As the video game medium grows, so do its consoles and accessories. Where consoles grow in storage or power output, the controller is the connective tissue that lets the players know how each company innovates. For Nintendo, this is shown through the gradual growth of motion controls from the Wii to the Nintendo Switch. However, Sony's DualSense controller shows how a controller can take immersion to a whole new level with adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. That being said, the journey to where these controllers are today didn't happen overnight.

Where controllers continue to innovate, certain other concepts have hit shelves that were meant to either innovate or surprise. Below is a list of some of the strangest controllers that have been a part of gaming history. While some seem impractical and others somewhat unsettling, they all represent how far game companies have grown and how they've dared to be different.

RELATED: Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic Is Coming To Nintendo Switch

Resident Evil Chainsaw Controller

Resident Evil 4 was easily the most groundbreaking entry in Capcom's zombie-killing franchise. Not only did it redefine the franchise's gameplay by introducing new enemies, but it also introduced a brand new controller type by NubyTech products. The new controller was based on the chainsaws that the Ganados carried with the classic yellow and red color schemes.

The controller's awkward shape and design meant it worked best as a novelty, but with a ripcord and chainsaw sound effects, it made for a hell of a novelty. The controller shipped in a collectible box that called back to the game's dirty cabin windows, allowing owners to proudly display it when not in use. As a replacement for a controller, it falls short, but the novelty makes it a must-have for any Resident Evil fan.

Dragon Quest Slime Controller

The Dragon Quest series is one of  Nintendo's most iconic and enduring franchises. For 2005's Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King, famed hardware manufacturer Hori wanted to celebrate in a special way, with the end result being the infamous Slime controller. When facing up, the controller resembles the game's iconic blue Slime enemy. However, when held upside down, the Slime reveals a full set of PS2 controls.

The Slim controller is a novel concept that fans love, but the bulbous, rounded design isn't ideal for most players. Still, the design has proven to be incredibly popular; Hori has revisited it several times, most notably releasing a Switch-compatible edition alongside Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age's release. The latest version includes a display stand and crown, making for an adorable display.

Gemini Industries Fleshy Freak PS2 Controller

Gemini Industries had a range of odd controllers that shipped on the PlayStation 2, but of the three perhaps none were stranger than the Fleshy Freak controller. Its product description claims that the design is meant to be a mix of flesh and technology and looks straight out of a horror film. The controller even has a red cord to replicate a person's artery, which works well alongside the patchwork skin graft that's stitched to its front and back, making up its body. The faces on the controller's arms may not be perfect for everyone, but its eight-way directional pad and pressure-sensitive triggers show that this unsettling accessory is made with style and substance.

RELATED: One Generation Of Castlevania Games Are Doomed To Be Lost To Time

Phantasy Star Online Keyboard Controller

Nintendo has never been afraid to push the boundaries of what is possible in video games. A prime example of this is the 2002's ASCII Keyboard Controller for the Nintendo GameCube. The massive controller was explicitly designed for Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II and was meant to bridge the gap between online and console gaming long before it became the norm, even changing the standard controller layout by moving the start button to the left side.

Unfortunately, while it's not a poor keyboard, its massive design and game exclusivity put it on borrowed time; online gaming on consoles was still in its infancy in 2002, and on the GameCube, it was practically non-existent. That being said, while it didn't last beyond the GameCube, the ASCII Keyboard Controller helped set a precedent that would be seen in future console generations (but far more compact).

Tony Hawk Ride Skateboard

The Tony Hawk games have always done their best to provide an experience that is as immersive as it is entertaining. As virtual reality technologies began expanding even further, the brand joined in on the movement by creating a skateboard that functioned as a controller. Tony Hawk Ride aimed to let players experience the exhilaration of skateboarding from the comfort of a living room, thanks to a board that utilizes sensors to control a character's movements.

Theoretically, the controller lets players jump, ollie and grind without any of the real-life risks of skateboarding. However, the controller barely functioned, with Tony Hawk Ride receiving dismal scores because of its lack of functionality. A follow-up, Tony Hawk Shred, worked better but by then it was too late; Shred reviewed even worse and the attempt at a physical skateboard peripheral was done.

KEEP READING: The Last James Bond Game Was An Unexpected Disaster