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+---- Thread: NES - Hands Free Controller (/thread-2710.html)
NES - Hands Free Controller - G-Haven - 08-19-2015
https://books.google.com/books?id=jfgDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA12&lpg=PA12&dq=Todd+Nintendo+Hands+Free+Controller&source=bl&ots=KdROewP84Q&sig=GYbM0rTD7VtAhUvLKTgYhlx9LfI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CB4Q6AEwAGoVChMI37vd_tK0xwIVRzmICh19wQpq#v=onepage&q=Todd%20Nintendo%20Hands%20Free%20Controller&f=false - Article about the boy in the image.
http://www.digitpress.com/library/manuals/gameboy/nintendo%20world%20championships.pdf - Same info, plus origin of development. (Page 11)
http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=5&threadid=69003
http://www.denofgeek.com/games/game-controllers/30841/25-bizarre-videogame-controllers - Near the bottom
http://www.houstonpress.com/arts/the-top-5-nintendo-controllers-youve-never-heard-of-6375005
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKzKp3QGg6M - Guy playing Ninja Gaiden 2 with it.
Nintendo created a Hands-Free controller for the original NES, which was intended for quadriplegic or others with physically debilitating conditions. The controller would be strapped to the person's chest and the user would use a straw for the controls; For D-Pad movement, the player would use their chin to move a cupped joystick, and for the A and B buttons, the player would "blow" or "suck" through the straw piece.
The development of the controller was sparked by a letter from a mother of a handicapped girl requesting a controller that her daughter could use to "play the video games she loved." The development project took two years until it was finally released in April 1989, selling more than 100 units since then.
A number of the controllers was also present during the first Nintendo World Championship, for players that required it.
RE: NES - Hands Free Controller - retrolinkx - 08-19-2015
It's amazing to think that there were people out there to build a device that let a disabled boy be able to play video games.
RE: NES - Hands Free Controller - gamemaster1991 - 08-20-2015
I'm calling it now. Winner of coolest submission at this year's awards. I can't think of many things that could beat this.
I am one of those people that love to see things that make disabled/handycaped/whatever you choose to call yourself able to do what comes natural to other people. This is just so cool to know exists.