Best Gamepad Ever?

[Flippy8490]

What is your All-Time favorite game pad/controller!? My personal favorite is the Gamecube controller. It's just so comfy. But I also really like the Xbox 360 controller and the Dreamcast. What about you guys?;)

[shopkins]

Your favorite is the Gamecube controller? To each his own, I guess. I hate that thing. The d-pad sucks, the z-button is too hard to hit and the c-stick is just a gimped second analog. The c-stick has no reason to exist except to be different.

I'm torn on a favorite, though. I really like the Dual Shock 2 best out of all the modern ones. Its d-pad isn't great but it's easier for me than the Gamecube and the rest of the controller is set up great. For something with so many buttons they did a good job of making them all easy to find and hit and the controller doesn't make my hands feel tired that quickly. It's the one I've played the most on, though. The 360 controller is also very nice, but I think the RB and LB buttons are kind of weird and all three of the 360 controllers I've owned have had a problem with buttons getting stuck or triggers going wonky.

For the older systems I've played SNES so much that controller feels like a part of my hand, but I admit that the L button is hard to reach. It was always crippling for me to have an attack on that in fighting games because I could never both do the move motion and hit that button. For some reason fireballs and dragon punches were much easier to pull off facing right than left for me with the SNES pad, too. Facing right really gave me a big advantage. The Sega Six Button controller, however, is comy and doesn't really have those disadvantages, so if I was being objective I'd probably give the nod to it.

[hellfire]

My favorite is the super nintendo controller

[Gabriel]

Playstation 3 controller.

Perfect configuration.
No goddamn rumble to have to turn off in every game.

[Sonicwolf]

My favorite gamepad would be the Panasonic 3DO model 1 pad. Its just like a bigger Super nintendo controller with a Genesis control scheme, headphone jack and one less button than the Super Nintendo. Very well made and easy to use controller.

[skaar]

The NES Advantage was probably my favourite growing up. I just loved the thing - it was heavy, cool metal on my knees in the summer was a nice feeling - and the turbos with adjustable speed were great.

Modern era I've actually taken to appreciating the Xbox 360 controllers - other than the D-Pad. I've just grown very comfortable with them.

The PS3 controllers (launch ones) were great as well - light as all hell and they managed to improve on the already perfect Dualshock controller.

The Wii controls are my least favourite of the modern consoles for games that aren't specifically designed for it. Cross platform games I'll play on 360... but for some of the first party stuff (Mario Galaxy) they work quite well.

Ramble.

[ButtonMasher123]

Its gotta be the Genesis 6 button controller. It has the greatest d-pad I have ever played with. I don't know what they put in that thing, but I could pull off fighting game moves with 100% accuracy with it which I have never been able to do since with any other controller. They sure don't make them like they used to, lol.

[mnbren05]

I'll have to go with a top 3:

1. Xbox 360 fits nicely in the hands (very comfortbale) and I enjoy the layout
2. Super Nintendo a classic great lay out and kept me playing Street Fighter II for many years
3. PS3 doesn't fit as nicely as the 360 but I love the button layout and I appericiate how light weight it is

[k8track]

I already answered in this thread:
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94015

and in this one:
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18636

[The 1 2 P]

My personal favorite is the Gamecube controller.

The Gamecube controller? Seriously? Well I suppose it has to be someones favorite controller. As for me, I'm torn between the Dual shock 2 for PS2 and the Controller "s" for Xbox.

[TonyTheTiger]

The Super Nintendo controller for most games with the Sega Saturn as an honorable mention for fighting games.

[c0ldb33r]

topic's been covered:

One GamePad to Rule them all!! (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88475)
Best and Worst Controllers (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19825)
Controllers (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94015)

[squirrelnut]

I gotta go with the ps2 controller, it has just the right amount of buttons in just the right places. 2nd best would be nes... just cause its like screw ergonomics hold a box, suck it up and get a blister too while your at it.

[deltoidsteep]

Playstation 3 controller.

Perfect configuration.
No goddamn rumble to have to turn off in every game.

seriously? i dont think ive ever heard of anybody who doesnt like rumble.
but yeah, gamecube for me. damn that thing is comfy

[Astrocade]

Classic: SNES.

Modern: XBox S-revision.

[heybtbm]

Classic: SNES

Modern: Xbox 360 (the perfect FPS controller)

[kedawa]

Saturn pad. Absolutely no contest.

[Leo_A]

My favorite is the SuperNes pad. If I had to pick a favorite joystick and modern gamepad with analog controls, I'd throw in the 2600's joystick and MS's wireless 360 controller.

[Gunface]

I gotta go with the ps2 controller, it has just the right amount of buttons in just the right places. 2nd best would be nes... just cause its like screw ergonomics hold a box, suck it up and get a blister too while your at it.

