10 Nintendo Gaming Innovations That Changed Everything

3. Thumbsticks

Thumbsticks launched on controllers as far back at the 70s, with the 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System and Atari 5200 among the first to try the idea out. Despite these dalliances, the D-Pad remained the control input of choice for most controllers until the release of the three-pronged Nintendo 64 controller in 1996, which had a control stick that allowed for precise and tight control of a character in 3D environments.

This was proven perfectly by the classic launch title Super Mario 64. Players could make the fat plumber hop, skip and jump around each level with such grace and accuracy that it was a revelation. Another launch title, Pilotwings 64, also used the control stick to fine effect, so much so that Sony quickly incorporated thumbsticks into their own Dual Analog controller - it's pretty hard to imagine gaming without them now.