In computer games, players use input devices to trigger actions – usually to control the movement of a character or vehicle around the screen.
The technological development of these input devices has allowed players to interact with games much more easily and intuitively over time, thus allowing game designers to create more realistic and exciting games for people to play. For example, whilst a controller would typically be connected to the games console by means of a wire or cord in the past, nowadays it is much more likely to be by means of a wireless connection.
Home Pong
The Home Pong computer game was released in the UK in 1972. Similar to table-tennis, the Pong game played on it required people to press the two buttons on its controller to move two paddles (bats) up and down to hit a ball back-and-forth from one side of the screen to the other.
Pac-Man
The Pac-Man arcade game was released in the UK in 1980. It challenged players to use a joystick to move the Pac-Man character around an on-screen maze to eat all the pac-dots whilst avoiding being caught by one of the monsters.
SNES
The SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System) was released in the UK in 1992. A popular game played on it was Super Soccer, which challenged the player to use the action and direction buttons on its gamepad to control the movement of on-screen football players in matches and shootouts.
Nintendo 64
The Nintendo 64 was released in the UK in 1997. A popular game played on it was Mario Kart 64 which challenged the player to drive a go-kart around racing tracks, controlling its movements using a steering wheel.
Nintendo Wii
The Nintendo Wii was released in the UK in 2006. Its characteristic feature is its wireless controller, the Wii Remote, which allows players to control games using physical gestures or movements as well as traditional button presses. The most popular game on the console is Wii Sports, where players use the Wii Remote to mimic actions performed in real life sports, such as swinging a golf club.