The videogame finder
Consoles display in release order. Read consoles historical impact.
Years of home console research and development allowed Valve to unleash a high-technology portable. Until the technology had evolved, handhelds had always been unrealistically compromised. Designed to play PC games made before its own birth. Also designed to play PC games appropriately suited to a controller-experience. it can also play PC games that, by chance, happen to be well-suited to dual-thumb trackpad play. Remember that although the mouse was well-suited to many PC games, the keyboard was not. So for some select titles, the joysticks are a real prize. So for other select titles, the trackpads are the real prize. It pushes a steady 30-fps, with no frame rate stutter. A quality execution of what the dream of portable PC gaming could be like.
Following the concept of "five dimensions"; this being their console "5". Featuring immersive graphics. Densely packed with state-of-the-art technology, something rarely seen in home consoles. The PS5 evolves gaming into a sensory experience, for adventures beyond the limits of traditional play. By keeping games on high-speed SSD-only, it provides very-minimal load-times. Advanced haptic feedback on the controllers allows you to differentiate walking surfaces. The controllers have a built-in mic, and allow you to plug in earbuds for advanced surround sound. Games are digital or fully-preloaded from its disc drive. The system features 3D audio, and the controllers adaptive triggers. Gamers will feel the world inside of a game merged with the physical space around them. A way to enter another environment without virtual reality.
A console packed with high-end hardware, something not very common in home consoles. it includes dedicated audio hardware acceleration, allowing for high-quality sound in high-fidelity. A giant fan up top "exhausts" heat upwards, the natural direction it prefers to escape in. it supports high frame-rates at high resolution. it focus being on a quality graphics experience, not max resolutions and framerates. Technology was incorporated to reduce the wireless controller lag-effect. Game load times were greatly reduced. The console is basically a high-end gaming PC for the living room.
Primarily designed as a home console. But a home console you could take on the go. Moving your gamplay from the television to its now handheld screen, Known as a "hybrid", as it could be undocked with controllers sliding onto the screen. it focused on a consistent stream of solid games. it was very successful and was a major factor in Nintendo rising again. The system bridged what had been a polarization in gaming. it also targeted more casual gamers. it featured adjustable screen brightness and a haptic-feedback touchscreen. Online services were improved.
The third xbox, successor to the Xbox 360, returned to the x86 home-PC architecture of the original Xbox. This made game production familiar. it also opened the door to the possibility of online gameplay alongside home-PC gamers. The first console that could utilize hardware resources of the cloud when multi-player gaming to increase graphical-experience. Microsoft marketed the device as an "all-in-one entertainment system", hence the name 'Xbox One'. it featured Dolby Atmos surround sound, gigabit Ethernet, and three USB 3.0 ports. A redesigned controller body, D-pad, and directional haptic feedback. The console can play Blu-ray discs, and uses cloud computing resources to improve games.
The second best selling console of all-time, the “PS4”, was quite powerful. it contained hardware found in personal computers. The familiarity was designed to make it easier, and less expensive for game studios to develop games for the PS4. The controller had improved buttons, and an integrated touchpad. The analog sticks were improved for shooting games. PlayStation 4 emphasized social interaction. it received jump-ship exclusive games that were destined for the Xbox One. For modern-gaming, choices are bountiful on the PlayStation 4. The PlayStation 4 offers something for everyone. The console left an indelible mark on videogaming history.
Although not impressive by any means, the Wii U was the first Nintendo console to support HD graphics. The primary controller, the Wii U GamePad, featured an embedded touchscreen. Although this second-screen for maps-and-such legitimately improved gameplay in some games, it made for an obnoxiously large and heavy controller. Fortunately, some games allowed for gameplay with the small controllers used for local co-op multiplayer. This is mainly due to the excellent controllers for all 4 players, especially when compared to the flimsy joy-cons of the Nintendo Switch. The console had the first usable Nintendo online-network. A weak lineup of launch titles combined with a lack of purpose, were met with slow consumer adoption.
The PlayStation Vita was a handheld video game console that competed with the Nintendo 3DS. The PS Vita, successor to the PlayStation Portable, sadly was a flop. This is quite unfortunate, as the hardware is solid, even by today's standards. The Vita introduced touchscreen, although is was not a common feature in most games. Plus a rear touchpad control. PSV acquired two real joysticks and Bluetooth. The joysticks were high quality, and low-profile. Games came on PS Vita Cards, and digital distribution. Game production occurred in x86, the PC compatible format.
