We all have a favorite A button. Some of us fell in love with the iconic green chunk on the GameCube controller. Others preferred the subtle snap of a DS Lite. And then there are those who still think the N64 was a perfectly reasonable shape for human hands (we’re concerned, but we respect your truth).
In this extremely serious, not-at-all-silly breakdown, we’re zooming in, literally and metaphorically, on the A button through Nintendo history. From the stiff beginnings on the NES to the soft tap of the Joy-Con, we’re ranking them all, because yes, itdoesmatter.
1NES Controller (1985)
The Stiff Upper A
This was Nintendo’s original A button, a red circle slapped onto a rigid gray rectangle. It felt less like pressing a button and more like giving your thumb a firm handshake. Built with a rubber membrane underneath, it clicked, but not the satisfying kind. It was functional, yes. Historic, even. But “fun to use” wasn’t quite in its vocabulary.
It’s the kind of button that taught an entire generation how to mash throughMega Manlevels and develop mild thumb calluses by age eight. Respect forlaying the foundation, but ergonomically, this one’s about as comfortable as sitting on a brick.
2Game Boy / Game Boy Advance (1989 / 2001)
The Clicky Classics
Before touchscreens and circle pads, there was the humble A button on the Game Boy and Game Boy Advance: small, round, and always ready to rumble. These buttons were absolute workhorses. Whether you were slamming throughPokemon Red, dodging bullets inMetroid Fusion, or just repeatedly missing a jump in Wario Land, the A button held firm.
Clicky, durable, and with just the right amount of resistance, it laughed in the face of pocket lint and Cheeto dust. You could drop your handheld down the stairs and that A button would still register a perfect press. It’s the childhood friend that stuck around, reliable and still awesome.
3SNES Controller (1990)
The Comfort Upgrade
After the NES, Nintendo finally realized people had thumbs. The SNES introduced rounded buttons and a layout that didn’t look like it was designed by a geometry teacher on a deadline. The A button was softer and easier to press, with less resistance than its NES ancestor. It still clicked, but now it clicked with purpose.
And for long play sessions (we’re looking at you,Final Fantasy 6), it was a blessing. It didn’t scream for attention, but it got the job done. It was dependable. Like your favorite mug. Or a Toyota Corolla. And who could hate the pretty shade of purple?
4Nintendo 64 Controller (1996)
Weird Placement
Technically speaking, the A button on the N64 controller works just fine. Practically speaking, you had to hold the controller like you were defusing a bomb with three hands. Positioned in the middle prong setup, it was a little too far to the right when using the analog stick, and sometimes it felt like it was moonlighting as a B button.
The feel is light, plasticky, and a bit hollow. Not terrible, but not memorable unless you count the trauma of missing jumps inOcarina of Time.
5GameCube Controller (2001)
The Green God Button
This is it. The A button of all A buttons. It’s big, bold, bright green, and the centerpiece of the entire controller. Nintendo basically said that this is the one you’re gonna press the most. Let’s make it feelamazing.And they did. It’s thick, satisfyingly deep, and makes a delightful thock when you hit it.
Its position is perfect, making every jump in Smash Bros. and every fireball inMario Sunshinefeel natural. It’s like a trampoline for your thumb. If buttons could be Michelin-starred, this would be it.
6Wii Remote (2006)
Weird, But It Works
This one flipped the game, literally. The A button was now on thetopof the controller, like a TV remote. It’s innovative, sure, and it’s intuitive sometimes. But… satisfying? Depends on who you ask. It had a short press and a light click, which worked great for games like Wii Sports, but felt kind of underwhelming for more intense action.
You never really ‘hit’ it, you sort of stretched your thumb, poked, and hoped. But hey, it let your grandma bowl strikes, so we’ll give it some credit.
7Nintendo DS (2006)
The Quiet Achiever
The DS A button didn’t need to make a fuss. It wasn’t loud, flashy, or trying to reinvent anything. It just quietly worked, and worked well. Softer than its Game Boy ancestors but never mushy, it struck a lovely middle ground: tactile enough to feel responsive, gentle enough for long play sessions.
This was the button you pressed while staying up too late on a school night, playingHotel Duskor tapping your way through Rhythm Heaven. It was classy, subtle, and kind of elegant, like the button version of a well-mannered librarian who also knows how to rock karaoke.
The Wii U’s A button is fine. Not great. Not terrible. It exists in a large sea of plastic and disappointment. The click is slightly mushy, the travel is decent, but the whole thing just feels… tired.
Like it’s doing its best but would really rather not. It’s like the button equivalent of a sigh. Still, it did what it needed to, and you didn’t notice it unless you were thinking really hard about buttons (hi).
9Nintendo 3DS (2011)
Clicky In All The Right Ways
Small but mighty. The A button on the 3DS was built for portability, but never felt like a compromise. It had a crisp snap, quick response time, and held up to hundreds of hours ofMonster Hunter,Fire Emblem, and Pokemon battles.
It’s the kind of button that could survive a fall down the stairs and still register a press. Sturdy. Compact. Reliable. Like a tiny button-shaped tank.
10Nintendo Switch Joy-Con (2017)
The Glossy Letdown
Joy-Con A buttons look sleek, but they’re all form, less function. They’re small, shallow, and a bit bouncy… not in the ‘cozy couch’ way but in the ‘did-that-register?’ kind of way. Fine for casual gaming, but they lack that satisfying thock or tactile feedback you want during high-stakes moments.
If the GameCube A button is a bear hug, the Joy-Con’s is a limp handshake from a guy named Kyle.
