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Nintendo certainly goes hand in hand with the word 'Innovation'. When they develop something, in particular Controllers for their system's, the world watches with interest and baited breath.
The first time Nintendo Perhaps caught the publics attention was with the Super Famicom Controller (Super Nes), being the first to use shoulder buttons.
With It's Y, B, X ,A Green , Red, Blue, Yellow layout. Not only was it colourful and a joy to look at then, but it was comfortable too.
In 1995, Nintendo released the only true 3-D system in the world: Virtual Boy. And with it came the Virtual Boy controller.
Perhaps what was striking then was Nintendo's use in including TWO D- pads on the controller, (digital) on the left side and right of the controller. What was also striking was for the first time ever, 'Prongs' where used a feature, to be picked up upon and used later on the Playstation.
But the 'Biggey' in terms of Controller releases had to have been the showing of the Nintendo 64 controller. Nintendo kept this baby under wraps for a good while, showing the console first because it was the final design. But not showing the controller for months after, in case of the usual copying back lash and stealing of Ideas.
The most unique feature of the Nintendo 64 is the controller itself. Which was first to introduce analog control, and was designed especially for the Game super Mario 64, a description of the buttons is below
C buttons: these buttons work in a group for changing camera angles and view in 3D games or work independently for other controls.
Control stick: Reacts to the slightest pressure or the quickest move. Designed especially for 3D games
A and B buttons: the primary buttons used for most games, larger size for increased player comfort
Z button: unique handle mounted button, allows players to use it like a trigger
L and R buttons: Special top mounted buttons for additional control
Perhaps the Gamecube controller is the ultimate evolution of the groundbreaking N64 Pad. With it's unique featues and playability looks, Nintendo is sure onto a winner.
However I haven't held the Gamecube controller so naturally I'm not going to give my opinion of it. But If reports are to go by, the Gamecube controller will be the greatest joypad EVER concieved from the illustrious headquarters of Kyoto and indeed, throughout the planet.
Let's sit back and watch as as Game Companies get beavering away at a controller in direct response to Nintendo's. The Results could be surprising or more than likely, not surprising at all (Dual Shock anyone?)
The first time Nintendo Perhaps caught the publics attention was with the Super Famicom Controller (Super Nes), being the first to use shoulder buttons.
With It's Y, B, X ,A Green , Red, Blue, Yellow layout. Not only was it colourful and a joy to look at then, but it was comfortable too.
In 1995, Nintendo released the only true 3-D system in the world: Virtual Boy. And with it came the Virtual Boy controller.
Perhaps what was striking then was Nintendo's use in including TWO D- pads on the controller, (digital) on the left side and right of the controller. What was also striking was for the first time ever, 'Prongs' where used a feature, to be picked up upon and used later on the Playstation.
But the 'Biggey' in terms of Controller releases had to have been the showing of the Nintendo 64 controller. Nintendo kept this baby under wraps for a good while, showing the console first because it was the final design. But not showing the controller for months after, in case of the usual copying back lash and stealing of Ideas.
The most unique feature of the Nintendo 64 is the controller itself. Which was first to introduce analog control, and was designed especially for the Game super Mario 64, a description of the buttons is below
C buttons: these buttons work in a group for changing camera angles and view in 3D games or work independently for other controls.
Control stick: Reacts to the slightest pressure or the quickest move. Designed especially for 3D games
A and B buttons: the primary buttons used for most games, larger size for increased player comfort
Z button: unique handle mounted button, allows players to use it like a trigger
L and R buttons: Special top mounted buttons for additional control
Perhaps the Gamecube controller is the ultimate evolution of the groundbreaking N64 Pad. With it's unique featues and playability looks, Nintendo is sure onto a winner.
However I haven't held the Gamecube controller so naturally I'm not going to give my opinion of it. But If reports are to go by, the Gamecube controller will be the greatest joypad EVER concieved from the illustrious headquarters of Kyoto and indeed, throughout the planet.