The most noteworthy feature of the handheld is its ability for the upper screen to display 3D without glasses. The bottom screen was a 2D touchscreen that also worked with the included pen. The system has motion and gyroscopic detection for games that utilize the twisting movement of the system. The new analog 'Circle Pad', with some similarities to a D-pad, allowed for smooth joystick-like control on a flat-plane. The 3D depth slider adjusts how much depth the 3D has, or turns the 3D off.
Codename "Revolution" truly was, as it introduced player interaction. Play games by physically moving the controllers and sometimes your entire body. The controller also included the ability to point on the screen. You could also play many Wii games with GameCube controllers, further improving the experience. By separating from "hard-core" gamers, this console broadened the user-base of gamers. it had lots of funs games, and local co-op multi-player classics.
The PS3 represented a major leap in technology, and was the first time good graphics had ever been seen beyond the home PC. Its Cell Processor was seven microprocessors on one chip, allowing several operations at once. Difficult to program games for. The Nvidia graphics card produced superior graphics in HD resolution. It was equipped with motion sensors, wireless controllers, and a large hard drive. Its network capabilities, including wireless internet, finally delivered online gameplay to Sony fans. The CPU complexity however, made developers abandon game creation.
Appropriately not named Xbox 2, as Microsoft didn't even enter the home console market until PlayStation 2 era. Xbox 360 had introduced wireless controllers which later became the standard controller for PC gamepad play. it was launched in 36 countries. The PC-like architecture ran at 60fps. The Xbox 360 was deemed to be the most influential console through its emphasis on digital media distribution and multiplayer gaming on Xbox Live. it proved that online gaming communities could thrive in the console space.
The first handheld installment in the PlayStation line. The PSP had far superior graphics to the Nintendo DS. This was especially evident in 3D games. it featured a thumb slider joystick, which we now refer to as a 'Circle Pad'. Games had good sound, especially on earbuds. it featured Wi-Fi, USB, and an SD card. it's game library was large and high-quality. it also offered genres not typical on handhelds. The only handheld console to ever use an optical disc format. it enjoyed a well deserved ten-year lifespan.
The competitor of the PlayStation Portable. The handheld is notable for having two screens, the lower one being a touch screen. The lower screen allowed you to use a stylus pen, and was great for displaying maps and menus. it doubled buttons to 10. The first built-in microphone and Wi-Fi by Nintendo. Weak online capability introduced. The original DS and DS Lite are backwards compatible with GBA games. The second best-selling video game system, only behind the PlayStation 2.
The first video game console offered by an American company since the Atari Jaguar. Microsoft had primarily only supported the personal computer (PC) business with its Windows operating system, software, and games. They saw the PlayStation 2 as a threat to the personal computer. They designed a system that would use many PC hardware components, effectively running a version of Windows and DirectX to power the games on the console. This approach would make it easy for developers on Windows to build games for their new system. This approach was a hit. This was the console that popularized local co-op gaming.
For a console that what is largely ignored in its day, in retrospect it is a shining star. The controller was responsive, the games fast-paced, and the frame-rate usually a solid 60fps. The first Nintendo console to use optical disc games. Online network was very limited. it introduced many franchises which later became wildy popular. Contemporary reception of the GameCube was generally positive. The console was praised for its controller, extensive software library and high-quality games. But was criticized for its exterior design and lack of features. its “simple RISC architecture” helped speed development of games.
Representing the closest handheld gaming ever saw to the Super Nintendo experience. in simplicity, feel, play-style, and with limited button use. The new design moved the console from vertical to horizontal. This was a controversial decision among fans. Able to play the entire Game Boy black and white library in limited color. The console also allowed you to stretch the original games into widescreen for additional screen space. Finally, we had good enough graphics on a handheld. The screen had poor visability, and could only be played indoors.
The new-version with color still found itself playing catch-up to the Game Boy. It was left as a blip in handheld history, despite being technologically superior to the Game Boy. The color library made for an enjoyable player experience, and included some decent games. Some games were well-suited to its vertical-play option. The console held its own, for its short life it Japan. it was quickly eclipsed by the Game Boy Advance.
