12 Peripherals That Were Supposed to Change Video Games (But Didn’t)
![12 Peripherals That Were Supposed to Change Video Games (But Didn’t)](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/1/4/3/809143_320x180.jpg)
You can love them or hate them, but there's no denying that video games are here to stay. Though they've been around for decades, it wasn't until the late 1990s/early 2000s that they started becoming truly mainstream. And since then, their popularity has only continued to grow. Today, there are video games for everyone, from casual mobile games to complex strategy games and everything in between. There's something out there for everyone, and it's not just kids who are playing. In fact, according to a 2018 study, the average age of a video game player is 35. So why are video games so popular? There are a number of reasons. For one, they're a great way to unwind and take a break from the stresses of everyday life. They're also a lot of fun and can be very addictive. Additionally, with advances in technology, they're only getting more and more realistic and immersive. Whatever the reason, there's no doubt that video games are here to stay.
Every video game company wants to come up with the next big new thing that will change gaming forever. For some reason, this means they keep making terrible and expensive exercise machines. Find out about those and a handful of other game add-ons that tried and failed to shape an industry.
R.O.B.
![R.O.B. Having a robot play a game with you sounds amazing. It would be if the robot was competent, or the few games he played along with you were fun.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/1/5/3/809153.jpg)
Source: Polygon
Sega Dreamcast VMU
![Sega Dreamcast Turning your memory card into a separate game system is brilliant, but not many other game companies have tried to do it since Sega's last attempt.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/1/5/4/809154.jpg)
Source: Kotaku
Tony Hawk's Ride Skateboard
![Tony Hawk's STREET RIDE Skateboard x CRACKED.COM Gaming and skateboarding combined into a controller that satisfied neither fans of skateboarding nor gaming.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/1/5/2/809152.jpg)
Source: GameInformer
Atari Mindlink
![Atari 3T V2 Mindlink BE X x CRACKED.COM ATARI Mindlink Even early gaming had its share of dumb add-ons, like this mind-control controller that really only recorded your forehead movements.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/1/5/0/809150.jpg)
Source: Forbes
Xbox Kinect
![Xbox 2 Kinect BE GRACKED.COM XBOX360 KINECT Xbox's camera was supposed to turn your entire body into the game controller, and hasn't been supported in four years.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/1/5/5/809155.jpg)
Source: NY Times
Gamecube Keyboard Controller
![Gamecube PT V2 Keyboard Controller CRACKED.COM Finally Gamecube players have the ability to swear at others in online chat. They just need the most difficult-to-hold controller possible to do it.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/1/4/6/809146.jpg)
Source: Kotaku
Eye of Judgment
![Eye ofT V2 Judgment CRACKED.COM 10 This foray into the future of card games was ruined by the an ability to photocopy cards, making this physical/digital card game easy to cheat at.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/1/5/1/809151.jpg)
Source: Wired
Super Nintendo Exercise Bike
![Super Nintendo 2 Excercise Bike GRACKED.COM Way before the Wii Fit craze, Nintendo had a peripheral to En provide excertainment. This now-rare bike is one of the most expensive clothes hangers in the world.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/1/4/7/809147.jpg)
Source: Destructoid
Game Boy Advance E-Reader
![Game Boy Advance + x E-Reader CLU EXCITEBIKE CRACKED COM CLU GOLF LAND BALLOON G FIGHT© TENNIS< CHAMPION. MARIO BROS URBAN DONKEY KONG JR PINBALL KONG 3 GO DONKEY GAME BOY GAME BOY If you thought popping a cartridge into a Game Boy Advance was not complicated enough, here's a product that makes you scan five cards at a time to play one game.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/1/4/8/809148.jpg)
Source: Nintendo Wiki
Aura Interactor
![Aura 3T V2 Interactor x CRACKED.COM INTERACTOR CUSHION A 3D SOUND EXPERIENCE A Realistic High Fidelity Sensation feel the Action & Feel the Bass Brings Your Multimedia Computer to Life Total Comfort, Convenience & Excitement - - I 1 I The perfect gift for the gamer in your life who actually En wants to feel like they got punched or shot in the game they're playing.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/1/5/7/809157.jpg)
Source: Metro
Sega Activator
![3T V2 Sega Activator x CRACKED.COM actiVator FULL BODY CONTROLLER The ultimate edge for these hot fighting games, and more! MORTAI KOMBAT UMPIN OTHE CTION Another full-body controller that lets you punch in Mortal Kombat with your actual punches. It barely worked and only gets talked about in lists like this.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/1/4/9/809149.jpg)
Source: Retropond
WiiFit Balance Board
![2 WiiFit Balance Board x CRACKED.COM This revolutionary exercise tool for Nintendo's best-selling console now mainly gives a workout to the Goodwill employees who have to move them around the store.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/1/5/6/809156.jpg)
Source: Polygon