My choices exactly. The PS2 controller has the perfect amount of buttons and perfect placement. And you can hold the thing for hours.

The NES pad is just a no bullshit controller. Function over form. And I love the fact that it's so small and light. Every other controller then and now was bulky by comparison. It still feels good in my hands after all these years.

[Gunface]

I'm also pretty fond of the 360 controller. The fact that it is wireless is awesome and it fits very well in your hands.

[aclbandit]

but yeah, gamecube for me. damn that thing is comfy

You know, the first time I saw the thing, I thought "wtf srsly?" After using it, I realize its genius. Also my fave.

[alexkidd2000]

Coleco Vision. Ya I said it.

[c0ldb33r]

You know, the first time I saw the thing, I thought "wtf srsly?" After using it, I realize its genius. Also my fave.
Mine's probably the wavebird. I'm not sure why - I just really like it.

[smork]

23 posts in and no Neo Geo CD pad? Sacrilege.

My top 3 are Neo CD pad, Saturn pad, and Logitec wireless PS2 pad.

[Damaramu]

Hands down, my favorite:
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/7861/d2b31.jpg

[Sudo]

PS3
Saturn
SNES

[Tron 2.0]

Saturn
Genesis:The 6 button pad of course.
TG16

[Cobra Commander]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/2779524597_d32eb1f443.jpg

[Pete Rittwage]

I really liked the pad that came with my Neo-Geo CD (Japan top-loader). It felt nice and had a "clicky" thumbpad with microswitches in it.

[c0ldb33r]

asciipad
Oh god YES! I love that controller. It's the only third party controller that I've ever liked more than the first party one. It felt just like a regular SNES pad but with turbo. That controller made bomb jumping in Super Metroid extremely simple! :D

[jupitersj]

Japanese model 2 Saturn controller (technically it is their first model >.>)

It is just a little different than the US model 2 controller (minor d-pad changes and different button length/resistance).

[CelticJobber]

Super NES and Dualshock 3. I'm shocked at all the love for the 360 controller, I hate that damn thing (but then again I'm more into fighting games and I hate most FPS titles).

[Nirvana]

I'd probably say the Playstation 2 controller.

(Edit: WTF? User above me as same avatar...)

[j_factor]

Honestly, in the grand scheme of things, there have only been a few standard controllers that I actually liked. So I'll just list them all, in chronological order.

Turbografx/PC Engine -- IMO, this was the first controller that was actually comfortable. This is what the NES pad should have been. Downside: Not exactly forward-thinking with the design; limited buttons.

Genesis 6-button -- Great d-pad, and great controller for Street Fighter and the like. Downside: the XYZ buttons are a bit too small, and since it wasn't around from the beginning, some games that could have benefitted from the extra buttons did not.

Neo Geo CD -- The circular d-pad thingy is surprisingly good (much better than those third-party "360 degree" controllers for Genesis), and it's a comfortable controller to hold. Downside: It's obviously only good for Neo Geo games (although that may be a moot point considering the library); limited compared to what was right around the corner.

Saturn (model 2) -- An improved version of the Genesis 6-button design. Larger XYZ buttons, and two shift buttons. The best digital controller ever, IMO. Downside: No analog.

Saturn (3D analog) -- Very comfortable to hold; the overall feel is just great. I like every aspect of this controller. Downside: Very few games actually made use of the analog triggers; no rumble.

Gamecube -- It's not perfect, but I like where they were going with this. Very comfortable, and I like the unique shifts/triggers. Downside: Shitty d-pad, B button should have been shaped like the X and Y buttons; C stick is less than ideal.

Xbox Controller S -- After the awful original Xbox controller, they made things right with the revision. A very comfortable, well-rounded controller. Downside: Face buttons are a tad "mushy" (though the Japanese version is without this problem); the white button is a little too far away.

Xbox 360 -- Similar to the above. Downside: worse d-pad; trigger + shift combination can be a bit awkward.

Wii -- Probably not really part of this conversation, but overall I like it a lot. Lots of pros and cons so I won't get into it.

That's it. Only 9 good controllers. I couldn't even make a top 10. I guess if I had to, #10 would be the SNES controller. It was okay, and deserves props for introducing more buttons, but too flat and hand cramping, and the d-pad wasn't very good.

[glorfindel]

duke xbox controllers are my fav. my large hands fit perfectly. i couldnt stand the s-controllers

[Vlcice]

Neo Geo CD -- The circular d-pad thingy is surprisingly good (much better than those third-party "360 degree" controllers for Genesis), and it's a comfortable controller to hold. Downside: It's obviously only good for Neo Geo games (although that may be a moot point considering the library); limited compared to what was right around the corner.

