Want a 360 controller w/ better d-pad

[Dire 51]

My problem is that I have virtually no idea where to start. Since I play a lot of 2D games, a better d-pad is a must. There was one posted about on Hardcore Gaming 101 (http://hg101.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=games&action=display&thread=7996) that seems pretty good, although the monochrome buttons are throwing me a bit.

Anyone else have any other controller recommendations? I stumbled across this one (http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Pad-EX-Turbo-Black/dp/B002LT9PXQ/) on Amazon, and it looks pretty good - but the reviews seem to be pretty divided. Anyone have any personal experience with it?

[BetaWolf47]

Wow, that Hori controller looks like a complete Xbox 360 port of their Hori Minipad for N64.

The platinum controller has me mixed though. I've never used it, but I don't think that making it + shaped is going to help it. It's the rocker underneath that makes it so undesirable.

[Emuaust]

I personally use a Street Fighter IV pad for anything that is 2d and requires the D-Pad, I find it does the job quite well.

[heybtbm]

I personally use a Street Fighter IV pad for anything that is 2d and requires the D-Pad, I find it does the job quite well.

Same thing I was going to say.

http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/6716/madcatzstreetfighterivf.jpg

[Robocop2]

I have one of the silver controllers and while it is an improvement over the regular one its not vastly superior. Certainly adequate but not for what you want one for. I would be all over that SFIV pad if they offered it without the goofy artwork if for no other reason than it reminds me of the 6 button Genny pad.

[Kid Ice]

I have the Hori pad you linked Rob. I like it but keep in mind it's a wired controller (for better or worse). The d-pad is much better than the one on the stock 360 controller. No problem with the analog controls or triggers. The only thing I don't like about it is the 5th and 6th face buttons are flush with the edge of the pad. That takes some getting used to. But I've been using it a couple years now with no problem.

Also, I have not successfully been able to get it to work on my PC, if that matters to you.

[PapaStu]

I have one of the silver controllers and while it is an improvement over the regular one its not vastly superior.

I've bought 3 of them, none would charge via the charge cable. I've just not felt the desire to try #4.

[kupomogli]

Whatever happened to that new design controller Microsoft was going to release? Is that control pad any good? The one that pops and is like your standard four directional pad?

[PapaStu]

Whatever happened to that new design controller Microsoft was going to release? Is that control pad any good? The one that pops and is like your standard four directional pad?


It's the silver controller that Robocop and I have commented about.

[Robocop2]

I've bought 3 of them, none would charge via the charge cable. I've just not felt the desire to try #4.
Really? that sucks. I wonder why it would to that.


Whatever happened to that new design controller Microsoft was going to release? Is that control pad any good? The one that pops and is like your standard four directional pad?

That's the one that I and stu were mentioning. Incidentally I know that they came out with that Razer Onza controller and they seemed to make on like the d-pad was awesomesauce but some of the reviews I read for it make me think otherwise.

[PapaStu]

Really? that sucks. I wonder why it would to that.

Beats me, as I know it was not the cable or batteries (used cables and batteries I know worked from other controllers of mine). Something was up with the charge port itself. I know i'll end up getting another one at some point, as i'm down to one controller right now.

I've got a SF IV pad and bought it because I know the d-pad is an a++ one. I'm just hoping that the silver controller one is a decent enough step up from the shitty one the controllers currently have.

[Leo_A]

I've read that the mechanism for the d-pad was unchanged with this revision (It's just a physical alteration of the d-pad itself). For someone that hates the standard d-pad on a standard 360 controller, I really don't see this solving anything. The problems extended far beyond the actual feel of the d-pad and involved the actual mechanism that they were using.

I stick with my SFIV pad for things like Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection, even though the artwork is unattractive and it's wired (Wish it had generic artwork and was wireless like the PS3 version).

