What Are the RB and RT Buttons on Console Controllers?
As a long-time gamer and content creator who attends industry events like E3, I get many questions about controller functionality. Specifically – what are those RB and RT buttons players keep pressing during intense gaming sessions? Read on for the definitive guide to these trigger buttons and their many uses across various games.
RB refers to the right bumper button, while RT indicates the right trigger on standard controllers for Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch systems. The left equivalents are labelled LB and LT. PlayStation specifically labels its shoulder buttons as R1, R2, L1, and L2.
Let‘s explore how these buttons get utilized across various gaming genres, along with some pro-tips for their usage!
Functions of RB and RT Buttons in Major Game Genres
| Game Genre | Typical RB Usage | Typical RT Usage |
|---|---|---|
| First-Person Shooters | Weapon Swap, Grenade Launch | Primary Fire |
| Racing Games | Drift, Brake | Accelerate |
| RPGs | Open Quick Menu | Interact with Environment/NPCs |
| Fighting Games | Special Moves, Grabs | Basic Attacks |
| RTS Titles | Set Group Rally Point | Order Selected Units |
| Party Games | Honk Horn, Special Item | Basic Action, Select Option |
As we can see, RT often acts as the primary action button while RB handles secondary functions. But the buttons get interpreted in various ways across different games.
For example in the uber-popular online shooter Overwatch, RT fires Soldier 76‘s heavy pulse rifle. While RB launches his sprint ability for quick flanking maneuvers.
In Forza Horizon 5, RT handles acceleration down straightaways, while RB initiates emergency drifts around tight corners. These mappings become muscle memory after long play sessions!
Of course many games allow fully customizing controller layouts in their settings menu. I often get messages from viewers asking for my personal button bindings for hits like Call of Duty and Apex Legends that optimize movement and reaction times in heated multiplayer skirmishes. I may share those soon on my channel!
Technical Differences Between RB/RT Triggers and Face Buttons
Unlike the digital A/B/X/Y face buttons, triggers like RB and RT operate in an analog format, detecting a range of pressed inputs versus just on/off.
This comes from a longer button shaft compared to bumpers, enabling the triggers to measure how far they get squeezed down. Gamers can utilize this mechanic for precise speed control in racing games, or to pull off partial strength bow shots versus fully drawn sniper shots in epic adventures.
However, this analog nature also makes triggers prone to issues over time. According to controller repair experts, RB and RT buttons face significantly higher failure rates than their bumper counterparts due to complexity. Worn out sensors, faulty springs, and sticky contacts from button mashing wear ultimately require replacement.
On specialty controllers like Microsoft‘s Elite 2 and Sony‘s upcoming DualSense Edge controllers, additional bumper buttons get added to the back grip area, providing extra input options. Remapping attacks to these rear paddles can save vital milliseconds in competitive play!
Perspectives from Covering the Gaming Industry for Years
As someone who has attended E3 expos and visited studios across a decade-plus of content creation, the evolution of controllers never ceases to amaze me! Going from the simple one-button joystick in early arcade cabinets to the high-tech haptics and adaptive triggers of next-gen platforms demonstrates massive innovation.
Yet while these controllers gain fancy rumble motors, gyroscopes, touchpads and more, those signature A/B/X/Y face buttons and RB/RT triggers remain integral, preserving muscle memory between generations. Microsoft keeping consistency from the original Duke controller through modern Elites allows skills to carry forwards, even as games grow exponentially more immersive.
In my opinion, PlayStation made a bold move with the DualSense by replacing their shoulder button numbering scheme after over 20 years. While this shook up conventions, the enhanced immersion offered by adaptive tension on R2/L2 triggers proves worthwhile, bringing triggered actions like weapon draws closer to real life sensation. This brought a unique twist even for a veteran gamer like myself!
Of course I could dive for hours more on controllers but want to hear your thoughts! What‘s your favorite controller generation and what functionality would you want added in the future? Let me know in the comments section!
