Do modern games require too many buttons?

[Damm64]

I was gonna say, I play a lot of PC, so I have an egregious amount of buttons! In all honesty, I do not think that modern console controls have too many buttons, but I do feel that the button configuration is a problem. It is flawed and the modern controller needs to be tossed into the garbage for a new experience.

No, the controller is perfect for many type's of games and gamers. It's versatile and comfortable there's no need to change the button layout since it's already perfect, all the buttons at the reach of your fingers.

Give me two Wii nunchucks attached to each other by a cable (cause seriously...that is comfy) and having 4 buttons on each nunchuk, one for each finger. and two thumbsticks. Perfect game controller.

I dislike motion controls, i just want to sit my lazy ass on the couch and relax. Yeah they work but its far from my prefered way to play any game with it. They're gimmicky and cool for a few minutes and that's it.

The only game that i didn't mind motion controls so far was super mario bros on the wii... and that's because the only motion you do is waggle the wii mote very once in a while to pick up something.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Short answer: No

Long answer: It's been brought up that many games are needlessly complicated and while that is very true there are plenty of games that are hampered by controllers not having enough buttons. It totally depends on the game. On the one hand I'm thankful that developers have streamlined movement controls to the degree that they have. I don't and shouldn't need to have 10 different buttons plus directional input just to navigate an environment in Assassin's Creed. On the flipside, games like MechWarrior are partially the games they are because of their control scheme. Steal Battalion probably wouldn't be nearly as cool if it were as simple to use as Assasssin's Creed. Then there's the case where controllers simply aren't enough. Take a game like Starlancer on Dreamcast. What is an excellent game on the PC is turned to frustrating trash because there simply isn't enough available inputs to control the game properly.

I'd also put myself in the camp that believes that console controllers could use something of an overhaul. Let's face it, they might be comfortable but they are poorly designed in that the only fingers you ever utilize for input are your index and thumb. Keyboards and mice don't really have that issue but they have their own limitations as well.

I like a lot of the ideas the original plan for the Steam controller put forward. Honestly, if they were the least bit tactile touch pads would perhaps be the most versatile of control interfaces. Current haptic feedback technology is a bit young though so it's still probably not great for gaming.

[BogusMeatFactory]

No, the controller is perfect for many type's of games and gamers. It's versatile and comfortable there's no need to change the button layout since it's already perfect, all the buttons at the reach of your fingers.


I dislike motion controls, i just want to sit my lazy ass on the couch and relax. Yeah they work but its far from my prefered way to play any game with it. They're gimmicky and cool for a few minutes and that's it.

The only game that i didn't mind motion controls so far was super mario bros on the wii... and that's because the only motion you do is waggle the wii mote very once in a while to pick up something.

I didn't say motion controls, just wii nunchuks in shape. The buttons are soooooooo not perfect. Try using the right thumbstick while pressing the X button on a Playstation controller? Can you?

[Damm64]

I didn't say motion controls, just wii nunchuks in shape.

Well that actually sounds interesting. I think a friend did something like that on a project on a class.

The buttons are soooooooo not perfect. Try using the right thumbstick while pressing the X button on a Playstation controller? Can you?

Yes i can, you need to put the controller on your lap and you can use the rest of your fingers, that is really awkward and unnecesary but i never found a game that forces you to do that.

[isiolia]

I didn't say motion controls, just wii nunchuks in shape. The buttons are soooooooo not perfect. Try using the right thumbstick while pressing the X button on a Playstation controller? Can you?

No, but that's why they have R1-3. Gives the same button setup, except analog trigger and clickable thumbsticks instead of being able to hold them at whatever angle.

[MrPopo]

On the flipside, games like MechWarrior are partially the games they are because of their control scheme. Steal Battalion probably wouldn't be nearly as cool if it were as simple to use as Assasssin's Creed.

They actually tried that; it was called MechAssault. Needless to say most fans of MechWarrior and Steel Battalion were not fans.

[Tanooki]

I've never really done it much, but it's not hard on a PS pad. Just shift your fingers is all. Pointer you curl over the 4 face buttons and just tap it that way which isn't ideal, and then the middle and ring take the top 2.

[Exhuminator]

I love when a developer values context sensitivity over using every button possible on the controller.

[ejamer]

Seems like the answer depends on who you are asking.

Most people who have grown up playing thousands of hours of games don't see a problem. I'm kind of partial to simplified control schemes when possible - although there are some games where many buttons and the ability to use complex control schemes is a necessity.

The trick is finding a balance. A controller can have lots of buttons, but only use a subset of what is available. As long as the controller is laid out in a comfortable fashion that's not a problem.

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Bringing motion controls into the argument is a weird and unnecessary spin.

Motion controls can be good when used properly, or can be a sign of poor/lazy development when an imprecise and often poorly detected motion is used as a replacement for a simple button press.

Whether you like them or not isn't the question and also isn't very relevant. (I don't like dual analog for shooters - it's clunky and slow and imprecise compared to mouse-based, or even pointer-based control schemes available on other platforms. Doesn't make them invalid or any less enjoyable to millions of others.)

[Luke]

It depends on the game and how the buttons are utilized.

Sometimes I wish there was a NES controller with three buttons for games that require a lot of simultaneously pressing both the B and A buttons.

But say, for a game like GTA 4, having different buttons for different physical attacks is unnecessary. A simple "attack button" and "reverse move" button a la Arkham is all you need.

A lot of the latest NHL games use way too many buttons as well. Offense should be:

Shoot, pass, or deke.

Defensive should be:

Check, poke check, or hold.

And of course the d-pad for movement.

In NHL 09 (hey, it's recent for me) you have buttons for (and this is just offense):

Deke
Loose puck deke
Vision control
Push puck
Protect puck
Shoot puck
Wrist shot
Fake shot
Pass
One touch pass
Saucer pass
Flip dump

It's overkill.