Wiimote prototypes...

[A Black Falcon]

Atari 2600: 1 button
Intellivision: 1 plus a numeric keypad
NES: 4
Master System: 2 on controller; Start button on the console itsself
TG-16: 4
Genesis: most 4, some 7
SNES: 8
Jaguar: 4 plus a numeric keypad
3DO: 4
Saturn: 9
Playstation: most 10, a few 12
N64: 10
Dreamcast: 7
PS2: 12
Gamecube: 8
Xbox: 12
X360: 12
PS3: 12
Revolution: Depending on how you count, either 4, 6, 7, or 9... (just the Wiimote: 2 main action, 2 pause, one 'Home' button (is it usable in games or is it for the system?), the two lower buttons (can games that use the controller vertically use them, or are they too low to be comfortably accessible?), plus two on the optional nunchuck.). 8, I believe, on the Classic Controller.

Four, three of those shoulder buttons, isn't enough. Start and Select aren't usable by games for normal functions. I and II (or whatever you call the lower buttons) don't look comfortable to use. I know they want to make people change how they control their games, but not everything can be done through motions... some things need buttons, or are much easier with buttons. This thing just doesn't have enough buttons for the normal functions of most games... and particularly not when you realize that three of those four main buttons are shoulder buttons! One face button may have worked on the Atari 2600, but it hasn't been a "feature" of any console of note since 1983 or so for a reason...