These controllers have helped to improve gaming and are amongst the best of all time!

Controllers make the video game world go round. The recent release of the Steam Deck, alongside the continued innovation surrounding the other available consoles, raises the question of what's the best controller of all time? There are plenty of answers considering these controllers all contribute something different to the industry's history.

Whether they have changed the tide of video gaming forever, or are just perfect to play with, these controllers have continued to help gamers feel even more connected to the titles they're experiencing. While there are of course drawbacks to some of these devices, ultimately they boast unique features that can't be ignored.

The latest iteration of the DualSense controller, which has accompanied the PlayStation 5 from Sony, has genuinely helped to revolutionize gaming. From the haptic feedback and perfected vibrations to the use of a touchpad and even an inbuilt speaker, there's something so immersive about this device.

RELATED: 10 Third-Party Gamepads Better Than The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

It's enhanced gameplay, especially with small touches like the adaptive triggers, and seamlessly interacts with the console. It's incredibly intuitive to use and fits into the hand beautifully. Even the battery life is among its impressive features, with the wireless device seemingly lasting much longer than its predecessors. The range of looks for the controller shouldn't be overlooked either.

Everyone had a Wii when the Nintendo console was first released. It marked the next step in the company's gaming history and there are plenty of brilliant games that continue to sell even today. Part of that success can be attributed to the remote and Nunchuk combination though.

The wireless elements and sensor control were genius moves, with the interactability of the device truly groundbreaking for video games. It popularized unique technology and was completely customizable to match the game being played. From the steering wheel to the tennis add-ons, they seamlessly added to the gameplay experience.

The original PlayStation controller shouldn't be overlooked. It might be early in the timeline of Sony's development of their console, but it paved the way for everything to come. From its basic look to the technology working inside the device, it helped to redefine what controllers would be moving forward.

Some continue to swear by the PS1 device and although it might have overall aged poorly, the intuitive nature of the button designs themselves will always set PlayStation apart from the competition. The gameplay was far easier here than on most retro consoles, because of this invention.

The initial Xbox controller didn't get it perfect. The Xbox 360 made several improvements. The Xbox One managed to get that first design right. It felt far better to use, had several interesting elements including a better-placed d-pad, and boasted the best vibration technology yet.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons Vs PS5 DualSense - Which Controller Is Better?

It's a sleeker and minimalist design too and the thumbsticks felt better for longer gaming sessions. Comfort was key and the controller managed to keep its battery life as well so that the wireless feature wasn't just a marketing technique. The various skins and colors that the Xbox One controller came in made the device a little bit more personal for players.

No matter how hard some SNES games may be, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System's controller holds such an important place in Nintendo and gaming history because of how detailed it allowed those games to be, building on the NES. Looking back, the design seems so basic and almost boring.

Yet the SNES also boasts the makeup of plenty of controllers in modern gaming; even if it looks a little different. The flat device was far easier to hold and it used a d-pad, and six buttons including select and start, alongside multiple bumpers! What more could SNES consumers want? It's such a classic that fans are now buying the device to use with the Nintendo Switch!

Whether you're using the Xbox Series X with its great backward compatibility and stunning modern releases, or perhaps even PC gaming, the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 is probably the best piece of gear Microsoft has created. For starters, it is completely stunning to look at.

It's the Xbox One controller on the next level, with an even more comfortable design and newly re-engineered components. Adjustable tension thumbsticks, a rubber grip, and shorter hair-trigger locks are just the start. Customization is so important here and the in-built microphone is second-to-none.

The Switch's controller is a brilliant design, but for those not using the Joy-Con, the Pro Controller is a must-have. It takes advantage of the designs seen by the other major competitors and puts its spin on the concepts. The result is a brilliant look at how to play some of the best Switch games in an alternative way.

RELATED: 10 Most Creative Uses Of The PS5's Dualsense Controller's Haptic Feedback So Far, Ranked

It just feels like a different experience, with double thumb-sticks, a d-pad, and multiple buttons mimicking the setup of the Joy-Con but in a singular build. The addition of the motion controls and the HD rumble means that using the Pro Controller won't result in missing out on the benefits of the usual Switch devices. It looks a bit suaver too.

The Joy-Con pair feels like a step up from the Wii controller. Not only does it connect to the Nintendo Switch screen, but it can be separated and used individually, or together in a singular build. With so many options available, even the color palette has been expanded to please fans.

The fact that they can be used face on or turned to their side, with the motion sensors continuing to work alongside the HD rumble, is truly remarkable. They don't always feel perfect in the hand, although the additional bumpers and wrist straps just add a bit more to hold on to. It will be interesting to see how the Switch's much-anticipated releases interact with the controller.

A much older device in the timeline, the SEGA Mega Drive 6-button controller is still looked upon with rose-tinted glasses. Its legacy can't be overstated and there's something so nostalgic about the strange appearance of this beastly device. The curved shape of the piece was a genius choice.

Although it's of course not wireless, the way the buttons are located along with the piece, with the 6 buttons in a row, was an interesting take on a now-familiar format. The way the d-pad was raised from the rest of the control also added a range of moveability that just felt satisfying. The only downside was that some games didn't use all 6 buttons!

The Mega-Jockey-9000 will be an unfamiliar controller for most. The device was designed to be used alongside consoles like the Xbox and was created with Capcom to accompany the release of the mech game Steel Battalion. It's a strange piece of video game history.

The device is massive, with the creators looking to try and craft a genuinely realistic experience of sitting within the cockpit of one of their mechs. It's an idea that could be brought back in the future, especially combined with VR technology or other sim titles. Overall, it didn't sell very well and there were far too many buttons, but there's something quite thrilling about the setup and it genuinely worked!

NEXT: 10 Best Video Game Soundtracks Of All Time, According To Ranker

Politics graduate, freelance writer and all around film geek. If George isn't lecturing someone on the history of the MCU, he's probably ranting about the political consequences of Boris Johnson's latest hairstyle.