Gamepad

What Does Gamepad Mean?

A gamepad, also sometimes called joypad, refers to an input device used for gaming purposes. It is a video game controller that can be held with both hands and has multiple buttons on it to be pressed by the thumbs. Gamepads were first introduced with gaming console systems as a peripheral device to connect the user with the system.

Advertisements

A gamepad is also known as a joypad.

Techopedia Explains Gamepad

The gamepad was invented by Gunpei Yokoi and introduced by Nintendo in 1983 (and released in the U.S. in 1985), followed shortly afterward by Sega for their gaming systems. The gamepad quickly became popular among gamers. Over the years the designs of gamepads have evolved, but all have a similar input method and structure. A gamepad is used for playing video games of a number of types including role playing, shooting, puzzle, sports and others. Modern-day video game controllers are wireless, while most earlier models were designed with cords that connected them to the systems. Modern gamepads are generally lightweight with multiple buttons and input methods.

Advertisements

Related Terms

Latest Gaming Terms

Related Reading

Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…