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video game controller - technical definition
The input device used to control a video game. Controllers have evolved from a single joy stick with one button to devices with joy sticks, pedals and dozens of buttons. See video game console and joy stick.
Full Cockpit Controls
Capcom's Steel Battalion controller for the Xbox puts the gamer inside a futuristic robotic war machine. It uses joy sticks, levers, dials and more than 40 buttons to simulate the cockpit of the "Vertical Tank." (Image courtesy of Capcom Entertainment.)
The Gamepad
Also called "joypads" and "control pads," a gamepad is held in the hands and operated with both thumbs such as this wireless unit from Sony for its PlayStation3. Direction buttons, or a directional paddle, are typically on the left side with the action buttons on the right. (Image courtesy of Sony Corporation.)
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