Let's sit back and watch as as Game Companies get beavering away at a controller in direct response to Nintendo's. The Results could be surprising or more than likely, not surprising at all (Dual Shock anyone?)
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Wòókiee Møn§†€R wrote:
> Sorry mate - not the Magnavox either.
I've looked through all the 'major'
> systems here...
http://www.geocities.com/~compcloset/index.html
...and
> it's none of them.
I've posted a message on a forum elsewhere (sorry SR)
> which specialise in old consoles, to see if anyone can help jog my memory...
> I'll just have to wait and see!
Good luck then, if it's not on that list it must be pretty obscure!! Something else on that list caught my eye and made me chuckle, the Samsung Gam*Boy. By it's looks, I think it may well pre-date the Nintendo GameBoy; quite an irony if you consider the thread topic name....
> Sorry mate - not the Magnavox either.
I've looked through all the 'major'
> systems here...
http://www.geocities.com/~compcloset/index.html
...and
> it's none of them.
I've posted a message on a forum elsewhere (sorry SR)
> which specialise in old consoles, to see if anyone can help jog my memory...
> I'll just have to wait and see!
Good luck then, if it's not on that list it must be pretty obscure!! Something else on that list caught my eye and made me chuckle, the Samsung Gam*Boy. By it's looks, I think it may well pre-date the Nintendo GameBoy; quite an irony if you consider the thread topic name....
haha your right, the binatone with it's basic four games had an orange ANALOGUE contoller ;-)
Sorry mate - not the Magnavox either.
I've looked through all the 'major' systems here...
http://www.geocities.com/~compcloset/index.html
...and it's none of them.
I've posted a message on a forum elsewhere (sorry SR) which specialise in old consoles, to see if anyone can help jog my memory... I'll just have to wait and see!
I've looked through all the 'major' systems here...
http://www.geocities.com/~compcloset/index.html
...and it's none of them.
I've posted a message on a forum elsewhere (sorry SR) which specialise in old consoles, to see if anyone can help jog my memory... I'll just have to wait and see!
The Binatone systems (I had the Mk10 version) had analogue controllers. The games were all pretty simplistic sports 'simulations', but the little sticks or crosshairs movement speed was certainly related to the amount of movement applied to the controller.
There's a Magnavox Odyssey 2 system that had a game that sounds a bit like what you are talking about, it was called Sub Chase. One person controlled the Sub, while the other controlled a plane. The Magnavox Odyssey 2 had a keyboard built in, making it fairly distinctive as far as console games systems are concerned - not bad for late seventies....
There's a Magnavox Odyssey 2 system that had a game that sounds a bit like what you are talking about, it was called Sub Chase. One person controlled the Sub, while the other controlled a plane. The Magnavox Odyssey 2 had a keyboard built in, making it fairly distinctive as far as console games systems are concerned - not bad for late seventies....
Hooplah wrote:
> Wasn't it the Binatone games
> systems that used analogue sticks? The ones with the pre-programmed sports games
> (pong style tennis and so on)
I honestly can't remember anything about the name of the system.
I can remember one game, which *may* have been called Depth Charge.
There was a blocky, side-on 2D representation of a ship on the sea, with a submarine under the water. You could move the ship left and right on the screen, and the sub went continuously from left to right at different depths (I think).
One player controlled the ship, the other controlled the sub. Pressing the fire button dropped a depth charge or fired a torpedo, and it was all about timing.
The further you pushed the stick left/right, the slower/faster your craft moved. Very simplistic controls, but most definitely analogue.
> Wasn't it the Binatone games
> systems that used analogue sticks? The ones with the pre-programmed sports games
> (pong style tennis and so on)
I honestly can't remember anything about the name of the system.
I can remember one game, which *may* have been called Depth Charge.
There was a blocky, side-on 2D representation of a ship on the sea, with a submarine under the water. You could move the ship left and right on the screen, and the sub went continuously from left to right at different depths (I think).
One player controlled the ship, the other controlled the sub. Pressing the fire button dropped a depth charge or fired a torpedo, and it was all about timing.
