6 Extremely Weird Video Game Accessories That (Sort Of) Worked

Accessories can make or break a gaming session, turning frustrating flops into legendary wins. This deep dive into forums and dusty cartridges pulls back the curtain on some of the weirdest gaming accessories that were ever made. Despite that, they were successful (sometimes) and actually useful (also sometimes!)

6. Nintendo 64 Fishing Controller

This Japan-exclusive peripheral turned digital angling into a surprisingly physical performance.

Why settle for button-mashing when you can add some reel flair to gameplay? Made specifically for Japanese fishing games, this niche controller transformed virtual angling into something resembling the actual sport. Instead of just pressing buttons, players would mimic the motions of a real fishing trip.

Picture this: perched on the couch, controller in hand, trying to hook a virtual bass. Instead of a standard joystick, the Nintendo 64 Fishing Controller mimics a real rod cast. While designed for Japanese exclusives, the tactile experience offered a unique way to hook, line, and sinker into gaming’s more immersive side.

5. Switch Plant Stand Joycons

These 3D-printed novelties add literal green to any gaming setup while solving charging woes.

Gaming setups often become ergonomic nightmares where charging cables disappear into the void. Enter the 3D-printed Switch Plant Stand Joycons—think Chia Pet meets Nintendo, minus the awkward potting soil. The modular design props up the Switch while a built-in hole lets charging cables snake through cleanly.

Fair warning: these leafy companions aren’t winning sturdiness awards. But for players who avoid rage-quitting theatrics, they should hold up fine. At around $20 on Etsy, buyers get more conversation piece than fortress. Still, for gamers with green thumbs or a love for kitsch, the gamble might pay off.

4. Game Boy Camera and Printer

This duo proved that low-res photography could become a massive hit, selling over 11 million units.

Over 11 million units of the Game Boy Camera were sold, proving that low-res photography can capture hearts. Released in 1998, this quirky accessory turned handheld consoles into pocketable snapshot machines. It wasn’t exactly Ansel Adams quality, but who needed clarity when absurd filters could transform friends’ faces?

The companion Game Boy Printer made things even more ridiculous. Using receipt paper and requiring six batteries, it immortalized those pixelated masterpieces on the go.

3. Game Boy Sonar

This peripheral let players use their handheld to locate actual fish, not just digital creatures.

Turns out, Game Boys could find real fish, not just catch Pokémon. The Game Boy Sonar was a legitimate sonar transmitter with a buoy that plugged into the handheld, turning every fishing trip into a low-res treasure hunt. Forget fancy fish finders; now players could take selfies with the Game Boy Camera after landing the big one.

Practical? Debatable. Hilarious? Absolutely. It’s like using a Swiss Army knife to perform brain surgery—technically possible, but questionable execution. While explaining to your fishing buddies that the Game Boy isn’t just for gaming but is actually also “advanced aquatic reconnaissance equipment” might not convince them, it’d still get you a good laugh.

2. Wii Sports Accessory Pack

These accessories turned living rooms into Wimbledon—or demolition derbies, depending on your luck.

“It seemed like a good idea at the time,” said everyone who ever bought this thing before sending their TV to an early grave. The Wii Sports Accessory Pack promised to transform living rooms into personal Wimbledon courts, but reality delivered more demolition derby than tennis tournament. Anyone who’s been there knows the drill: gear up for virtual tennis, swing too enthusiastically, and BAM—controller meets plasma screen.

The core problem? Some accessories didn’t lock in correctly, turning Wiimotes into high-speed projectiles. Suddenly, players weren’t just out of the game; they were out $500 for a new TV. Word to the wise: maybe stick to the wrist strap.

1. Robotic Operating Buddy (R.O.B.)

Nintendo’s plastic peripheral helped revive the entire gaming industry after the 1983 crash.

Back in the ’83 video game crash, Nintendo needed a Hail Mary to convince skeptical retailers that consoles weren’t just a fad. Enter Robotic Operating Buddy (R.O.B.), a plastic peripheral designed for the Nintendo Entertainment System. This 10-inch tall bot was supposed to revolutionize gaming, but mostly just sat there, blinking stoically.

The concept? R.O.B. would “interact” with games by physically pressing buttons on NES controllers. In practice, it was more like trying to play Duck Hunt with a toddler operating the zapper. Still, R.O.B. helped revive the entire industry, proving that sometimes the weirdest ideas work exactly as intended.