Last year was a good year for a solid recount. A brand new Nintendo console this year has helped raise this year's numbers, alongside a few other retro console purchases as well. I'll give you the big picture numbers and then go into this year's specific acquisitions.

Nintendo Total = 45 - NES = 5 - SNES = 7 - N64 = 7 - GameCube = 9 - Wii = 5 - Wii U = 1 - Switch = 8 - Switch 2 = 3

  • PlayStation Total = 22
    • PS1 = 3 (Not pictured is another non-DualShock USB model in storage)
    • PS2 = 4
    • PS3 = 8
    • PS4 = 2
    • PS5 / PS VR2 = 5
  • Xbox Total = 2
    • Xbox One = 1
    • Xbox Series X = 1
  • Miscellaneous Total = 9
    • Arcade = 1
    • Quest 3S = 2
    • Sega = 3
    • Stadia = 1
    • Guitar Hero Live Controllers Because I Don't Have Their Dongles = 2

Grand Total = 78

That all amounts to six new controllers (and one revival).

The Nintendo camp continues to be the largest and I think it always will be. The Switch 2 brought with it two Joy-Con and a Pro Controller. The glide on those Pro Controller sticks is still witchcraft. But least I be called a fake GameCube fan, I had to get one of those GameCube NSO controllers as well. I could also be called a "sucker" I suppose.

I did want to specifically call out the new dongle I got for my WaveBird again. It brought this perfect control back from the grave. I'd love to buy a few more dongle free controllers and have a dream all-WaveBird set-up, but that'll have to be next time. Maybe I can install a Blue Retro internal adapter some day and combine WaveBird controllers with the NSO ones...

There were only two more controllers this year and one was Nintendo related. With my Analogue 3D only three days away as of this writing, you know I snagged one of those 8BitDo N64 pads. Ironiconveniently, 8BitDo announced a Gray color today with original colored buttons. Don't cave Max. Wait for Funtastic colors. Wait.

Last and sort of least is a Dreamcast controller. I've never owned a Sega console before. I saw one at a decent price at a flea market in Indiana this summer and decided to buy it. Having never held a Dreamcast controller before, I have to wonder why on Earth the cord comes out the bottom?! Other than that, the controller seems nice. I like the soft pastel colors of the face buttons and the dimpled and dappled stick. Once I get games (or an ODE), I'll be able to get a better sense of the controller.

I hope 2026 can be a year where I check off some bucket list controllers. I desperately want a fourth guitar controller to complete the band. That's the big ticket item. Will the Virtual Boy headset thing count next year? Only time will tell. Until next year...