There was a PS2 version of this, which had six face buttons (basically the same orientation as the Saturn pad, except all the same size and flat) and two shoulder buttons. Fantastic controller - as long as it works. Mine broke down on me more times than I can count. It eventually finally gave out on me after about two years and countless cleanings, plus one microswitch swap. If it weren't for how often it acts up, it would be my favourite controller ever. Its last failure was what eventually pushed me to pick up a custom stick.

[Mimi Nakamura]

Saturn pad. Absolutely no contest.

WORD.

The perfect controller.

[Eric Dude]

Hands down, my favorite:
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/7861/d2b31.jpg

Hmmm, which variation on the Saturn pad is that? For some reason it looks more comfy (and easy to use!).

I'm glad some people mentioned the SNES Asciipad, as that means I'm a weirdo for being in love with that thing. It's mostly the same, but raising those shoulder buttons ever so slightly seems to make such a difference for comfort and ease of pressing those buttons.

I also really, really love the Ascii SG-6 for the Genesis. It makes the genny pad act like a SNES pad, which for most games is better for me.

[suppafly]

Its gotta be the Genesis 6 button controller. It has the greatest d-pad I have ever played with. I don't know what they put in that thing, but I could pull off fighting game moves with 100% accuracy with it which I have never been able to do since with any other controller. They sure don't make them like they used to, lol.

Seconded

[VinceIP]

I'd say the Xbox 360 controller. It's very nice.

Growing up it was probably SNES.

[Aussie2B]

My overall favorite would probably be the Super Nintendo controller. I really can't come up with a single complaint about it. I find that with most controllers if I don't use them for a long time, it'll feel awkward to go back to them, but the SNES controller always fits like a glove. It's no surprise that nearly every controller since then has been an extension of the SNES layout. I've never been able to get fully used to controllers with 6 main face buttons. It's too far of a jump to go from the far right to the far left, or vice versa. I've also never thought that more than one row of shoulder buttons was that necessary either.

Some other controllers I like include:

NES - Perfect demonstration of Gunpei Yokoi's zen-like sense of design. I slightly prefer the dogbone, but I've never found the original that uncomfortable either.

Neo Geo CD - I don't know if it qualifies as a d-pad or a stick, but it's magnificent either way. If it only worked with the NGCD, I wouldn't be so interested, but since it can plug straight into an MVS, it's my controller of choice for Neo Geo gaming.

PC Engine Avenue Pad 6 - I know I said I'm not huge on 6-button controllers, but this one is just silky. I actually mostly use it for 2-button games. It's funny because the 6-button controller that came with the PC Engine Duo-RX is completely garbage in comparison (or even without the comparison).

N64 - I'll never understand the hate. It's definitely not an intuitive controller, which resulted in a lot of confusion and thus dislike, but if you actually know what you're doing with it, most games used it extremely well (besides that the d-pad prong was often ignored). I think it's probably the most ergonomic controller ever created. I just love its unique feel.

PlayStation non-Dual Shock - I feel like the only weirdo that feels this way, but I believe the original PlayStation controller was infinitely better than any version of the Dual Shock. It's beautiful in its simplicity. The Dual Shock is so bulky and heavy than the original feels ethereal in comparison, and its guts are so clean and well-structured, unlike the disaster that's the inside of a Dual Shock. And since I'm talking PlayStation, I want to give brownie points to the painfully specialized yet awesome NeGcon.

GameCube - I'm a little hesitant to say I "like" the controller, but it's really growing on me. It's definitely weird, but Nintendo knew exactly what to do with it for first-party games. I couldn't imagine playing something like Pikmin on anything else.

[poloplayr]

Snes.

[Tetsu]

http://www.parappatown.com/host/md_propad.jpg

They're available for Genesis, Super Nintendo, and Sega Saturn. Very comfortable, with good size buttons and d-pad for fighting games and shooters. They all have the same 6-face button, 2-shoulder config: its pretty close to having a "universal" pad across three systems. I think there's a PC version too.

[Zap!]

The Wii Nunchuck/Wiimote combo.

[The 1 2 P]

Neo Geo CD - I don't know if it qualifies as a d-pad or a stick, but it's magnificent either way. If it only worked with the NGCD, I wouldn't be so interested, but since it can plug straight into an MVS, it's my controller of choice for Neo Geo gaming.


That reminds me of another controller I'm going to nominate: the neo geo pocket color. I know it's a handheld but it's the most comfy handheld I have ever played with. That stick allows for full eight-way moment with very minimum effort.

[j_factor]

The NGPC stick is great, yes, but why the hell did it only have two buttons? By the time it came out, and considering it's called Neo Geo Pocket Color, I really think 4 buttons were in order.

