Why are most game controllers left handed?
Most game controllers (game pads, joysticks) use the left hand for directional control, which is also the task that requires the most dexterity. Most people are right handed, but end up using their favoured hand for button mashing.
Back in the day
In the early days of gaming there was often one joystick and one button. Most 8 bit computer systems used a one button joystick, often the "Atari standard" type. I would hold the base in my left hand and the stick in my right, giving me the best possible control.
(note that both buttons on the sticks below are wired together, i.e. there is only one logical button)
Left handed controllers
At some point it seems that Japanese developers settled on left handed controls, with the buttons on the right. Nintendo's Famicom/NES game pad is an iconic example of this, which was based on their earlier Game & Watch platform. Arcade systems that used joysticks also seemed to go the same.
Modern controllers still stick to this basic layout. Often there are two joysticks and a gamepad now, but always favouring the left hand for precise control and the right hand for button pressing. Some players cross their arms so that they can use their right hand for control, but it only works on fairly large arcade style joysticks.
Question: Why is this the norm now? Is it a case of everyone simply copying early systems? Am I and others who prefer to operate the joystick/d-pad with our primary hands unusual? I think it is probably something most players don't think about, and simply accept as the way things are.
Update: I built a right handed joystick. I find it much easier for shoot-em-ups and bullet dodging. Since I mostly hold the fire buttons down I don't find I have any loss of control there.
For Final Fight it took some getting used to and I'm not sure I'm as good as with a left handed stick yet. It might be due to the more precise button inputs required, I'm not sure.
Next I am thinking about doing a left handed rotary joystick to play Midnight Resistance with.