Imagine this scenario: You’ve just purchased an elegant, freshly minted gaming system, and your immediate reaction is to hunt down some mysterious plastic pieces that could potentially elevate your gaming adventure.
The odd assortment of gaming gadgets, add-ons, and controls that we know today began to take shape during the 1980s. However, in recent times, it seems that the industry is moving away from creating bizarre items, instead focusing on producing sensical and functional products.
It doesn’t imply that all companies have ceased making unusual choices regarding their peripherals altogether; quite the contrary. However, with anticipation of seeing more outlandish items, I chose to arrange my top picks.
Each of these is quirky, often contains a seed of creativity, and is entertaining to examine, even if it lacks practicality. I chose one submission for each gaming platform, typically selecting what seemed most unusual to me.
10. Dragon Quest Slime Controller
A Sticky Slope
Although the idea of a controller customized for each significant gaming console might seem conventional, the Dragon Quest Slime Controller sports an unusual design that poses challenges when trying to comfortably play most games.
You need to turn over an unusual, squishy silicone goo, manipulating it with the buttons and handles at its base, all the while keeping a firm hold on it. This isn’t exactly a pleasant sensation.
This controller is completely operational and follows typical design standards, making it neither overly bizarre nor unusual. However, it earns additional praise for its unique construction, which resembles a whimsical creature, adding a touch of playful charm to it.
It’s refreshing to note that this development, though new compared to the long history of things, demonstrates Square Enix’s readiness to experiment with their hardware in unconventional ways.
9. Power Glove
Slightly Terrible
Instead of dwelling on its less-than-perfect controls and software, let’s discuss the positive aspects of the Power Glove, as it seems to be a forerunner of modern technology.
Apart from the seemingly superfluous glove, it functioned primarily as a large handheld controller, offering motion control capabilities and allowing for simultaneous gameplay in a regular manner.
The idea behind this was also applied to the Wii Remote and notably the Joy-Cons for the Switch, although I highly doubt there was a board meeting at Nintendo discussing a return to the Power Glove design. However, there are certainly some parallels.
It seems like a commendable attempt and an intriguing concept, unfortunately, the necessary technology for its optimal performance didn’t exist back then. This factor, combined with the passage of time, gives it a peculiar feel, but the attempt remains admirable nonetheless.
8. Gamebike
Limited Mobility
This device, called the Gamebike, is supposed to be an exercise bike connected to games as a means of promoting physical activity during gameplay, but it falls flat in terms of appeal or effectiveness.
This device requires connection via cables, and its primary advantage lies in the inclusion of a control unit positioned near the handlebars. However, given that it costs the same as most other exercise bikes and is often slightly smaller, I struggle to understand why this feature would be appealing.
From a gaming enthusiast’s perspective, while the concept of using a Wii Fit might seem a bit unusual, the variety of compatible games and its distinctiveness make it a compelling choice. On the other hand, a Gamebike offers an exercise experience that falls short compared to traditional stationary bikes.
As a gamer, I’ve found an interesting twist: Set up a stationary bike in front of my TV or grab a portable gaming device, and voila! I can now play my favorite games whilst getting a workout. It might seem like a roundabout approach, but it sure beats the traditional gym treadmill with nothing to engage my mind.
7. Booster Boy
Clunky and Unsightly
The initial Game Boy indeed had its flaws, and the Booster Boy was designed as a solution; however, due to its bulkiness and awkward design, it’s hardly preferable to the standard version when considering use.
The large, plastic shell envelops your Game Boy, enlarging all its buttons and transforming the D-Pad into an analog stick. However, this modification seems more like an unnecessary extra.
Apart from its primary function, it offers additional features such as a magnifying glass, a light source, speaker amplification, increased weight, and rapid battery consumption – all of which make it less practical for use as a portable device due to its heavy power demands.
Back in the day, I was all about upgrading my trusty old Game Boy, making it bigger and badder, though let’s face it – that chunky ’90s plastic was a bit of a beast to carry around. Despite its shortcomings and potential drawbacks, there was something oddly endearing about it.
6. Wii Speak
Game and Shout
In contrast to Microsoft and Sony, who successfully integrated voice chat by the end of the 2000s, Nintendo’s approach to online voice chat has often been unconventional. The Wii Speak, introduced by Nintendo, represents one such unusual attempt in this area.
The device was designed to sit near your television, but its clarity depended on your specific setup, making it necessary to speak louder than the game sound for clear communication.
In these thirteen matches, an unconventional method of interaction was tried out, often leading to heated exchanges among players using poor-quality microphones, which made the experience extremely difficult and frustrating to hear.
