Top 10 Games That Require a Special Peripheral
Sometimes games require more than just a controller to get the job done. Whether it's because the game is complex, challenging or is trying to simulate real life actions, there is no denying that a special peripheral can really spice up the whole experience. We're excluding things like the N64 expansion pack, since you still needed to use the controlled as input for that. So join http://www.watchmojo.com as we count down our picks for the top 10 games that require a special peripheral.
Top 10 Video Games that Require a Special Peripheral
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Sometimes a video game’s premise is so unique that you need a special controller just to play it! Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’ll be counting down the Top 10 Video Games that Require a Special Peripheral. For this list, we’ve picked the top 10 home console video games that came bundled with, or required a unique peripheral to maximize the gameplay experience. We’re excluding things like the N64 expansion pack, since you still needed to use the controlled as input for that.
#10: “DJ Hero” series (2009-10)
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Have you ever wanted to be a DJ, but are limited by your lack of equipment, record collection or talent? If the answer is yes, then the “DJ Hero” franchise is at least a close enough substitute for the real thing. Using the addictive rhythm gameplay established by “Guitar Hero,” this DJ simulator traded in the axe for turn tables, and featured some pretty awesome mash-up tracks for gamers to scratch over.
#9: “Eyetoy: Play” (2003)
Before the Xbox Kinect took over as the go-to camera peripheral in gaming, Sony threw their hat in the ring with their Eyetoy for the PlayStation 2. When the “Eyetoy” came out, it was totally groundbreaking. As the first collection of minigames released for the camera peripheral, “Play,” is a fun and diverse collection of minigames that take full advantage of the technology – from swatting away ninjas with your arms, to boxing, to dancing – many concepts that would be recycled years down the line for the Wii and Kinect.
#8: “Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat” (2005)
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The pair of plastic bongos originally created for a game called Donkey Konga is definitely one of the weirdest controllers ever seen in a home video game. Admittedly quite gimmicky for a controller, it was still used to great effect in “Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat”, which proved to be fun and unique platformer with great graphics and art style. Mastering the bongo controls isn’t easy, but once you do, there’s something immensely satisfying about chaining together epic bongo combos and speeding through the trippy levels.
#7: “Mario Paint” (1992)
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Although it’s remembered best for its epic music composition software, “Mario Paint” offers a bunch of other fun diversions for the artistically inclined gamer. Packaged with a Nintendo mouse and mousepad, you could spend hours designing your perfect Nintendo masterpieces, take a break to partake in the fun fly-swatting minigame, or for the younger members of the family, spend time filling in the assortment of coloring books. My only question is, what’s with the weird sit-up animation?
6: “Steel Battalion” (2002)
Winning the award for most bad-ass special controller that became immediately useless after you completed the game it was designed for, the “Steel Battalion” controller is a massive chunk of plastic with an unheard of 40 buttons. Unsurprisingly, “Steel Battalion” is probably the most hardcore mech simulation game of all time. Learning all of the controls isn’t for the faint of heart, but with unparalleled immersion and a long list of missions, “Steel Battalion” is pretty awesome. Just don’t turn your mech too sharply, or you’ll tumble over sideways and that’s game over – hey man, we said it was hardcore.
#5: “Wii Fit” (2008)
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The Nintendo Wii’s bread and butter was accessibility. Nintendo created a console that could be enjoyed by the entire family, games like “Wii Fit” re-enforced the notion that you don’t have to be hardcore gamer to enjoy the console. “Wii Fit’s” balance board is a pretty awesome device, measuring your every movement and step as you play through the included fitness minigames and challenges to try and trim off those extra pounds. “Wii Fit” does an admirable job of balancing a healthy lifestyle with family-friendly gaming entertainment – making it as unique to the world of video games as it is to this list.
#4: “Skylanders” series (2011-)
What happens when you mix extremely collectable figurines with a fun, interactive platforming and a often forgotten PlayStation mascot? Well, first of all, Activision makes a whole lot of money, but second of all, you get one of the most popular modern gaming franchises around. It could so easily have just been a cash grab, but luckily, the “Skylanders” franchise is more than that. With exciting gameplay, beautiful graphics, lots of variety and cool gameplay concepts, it doesn’t feel so bad to spend a few extra (hundred) dollars on a few new sets of figurines.
#3: “Dance Dance Revolution” series (1998-)
Rhythm games took arcades over by storm sometime in the late ‘90s, and we mostly have games like “Dance Dance Revolution” to thank for that. It’s amazing to watch a “DDR” pro frantically make their way through the more difficult levels in this storied franchise. However, in 1998, home gamers were finally treated to the most popular arcade game in the world, when “DDR,” bundled with a dance pad, was released for the PlayStation. The home conversion was basically flawless and led to dozens of sequels and off-shoots in the ensuing years – meaning this is one of the rarer cases where your peripheral was good for more than one game.
#2: “Duck Hunt” (1984)
The bright orange Nintendo Zapper could be found in the vast majority of households during the 80s, and that’s because it came packaged with “Duck Hunt/Super Mario Bros,” arguably two of the most iconic NES games ever made. At its core, “Duck Hunt” is incredibly simple – point your Zapper at the screen and blast either ducks or clay disks before they disappear. The Zapper was a piece of technology unlike anything gamers had seen up to that point – a real leap that seemed almost too good to be true. The only downside was dealing with that stupid dog… Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Samba de Amigo” (1999) “Disney Infinity” (2013) “Rock Smith” (2013) “Rez” (2002)
#1: “Guitar Hero” series (2005-10)
The formula was expanded upon with “Rock Band,” but nothing stands up to the impact that the original “Guitar Hero” had on both gaming and mainstream media. Rhythm games were already popular, but “Guitar Hero” was the first to let you tap into your inner rockstar and rip killer solos along with your favorite heavy metal tracks. Most the games and peripherals we’ve looked at today try to emulate the experience of using a real life object – and nowhere did this feeling resonate with gamers stronger than with the almighty plastic axe. Rock On. Agree with our list? Did we forget any awesome peripheral-based video games? For more game-changing top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
