Game controller

A hand-operated or motion-sensing device that sends commands to a video game. Its buttons, sticks, triggers, and sensors translate physical actions into player input.

Gamepad: A handheld game controller with buttons and directional controls, often held in both hands. The familiar two-handed gamepad combines the buttons and sticks used by many controllers.
Game controller input: The digital signals a game receives when a player operates a controller. These signals are the direct output of buttons, sticks, triggers, and sensors.
Paddle controller: A game controller with a rotary knob that controls a variable value such as horizontal position. Early arcade and home systems used paddles for games built around precise one-axis movement.
Flight simulator: A program that models aircraft operation and flight for training or entertainment. Flight simulators often pair controllers with dedicated sticks and throttles for aircraft-like input.
Joystick: A lever-based input device that reports directional movement, often with a button or additional controls. A joystick can control games, but it is a broader device type than the typical hand-held gamepad.
Analog stick: A pivoting input control that reports direction and degree of movement. Its continuous range lets players steer or aim more precisely than a directional pad.
Bluetooth: A short-range wireless communication standard used to exchange data between electronic devices. Many wireless controllers send button and motion data to a console over Bluetooth.
Nintendo Entertainment System controller: The rectangular, cross-shaped-button controller bundled with the Nintendo Entertainment System. Its directional pad and compact button layout became a widely recognized gamepad design.
Racing wheel: A steering-wheel-shaped game controller, often paired with pedals for driving games. It offers steering and acceleration controls modeled on a car's physical controls.
Touchscreen: A display surface that detects touch and uses it as an input method. Mobile games can accept direct screen touches instead of input from a separate controller.

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