Today I learned about the Jogcon controller for PS1 & PS2:
This was a dualshock where the analog sticks are replaced by a dial with force feedback, so players could play Ridge Racer and really FEEL the road as if the dial was a steering wheel. I have no clue if it was good (probably not), but I do miss a good weird controller.
The SpaceOrb 360
It’s a 6-axis controller I used for space flight sims (like Descent)
the orb! The Orb was the number one controller i had in mind when making this post. I never had one but i’ve watched so many videos about it. It’s like a controller from an alternate timeline of what could have been, if we never moved to analog sticks or mouse look. Apparently the tech is still preferred in the 3D CAD space. After several acquisitions, the company is now a Logitech subsidiary called “3Dconnexion”, and they make CAD tools like the SpaceMouse that use the same 6-axis tech that the SpaceOrb used:
Behold this $400 monstrosity. This is my Xbox Adaptive controller set up mapped for Ultima Online Outlands. I’ve had a few iterations but this seems best for me so far. Can use it with some other games but that requires using WASD with my feets. It costs so much because it took 3 freaking Logitech kits to get all the buttons I needed. 😭
Well, never used any very weird ones but would the ring fit stuff count? Idk
Kinda? Idk I guess to my mind, “weird controllers” is distinct from “peripherals”, but i can’t really explain how.
Well, a controller is more general I guess
Nintendo labo had some wacky stuff
tbh i might just be inclined to view older peripherals as controllers? Which isn’t exactly clear and logical. Idk, i guess the counter to that is that I would consider Guitar Hero guitars “peripherals” rather than “controllers”, so you maybe it is a “general” vs “specific” thing. Except a lot of these controllers we’re talking about were only officially supported by like, 5 games at most. So i’m back to not knowing the difference haha.
My wife had a PS2 version of this with Final Fantasy 11 and the hard drive/modem attachment. I had never seen one before. It was pretty cool.
I don’t know if it counts as a controller per se, but I’ve been using an MMO mouse with a big number pad for the thumb for quite a few years now. I used to laugh at these things, but once I tried one, I couldn’t go back. Those extra buttons come in handy a lot more often than you might think, and sometimes I wish it had even more.
