Joysticks to Haptics: A Visual History of Video Game Controllers

by Lost in Cult

Overview

Joysticks to Haptics is the ultimate compendium of gaming controllers and retro peripherals from the world of gaming.

As video games are played, memories are left in the grooves of their controllers. Atari joysticks still remember being pushed to the limit from afternoons spent playing Frogger, GameCube controllers echo with the clatter of intense Super Smash Bros bouts, each gesture with a Wii Remote is a story to be shared, and every haptic rumble inside of the DualSense is a reminder of the bond between player, hardware, and game.

From Joysticks to Haptics revisits all the key points in history that shaped video game controllers. Head back to the very early era of console gaming, when dials and keypads were king, then read stories of standardisation, as innovations like D-Pads and analogue sticks became the model that every hardware maker followed, and revel in the weird and wonderful. This comprehensive collection features insightful retrospectives and personal essays, facts and stats, plus stunning photography of rare and retro favourites in a journey through the most iconic and inventive corners of video game history.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780008713577
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	06/10/2025
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	1,400,979
Product dimensions:	7.69(w) x 9.94(h) x 0.69(d)

About the Author

Lost In Cult is an independent book publisher and design studio based in the United Kingdom dedicated to celebrating video games as a culturally significant art form. Lost In Cult puts the industry’s best writers and artists in conversation with the medium’s most important works and creators to examine their rich, often-overlooked history. With a dual emphasis on long-form prose and bespoke artwork, Lost In Cult challenges curiously-minded games enthusiasts to consider the field differently, exploring themes and ideas which conceptualise both perennial classics and overlooked gems through contemporary lenses.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Lost in Cult's A Handheld History:

“It would make a welcome addition to any old-school handheld fan's bookshelf or coffee table.” – Gamespot

“The book offers plenty of visual stimuli. From vintage poster design and retro illustrations to satisfying breakdowns of console hardware, there is something inspiring for everyone.” – Creative Review

"Each piece encapsulates the feelings of joy and playfulness that come with portable gaming, whether it’s trading Pokémon with your mates on the school bus or exploring vast worlds on a tiny matrix screen from the sanctuary of your bed.” – Thumbsticks

"As someone who grew up near-exclusively on handheld gaming, seeing the personal stories, anecdotes and a timeline of the medium played out in one unique and weighty book was enough to bring a tear to my eye.” – GGRecon

“This book lays out a timeline of handheld gaming since the beginning, with vibrant displays showcasing each device and their impact. The release serves not only as a collection of history, but also a study of aesthetics over the years.” – Screenrant

“A Handheld History offers a new and personalised perspective on gaming history, and opens up significantly more space for intellectual conversations surrounding gaming in the traditional sphere.” – TheGamer

From the Publisher