In an industry constantly striving for innovation, video game peripherals have played a crucial role in enhancing the gaming experience. While some accessories have become iconic staples, others have pushed the boundaries of creativity and left gamers scratching their heads. Here are twelve of the most peculiar video game peripherals ever made that challenged conventional thinking.
The Virtual Boy: A Bold Attempt at Immersive Gaming
Released by Nintendo in 1995, the Virtual Boy was a groundbreaking but ultimately flawed attempt at virtual reality gaming. With its red monochromatic display and head-mounted design, it promised to transport players into immersive worlds. However, due to issues like eye strain and limited software support, it quickly became one of Nintendo’s biggest commercial failures.
The Power Glove: An Ambitious Gesture-Based Controller
Debuting in 1989 as part of Nintendo’s marketing campaign for “The Wizard” movie, the Power Glove aimed to revolutionize gaming with gesture-based controls. Despite its futuristic appeal and memorable appearance on-screen, this peripheral struggled with accuracy issues and complex setup requirements that hindered its widespread adoption.
Dance Dance Revolution Mat: Rhythm Gaming Hits Your Feet
Aiming to get players off their couches and onto their feet while playing games, Konami introduced Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) mats in 1998. This unique accessory allowed players to step on arrows corresponding to on-screen prompts while following energetic dance routines. DDR not only provided an entertaining way to exercise but also spawned a dedicated community around competitive rhythm gaming.
Guitar Hero Controller: Rocking Out Virtually
Guitar Hero burst onto the scene in 2005 with its innovative guitar-shaped controller, allowing players to simulate playing popular rock songs. This peripheral became a cultural phenomenon, captivating gamers and non-gamers alike with its addictive gameplay and extensive music library. It paved the way for other instrument-based rhythm games and left an indelible mark on gaming history.
EyeToy: Bringing Motion Control Before Its Time
Sony’s EyeToy camera accessory, released in 2003 for the PlayStation 2, introduced motion control before it became mainstream. By tracking players’ movements using a camera, it allowed them to interact with games through physical gestures. Although limited in functionality compared to modern motion controllers like Kinect or PlayStation Move, EyeToy laid the groundwork for future innovations in this space.
The U-Force: A Futuristic Gesture-Based Controller That Fell Short
In 1989, Broderbund Software attempted to bring gesture-based controls into homes with the U-Force controller for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The device used infrared sensors to detect hand movements and translate them into game inputs. Despite its ambitious concept, technical limitations hindered accurate detection of gestures, leading to frustrating experiences that prevented widespread adoption.
R.O.B.: The Robotic Operating Buddy
Released alongside the NES in 1985 as a marketing ploy against video game skepticism at the time, R.O.B. was a small robot designed to play specific games by manipulating physical objects on-screen. While R.O.B.’s novelty factor intrigued many early adopters of NES consoles, its limited compatibility and lack of engaging gameplay led it to fade into obscurity relatively quickly.
Poké Ball Plus: Catching Pokémon In Real Life
The Poké Ball Plus is an example of how video game peripherals can bridge virtual worlds with reality. Released alongside “Pokémon Let’s Go” games, this device allowed players to capture Pokémon by physically throwing the Poké Ball Plus. It also doubled as a controller for in-game actions and could be carried around to collect steps for hatching virtual eggs. The Poké Ball Plus added an extra layer of immersion to the Pokémon experience.
Steel Battalion Controller: A Massive Mech Cockpit
The Steel Battalion controller was designed specifically for Capcom’s mech combat game of the same name, released in 2002. This behemoth peripheral featured two joysticks, multiple buttons, foot pedals, and even a dedicated eject button. With its complex layout and immersive design resembling a cockpit, it aimed to provide players with an unparalleled sense of control over their giant war machines.
Wii Fit Balance Board: Gaming Meets Fitness
Nintendo struck gold again with the Wii Fit Balance Board in 2007. This accessory transformed gaming into a fitness activity by incorporating balance exercises and yoga poses into gameplay. By standing on the board and following on-screen instructions, players could engage in enjoyable physical activities while tracking their progress towards improved health and well-being.
R.O.B.’s Family Fun Fitness Mat: An Early Attempt at Exergaming
In 1986, Nintendo introduced R.O.B.’s Family Fun Fitness Mat as part of its early venture into exergaming—a genre combining exercise with video games. The mat featured pressure-sensitive pads that detected movements during various aerobic exercises displayed on-screen. While ahead of its time conceptually, limited software support hindered widespread adoption.
Kinect: Full-Body Motion Control Without Controllers
Microsoft’s Kinect sensor revolutionized motion control gaming when it launched in 2010 for Xbox consoles. By using depth-sensing cameras and microphones instead of handheld controllers, Kinect allowed players to interact with games using their entire bodies. Although it initially garnered significant attention and sales, the lack of compelling software support ultimately led to its discontinuation.
Conclusion
Video game peripherals have always pushed the boundaries of innovation, sometimes resulting in peculiar creations that capture our imagination or leave us scratching our heads. While some accessories like the Guitar Hero controller became iconic symbols of gaming culture, others like the Virtual Boy or U-Force struggled to find widespread success due to technical limitations or market readiness. Nevertheless, these unconventional peripherals remind us of the industry’s constant pursuit of new ways to enhance our gaming experiences.