[JunkTheMagicDragon]

favorites:
360 - comfortable as hell, and wireless. everything good about the controller-s + more.
nes - i don't get what people say about this one being uncomfortable; the corners fit right under my knuckles. plus perfect tension in the buttons: not too clicky, not too soft.
3-button genesis - comfortable, with nice layout and heft.


but then again i am a weirdo. controllers other people love i think are substandard.
6-button genesis / saturn pad - too small, buttons too loose. feels cheap.
gamecube - too small, even for my average-size paws.
snes - really close to good, but the shoulder buttons are hinged in the wrong direction. makes me curve my index fingers unnaturally to hit them.
dualshock - state of the art in 98; now, not so much. sony really needs to take an ergo class.
dcast - lots of good ideas, and i can forgive the lack of a second analog stick, but what's with the crazy angle of the handles? forces your wrists into an unnaturally sharp angle.

[thom_m]

Genesis 6 button pad. Best d-pad ever, good button layout, nice button response. In fact, since the Saturn Pad has also shoulder buttons, it would be the perfect one (especially for emulation - I want one of those USB ones so badly), but since I only used it three of four times, I'll choose from what I know.

The SNES ascii pad is really good too. I bought one months ago, and it's been my main SNES pad ever since. I just love the damn thing - although I wish the cords were as long as the official SNES controller.

[BydoEmpire]

SNES - best Dpad, most accessible buttons (I thought it worked better than the six face buttons, personally). My favorite controller.

360 - best analog sticks, good button layout & feel, comfortable design. Poor dpad, though.

GameCube - the most comfortable controller to hold by far, but the c-stick and face button layout didn't work as well for some games.

[369WIERDO369]

My favorite gamepad?
I never really thought about that, but I really like the original Atari 2600 joysticks.

[Game Freak]

1. Super NES Controller
2. Nintendo 64 Controller
3. GameCube Controller
4. DualShock 2
5. NES Controller

[Astrosmash]

My favorites are...

Classic: NES dogbone controller. I always appreciated the sheer simplicity of the NES controller even over the SNES, and although the original design is the classic visually, I find the dogbone much more comfortable to actually use.

Modern: Xbox 360 wireless. Similar layout to the PS2's Dual Shock 2 (which would be a close runner up), but the L and R triggers instead of L2/R2 buttons, swapped positions of left thumbstick and d-pad and wireless feature put the 360's ahead. The one shot against it is the aforementioned weak d-pad, but many games use it as a support feature rather than a movement option (i.e. to swap ammo types in BioShock or as hotkeys in Oblivion), and it works fine for that.

I find the Wiimote hard to rank, honestly; I think its effectiveness depends more on the game than the controller itself. Some games make excellent use of the Wiimote/nunchuk combo; others, well, don't.

[Zap!]

I find the Wiimote hard to rank, honestly; I think its effectiveness depends more on the game than the controller itself. Some games make excellent use of the Wiimote/nunchuk combo; others, well, don't.

Ya know, I have to agree. On games like Resident Evil 4, there is no better controller, it's perfect. On others, I wish I had a PS3 controller.

[GM80]

Classically speaking, I liked the Genesis IR Wireless controllers. Yes, they were prone to lose connectivity for a moment if you moved a micrometer, but for aesthetics and ergonomics they were my favorites of old.

In recent years, I really liked the Logitech Wireless controller for the original Xbox. It was of the highest quality, and wider/shallower than most, which turned out to be a good fit for my hands. I liked it much more than the Xbox's Controller S, but not as much as the Xbox 360 Wireless stock controller.

[2Dskillz]

NES Advantage is an amazing classic controller.

Modern I am torn between Gamecube and the PS2 dual shock. I think that the Gamecube controller is very comfortable and perfect for the games designed to use it. If I could only have one controller to play every game though, it would be the Dual Shock. It offers everything required and in a very functional way, from FPS to Fighting Game to Action and RPG you have everything you need. The PS3 controller fails due to the ill conceived R2, L2 triggers, had they at least been concave it may have greatly changed things, because beyond those buttons everything is right.


The Xbox 360 controller is very well designed for FPSes, but suffers in other areas even though it is very comfortable.

[fahlim003]

The Saturn (import normal, domestic rev2) pad, not the first US model but the 2nd has the most functional and easy to use D-Pad ever made, only equaled even remotely by the 6-button Genesis pad (non-turbo). As others have mentioned, it reigns supreme with respect to fighting games as any multi-directioned move can be pulled off without hassle. The size too is very good and it's rather comfortable. Other picks including the Genesis 6B include the Dual Analog for PS1 and in the longer run SNES although SNES d-pads feel very mushy to me nowadays.

[hades]

I used to live and die by the NES Max. I loved that thing and was devastated when I accidentally broke it. My mother took me out to get a new one but didn't have any more at the store so I ended up with a NES Advantage... and my NES Max love died right there. Definitely my favorite controller for the era.

These days I'd say the 360 controller is probably the most comfortable one that I like the most. Although I spend more time with the PS2 controller on my PC than anything else anymore.