The most recent installment in Microsoft’s gaming line, the XBOX Series X was released with hardware enhancements, better graphic resolutions, and high-speed download processors.

In terms of the video game controller itself, the XBOX Series X retains much of the previous model’s features, but was reshaped to be compatible with more hand sizes in the gamer community. There are also several new function buttons to make the multi-media connection and game sharing easier.

Where this console does differ greatly, however, is in the shape and size of the unit. While the controller is not incredibly different from previous iterations, many gamers note the change to a rectangular console that is quite hefty.

As Sony’s latest PlayStation offering, the PS5 was highly anticipated and hard to get your hands on. However, it also features a variety of new features and enhanced gameplay options that make it worth the wait in many gamers’ opinions.

High-speed gameplay and data processing, better resolution capacities, and smoother updates are all included in the PlayStation 5 console itself, as well as the controllers’ haptic feedback for more immersion and increased adaptive triggers for easier aiming, shooting, and viewing on-screen.

The console unit and controller are both larger than the PS4 model, but the DualShock controllers still fit comfortably in the hand and feature enhanced gamepad functions, as well.

The Nintendo Switch addition to this line of consoles was an exciting establishment in the world of video games, mobile play, and multi-functional video game controllers.

Not only can you play the Switch as a handheld gaming tablet, but you can also use the console dock to attach the screen itself to your TV and use the Switch handles as essentially Wii Remotes with motion sensing, or clip them together to form a DualShock controller look-alike.

The Switch has certainly taken the mobility of Game Boys and brought it into a new era, and remains a very interesting step towards the future of what gaming, consoles, and controllers can be.

Not only did Microsoft use development time in the XBOX One to optimize the controller grips, placement of the buttons, and properly weight the thumbsticks and shoulder buttons, but the system itself was functionally rejuvenated with quieter processors and multi-media abilities.

And, when compared to the XBOX 360, the hardware used in this model was much improved, prolonging the lifespan of these units significantly which received good ratings from users.

Introducing a touchpad as the only company in the top three to include one, Sony and PlayStation really thought outside the box with their PS4 console. Many of the improved features revolved around the controller setup itself, with better friction on thumbsticks and shoulder bumpers, and easier setup and share buttons.

In addition, the PlayStation 4 console itself featured better graphics, easier downloads, and a smoother playing experience, remaining one of the top-selling systems of all time.

Essentially an early version of the Nintendo Switch, the Wii U was touted as a more mobile version of the Wii. More features include online access for social networking through Nintendo’s “Miiverse” platform and advanced gamepad control, but some users found it much more cumbersome than the individual Wii Remotes.

Many people remember the excitement of motion sensors included in your gaming controller, leading to actively influencing the gameplay on your TV screen.

Moreover, the Nintendo Wii console and controllers (or Wii Remotes) were a major breakthrough, allowing the games industry to not only tap into motion-activated gaming, but also branch into the health and fitness market with Wii Sports and other incentives to get your body moving and have fun.

The first Microsoft XBOX series to offer online features with XBOX Live, the 360 quickly became a popular addition to households. In fact, gamers were finally able to branch out with their console use, including live music and TV, downloading online games and demos, and accessing third-party streaming services.

The XBOX 360 really changed the way the world viewed gaming consoles, as a full entertainment service, outside of simply logging into a game for an hour by yourself.

Finally, Microsoft entered the world of video game controllers and consoles with the first XBOX model.

And though the first iteration was followed fairly quickly by an enhanced version, the original XBOX featured many essential functions that would help shape the way controllers were made, including more buttons and staggered thumbsticks for easier aiming, running, and looking in-game.

As one of the first console systems that allowed for connection to a mobile unit like the Game Boy, Nintendo’s sixth model supported online gaming, cube-only features, and even memory card save data, thanks to the innovative e-reading format within the unit itself.

It was one of the consoles with the widest range of available games, and even the ergonomic capabilities of the controller were highly anticipated.

The Dreamcast turned out to be Sega’s final contribution to the console world of video gaming, as it launched successfully but eventually was overshadowed by the PS2.

However, the addition of a viewing screen to the console itself was possibly the precursor to handheld gaming such as the Game Boy and even Nintendo Switch, as very similar mechanics became popular soon after.

PlayStation console editions came out fairly quickly in succession, as Sony capitalized on the success and popularity of their products.

Enhancements to the PlayStation 2 included the DualShock 2 controller with a rumbling motor, better memory card space in the console, and easier thumbstick action for precise movements.

Any viewers might notice the Nintendo 64 system appears to be an outlier, even if just for the peculiar controller shape. In fact, this follow-up to the SNES was made in an attempt to mimic better ergometric designs but ultimately was not a success. However, the button and D-pad features were a good start!

Sony’s first marked foray into the realm of consoles and gaming controllers, the PlayStation 1 featured ergonomic handholds, thumbsticks, and a quartet of buttons that gave full control to the player.

This is also when 3D graphics were put forefront in Sony development, leading to a whole new era in video game quality and gaming content.

Another installment in Nintendo’s console lineup, the SNES was a fan favorite due to better graphics and game cards that were directly enhanced for quality.

Plus, it’s one of the best outcomes from the 16-bit console craze that would soon dissipate in favor of much cleaner graphics and processors, and many people remember their SNES units fondly.

This successor to Sega’s previous Master System console was successful in North America and Europe, including the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, the great visual chips, and the audio capabilities of this console.

The directional D-pad on this controller also began to take a defined form, with more buttons for better character control as well, leading to good user reviews.

As the redesigned version of the Nintendo Family Computer for North American and European audiences, the NES was incredibly popular and used controllers for individual players, joysticks, and a cassette drive for more gaming title options.

This home platform by Nintendo truly paved the way for what was to come, and test markets began to go wild for the console and the range of new games also released, including Super Mario Bros.

Previously referred to as the Famicom upon release in Japan, this was a great innovation by Nintendo and became a successful console within those franchises.

Gamers could also opt for add-ons like guns and paddles to access other types of Nintendo titles, and the early D-pad and labeled button functions on Family Computer controllers were a step into modern video gaming.

As one of the only gaming console models to incorporate number pads, this system was an early ancestor of controllers that now have a fully functional D-pad. The Intellivision was released by Mattel and was the only console the company created until the mid-2000s.

Interestingly, the audio chips on this unit produced quite a good sound, and a golf game cartridge sold even had real-world swing-and-strike noises when connected to the television.

For the year 1982, the Atari 2600 enjoyed unmatched popularity as a home gaming system. It was able to play a variety of 2 KB Atari games that could be swapped in and out, and controlled movement with a joystick.

However, this model did not survive the crash of 1983 experienced throughout the industry, and became defunct after the launch of the NES.

As Atari transitioned its incredibly popular arcade game down from a full game box to an LSI chip that could be integrated into home gameplay, the Home Pong console was also optimized for television connection.

The unit relied on two knobs to control the dots on a TV and was a favorable prototype of modern consoles at that time, though the high price of Home Pong made it difficult to sell.

Made as the first true at-home video game console, this was created by the Sanders Associates and inspired the Home Pong system’s success.

For the time, this was a fairly advanced system and the best gaming controller, allowing for knob and button-based gameplay controlling three dots on the screen. It was not able to make sounds, but the accompanying physical accessories enhanced the experience for Odyssey players.