as excellent as many games are their
control schemes can sometimes be a chore
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’ll
be counting down our picks for the top
10 great video games with bad controls
for this list we’re looking at the
finest of games that lack in one key
area controls B it’s slow and archaic
movement uncomfortable key
configurations or troublesome cameras
these otherwise fantastic games suffer
from some degree of questionable design
number 10 alone in the dark it’s classic
survival horror with some not so
injuring elements alone in the dark
released in 1992 by info grams was a
pivotal entry into the budding horror
game genre its blend of n innovative 3d
graphics with iconography drawn from the
works of HP Lovecraft made for a
chilling experience may God forgive me
yet it was not without some clunky
design both of the playable characters
edward carnby and emily Hart would move
in a sluggish manner and are difficult
to maneuver it’s an aspect of the game
that has not improved with age
number nine Metal Gear Solid portable
ops huh what was that huh previous
entries in the Metal Gear series have
had questionable control setups in the
past but portable ops on the PSP might
just be the worst of the lot because of
the system itself
Oh answer me what in portable ops
players take on the role of elite
soldier Naked Snake in a mission to deal
with the renegade Fox unit I’m counting
on you big boss call me snake while the
game largely succeeds at delivering on
10 stealth action the design of its
camera controls intended to compensate
for the PSP’s lack of second control
stick leave something to be desired what
are you talking about please drop the
act
for instance hitting the left shoulder
button centers the camera behind snake
which doesn’t help in a game where you
need to pay attention to your
surroundings simply apply the right type
of pain to the right degree at just the
right location number 8 Tomb Raider
sometimes a game’s flaws are tied to
innovation such is the case with Tomb
Raider one of the first major 3d action
platforming games so you think all this
talking is just holding me out with its
focus on adventurous heroine Lara Croft
its balance of gunplay and exploration
and a variety of scenic locales the game
certainly made its mark
however this early PlayStation title was
also subject to a difficult to manage
camera and rigid movement controls not
exactly the best setup for a game about
precise jumps and careful movement
number 7 jet force Gemini complexity can
be magnificent but not if the player is
left out of the loop rare were tasked
with producing the Nintendo 64
third-person shooter jet force Gemini
about an elite squad battling an insect
Army while widely praised for its high
production quality and good level pacing
the game’s control scheme was less than
beloved
weapons fired in a continuous and
awkward stream which could be rectified
by using a semi first-person mode except
the controls for moving then suddenly
switch to the n64 see buttons it’s at
once abrupt and uncomfortable but
thankfully with the recently released
rare replay bundle the game has been
patched to allow for dual analog aiming
number 6 dark souls prepare to die
edition there’s a fair challenge and
then there’s sincere issues impeding
player ability you would have done
better to rob to the undead asylum for
dark souls prepare to die edition a PC
port of a 2011 console RPG the latter is
the case the core game’s brooding
atmosphere piecemeal narrative and
consequence Laden role-playing mechanics
were embraced by many but a combination
of bizarre default controls a lack of
on-screen prompts for mouse and keyboard
commands and an inaccurate camera way
down the experience given the game’s
fixation on precision and patience all
these issues seem counterintuitive
number 5 Grand Theft Auto 4 maybe I sure
driving should be enjoyable not a chore
Grand Theft Auto 4 puts players in the
role of Niko Bellic
an immigrant who enters the criminal
underworld of Liberty City seeking
vengeance as a whole the games sobering
yet endearing take on crime life mixed
with the scope of game mechanics makes
for a thoroughly engaging experience
except when behind the wheel when driven
by players cars are slippery to handle
and far too easy to crash owning perhaps
to a looseness of controls whatever the
reason for this design choice were not
quite fans number 4 Mass Effect speaking
of piloting less than intuitive vehicles
there’s one key weak point in Bioware’s
acclaimed 2007 action role-playing game
over the course of Mass Effect players
are given occasional command of the m35
Mako infantry fighting vehicle a large
tank like transport to drive through
environments
at its best the Mako comes with a
noticeable learning curve yet for many
players
it lacks smooth maneuvering and could be
easily flipped or stuck in locations if
you want a good example out of the Mako
try using the game’s cover mechanic
after playing the two sequels and you’ll
see how flimsy it is number three
Scribblenauts
this sleeper hit DS game fulfilled great
promises though at a cost Scribblenauts
