Awesome Gadget Of The Week: Hideous Gamepad Special!
Author: Rees | Date: September 6, 2008
In previous editions of Awesome Gadget of the Week, we’ve always focussed on a single device. Well, this week I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bring these lovelies to the world’s attention – not only do these gamepads look like an ergonomic nightmare, they’d also look right at home in the bedroom of some weirdo goth-type kid, among the samurai swords and statuettes of mythical creatures.

First up, the Samurai Dual Shock Scary Gamepad features light-up eyes and a removable mask. I can’t remember the last time I saw a skeletal samurai with light up green eyes, but I’m pretty sure authenticity was thrown out of the window early on in the design process, as was all semblance of sensibility. I think you’d need to wear gloves to prevent your hands getting mashed up on all those sharp edges too.
As a gamepad, this crime against gaming features (from the product description):
- 4 analog pressure sensitive action button
- 8 Way pressure sensitive direction pad
- Pressure sensitive analog control sticks
- Dual vibration 2 feedback
- 4 shoulder button

Secondly, the USB Dragon Dual Shock Scary Gamepad seems to be styled on the original Xbox pads, and we all know how great they were. It does, however, feature that totally rad dragon’s head, which you could use to hold pencils or sausages or something. Just like its samurai brother it also has plenty of pointy bits and sharp edges for maximum gaming injury.
Here’s the feature list (again, from the product description):
- Illuminating eyes
- Dual vibration feedback motors
- Jewel styled analog thumb sticks and directional pad
- Menu navigation buttons
- 6 Analog pressure sensitive controls
- Expansion slot for peripherals
The gamepads only seem to be compatible with the PC, although they may also work with the Xbox or PS2 with the correct adapters. The samurai gamepad will set you back $22.55, and the dragon gamepad goes for $27.37.
Unfortunately they’re both out of stock at the minute, so your wallet is safe from any misguided temptation you may have had to own these monstrosities.




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