The further you pushed the stick left/right, the slower/faster your craft moved. Very simplistic controls, but most definitely analogue.
Strafex wrote:
> Ok, time to settle disputes the MATURE way.
It's not a question of settling a dispute or being mature or immature. There is no dispute: there can't be a dispute, as the facts speak for themselves.
Nintendo, as good as they are, did not invent the analogue stick, nor were they the first to use it on a home console, and so by definition did nothing to 'revolutionise', 'innovate' or 'lead the way' in any form as far as analogue sticks are concerned.
The phrase "clutching at straws" springs to mind. "Well, Company X may have done it better, but Nintendo did it first - so NAH!" - even when it clearly isn't true!
> BUT, Nintendo were the first to standardise it and use it's full
> potential properly.
How can they have been the first to 'standardise' it when it was 'standard' with the Atari in 1982?
> It was Nintendo who showed everyone how it can put the D-Pad
> to shame.
An analogue stick is an analogue stick, whichever controller it's on. The difference lies in how the PROGRAMMER designs the control system for a game. All platforms have some games with ill-conceived control systems that a lot of people can't get on with; conversely, all platforms have games with control systems which are beautifully simple and become second-nature in no time at all.
Any problems lie not with the stick itself, but with the interpretation of its movements by the software.
As for 'putting the D-pad to shame' - that rather depends on the type of game. Platform games, for example, are much easier to play with digital input.
I am NOT digging at Nintendo - I am simply correcting "facts" claimed by someone else which I know to be in error; just as with Wolfhound's other claim that no PS2 game had yet used DVD-ROM! Some people just don't like being corrected.
> Ok, time to settle disputes the MATURE way.
It's not a question of settling a dispute or being mature or immature. There is no dispute: there can't be a dispute, as the facts speak for themselves.
Nintendo, as good as they are, did not invent the analogue stick, nor were they the first to use it on a home console, and so by definition did nothing to 'revolutionise', 'innovate' or 'lead the way' in any form as far as analogue sticks are concerned.
The phrase "clutching at straws" springs to mind. "Well, Company X may have done it better, but Nintendo did it first - so NAH!" - even when it clearly isn't true!
> BUT, Nintendo were the first to standardise it and use it's full
> potential properly.
How can they have been the first to 'standardise' it when it was 'standard' with the Atari in 1982?
> It was Nintendo who showed everyone how it can put the D-Pad
> to shame.
An analogue stick is an analogue stick, whichever controller it's on. The difference lies in how the PROGRAMMER designs the control system for a game. All platforms have some games with ill-conceived control systems that a lot of people can't get on with; conversely, all platforms have games with control systems which are beautifully simple and become second-nature in no time at all.
Any problems lie not with the stick itself, but with the interpretation of its movements by the software.
As for 'putting the D-pad to shame' - that rather depends on the type of game. Platform games, for example, are much easier to play with digital input.
I am NOT digging at Nintendo - I am simply correcting "facts" claimed by someone else which I know to be in error; just as with Wolfhound's other claim that no PS2 game had yet used DVD-ROM! Some people just don't like being corrected.
Wòókiee Møn§†€R wrote:
It certainly wasn't a Colecovision - I can't recall
the name, but I'm trying to locate it on the web and will post the name if and when I find it.
Wasn't it the Binatone games systems that used analogue sticks? The ones with the pre-programmed sports games (pong style tennis and so on)
That must have been late seventies early eighties?
It certainly wasn't a Colecovision - I can't recall
the name, but I'm trying to locate it on the web and will post the name if and when I find it.
Wasn't it the Binatone games systems that used analogue sticks? The ones with the pre-programmed sports games (pong style tennis and so on)
That must have been late seventies early eighties?
Ok, time to settle disputes the MATURE way.
Ok.
N64 analogue stick and PS2 analogue sticks.
Both work fine although it takes a bit of getting used to from one to another.
So N64 owners prefer the one on their pad (because they are used to it)
And DC/PS2 owners prefer the chunkier sort (again because they are used to it)
Secondly, who started the analogue stick?
