A better question would be why Microsoft went with a nonstandard layout when they designed the Xbox controller. Nintendo had been using the A-to-the-right layout since 1990.
Playstation still basically conforms to a on the right, since O is generally used as a “confirm” button, and X is generally used as a back out button. So, they fill the same role as the conventional layout, they just abstract it in a kind of more fun way.
Playstation games over the years have used X for confirm in many (western) regions. I’m not sure the origin of this but it was always that way growing up.
Circle was used in Japan. Localisations like Final Fantasy using circle were the exceptions to the rule (I guess it was too hard to change it?)
It’s a long enough video and just goes through the history of different layouts for different controllers and tries to reason why they are what they are.
The real question is why they deviated from the GameCube controller layout. Throws me off all the time when learning a new Switch game. “Y is on top” is something deeply ingrained in me from those days.
Real talk, I have never met someone who didn’t own a version of the DS. It was such a huge thing at school and being out and about, especially collecting street passes with friends/kids you’d just met.
Sorry if I came across as a dick. Just genuinely didn’t even consider someone might not have grown up with a Nintendo handheld of some sort lol.
Why does Nintendo use a backwards button layout?
A better question would be why Microsoft went with a nonstandard layout when they designed the Xbox controller. Nintendo had been using the A-to-the-right layout since 1990.
Where do you feel Playstation is on this
Playstation still basically conforms to a on the right, since O is generally used as a “confirm” button, and X is generally used as a back out button. So, they fill the same role as the conventional layout, they just abstract it in a kind of more fun way.
Playstation games over the years have used X for confirm in many (western) regions. I’m not sure the origin of this but it was always that way growing up.
Circle was used in Japan. Localisations like Final Fantasy using circle were the exceptions to the rule (I guess it was too hard to change it?)
X being confirm for everybody is a relatively recent thing
Patents, probably. A needed % of deviation.
I’ve seen a video with the history of all of the button layouts
https://youtu.be/-E9Uw3lhWsI
It’s a long enough video and just goes through the history of different layouts for different controllers and tries to reason why they are what they are.
Thank you! I’ll make sure to give it a watch.
I believe because because they consider the outside buttons to be more natural to press first, then you work your way in.
Even starting with the NES controller, button A was primary and on the outside.
The real question is why they deviated from the GameCube controller layout. Throws me off all the time when learning a new Switch game. “Y is on top” is something deeply ingrained in me from those days.
…did…you not play on a GBA/DS? The Switch is the exact layout progression of those + extra sticks.
GBA only had A and B.
“Layout progression”
Oh, I see what you’re saying.
Correct, I did not. I’ve been a home console guy.
Real talk, I have never met someone who didn’t own a version of the DS. It was such a huge thing at school and being out and about, especially collecting street passes with friends/kids you’d just met.
Sorry if I came across as a dick. Just genuinely didn’t even consider someone might not have grown up with a Nintendo handheld of some sort lol.
You didn’t