The N64 controller was a weird but essential introduction to joysticks(theverge.com)
theverge.com
The N64 controller was a weird but essential introduction to joysticks
https://www.theverge.com/22643372/nintendo-64-controller-joystick-button-3d-gaming-control
"Update August 30th, 12:30pm: Added mention of the Atari 2600 as predating the Nintendo 64 for console joysticks."
From Wikipedia: Ralph H. Baer, inventor of the Magnavox Odyssey console, released in 1972, created the first video game joysticks in 1967. They were able to control the horizontal and vertical position of a spot displayed on a screen.[8]
(Magnavox definitely had joysticks on their controllers early on)