PlayStation Controller
» PLATFORM: PlayStation » RELEASED: 1994 » COST: £24.99 (launch), £20+ (today, boxed) £4+ (today, unboxed)
On the face of it, Sony’s PlayStation controller is a relatively modest elaboration on the ideas that were used by its erstwhile partner Nintendo. Like the SNES controller, the PlayStation features a d-pad, two central function buttons and four face buttons arranged in a diamond shape. The way in which Sony’s design develops upon it is the addition of a second set of shoulder buttons, and long handle grips. Beyond that, the face button labels used shapes rather than the letters or numbers of past systems, and the d-pad was split into four smaller segments.