the third Nintendo DS game by developer
v sell offers players the opportunity to
summon any object out of a database of
thousands coupled with the game’s
non-linear puzzles it proved to be a
popular mechanic there was just one
issue everything is controlled to be a
touchscreen from character movement to
typing in object names
while not a problem in theory the
occasional imprecision of the
touchscreen interface and
less-than-ideal pathfinding can
interfere with the players efforts and
muddle their commands number 2 resident
evil terrifying though it may be the
1996 survival horror gem had some issues
what is it
maybe it’s Chris Resident Evil combined
pre-rendered backgrounds with 3d
characters running around along with
some b-movie style horror elements and
carefully controlled player limitations
unfortunately this comes at the cost of
free movement characters turned slowly
can only move in a limited number of
directions and are restricted by fixed
camera angles
this tank like control scheme while
arguably effective at building tension
is also strenuous and unnecessary to the
players experience the remake has the
option to remove the traditional 3d
movement but with the shifting camera
angles it’s easy to get disorientated
before we reveal our top pick here are a
few honorable mentions
working with number one
Kid Icarus Uprising I know isn’t it
wonderful
while Pitts returned to the gaming world
was loved for its great use of 3d
effects tongue-in-cheek humor and
energetic action the controls have a
massive list of problems whoa you are
kidding movement and shooting is
controlled with the Nintendo 3ds Circle
Pad and L button while aiming is
controlled with a touchscreen
simultaneously the discomfort caused by
holding the system with one hand makes
it difficult to enjoy the otherwise
remarkable game listen yes be careful
not to fall a stand was bundled with the
game to reduce hand cramps except using
that has a player more than likely to
sit in the hunched position causing back
aches and that’s just the default
controls the alternative options are
even worse but my hands cramped just
thinking about them and I think that you
are going to love this game or hate it
all based on the controls which isn’t
where you want to turn people away from
your game you want to make it as
inviting as possible do you agree with
our list you’re not the only one
interested in those things
what great games controls really hurt
your experience for more impressive top
10s published daily be sure to subscribe
to watchmojo.com
you hear the people’s tears
control schemes can sometimes be a chore
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’ll
be counting down our picks for the top
10 great video games with bad controls
for this list we’re looking at the
finest of games that lack in one key
area controls B it’s slow and archaic
movement uncomfortable key
configurations or troublesome cameras
these otherwise fantastic games suffer
from some degree of questionable design
number 10 alone in the dark it’s classic
survival horror with some not so
injuring elements alone in the dark
released in 1992 by info grams was a
pivotal entry into the budding horror
game genre its blend of n innovative 3d
graphics with iconography drawn from the
works of HP Lovecraft made for a
chilling experience may God forgive me
yet it was not without some clunky
design both of the playable characters
edward carnby and emily Hart would move
in a sluggish manner and are difficult
to maneuver it’s an aspect of the game
that has not improved with age
number nine Metal Gear Solid portable
ops huh what was that huh previous
entries in the Metal Gear series have
had questionable control setups in the
past but portable ops on the PSP might
just be the worst of the lot because of
the system itself
Oh answer me what in portable ops
players take on the role of elite
soldier Naked Snake in a mission to deal
with the renegade Fox unit I’m counting
on you big boss call me snake while the
game largely succeeds at delivering on
10 stealth action the design of its
camera controls intended to compensate
for the PSP’s lack of second control
stick leave something to be desired what
are you talking about please drop the
act
for instance hitting the left shoulder
button centers the camera behind snake
which doesn’t help in a game where you
need to pay attention to your
surroundings simply apply the right type
of pain to the right degree at just the
right location number 8 Tomb Raider
sometimes a game’s flaws are tied to
innovation such is the case with Tomb
Raider one of the first major 3d action
platforming games so you think all this
talking is just holding me out with its
focus on adventurous heroine Lara Croft
its balance of gunplay and exploration
and a variety of scenic locales the game
certainly made its mark
however this early PlayStation title was
also subject to a difficult to manage
camera and rigid movement controls not
exactly the best setup for a game about
precise jumps and careful movement
number 7 jet force Gemini complexity can
be magnificent but not if the player is
left out of the loop rare were tasked
