We all have a favorite button. Some of us fell in love with the iconic green bit on the Gamecube control unit. Others preferred the subtle snap of a DS -a little. And then there are those who still think the N64 was a perfectly reasonable form for human hands (we are worried, but we respect your truth).
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In this extremely severe, not-in-sill breakdown, we zoom in, literally and metaphorically, on the A button through the Nintendo history. From the stiff start of NES to the soft crane on Joy-Con ottes them all, because yes, it do matter.
1
Nes controller (1985)
The stiff upper a
This was Nintendo's original A button, a red circle slammed on a stiff gray rectangle. It felt less like pressing a button and more like giving the thumb a solid handshake. Built with a rubber membrane below, it clicked, but not the satisfactory type. It was functional, yes. Historical, even. But “fun to use” was not really in their vocabulary.
It is the type of button that taught a whole generation how to mash through Mega Man levels and develop mild thumbs at the age of eight. Respect for laying the foundation, but ergonomically, this one is about as comfortable as sitting on a brick.
2
Game Boy / Game Boy Advance (1989/2001)
Clicky Classics
Before touch screens and circle pads, there was humble a button on Game Boy and Game Boy Advance: small, round and always ready to rushes. These buttons were absolute workhorses. Whether you threw through Pokemon Red, avoiding bullets in Metroid Fusion, or just repeatedly lacked a jump in Wario -Land, the A -button held the company.
Click, durable and with just the right amount of resistance it laughed in front of pocket and cheeto dust. You can release your hand holder down the stairs and that a button would still register a perfect pressure. It is childhood friend who got stuck, reliable and still fantastic.
3
SNES Controller (1990)
Comfort upgrade
After NES, Nintendo finally realized that people had thumbs. SNES introduced rounded buttons and a layout that did not look like it was designed by a geometry teacher in a deadline. The A button was softer and easier to push, with less resistance than its NES forefather. It still clicked, but now it clicked on the purpose.
And for long gaming sessions (we look at you, Final Fantasy 6), it was a blessing. It didn't scream for attention, but it got the job done. It was reliable. Like your favorite mug. Or a Toyota Corolla. And who could hate the beautiful shade of purple?
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4
Nintendo 64 Controller (1996)
Strange placement
Technically, the A -button on the N64 control unit works well. Practically you had to keep the controller as if you deterred a bomb with three hands. Placed in the middle stong set it was a little too far to the right when using the analog stick, and sometimes it felt like it was the moonlight like a B -button.
The feeling? Light, plastic and a little hollow. Not awful, but not memorable unless you count the trauma with missing hope in Ocarina of time.
5
Gamecube Controller (2001)
Green good button
This is it. The A button for all a button. It is large, bold, light green and the center of the entire control unit. Nintendo basically said: “This is the one you will press the most. Let's make it feel Fantastic.“And they did. It's thick, satisfyingly deep and make a lovely thock when you hit it.
Its position is perfect, which makes every jump in Smash Bros. And every fireball in Mario Sunshine feels natural. It's like a trampoline for the thumb. If buttons could be Michelin star, it would be.
6
Wii Remote (2006)
Weird, but it works
This one tilted the game, literally. The A button was now on top of the control unit, as a TV remote control. Innovative? Sure. Intuitive? Sometimes. Satisfactory? Depends on who you ask. It had a short pressure and a light click, which worked well for games like Wii Sports, but felt the type of overwhelming for more intense action.
You never “hit” it, you stretched out your thumb, pointed and hoped. But hey, that lets your grandmother bowl strikes, so we give it some credit.
7
Nintendo DS (2006)
The silent performance
The DS A button didn't have to make a fuss. It was not loud, spotted or tried to invent something again. It just worked quietly and worked well. Softer than their game boy ancestors but never cloudy, it struck a wonderful middle ground: tactile enough to feel responsive, gentle enough for long gaming sessions.
This was the button you pressed while you stopped too late on a school evening, played hotel sky or knocked you through Rhythm Heaven. It was elegant, subtle and type of elegant, as the button version of a well -managed librarian who also knows how to rock karaoke.
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8
Wii U Gamepad (2012)
Big Pad, Meh Button
Wii U is a button is good. Not good. Not awful. It is found in a large sea of plastic and disappointment. The click is something cloudy, the trip is decent, but it all just feels … tired.
As if it is doing its best but really don't want to. It's like the button equivalent for a sigh. Still, it did what it needed, and you didn't notice it if you thought really hard on buttons (HI).
9
Nintendo 3DS (2011)
Click all the correct ways
Small but powerful. The A -button on 3DS was built for portability but never felt like a compromise. It had a sharp snap, rapid response time and held up to hundreds of hours monster hunters, fire emblems and Pokemon battles.
It is the type of button that can survive a fall down the stairs and still register a pressure. Strong. Compact. Reliable. Like a small button -shaped tank.
10
Nintendo Switch Joy-Con (2017)
The glossy slump
Joy-Con A buttons look elegant, but they are all shape, less function. They are small, shallow and a little hopeful … not on the “cozy sofa” but on the “made-that register?” type of manner. Good for relaxed games, but they lack the satisfactory tock or tactile feedback you want during moments with high stakes.
If the Gamecube A button is a bear hug, Joy-Con's is a lazy handshake from a guy named Kyle.