Well analogue sticks have been around since the 80's so Nintendo didn't INVENT it.
BUT, Nintendo were the first to standardise it and use it's full potential properly. It was Nintendo who showed everyone how it can put the D-Pad to shame.
You're all right and wrong!
Ok.
N64 analogue stick and PS2 analogue sticks.
Both work fine although it takes a bit of getting used to from one to another.
So N64 owners prefer the one on their pad (because they are used to it)
And DC/PS2 owners prefer the chunkier sort (again because they are used to it)
Secondly, who started the analogue stick?
Well analogue sticks have been around since the 80's so Nintendo didn't INVENT it.
BUT, Nintendo were the first to standardise it and use it's full potential properly. It was Nintendo who showed everyone how it can put the D-Pad to shame.
You're all right and wrong!
WolfHound wrote:
> Impossible to be analogue with 2D Visuals, especially in the 80's.
You either don't have any idea what you're on about, or you just can't face being wrong. It is NOT impossible to use analogue controls with 2D visuals, as the priciple behind them is the same - the further you move the controller, the more response you get.
> More than likely It was a 'Colecovision' which had a control stick upon a joypad which
> resembles an analogue stick, but was digital.
The same goes for the
> Atari.
Digital Sticks. Not Analogue.
It certainly wasn't a Colecovision - I can't recall the name, but I'm trying to locate it on the web and will post the name if and when I find it.
Whatever it was, it was ANALOGUE. The joysticks were ANANLOGUE because the more you moved them in any given direction, the faster the object you controlled moved.
The console was cartridge-based (obviously); it had two wedge-shaped controllers, each with two red fire buttons on each, and 10 (I think) black multi-function buttons laid out like a phone (but with no numbers or markings) and a thin analogue joystick.
> Nintendo where the first to pioneer
> the use of the analogue sticks with the majority of the games for the
> N64.
No. Wrong. The Atari 5200 had analogue sticks...
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley /Server/2990/ocgs/issue11/5200.html
...in 1982 - as I'm sure did a number of other systems, including the one I had.
> Impossible to be analogue with 2D Visuals, especially in the 80's.
You either don't have any idea what you're on about, or you just can't face being wrong. It is NOT impossible to use analogue controls with 2D visuals, as the priciple behind them is the same - the further you move the controller, the more response you get.
> More than likely It was a 'Colecovision' which had a control stick upon a joypad which
> resembles an analogue stick, but was digital.
The same goes for the
> Atari.
Digital Sticks. Not Analogue.
It certainly wasn't a Colecovision - I can't recall the name, but I'm trying to locate it on the web and will post the name if and when I find it.
Whatever it was, it was ANALOGUE. The joysticks were ANANLOGUE because the more you moved them in any given direction, the faster the object you controlled moved.
The console was cartridge-based (obviously); it had two wedge-shaped controllers, each with two red fire buttons on each, and 10 (I think) black multi-function buttons laid out like a phone (but with no numbers or markings) and a thin analogue joystick.
> Nintendo where the first to pioneer
> the use of the analogue sticks with the majority of the games for the
> N64.
No. Wrong. The Atari 5200 had analogue sticks...
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley /Server/2990/ocgs/issue11/5200.html
...in 1982 - as I'm sure did a number of other systems, including the one I had.
Impossible to be analogue with 2D Visuals, especially in the 80's.
More than likely It was a 'Colecovision' which had a control stick upon a joypad which resembles an analogue stick, but was digital.
The same goes for the Atari.
Digital Sticks. Not Analogue.
Nintendo where the first to pioneer the use of the analogue sticks with the majority of the games for the N64.
NiGHTS was one example for the Saturn, but that was it in terms of other systems.
More than likely It was a 'Colecovision' which had a control stick upon a joypad which resembles an analogue stick, but was digital.
The same goes for the Atari.
Digital Sticks. Not Analogue.
Nintendo where the first to pioneer the use of the analogue sticks with the majority of the games for the N64.
NiGHTS was one example for the Saturn, but that was it in terms of other systems.
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