With the seldom-used microphone found in the Wii U, along with the peculiar voice chat setup that necessitates connecting both your phone and Switch to the same power source, they continue to employ these unconventional methods rather than simply allowing for a headset usage.
5. Nintendo Labo
Cardboard Machinations
Before Nintendo Labo’s production ended, the initial four sets were unique and underappreciated, though it’s not surprising that they didn’t resonate strongly with the primary demographic the Switch aimed for.
As a gamer, I found the initial collection quite perplexing. It was like unboxing a mystery box filled with bite-sized games that took around 10 minutes to complete once assembled, which added another half an hour to the setup process. Despite the promising Lego-like potential for a unique gaming experience, it left an unpleasant aftertaste in the gaming community.
Assembling these virtual reality crafts made from cardboard proved enjoyable, featured helpful interactive guides, and worked seamlessly with numerous video games, enabling an immersive gaming experience.
It’s a pity the show didn’t progress beyond the Virtual Reality stage, but despite some earlier stages being a tad over-the-top, I must admit they provided loads of enjoyment. And boy, finding space for them afterward was quite the challenge!
4. Game Gear TV Tuner
Pathetic Signal
Have you ever considered enjoying satellite TV on a compact, low-resolution display that offers just an hour of autonomy? If not, it seems unfortunate because there’s actually a product called the Game Gear TV Tuner that serves this purpose.
On the Game Gear, the screen shows clearly at 140 pixels and the TV tuner consumes additional power, draining even more from this device famously known for its high energy consumption (from 6 AA batteries). It’s undeniably a letdown, but still retains a unique charm.
The charm of utilizing your portable device for viewing preferred programs is hard to ignore, but its appeal is significantly diminished due to its compatibility with the Game Gear and the restriction to satellite channels exclusively.
As a gamer, I find it nearly unplayable these days, and although Sony tried something similar on the PlayStation Portable (PSP), it turned out just as disappointing. The signal was way too weak and the screen was ridiculously tiny, making for a gaming experience that left much to be desired.
3. Xbox 360 Kinect
Let’s Get Moving
Microsoft observed Nintendo’s success with motion control in the Wii and felt compelled to join the market. However, rather than creating something innovative, enjoyable, and groundbreaking, their attempt with the Kinect was less than stellar, making it difficult for users to fully utilize its capabilities.
Using Kinect, unlike Wii Remotes or PlayStation Move, requires you to get up from your seat for most games. Moreover, it necessitates standing in a spacious area and maintaining a central position throughout the gameplay experience.
Under perfect circumstances, the navigation through these menus remains difficult, and it frequently fails to respond to your inputs. Additionally, its tracking performance is so inconsistent that I can hardly remember a time when it functioned properly over an extended period.
The allure of controlling your whole body within games has long existed, yet it wasn’t truly brought to life until Virtual Reality (VR) emerged. Consequently, the Kinect, once a promising technology, is now seen as an outdated relic in the annals of gaming history.
2. Onimusha 3 Demon Siege Katana Controller
You Are Already Dead
The “Onimusha 3 Demon Siege Katana Controller” is known for its lengthy title, but beyond that, it’s a typical controller that combines elements of humor and impracticality in an unusual way – by placing all the buttons onto a replica Katana.
The design of the control layout is awkwardly arranged, with six small buttons positioned in a straight line next to the left joystick, the directional pad, and another joystick. Using it feels just as uncomfortable as one might anticipate.
This peculiar controller, equipped with all the inputs required to play a variety of games, was never in high demand and has largely gone unnoticed. However, due to its unique characteristics, it’s now sought after and typically sells for about $1000.
The packaging resembles something quite unusual, almost eerie, like a box for an antique katana. It includes a stand for showcasing it, giving off an authentic samurai vibe. All the elements combined make this controller one of the most peculiar yet intriguingly cool devices I’ve seen.
1. DK Bongos
You Know It Well
The DK Bongos, in essence, are a Gamecube controller disguised as a bongo drum case, yet unlike the Slime Controller designed for multiple games, it’s primarily meant for one Donkey Kong Jungle Beat. Remarkably, it functions effectively on many other games as well.
Six full buttons are arranged on your bongos – two on each drum, one central button, and an additional input activated by a clap. These buttons function similarly to standard Gamecube inputs, allowing you to potentially play any game compatible with that specific controller.
You could attempt to play it, albeit with varying degrees of success, or connect it to your computer for some gameplay while tapping along to the rhythm since it’s a game that revolves around rhythms.
The design is uniquely quirky yet delightful, and it offers an amusingly unconventional control mechanism that requires you to clap your hands every time you wish to parry, resulting in a strangely effective, humorous experience.
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2025-02-14 19:40