[BetaWolf47]

Does anyone know if Xinput enabled PC controllers are compatible with Xbox 360? I use a Logitech F310 for gaming on PC. Since it uses Xinput, the same protocol used by the Xbox 360 controller, it is compatible with every PC game that the Xbox 360 controller is.


I would be all over that SFIV pad if they offered it without the goofy artwork if for no other reason than it reminds me of the 6 button Genny pad.

More like a digital Saturn controller, what with those shoulder buttons.

[RARusk]

http://www.pdp.com/p-1011-versus-controller-for-xbox-360.aspx

I've seen these at GameStops and the thumb stick feels pretty good. One day I would like to take one of these and see about modding it for older consoles like the A2600 or the C64.

[Fatalstar64]

Get the Hori pad you won't regret it makes the regular 360 seem like crap to me. I got one for platformers but I imagine fighters would be nice on it too.

[Dire 51]

Thanks for the info, all. I'll probably be making a decision soon.

[mario2butts]

I have found two solutions to the Xbox 360 D-Pad problem. First, I've applied this mod (http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Fix-the-d-pad-on-the-Xbox-360-control-pad-mor/) to both of my 360 controllers, and while the D-pad still isn't my favorite, it is MUCH improved, to the point where I can use it without issue.

Another solution would be to pick up this PS2 to 360 controller converter (http://www.etokki.com/Xtokki%20360) from etokki. I just bought two of these, plus two of the well received inpin PS2 to PS3 converters from this site, and both products work beautifully. The older 360 converters they had required use of a wired 360 controller plugged into the converter to bypass Microsoft's security chip, but the new converters don't need this! Just plug in your PS1/ PS2 controller and go to town :)

[Tupin]

The WWE All-Stars versions of that SFIV pads are pretty cheap now. So are the arcade sticks.

[Robocop2]

Why can't they just make a non licensed version of that pad? I don't need artwork on my pads.

[kedawa]

You mean you don't like rubbing your hands all over sweaty muscle men when playing xbox?

[LaughingMAN.S9]

i think i kinda remember microsoft releasing a special 360 controller in the pal territories with an improved d pad for the fifa crowd, i dont know if they ever did really release it, but you should look into that

[Robocop2]

You mean you don't like rubbing your hands all over sweaty muscle men when playing xbox?

LOL Not particularly I also don't really want to put my thumb all over their "dpad" either.

[NYLatenite]

On the subject of the silver "adjustable d-pad" 360 controller...

Your mileage may vary, but most of the people I know who have bought one have had some kind of a problem with it. In my case, the left analog stick developed a drifting issue about 3 months after I got the controller. To put that in perspective, I've had my 360 since December of 2005 and the two wireless controllers I bought with it at the time still work just fine.

I've spoken to a bunch of other people who picked one up, and several of them have also mentioned issues with it. (Unresponsive buttons, battery doors cracking, the d-pad falling out (don't ask me how that one works, it sounds like abuse to me, but I only work here) etc) - They just don't seem to be made as well as the original pads.

I picked up the Razer Onza (wired) in hopes of a better d-pad, but it's just not smooth enough for more games - especially fighters. It's a great pad for first person shooters, but the dpad is lacking.

So far, the best pad I've found as far as d-pad use goes (as mentioned by a few people above) are the Mad Catz Street Fighter pads - but again, as mentioned earlier, they are wired.

[Robocop2]

The problem is that if you want wireless; you're pretty much limited to what MS offers. I don't personally mind wired controllers much but then again I play alot of the time with the charging cable for the Play and charge kit hooked up and the cord for my headphones running out from the system so really what's one additional cable? Sure wireless is convenient when you need it but not a big concern as far as I'm concerned. I can understand the concern if you play further back from the TV though.

[allyourblood]

Another solution would be to pick up this PS2 to 360 controller converter (http://www.etokki.com/Xtokki%20360) from etokki.

Someone needs to make one of these that lets you use an SNES or Genesis pad. I'd likely pay top dollar for that.