Unusual game controllers that will catch your eye in a surprising way
In the world of video games, innovation often leads to unique and memorable experiences. This article takes a look at some of the most intriguing examples of unconventional controllers and the games they were designed for, including the DK Bongos, the Fishing Controller, and the skateboard controller for Tony Hawk: Ride.
Let's start with the DK Bongos, a pair of bongo drums-shaped controllers that made their debut in Donkey Konga, released by Nintendo in 2003. The game was the first of its kind, designed to be played exclusively using these controllers. The DK Bongos were intuitive to use, requiring only pad slapping and hand claps for gameplay. Their developer, Nintendo EAD Tokyo, created a sequel the following year, Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, which was a platformer that could also be played using the bongobass peripheral.
The DK Bongos were not the only unusual controllers to grace the gaming scene. Sega released a fishing rod game controller for the Dreamcast in the late '90s. The Fishing Controller, used with Sega Bass Fishing, was designed to resemble a real fishing rod and functioned well. The motion controls made casting and hooking feel responsive, and the built-in rumble provided a weighty fishing experience. However, in a post-Nintendo Wii world, the Fishing Controller was not remarkable.
Activision's Tony Hawk: Ride, released in the same year as Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, was another game that aimed to break the mold. Designed to be played on a skateboard peripheral, the game promised an immersive skateboarding experience. Unfortunately, the skateboard controller was unreliable and not very fun to use.
The decade following these releases saw a boom in rhythm games with plastic instrument peripherals, with Guitar Hero arriving a few years later. These games, while not as unconventional as the DK Bongos or the Fishing Controller, added a new layer of interactivity to gaming.
As we look to the future, there is hope for a return of the DK Bongos on the Switch 2 with Donkey Kong back in the conversation. Whether this will be another strange but successful experiment remains to be seen. Regardless, these unique controllers and games serve as a reminder of the creativity and innovation that drives the video game industry.
