In the past, some games hardware manufacturers have made strange choices in terms of finding a unique selling point for their product.
Peripherals like the Power Glove and R.O.B have helped to keep developers on the right side of sane in more recent years and some of the concepts such as online gaming and services such as Steam are helping gaming into a golden age.
This doesn't mean that they don't make mistakes along the way, but the trial-and-error method seems to be working as some of the products on this very list have been refined into items used by gamers regularly.
1. Wireless controllers (Xbox 360)
Wireless controllers are an amazing concept and I don't think I could ever go back to using their wired counterparts, but when they're powered by AA batteries and the official website explicitly states that you should use disposable batteries, it leads to more hassle than it's worth.
Later makes and models rectified this issue, with the PS3 controller chargeable via any USB port.
Having to constantly change or charge batteries comes at a cost to immersion and the original wireless controllers weren't known for their massive battery life, but it was a great idea and has become second nature to most console gamers.
2. Attachable disc drive (N64) 64DD
The 64DD was plagued with issues before launch and ended up shipping only 15,000 units, which means it was a total sales disaster.
Nintendo must have come to recognise the power in CD based-gaming and the 64DD was shipped with plenty of extras, including a mouse and keyboard combo that plugged into the controller slots.
Despite the good ideas, the 64DD is forever destined to be forgotten and it shows the problems with taking too long to release new hardware, as it was announced before the N64 released only to finally come out near the end of the consoles lifespan when it was already beaten by Sony's PS1.
3. Download only handheld (PSP-Go)
Now, a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link and a download only console is only as strong as the service that supports it.
Sadly for the PSP, Sony seemed to neglect the PSN service that was the very lifeblood of the console. Coupling this with the hacks and customer information breach that Sony suffered and the console really had no chance.
Many people have replaced a console when it has broken, but the PSPGo actively discouraged this as you (obviously) couldn't use PSP UMDs with the handheld.
The iPhone revolutionised download-only portable gaming and the PSPGo was one of the many casualties in Apples all out war for supremacy. IOS gaming has improved and you can now find many old PSP titles on Apple's store.
4. EyeToy (PS2)
The EyeToy is another strange idea stemming from the whole 'camera based' side of gaming peripherals such as the Game Boy camera and the Kinect.
I was pretty young when the Eyetoy released, but even then I recognised the 'gimmicky' aspects and decided to stay well away.
The EyeToy managed to sell over 10m units worldwide which is nothing to be sniffed at, but it doesn't mean the product was any good.
I always thought of it as a glorified webcam that liked to capture people looking foolish as they played a number of poor mini-games, swatting monkeys, or wiping windows. Yes, they actually included that as a 'game'.
The poor selection of games didn't help to sway my opinion, but if done correctly I can see how it could be fun. Maybe.
5. Ridiculous Peripherals (Wii) Snooker Cue/Bowling Ball/Cooking Kit etc
There's no doubting the impact the Wii has had on dragging gaming into the mainstream, but their willingness to cater to all markets has opened the door to some shockingly specific peripherals, such as the Wii bowling ball or the sword and shield combo.
I have nothing against simulation games, but maybe it would be better to bowl in a real alley if you like it that much.
Game-specific controllers are useful for adding an extra dimension to games, but most are strewn with gimmicks, are poorly made, or are used to mask the fact the gameplay just isn't that good.
Racing games are a good example of a useful gaming peripheral and at least the gamer will have plenty of titles to choose from, unlike, say, a bowling ball...
So that's the list, I hope you enjoyed it, please comment, sub or 1 plus.
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