The Nintendo NES MAX Controller

Where did this come from? It's like finding the missing link in the evolution of controllers. Although this wasn't the default controller, it was an officially released deluxe controller for the Nintendo Entertainment System.

Somehow, this controller from the 8-bit era has the evolutionary beginnings of features that would be found much later in the 32 and 64-bit era. It has the beginnings of the now familar handles, and very curiously, it also has a 360 degree thumb stick instead of the usual cross-shaped directional pad.

I'm not sure how much of an impact this controller had on subsequent generations because it wasn't as widespread as the regular NES controller. It may have been long forgotten by the time the 32/64-bit generation came along.