Most games only require you to use two handles at a time. It only has one stick because most N64 games don't have a directional/free-floating camera, though there is a more traditional N64 controller with two sticks. Also, the Z trigger (located on the back of the middle handle) was still a pretty new concept, since controllers didn't have triggers of any kind at this point, so it was difficult to figure out where the trigger would go if one were to keep the bumpers.