The first console with bearable 3D graphics. Plus backward compatibility with the large PS1 library. it had an endless line of hit exclusive titles. The best-selling video game console of all time. One of the longest lifespans of any video game console. it remained popular well into the life of the PlayStation 3. Continuing production for an incredible twelve years. The PS2 had a built-in DVD player, as it's games were on DVD-ROM. It's internet gaming ability was weak and never flourished to the degree of Xbox Live. The 128-bit CPU had eight separate units each performing a specific task.
Sega angered retailers with their secret and last minute deal to exclusive launch on the website for eToys. Some retailers even boycotted Sega. eToys also sold the initial launch titles in the preferred plastic snap-lock cases. The last console made by Sega was designed to reduce costs with "off-the-shelf" components. After a successful launch, interest steadily declined. The company incurred significant financial losses; withdrawing from the console business altogether. Although the Dreamcast had a short lifespan and limited third-party support, reviewers considered the console ahead of its time. It contains innovative games and high-quality arcade ports. The Dreamcast was also the first console to include a built-in modular modem for internet access and online play.
A Japanese manufacturer named Aruze purchased SNK. Following this, the Neo Geo Pocket Color was dropped from both the United States and European markets, purportedly due to poor commercial performance. The NGPC enjoyed greater success than any Game Boy competitor since the Game Gear. The Neo Geo heads' lack of communication hurt third-party games. Battery life was excellent, at 30 hours on two AA batteries. it had to be played indoors however, as its screen visability was poor. The joystick is superb, even by today's standards. The console had a great selection of fighting games.
The newest innovation in handheld gaming brought a colored monitor. This was considered the newest technology available. Putting old and new Game Boy enthusiasts back into the buying mood. The battery life was significantly improved. Despite it's short lifespan, it became one of the biggest successes of handheld gaming ever. Backwards compatibility allowed for play of the entire Game Boy game library. Battery life was good, at 16-hours on two AA batteries. The console was small enough to be highly portable.
Originally to be released as the 'Ultra 64'. 'Project Reality' set to introduce the world to 3D playspaces. With 4-controller ports built-in, the N64 ignited 4-player split-screen gaming. Equipted with a 64-bit CPU and GPU. Notable for being the first console that could render sufficient quality 3D graphics. Nintendo's last console, to save game progress on game cartridges. Fearful of piracy, Nintendo chose cartridges. Although storage limited, preventing RPG games, they did offer faster load times. With an accessory, it introduced controller rumble. its innovative controller had an accurate joystick, and controls that tracked camera-view well in 3D worlds.
Due to a failed merger with Sega, Bandai entered the market without outside support. This handheld was released only in Japan, and was the last piece of hardware the creator of the Game Boy developed before his death. Depending on the game, it is playable both vertically and horizontally. It had unique games, third-party, and even anime. Despite low sales, the WonderSwan developed a fair-sized game library. The handheld had exceptional battery-life, even more so for its era.
One of the few financially failed products of Nintendo. A portable video game console in which you would sit down and lean over, staring into it. it ran off disposable batteries and it's games stored on game paks. it's monochromatic (red and black) visor simulated a 3D view of its games. Noteworthy for being the first virtual reality gaming system. Several flaws led to its discontinuation after just one year. it was slightly rushed to get the people on the team to work on the Nintendo 64, and development was expensive. For some it caused eye strain. it unearthed various other side effects, many still associated with V.R. decades later. The console also had an EXT. port, presumably for multiplayer features that never came.
Sony began developing the PlayStation after being slighted by Nintendo while developing the CD-ROM peripheral for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in the early 1990s. Sony decided to go at it alone, a move that would turn out to be a big success. Although its 3D graphics were awful, the console was able to prematurely push gaming into the 3D realm. Forcing other makers to play catch-up. The PS1 signaled Sony's rise to power in the video game industry. The console had an enormous amount of hit games and a vast game library. PS1 games continued to sell for eleven years after release. Although it introduced us to the curse of despised load times, its use of compact discs heralded the game industry's transition from cartridges. Originally named the PSX, the console was officially rebranded the PSOne.
