I just wanted to let you know in case you're interested, there are lots of options for controlling something using an Arduino hooked directly to a gamepad controller by using the USB host shield.
Here's some information and links to some example projects and code:
http://arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoUSBHostShield
There is support for PS3, XBOX, joystick and a lot of other USB devices. You can use a USB bluetooth dongle to make it a wireless connection (Arduino topside in a sealed plastic container, using Xbox controller wirelessly...).
You still need to get the information down the tether (serial/Ethernet, whatever) and you still need some way to display your video and any telemetry, but this will remove a lot of the higher level coding that most of us have to do (or in my case, have largely done) and will enable us to use an intuitive UI device and send signals directly down the wire. I had been trying to find way to do this for a while so that I didn't have to rely on my laptop for this part (and could potentially set up a separate display option like a hood or video goggles or something so I could see even on a bright sunny day). This opens up a lot of possibilities.
Sorry if this is so painfully obvious to some of you that you are bored already.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)
I just learned about this option so I just wanted to share it.