Nintendo Entertainment System Controller

The NES Controller (NES-004) is a rectangular game controller that came packaged along with the Nintendo Entertainment System. Modeled off of the Famicom controller, the NES controller retained most of the former's features, while removing the built-in microphone, and making the controllers removable from the console. It released exclusively in it's iconic gray, black, and red color scheme, though stickers were available through Nintendo Power to customize the controller. It was one of three standard controllers released, alongside the NES Advantage and NES Max. Modern versions of the controller are packaged in the NES Classic Edition console, using their newer Classic Controller connector design, and also for the Nintendo Switch as a bonus for Nintendo Switch online members. A redesigned version was included with the NES Toploader and its Japanese counterpart, the AV Famicom.

The controller is notable for being the first controller to have a proper directional pad. Most controllers at the time used 8-directional joysticks and wide numpads to interface with the console. Nintendo's "D-Pad" design was the first to make a simple, intuitive control scheme across all games. It was a notoriously copied design, with competitors like Sega's Master System and NEC's PC-Engine using very similar control styles.

Design and Regional Differences

Each controller uses a directional pad, two face buttons (B & A) and two menu buttons (START and SELECT). Unlike the original Famicom controller, it is not hard-wired to the system. It connects to the console via a custom 7-pin connector interface on the front of the console, allowing it to be swapped for other controllers such as the NES Zapper and third party peripherals. The controller is designed out of a rectangle enclosure, with light rounded edges.

To match the color scheme of the US release of the NES, the gold and red of it's Famicom predecessor was replaced by Gray and Black, with red accents used for the text and face buttons. Since the gamepad is no longer hardwired, there are no player number indicators.

Redesign

In 1990, with the release of the Super Nintendo, the NES went under a design change to match. The NES 101 "Toploader" console was final release of the NES system in in 1993, bolstering a new controller along with it to align closer to the Super Nintendo. Controller model NES-039 features more ergonomic round edges, a staircase face button scheme, and new Start & Select buttons matching the Super Nintendo and Gameboy. This controller was included in both the US (NES-101) and Japanese (New Famicom) releases, however, it was not released in Europe, as there was no Europe release of the NES-101. The controller was discontinued along with the system in 2003.

Retail hardware Family Computer Nintendo Entertainment System • NES-101 Test hardware Model No. M82  • Famicom Box Test Station • Counter Tester Reproduction hardware NES Classic Edition • Nintendo Classic Mini: Family Computer • LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System Controllers Nintendo Entertainment System Controller (NES-004 • NES-039) NES Advantage • NES Max • Hands Free Controller • Power Glove • Power Pad • NES Satellite • NES Four Score NES Zapper • R.O.B. Add-on devices NES Four Score • NES Satellite Famicom Disk System Famicom Network System Famicom Fitness System Famicom 3D System Famicom Data Recorder Original releases NES games • Family BASIC • Famicom games • Famicom Disk System games • Famicom Network System software (most non-game) Action series • Adventure series • Sports series • Arcade series • Light Gun series • Programmable series • Education series • Robot series Virtual Console Wii • Nintendo 3DS • Wii U