Best computer gamepads?

[teh_L0ki]

I don't know if this is the most appropriate forum but I don't want to continue to clog up all the other ones :deadhorse:

Anyway, currently I play modern pc games and like to emulate rare / prototype / pal only games. I've been using a combination of the xbox 360 controller and a logitech elite. I'm just looking for recommendations for what you think the best controllers for the pc would be, also for modern pc games like street fighter 4.

Thanks.

[calthaer]

IMO the Xbox 360 controller really is the best PC controller out there at the moment...and on Windows 7, it's automatically recognized and works like a champ.

[heybtbm]

IMO the Xbox 360 controller really is the best PC controller out there at the moment...and on Windows 7, it's automatically recognized and works like a champ.

Unless you want to use the triggers. Please tell me they fixed that in the last three years since I tried.

[tomwaits]

There are so many PC controller options that you should pick whichever's the best match for your favorite game genres. I rarely play games on a PC but when I do it's either MAME/emulators or doujin shmups. Since I'm a diehard console gamer, my favorite PC controllers are the Saturn USB pad and the HRAP3-SA arcade stick.

[LaughingMAN.S9]

if your computer is bluetooth ready, i'd say just go with the dualshock 3, no muss no fuss, ready to go pretty much out of the box (assuming of course u already have a ps3)

[teh_L0ki]

There are so many PC controller options that you should pick whichever's the best match for your favorite game genres. I rarely play games on a PC but when I do it's either MAME/emulators or doujin shmups. Since I'm a diehard console gamer, my favorite PC controllers are the Saturn USB pad and the HRAP3-SA arcade stick.

You are the second person to recommend that... the 360 I'm using works well for modern games but I haven't been totally happy with my logitech elite so I may need to check it out.


if your computer is bluetooth ready, i'd say just go with the dualshock 3, no muss no fuss, ready to go pretty much out of the box (assuming of course u already have a ps3)

No ps3, no bluetooth computer. If it was bluetooth I would be willing to buy the controller by itself if it was good enough but I don't think that option is going to work out.

[G-Boobie]

IMO the Xbox 360 controller really is the best PC controller out there at the moment...and on Windows 7, it's automatically recognized and works like a champ.

I'll second this, unless you're using MAME. In that case, any kind of joystick with a USB plug is the way to go. I'd recommend the 360 Madcatz TE stick. Good parts, solid build, and it's plug and play.


Unless you want to use the triggers. Please tell me they fixed that in the last three years since I tried.

I've never had a problem with the triggers in the two years I've had my PC 360 controller, sir.

[whoisKeel]

USB adapter + PS1/2 controller, or a 360 controller. Depending on what you're playing.

[Nesmaster]

Unless you want to use the triggers. Please tell me they fixed that in the last three years since I tried.

I hear ya. It's useless on GTA: San Andreas because of the triggers.

[teh_L0ki]

I hear ya. It's useless on GTA: San Andreas because of the triggers.

Really? I haven't tried GTA:SA but the triggers work great in every game I have tried.

[kedawa]

I think you could only use one trigger at a time because of the way Direct Input caters to stone age flight sim controllers instead of properly supporting controllers that people actually buy and use.

As far as pads go, I like having at least one pad with four face buttons, and another with six, just so I can get a proper layout for all consoles.
I use an arcade stick more than anything these days though.

[teh_L0ki]

I think you could only use one trigger at a time because of the way Direct Input caters to stone age flight sim controllers instead of properly supporting controllers that people actually buy and use.

As far as pads go, I like having at least one pad with four face buttons, and another with six, just so I can get a proper layout for all consoles.
I use an arcade stick more than anything these days though.

Maybe it's because of the operating systems we were on. I'm using my 360 controller on windows 7 and it works flawlessly there.

[evildead2099]

I don't know if this is the most appropriate forum but I don't want to continue to clog up all the other ones :deadhorse:

Anyway, currently I play modern pc games and like to emulate rare / prototype / pal only games. I've been using a combination of the xbox 360 controller and a logitech elite. I'm just looking for recommendations for what you think the best controllers for the pc would be, also for modern pc games like street fighter 4.

Thanks.

Why would you want to use any controller other than the Xbox 360 pad? In other words, if you tell me what you don't like about the controllers you currently have, I can do a better job recommending alternatives to you.

[teh_L0ki]

Why would you want to use any controller other than the Xbox 360 pad? In other words, if you tell me what you don't like about the controllers you currently have, I can do a better job recommending alternatives to you.

The 360 works flawless other than the d-pad. For dpad games I don't really like the button layout on the logitech elite... while it mirrors a playstation in that they are in a cross pattern I find it uncomfortable for nes / snes emulation.

[maxlords]

I've just bought a couple of the Saturn USB pads. Still waiting for em in the mail...but it was either that or the rather expensive 360 style PC pad.... eek. And I'm only using em for old school stuff so it makes no sense to get the 360 pad.

[Oldskool]

This is the best PC Gamepad ever made, especially for emulators. Unfortunetely I don't think you can hook it up to modern computers.

Gawd I miss my Gravis Gamepad.

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/2612/gravispcgamepadxp9.jpg

If someone could make a USB version of that controller I would be all over it. All I need is 4 buttons. That's it.

[Clownzilla]

This is the best PC Gamepad ever made, especially for emulators. Unfortunetely I don't think you can hook it up to modern computers.

Gawd I miss my Gravis Gamepad.


If someone could make a USB version of that controller I would be all over it. All I need is 4 buttons. That's it.

I have to agree with you. The thing was a simple, clean design and was able to take a lot of button mashing abuse. A USB version of this would make a lot of PC gamers happy. I guess my favorite of what is available now is one of those PS2 style Logitec gamepads.

[teh_L0ki]

I have to agree with you. The thing was a simple, clean design and was able to take a lot of button mashing abuse. A USB version of this would make a lot of PC gamers happy. I guess my favorite of what is available now is one of those PS2 style Logitec gamepads.

Ugh I hate those things because of how the control stick area is square if you know what I'm talking about.

[Gapporin]

This is the best PC Gamepad ever made, especially for emulators. Unfortunetely I don't think you can hook it up to modern computers.

Gawd I miss my Gravis Gamepad.


A USB version of this would make a lot of PC gamers happy.

But wait, there's more!

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=148623

[Jorpho]

Out of curiosity, I finally tried one of those with my Gravis Gamepad II (the one that looks vaguely like a Dual Shock) and I couldn't get it to center, even with the switch on the back set to legacy mode. It seems to work fine with a simpler pad, though - and this is Win 7 64-bit, mind you.

[Clownzilla]

Ugh I hate those things because of how the control stick area is square if you know what I'm talking about.

I use game pads mostly for 80's-90's non-joystick intensive emulation and classic Apogee PC games so I don't really use the thumbsticks (the shoulder buttons are useful for managing savestates and other useful emulator functions though). I do know what you are talking about and I can see playing anything with a thumbstick pretty annoying. You really can't complete a smooth circle like you can with most (if not all) console thumbsticks.

[Clownzilla]

But wait, there's more!

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=148623

Wow, thanks for the link! I had no clue that these existed! I ordered one just now and it's time to dust off some of my classic controllers:)

[kedawa]

I actually prefer having the full range of motion on analog sticks, meaning having the full square, especially if the pad has a terrible dpad. It's the closest thing to a square gated stick for fighting games.
I also don't mind the octagonal opening on the Gamecube analog sticks.