
Q: What's the name of this iconic controller?
This controller is Mattel's crowning video game achievement.
A: The Mattel Power Glove
The Mattel Power Glove (1989) looks awesome on the hand of Lucas Barton in "The Wizard."
In the real world, though, the motion-based Nintendo controller was pretty awkward to use.
Q: What system does this colorful controller belong to?
Yes, it's as big as it looks.
A: Sega Dreamcast
The Sega Dreamcast, released in the US in 1999, was the last home gaming console developed by the company.
Q: What's this dusty thing you just found in your uncle's basement?
We've photoshopped the logos off, so no cheating.
A: Atari 2600
The Atari 2600 (1977) was home for a number of popular games such as Pitfall! and Breakout.
But a lack of quality control with the game E.T., combined with unfocused innovation, would ultimately sink the company's future.
Q: What '90s gaming system is this controller from?
Here's a photo of gaming legend Shigeru Miyamoto holding our next mystery gamepad.
A: Nintendo 64
In this photo from 2000, gaming champion Travis Butters chooses Mew to go head-to-head against Chris Sano's Starmie in a Pokémon Stadium satellite-linked competition.
Q: What the heck is this weird knobby thing?
I'm not sure whether to play Donkey Kong or phone President Reagan with it.
A: ColecoVision
The ColecoVision (1982) sold a half-million units on the strength of home-arcade ports such as Donkey Kong.
Q: What classic system are these controllers from?
You might have controlled Wonder Boy with this one.
A: Sega Master System
The Sega Master System, home to titles such as Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Phantasy Star, was first released in the US in 1986.
Q: What video game system is this from?
Kids from the '90s will recognize this famous controller.
A: Sega Genesis
Yup, that's the controller to the 16-bit Sega Genesis (1989), known elsewhere in the world as the Mega Drive.
Q: A time-traveler from yore hands ye this clunky box. What is it?
Dial-based video gaming was so hot 45 years ago.
A: Super Pong
The arcade version of Pong was released by Atari in 1972.
The first home version of Pong was released in 1975 and sold exclusively through retailer Sears under the Tele-Games name. Later versions, like the Super Pong unit in the previous slide, were branded with Atari's name.
Q: How about this one? What's it from?
This '90s console was much more popular in Japan than here in the United States.
A: Sega Saturn
You can be forgiven for getting this one wrong. The Sega Saturn (1995) console was a flop here in the US, weighed down by the lack of a new Sonic the Hedgehog title (Sonic R notwithstanding).
Q: Here's an easy one. What system is this from?
This classic gaming controller is still being supported.
A: Nintendo GameCube
Though few people still use the 15-year-old Nintendo GameCube console on a regular basis, its controllers are still quite popular with hard-core Super Smash Bros. enthusiasts.
Q: What system is this late 1980s controller from?
Though released in the US, this particular video gaming system was much more popular in Japan.
A: TurboGrafx-16 (PC Engine)
Before it became the proposed title of a Kanye West album, Hudson Soft and NEC's TurboGrafx-16 console was home to Keith Courage in Alpha Zones and Neutopia (shown). It did not sell particularly well.
Q: Can you name this colorful SNES controller?
Because showing you the standard SNES controller would be a little bit too easy, don't you think?
A: The Super Advantage
The Super Advantage by Asciiware was a popular controller for the SNES, especially for those looking for the "Street Fighter II" arcade experience.
Q: What poor-selling console gave us this unwieldy joystick?
This is definitely one of the tougher questions, so major retro-gaming kudos to you if you get it right.
A: Atari 7800
First released to limited test markets in 1984 as the successor to the Atari 2600, all sales of the 7800 were halted following Atari's sale to Tramel Technology later that year.
By the time sales resumed in 1986, Nintendo had already gained dominance in the market. Roughly 100,000 units of the Atari 7800 were sold in the US.
Q: What unsuccessful system is this bizarre controller from?
Here's another clunker with a telephone keypad.
A: Atari Jaguar
The 64-bit Atari Jaguar launched in November 1993, but like the Atari 7800, it, too, failed to gain traction among gamers. It was discontinued in 1996.