Nintendo Entertainment System Hands Free Controller
The Nintendo Entertainment System Hands Free Controller is an adaptive controller released by Nintendo in 1988 for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It was designed for players with limited mobility and was the first adaptive controller released by a major console manufacturer.[1]
The controller uses a chin-operated joystick for movement and a sip-and-puff tube for the A and B buttons.[2]
Availability
The Hands Free Controller was released in 1988 and is no longer manufactured. It was sold directly through Nintendo rather than in retail stores.
Tactile description needed
This page needs a tactile description of the controller. If you own or have access to a Nintendo Entertainment System Hands Free Controller, please contribute.
References
- Changing the game - Science Museum, April 29, 2021. "Nintendo broke the status quo in 1988 with their NES Hands Free Controller. The modified piece of hardware was the world's first custom made video game controller designed exclusively for players with limited mobility by a mainstream gaming company." Archived on 2025-04-24. Live version
- Company History - Nintendo of America Press Center. "Nintendo launched the Hands Free Controller, a special NES accessory for people with physical limitations that allowed NES games to be played by capturing motion from the player's head to indicate directional movement, as well as breathing in and out through a straw for the A and B buttons." Archived on 2021-11-27. Live version