with producing the Nintendo 64
third-person shooter jet force Gemini
about an elite squad battling an insect
Army while widely praised for its high
production quality and good level pacing
the game’s control scheme was less than
beloved
weapons fired in a continuous and
awkward stream which could be rectified
by using a semi first-person mode except
the controls for moving then suddenly
switch to the n64 see buttons it’s at
once abrupt and uncomfortable but
thankfully with the recently released
rare replay bundle the game has been
patched to allow for dual analog aiming
number 6 dark souls prepare to die
edition there’s a fair challenge and
then there’s sincere issues impeding
player ability you would have done
better to rob to the undead asylum for
dark souls prepare to die edition a PC
port of a 2011 console RPG the latter is
the case the core game’s brooding
atmosphere piecemeal narrative and
consequence Laden role-playing mechanics
were embraced by many but a combination
of bizarre default controls a lack of
on-screen prompts for mouse and keyboard
commands and an inaccurate camera way
down the experience given the game’s
fixation on precision and patience all
these issues seem counterintuitive
number 5 Grand Theft Auto 4 maybe I sure
driving should be enjoyable not a chore
Grand Theft Auto 4 puts players in the
role of Niko Bellic
an immigrant who enters the criminal
underworld of Liberty City seeking
vengeance as a whole the games sobering
yet endearing take on crime life mixed
with the scope of game mechanics makes
for a thoroughly engaging experience
except when behind the wheel when driven
by players cars are slippery to handle
and far too easy to crash owning perhaps
to a looseness of controls whatever the
reason for this design choice were not
quite fans number 4 Mass Effect speaking
of piloting less than intuitive vehicles
there’s one key weak point in Bioware’s
acclaimed 2007 action role-playing game
over the course of Mass Effect players
are given occasional command of the m35
Mako infantry fighting vehicle a large
tank like transport to drive through
environments
at its best the Mako comes with a
noticeable learning curve yet for many
players
it lacks smooth maneuvering and could be
easily flipped or stuck in locations if
you want a good example out of the Mako
try using the game’s cover mechanic
after playing the two sequels and you’ll
see how flimsy it is number three
Scribblenauts
this sleeper hit DS game fulfilled great
promises though at a cost Scribblenauts
the third Nintendo DS game by developer
v sell offers players the opportunity to
summon any object out of a database of
thousands coupled with the game’s
non-linear puzzles it proved to be a
popular mechanic there was just one
issue everything is controlled to be a
touchscreen from character movement to
typing in object names
while not a problem in theory the
occasional imprecision of the
touchscreen interface and
less-than-ideal pathfinding can
interfere with the players efforts and
muddle their commands number 2 resident
evil terrifying though it may be the
1996 survival horror gem had some issues
what is it
maybe it’s Chris Resident Evil combined
pre-rendered backgrounds with 3d
characters running around along with
some b-movie style horror elements and
carefully controlled player limitations
unfortunately this comes at the cost of
free movement characters turned slowly
can only move in a limited number of
directions and are restricted by fixed
camera angles
this tank like control scheme while
arguably effective at building tension
is also strenuous and unnecessary to the
players experience the remake has the
option to remove the traditional 3d
movement but with the shifting camera
angles it’s easy to get disorientated
before we reveal our top pick here are a
few honorable mentions
working with number one
Kid Icarus Uprising I know isn’t it
wonderful
while Pitts returned to the gaming world
was loved for its great use of 3d
effects tongue-in-cheek humor and
energetic action the controls have a
massive list of problems whoa you are
kidding movement and shooting is
controlled with the Nintendo 3ds Circle
Pad and L button while aiming is
controlled with a touchscreen
simultaneously the discomfort caused by
holding the system with one hand makes
it difficult to enjoy the otherwise
remarkable game listen yes be careful
not to fall a stand was bundled with the
game to reduce hand cramps except using
that has a player more than likely to
sit in the hunched position causing back
aches and that’s just the default
controls the alternative options are
even worse but my hands cramped just
thinking about them and I think that you
are going to love this game or hate it
all based on the controls which isn’t
where you want to turn people away from
your game you want to make it as
inviting as possible do you agree with
our list you’re not the only one
interested in those things
what great games controls really hurt
your experience for more impressive top
10s published daily be sure to subscribe
to watchmojo.com
you hear the people’s tears
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