
The U-Force with a detachable joystick.
The U-Force is a game controller made by Brøderbund for the Nintendo Entertainment System.[1] It employs a pair of perpendicular consumer IR sensor panels to translate the user's hand movements into controller signals.
From a print advertisement c. 1989:[2]
Introducing U-FORCE, the revolutionary controller for your Nintendo Entertainment System. So hot, no one can touch it. Now you can feel the power without touching a thing. It's U-FORCE from Broderbund - the first and only video game controller that, without touching anything, electronically senses your every move, and reacts. There's nothing to hold, nothing to jump on, nothing to wear, U-FORCE creates a power field that responds to your every command--making you the controller. It's the most amazing accessory in video game history - and it will change the way you play video games forever. It's the challenge of the future. U-FORCE. Now nothing comes between you and the game.
Reception[]
The U-Force was ranked the eighth worst video game controller by IGN editor Craig Harris.[3] MSN listed it as one of the top 10 worst game peripherals, writing "Second only to the Sega Activator in terms of all-out crappiness, the U-Force also used infrared sensors to create a truly nightmarish controller...'Don’t Touch' said the adverts for the device, in a rare example of an advertising campaign that got it spot on."[4]
See also[]
- Freedom Stick and Supersonic the Joystick, contemporaneous joysticks for the NES that also used IR technology
References[]
Nintendo Entertainment System | ||
---|---|---|
Accessories | Nintendo manufactured | Family Computer Disk System • Famicom Data Recorder • Famicom Modem • Family BASIC • NES Advantage • NES Four Score • NES Satellite • NES Zapper • Power Pad • R.O.B. |
Third-party | Aladdin Deck Enhancer • Arkanoid Controller • Double Player • Game Genie • HES Unidaptor • Homework First • Jammer • LaserScope • Miracle Piano • Power Glove • Roll 'n Rocker • Speedboard • Super Controller • Teleplay Modem • Turbo Tech Controller • Turbo Touch 360 • Turbotronic • U-Force • Ultimate Superstick | |
Hardware | Ricoh 2A03 microprocessor • Picture Processing Unit • Game Pak | |
Software | List of Family Computer games (List of Family Computer Disk System games) • List of NES games | |
Variations | NES-101 • NES Classic Edition • Twin Famicom • Sharp Nintendo Television • Famicom Titler • Hardware clones |