User input device, handheld controller and entertainment system

An apparatus, comprising:

• a handheld controller, which includes one or more user input devices, each user input device comprising:
• a thumbstick;
• a housing that partially encloses a base of the thumbstick without contacting the base so as to form a clearance between at least a part of an inner surface of the housing and at least a part of the base;
• and
• a guide for guiding the motion of the thumbstick to follow one or more distinct directions when a position of the thumbstick relative to a neutral position thereof falls within a predetermined range of thumbstick positions, at least a part of the guide being disposed within the clearance, the guide comprising one or more sets of interlocking elements, each set of interlocking elements comprising:
• a pin disposed on one of the inner surface of the housing and the base, and
• a plurality of guiding elements disposed on the other of the inner surface of the housing and the base, the plurality of guiding elements being arranged so as to form one or more paths which the pin follows when the pin is engaged with the plurality of guiding elements, the one or more paths defining the one or more distinct directions,
• wherein at least one of the one or more sets of interlocking elements is configured such that the pin disengages from the plurality of guiding elements in response to
• a force exerted on the thumbstick being equal to or exceeding a threshold force and
• a direction of the force exerted on the thumbstick deviating from the one or more distinct directions.