcom released Steel Battalion on the original Xbox, they decided a regular controller wasn’t enough. Instead, they created a massive, 40-button cockpit-style one, complete with foot pedals.
It was immersive, but it also took up a lot of space, and playing it felt like piloting a real mech, but learning the switches was overwhelming. If you were dedicated enough to master it, though, it was one of the most unique affairs ever.