Is there any controller that dosen't use your thumbs for consoles?

Wolfpup

Wolfpup

CAGiversary!
I sometimes worry about how ergonomic console gaming is. My thumbs sometimes bother me, particularly after long play sessions (and I gave up fighting games for the most part a decade ago because they tore up my fingers).

It used to be, back on the SNES, you could get away without using your thumbs if need be, with like a joystick. I don't LIKE joysticks, but I did have one and use one when my thumbs started being bothered.

Unfortunately, as far as I know, there's no modern equivalent ever since we started getting analog sticks. I mean sure, there are joysticks available on modern systems, but they're only usable with a small number of games.

Just wondering if anyone knows about some type of device where you can mostly use your fingers instead.

PC gaming (at least when I'm using a mouse/keyboard) has never bothered me for whatever reason-at least not since I got Belkin gel wrest mouse pads.
 
Most Wii games still have you using your thumb like normal on the analog stick though, so that doesn't help too much. Plus that's just one system, and I'd rather have something that works for all games on the 360 and PS3. Not sure anything exists though :whistle2:(

Thanks for the suggestion though!
 
dood! the Activator!!

sega_genesis_accessories_activator_box.jpg


likewise, play all your games with a DDR pad / Beatmani Controller / Taiko Drum / etc.

I kno sum guy was able to play Soul Calibur using a fishing controller, and he was hella good!!
 
I don't use my thumbs when playing fighting games, it's not that hard. I hold the controller horizontal and play using my index and middle finger on the d-pad and face buttons.
 
You could probably play any controller without using your thumbs... its just up to you to discover/choose a style you like and then get good at it. I've seen a few people who play fighting games while holding the controller in very weird non-tradional ways and I've seen articles on people who broke their hands who learned to play games using their toes. The possibilities are endless!
 
you could get an arcade stick for next-gen consoles.

but really, if youre thumbs are hurting from gaming, maybe you try taking a break every hour or so.
 
...or just starting playing PC games instead.

I used to have really bad wrist/elbow/back pains from being on the PC too much (being a software developer + being addicted to WoW = BAD). I moved myself over to playing almost all consoles game now and I feel much better. Perhaps a similiar (if opposite) change might help put less stress on certain parts of your body.
 
It sounds to me like your playing too much, or for too long at once. Take breaks. Pause your game every hour and take 5-10 minutes to get up, stretch, walk around the room, get a drink, etc.

This happens to me somtimes when I play very intensive games. I have no problem putting down the controller and and cracking my knuckles and stretching a bit. This happens to me lately when playing alot of Forza 2. acing games for me require alot of steady concentration, and it takes its toll. My eyes dry out from not blinking, and my left thumb hurts from moving the analog stick nonstop for minutes on end.

Don't hate on your opposable thumbs, they're the only reason we can play videogames. :D
 
This thread made me think about the N64 controller. Man, that analog stick could tear your thumb UP!

This thread also made me wonder, how many things in life don't utilize thumbs?
 
There are adaptors that allow you to use a keyboard and mouse on Xbox, Xbox 360, PS2, and PS3. But most games aren't particularly well suited to keyboard and mouse (other than shooters of course).
 
My dog chewed up the analog stick on my only gamecube controller so that it was really jagged on one end, and I was too cheap to get a new one. I was able to associate stick movements with the amount of pain they gave my thumb for awhile, haha.
 
[quote name='RedvsBlue']There's a reason animals don't play video games...[/QUOTE]
I was going to say....I think OP is really a superevolved primate still lacking, unfortunately, tha opposable thumbz.
 
[quote name='SpecTrE3353']...or just starting playing PC games instead.

I used to have really bad wrist/elbow/back pains from being on the PC too much (being a software developer + being addicted to WoW = BAD). I moved myself over to playing almost all consoles game now and I feel much better. Perhaps a similiar (if opposite) change might help put less stress on certain parts of your body.[/QUOTE]

Hmm, yeah, this really seems like the only real possibility.

Thanks for all the responses. Unfortunately, what usually happens is I don't notice there's a problem until like the next day, next morning. Although Super Paper Mario was REEEEALLY bad and that did bother me while playing (really unergonomic).

I think someone could create a decent joystick type device that you could use without your hands that would replicate a modern control pad, but I don't think I'd like using a regular pad like that, since they're so much designed around using your thumbs for almost everything, and won't even sit normally on a desk or whatever.
 
[quote name='Strell']The above post gives me an idea.[/QUOTE]
Strell wants to play(z) with the lobsterz(s) in his(z) pants(z).
 
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