The Nintendo Dog Bone Controller Legacy: NES To Game Boy To... XBOX?!?
92The NES Dog Bone controller—bundled with the top-loading NES-101—is, in my opinion, one of the greatest controllers of all time. I love its ergonomic shape, which doesn't dig into your hands like the original rectangular NES pad. But what really stands out is the angle of the A and B buttons.
Recently, a number of comments on my videos have brought up a surprising fact: some gamers just don't like that slight angle. This got me thinking... is it truly a divisive design choice, or is it a hidden, foundational element of controller design that we simply take for granted now? Because the fact is, this "angled button" configuration isn't an anomaly; it's a profound, persistent piece of video game history that can be traced across generations and console manufacturers.
I believe the Dog Bone controller's angle, which was an evolution of the flat layout of the original NES controller, is a prime example of an innovative design element that became a subtle, enduring standard. The original NES controller itself, borrowing its D-pad and button placement from Nintendo's successful Game & Watch handhelds (like Donkey Kong), established the fundamental button layout. The Dog Bone then took that layout and introduced a touch of ergonomics—the rounded shape and the slight button slant—that would echo throughout the industry.
From Handhelds to Home Consoles: The Angled Button Lineage
The influence of this design is truly fascinating once you start looking for it. If you're someone who dislikes the Dog Bone's button angle, you might be surprised to find you've been using this exact configuration for decades:
The Nintendo Handheld Legacy
Original Game Boy: Take a look at the A and B buttons on the original "brick" Game Boy. They're spaced and angled in much the same way as the Dog Bone controller.
Game Boy Pocket: The design continues, showing Nintendo’s commitment to this specific, thumb-friendly layout.
Game Boy Advance (GBA) & GBA SP: Even as the devices evolved, the core relationship and angle between the two main face buttons remained consistent.
Nintendo DS, 3DS, New 3DS, 2DS: While more buttons were added, the fundamental orientation for the primary A/B/X/Y action buttons retains that diagonal tilt, optimizing for a natural thumb pivot.
The Home Console Crossover
It’s not just handhelds! Nintendo brought this same DNA to their home consoles:
Super Nintendo (SNES): The B and A buttons on the SNES controller—which added the iconic X and Y diamonds—still employ that noticeable angle.
Nintendo 64 (N64): Even with its unique tri-pronged design, the main A and B buttons maintain this classic angled orientation.
Nintendo WaveBird Controller (GameCube): This wireless controller, beloved for its comfort, kept the primary button angle intact.
Wii U GamePad, Switch Pro Controller, and Joy-Cons: Modern Nintendo hardware still adheres to this design principle. The main face buttons are rarely, if ever, perfectly horizontal.
Beyond Nintendo: A Universal Design
But the story doesn't end with Nintendo. It seems the slight button angle is an almost universal design solution for thumb comfort:
Sony PlayStation Controllers: The original PlayStation controller with its four-button diamond layout (Triangle, Circle, X, and Square) had a noticeable angle, and this design has been carried forward through every iteration, including the DualShock series and the current DualSense controller on the PlayStation 5.
Microsoft Xbox Controllers: Even the Xbox brand, which uses a different button arrangement than Nintendo (a slight shift due to intellectual property/copyright issues, as you mentioned), settled on a similar angled arrangement. From the infamous "Duke" controller to the refined Xbox S controller, the Xbox 360 controller, and the modern Xbox One/Series X|S controllers, the A, B, X, and Y buttons are all slightly diagonal.
Modern Retro-Style Controllers: This angle is so integral to comfort that modern hardware designers continue to use it, including the Evercade Versus, Evercade EXP, and the Hyper Mega Tech Super Pocket.
Conclusion: An Unsung Innovation
It’s truly a remarkable discovery to trace a design element like this angled button layout from a late-era, top-loader controller like the NES Dog Bone all the way to the sophisticated, modern controllers we use today.
What do you think? Did the Dog Bone controller’s angled buttons truly set a design standard, or is this just a happy coincidence that worked out for the best? I think it’s an unsung, persistent innovation that prioritizes how your thumb naturally pivots, proving that even minor adjustments in a controller’s design can create a legacy that lasts for decades.
Let me know in the comments below!
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