The article investigates the controversial console gaming design pattern of using an analog stick for cursor navigation. This issue causes frustration for players who find it an inefficient method for menu interactions. The author, a UX designer, analyzed 235 major console releases from 2015 to 2025 and over 500 player comments to gather data. The research distinguishes between "forced cursor," where it's the default navigation, and more appropriate uses like map cursors.The study found that forced cursor navigation is far less common than perceived, appearing in only about 14% of the analyzed games. The majority of games utilize focus-based navigation, which is generally preferred by players. Player feedback indicates that the primary complaint is speed, not confusion, with many requesting an optional cursor instead of its complete removal.A significant point of the investigation is the "Destiny Effect," referring to Bungie's 2014 game, where the cursor was implemented with careful engineering to compensate for analog stick instability. Many subsequent games adopted the cursor aesthetic without this crucial tuning, leading to poor user experience. The data shows two peaks in forced cursor usage in 2020 and 2024, largely driven by clusters of Western studio releases.These spikes, rather than a continuous trend, highlight specific development choices and porting strategies. The research suggests that while forced cursors can be a deliberate design choice for complex interfaces, their widespread, unoptimized implementation without adequate engineering is the root of player dissatisfaction. Ultimately, the data reveals that player preference leans towards well-implemented, focus-based navigation or the option to choose their preferred method.