A video game console is an electronic device that outputs a video signal or image to display a video game that can be played with a game controller. These may be home consoles, which are generally placed in a permanent location connected to a television or other display devices and controlled with a separate game controller, or handheld consoles, which include their own display unit and controller functions built into the unit and which can be played anywhere. Hybrid consoles combine elements of both home and handheld consoles.
A collection of various classic video game consoles at a game show in 2010
The Nintendo Switch hybrid console in its dock (right)
The Sega Genesis (Mega Drive) Mini dedicated console
The Atari 2600 motherboard, with basic IC chips identified
A game controller, gaming controller, or simply controller, is an input device or input/output device used with video games or entertainment systems to provide input to a video game. Input devices that have been classified as game controllers include keyboards, mice, gamepads, and joysticks, as well as special purpose devices, such as steering wheels for driving games and light guns for shooting games. Controllers designs have evolved to include directional pads, multiple buttons, analog sticks, joysticks, motion detection, touch screens and a plethora of other features.
A player holding a North American Super Nintendo Entertainment System controller
A modern recreation of the controller for the 1958 video game Tennis For Two
A Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, a typical modern two-stick gamepad
Paddle controllers were popular early in the 2nd console generation for Pong games.