Originally called GigaDrive, the Saturn lived a traumatic life. Born into a problematic Sega family, it was the successor to the successful Sega Genesis. The console however flopped, leaving one of the greats to quickly fade from existence. After the debut of the Nintendo 64 in late 1996, the Saturn rapidly lost market share in the USA. Boasting complex system architecture, there will never be another console like the Saturn. Equipped with a dual-CPU and eight processors. This was state of the art technology. Development-stage errors trapped it as a 2D console, but left it with abundant power for 2D graphics. its 2D graphics looked amazing, in the few games that exist. The mostly 3D library actually looks better than the PlayStation. However its polygons are very basic, and the perspective is odd. its games in CD-ROM format allowed for long games. The console lived a life cut short by the PlayStation. The powerhouse that was Sega, would never return as a console manufacture again.
Created to extend the lifespan of the Sega Genesis. Some refer to it as the "Tower of Power". With the promise of better graphics and all new games, it was an expansion module that plugged into the top of the Genesis. it had its own game library, although much smaller in size. More games may have been made for the console had consumers not perceived it as abandoned post Saturn launch. it failed to adopt marketshare in its very short lifespan. With its lack of 3D capabilities, it was a difficult sell. it did have vastly improved audiob>, although most programmers lacked documentation to implement it.
Designed to surpass the Mega Drive Genesis. Atari marketed the console as the world's first 64-bit game console, a highly questionable claim. it was equipped with a 64-bit bus and two 32-bit processors. An overly complex console that ultimately came no where near the Genesis in number of games. Developed by Flare Technology in the early 1990's after the cancellation of the Atari Panther console. in a last ditch effort at redemption, Atari attempted to extend the lifespan of the system with the ill-conceived Atari Jaguar CD add-on. Failure of the Jaguar prompted Atari to leave the console market. it was a quick and sad exit of what was once a gaming powerhouse. Hasbro declared the Jaguar public domain, so hobbyists make games for it still today.
Born from a licensing agreement with the 3DO company, the largest electronics manufacturer Panasonic, launched what was to be their one and only console. Meant to be a gaming system that additionally functioned as a home entertainment system. The 3DO company had an surprising amount of consoles manufactured besides their own. Consoles were also branded by Panasonic, Goldstar, and Sanyo. Although the 3DO had solid hardware, it was very expensive, and entered a market with lower-priced options about to come. It also lacked quality launch titles. The 3DO company declared bankruptcy in short order. Panasonic lived on, but not without losing one of the greatest corporate fortunes ever.
The first true 32-bit console; plus reasonable hardware and early 24-bit color. Games were on the compact-disc format. Along with the built-in MPEG decompression, it could display video. The prior Amiga line had been significantly ahead of everything else. But the competitors had managed to catch up. Although it delivered pinball into the home, Commodore was in serious financial trouble. Its games, by launch, no longer had the lead in terms of graphical and musical capabilities. The console was just not quite good enough, especially when compared to the quickly evolving PC.
Born of two aborted efforts. First, the canceled Super Nintendo CD expansion-module. Followed by the canceled Philips console that was modified by Sony to become the PlayStation. The final Philips console became an illegitimate of sorts flop. It also had the only Nintendo characters not designed by Nintendo. Although the hardware was solid, it was very expensive. Designed to be an interactive-experience. This failed videogame endeavor cost Philips over a billion dollars. It left its mark on videogame-history with a collection of oddball yet bad games.
Also known as the Super Famicon, the SNES is a 16-bit console that introduced advanced graphics and sound capabilities. The controller introduced shoulder buttons. The X and Y buttons were concave while the A and B buttons were convex faces, allowing for identification in the night by feel. The system was designed to accommodate the ongoing development of a variety of enhancement chips integrated into game cartridges. Keeping it competitive into the next generation. Some of the applications were to create the appearance of 3D-looking worlds with polygons or enhance 2D games. The curvature on the top of the console was to prevent people from placing objects, including liquid on top of the console.
Sega's response to Nintendo's Game Boy. The third commercially available color handheld console, after the Atari Lynx and the TurboExpress. This 8-bit system shares much of its hardware with the Master System home console. Making this a very powerful handheld, and also explaining its huge power draw. It's full-color backlit screen with a landscape format, made it a superior handheld. Unfortunately, the constant replacement of batteries, lack of original games, and weak support from Sega led to waning consumer interest. Support lasted until 1997, but it was re-released as a budget system by Majesco Entertainment in 2000.
