Bitmap Books has revealed Trigger Happy: A Visual Celebration of Video Game Controllers, a new hardback dedicated entirely to the weird, wonderful, and occasionally baffling pads, sticks, and input devices that shaped gaming. It’s a chunky 396-page release showcasing around 200 controllers through more than 500 photographs, drawing on collector Christian Wenk’s huge private archive.
If you’ve handled everything from a Vectrex stick to a Jaguar pad — or if you’ve simply wondered how we got from a single red button to the ergonomics of today — this book looks like a proper deep dive rather than a surface-level nostalgia trot.
A refreshingly honest look at controller design
What makes this one stand out is its focus on the creative decisions behind the hardware. Rather than just lining everything up in catalogue style, the book treats controllers as pieces of design history: what worked, what didn’t, and why certain ideas disappeared almost instantly. Wenk’s collection isn’t just “the famous stuff” — there are plenty of oddities and forgotten experiments included.
It’s also written by veteran games journalist Steve Jarratt, so you can expect commentary that understands the era rather than glossing it.
Name a controller, and you’ll find it in there, from the original Valve Steam Controller (my go-to) to the very specific Hudson Soft TurboDuo Pad.
A premium retro book that doesn’t feel like empty gloss
Bitmap Books has built a reputation for high-quality releases, and Trigger Happy follows their usual format: hardback, sewn binding, thick pages, and a pocket full of art prints. You also get a free PDF copy, which is genuinely useful — big hardbacks are gorgeous, but not exactly practical when you want to leaf through something on the sofa.
We’ve previously reviewed Bitmap Books’ Game Boy: The Box Art Collection and were blown away by the quality. These books are created with love and appreciation of the subject, from word to print, and it shows.
You can order Trigger Happy now
Retro gaming books vary wildly in quality, but this one feels like it’s putting real love into something that’s often overlooked. We talk endlessly about consoles, games, and chipsets, yet the controller is the one part of a system our hands are always on — and it deserves this level of attention.
If you’re into hardware history, collecting obscure peripherals, or simply enjoy books that treat gaming with a bit of respect, Trigger Happy is worth a look.
It’s available to order now from Bitmap Books for £32.49.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
