Nintendo to Drop D-pad

pluke writes "Computer and Video Games reports that Nintendo plans to drop the humble d-pad from its next console along with the classic A and B buttons. Nintendo pioneered the d-pad on its 80's Game & Watch handheld games system."

Comments

D-pad is necessary

[superstick58]

So 20 years ago the D-pad was a revolutionary new way to control and replaced the analog joystick. Now the analog joystick is the revolutionary new way to control and will replace the d-pad? The d-pad was created because it offered many benefits over an analog joystick:

Smaller space constraints

Better tactile feedback(push, click)

Better for navigating 2D environments (menus)etc.

I know I generally use the d-pad just as much as the analog stick on various games. It would be rather inconvenient to see it go.

Re:Madness

[RevAaron]

I mean, they already have replaced the d-pad in favor of the analog stick. At least, in practice. The N64 and GC both have d-pads- but in most games in both cases you never even touch the d-pad.