This cartridge-based home system was the most authentic contender for the arcade-experience at home. it featured, high-quality sound and colorful 2D graphics. This Japanese system could even be placed into an arcade-cabinet to create an actual arcade game. The console and games were expensive for home use, although reasonably priced as an arcade. An arcade cabinet running a Neo Geo could have the cartridge switched and the cabinet rebranded. Marketed as 24-bit, it was technically an 8/16/32-bit system. It had arcade-style joysticks and excellent arcade ports. This was a great console rightfully so, it was just forgotten about in history as it was unobtainable to most.
Based on the Commodore Amiga software development system, the Lynx was the first color handheld. It had a screen backlight, allowing it to be played in the dark. The handheld can be flipped, upside-down allowing for left-handed play. Its network cable allows for local co-op play. The handheld can actually draw filled-polygons, allowing for early 3D-games. The Lynx accumulated enough games, despite failure to obtain large adoption.
The Game Boy is an 8-bit handheld game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo. The first handheld in the Game Boy family, but Nintendo's second handheld. It was designed by the same team that developed the Game & Watch series of handheld electronic games and several NES games. The console featured a dull monochrome gray dot-matrix screen with adjustable contrast dial. The screen was known for severe motion blur. it had a single speaker with adjustable volume dial. Like its rivals, it used cartridges as physical media for games. The handheld ran for over ten hours on 4-AA batteries. Although sound quality was poor, the speaker got just loud enough to hear it properly.
The first console to threaten Nintendos kingdom. it forever made Nintendo better, by providing such serious competition early on for Nintendo. The Sega Genesis was a 16-bit console, known as the Mega Drive outside North America, and was Sega's third console. A console of many names, going by Ozisoft in Australia/Asia, the Tec Toy in Brazil, and as the Super Gam*Boy and later the Super Aladdin Boy in South Korea. It contained many great arcade ports, and had many games at launch. The console attempted to deliver an arcade-like experience, although it was not capable of arcade-exact graphics and sound. The controller buttons were excellent for rapid-press arcade action.
Everyone was a little jealous of Nintendo’s blockbuster success with the NES. The final model in the Atari 8-bit family, which were all home computers with keyboards and mice. Strangely enough, it launched against Atari’s own 7800 console. The console was created as a game system; told more worthy of shelf space in a toy store. An industrial redesign of the Atari 65XE. Without keyboard, the system operated as a stand-alone game-console. It came with an Atari 2600 style joystick. The console came after Atari was under new ownership, and was a flopped console.
Known as the PC Engine outside of America. A delayed release accidentally led to SNES and Genesis competition, when it was originally supposed to compete with the Famicon (also known as NES). The console housed 16-bit dual GPUs, and was capable of delivering 482 colors simultaneously. With dimensions of just 14 cm x 14 cm x 3.8 cm, the Japanese PC Engine is the smallest major home videogame console ever made. Even its games were small, coming on Hu cards. At home in Japan, the PC Engine sold well. Although already having achieved success, delayed release and poor marketing led to failure to penetrate the North America market. A shocking 17 distinct models were made. With the American being intentionally obese in order to appear more powerful and substantial.
The prime feature of this console was its backwards compatibility with Atari 2600 games. It flopped in-part due to its launch being shelved for 2 years, after Atari was acquired by another company. Planned features were never released, including high-score saving cartridge. Although very capable in visuals, the sound was poor. Atari placed sound processors on-cartridge, then barely released any games with them. Its games were computer inspired, as Atari had a hard time convincing third-party companies to produce games. It's controller had a thumb-joystick.
Nintendo was the dominant force in Japan in earlier videgaming, not threatened by rival companies and gaining third-party support from all of the nation’s finest code-shops. This Japan-only console”, was actually an expansion module. The real name was the 'Family Computer Disk System'. This expansion only worked with the Japanese "Famicom", which was the same as the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Conceptually flawed from the beginning, starting with its floppy disk games. With a new-product hungry Japanese-market, this was an attempt to satisfy an insatiable audience, albeit somewhat unsuccessful so. It competed with other ill-fated expansion-modules in its era.
This console was a resurrection of videogames following the Atari 2600-lead industry crash. It started life as a Sega Mark 3 remodel with upgraded graphics. Its rapid-fire buttons allowed for fighting-games previously only suited for arcades. It had high-hopes, including wireless 3D glasses that looked good with the few games that supported them. The console flopped, as this was well-before Sonic, and the system lacked Mario. It was technically-superior to the dominant NES. The console is still popular in Brazil to this day. Some games were compatible with its 3-D glasses, quite ambitious for its day. it had solid game boxes, unlike most of the day which were cardboard. A major flaw of the system is that the factory controller feels unresponsive at times. it also breaks quite easily.
The NES quickly rose to popularity, becoming one of the most iconic gaming systems, and enjoyed an astounding 20-year production run. Also known as the Famicom, it originally released in Japan as a radically different appearing machine, was and 8-bit console named the Family Computer. The NES, a cosmetically remodeled version, was released internationally in the following years. The NES featured a number of groundbreaking games. As one of the best selling consoles of its time, the NES single-handedly revitalized the US video game industry following the video game crash of 1983.
The Atari 5200 SuperSystem, as it was officially known, was likely branded such as it was backwards compatabile with 2600 cartridges. A decent machine that was pretty much a 400 re-purposed as a game console. Although the software was not directly compatible between the two systems. The wacky joysticks were non-centering analog things that worked great for some games, and was awful for other games that required precise changes in direction. The system would switch to a blank screen when you turned it off to switch cartridges, instead of blasting you with the sound of a static-filled TV display. The cartridges were massive and sales fell way short of its predecessor.
The potential to be the ultimate console, but released just before the whole market crashed in 1983. It consciously improved in many ways over all of its predecessors. The closest to arcade-style graphics. The joysticks were better than the 5200’s, the keypad and buttons better than Intellivision. Although it had lesser known B-list titles, there were some excellent games. The load screen was annoyingly long — apparently in an attempt to get the ColecoVision name permanently embedded in young and impressionable minds. instead, the Colecovision went down in history as the console that could have been.
Developed in secret under a new methodology, today referred to as Black Box. The personal computer was developed in Boca Raton, Florida in isolation from IBM which at the time only developed industrial services. This protected the new off-site innovation team from the growing bureaucracy within IBM. This dishonest culture was unsustainable and proved to be a one-time success for IBM, ending their re-create innovation attempts. IBM lost their leadership position, which further strengthened the PC by leaving it as a generic device. The PC turned out to be the gem of not only home computing, but also videogames. it is the longest lifespan gaming console ever made and is still strong today.
A first entry from a toy company. A shortening of the words intelligent-television. Development began a year after the Atari 2600, and it eventually joined the first-era of console wars. The console enjoyed a acceptable-size game library. Mattel posted losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars, and was eventually liquidated. The company claimed falling sales, increased competition, and lack-of big-name titles.
Atari was successful at creating arcade games, but their cost to develop, and limited lifespan, drove them to seek a programmable home system. The Atari Video Computer System (Atari VCS) is credited with popularizing the use of microprocessor-based hardware and games stored on ROM cartridges. The VCS was bundled with two joystick controllers, and a conjoined pair of paddle controllers. Both of its controllers were excellent, and selection simply depended on the game being played. it lead to the creation of Activision and other third-party game developers as well as competition from home console manufacturers Mattel and Coleco. The console was a major success, and had many copy-cat systems and counterfeit games. it had many great games, but after junk titles started flowing into the market, it contributed to reduced consumer demand. This led, in part, to the Videogame Market Crash.
This console sold well, but was haunted by a lack of third-party support. It was originally marketed as a home computer. It was one of the four major home consoles prior to the Videogame Market Crash. it was the first home videogame console with a full alphanumeric membrane keyboard. itwas equipted with an 8-way joystick controllers. Games could be customized and tailored to a specific user's tastes. Some games blended board games and videogames together. Most games were clones of other popular games. Atari sued Magnavox at one point, to the frustration of Magnavox.
Alpex Computer Corporation employees licensed their technology to Fairchild, who turned the prototype into a viable console. "Channel Fun" was the first video game console to use ROM cartridges, instead of having games built-in. The first console to use a microprocessor, it sold only 350,000 units before Fairchild sold the technology to Zircon International. Trailing well behind Atari, the system was later discontinued. The prototype's complex keyboard controls were turned into an 8 degree of freedom hand controller. The controller was revolutionary. it fit into the palm of your hand and could be looked at as a 3D-input device. Compared to most controller buttons, which acted as simple on/off switches.
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