All time favorite console controller

[Masco73]

Out of all the controllers you have used over the years, which has been your favorite???
I would go with PS1 dual shock controller. It is very confortable and quite durable.

[Masco73]

Can a Mod move this over to the video game forum. I meant to post it there. Thanks

[omnedon]

ZOOM!

Well, the Genesis 6 button pad is good, and the genesis Aracde power stick is Great.

Now that I've restored my 5200 controllers, these aren't too shabby either...

[jaybird]

I'm partial to the SNES pad. The PS1 & PS2 pads are a close 2nd.

[Slipdeath]

hmm i dont know probably ps1 and ps2

[atomicthumbs]

It's either between the Xbox "DUKE" or the standard Sega Saturn controllers...




Just kidding! I'd have to say the PSone Dual Shock (packed with the PSone) / PS2 Dual Shock 2 controllers or the N64 controller (don't care what they say, I always thought it was very comfortable).

[CRaCKeRJaCK1980]

The old NES pad!! :D

[Retsudo]

I'm partial to the SNES pad. The PS1 & PS2 pads are a close 2nd.


Ditto, without a doubt :D

[SoulBlazer]

GameCube is number one for me. Very confertable, light, good button layout.

The PS2 controller is second, with the SNES controller third.

If I had to go from there, I'd say the redisgned NES pads (not the original, I hated using that square thing) and the original PSX pad (not the Dual Shock, it was too heavy).

[TheJuggala]

N64, definetly the best, especially for FPS.

[sisko]

Dual Shock 2

Great button layout and lighter, more responsive buttons, and better rumble as compared to the regular dual shock.

[Evil E]

At first I didn't, but now I find the DC controller very easy to use. Xbox S controller and PSX are great as well!

[SoulBlazer]

We should do a worst controler thread. :D

I'd put the N64 and the original XBox controllers on that list, as well as the Atari 5200.

[Retsudo]

Well if they did, I would vote the same....never liked the N64 controller LOL

[kingpong]

Obviously the best console controller (at least among pack-ins) is the Neo Geo stick, being the only console to come with a proper arcade style joystick. The thought of a pad controller being the all time best is laughable.

[SoulBlazer]

It's funny you should mention that -- popular belief is that one reason Atari ended up passing on the chance to distribute the Famicom back in 1983 was because managment HATED the idea of the pad. They were used to the joystick and liked it and thought it was superior. Nintendo just went with existing technology, since Gumpi had come up with the idea of the pad for the Game and Watch series.

I've always like the pad better then the stick, but it also depends on the game you're playing.

[ManekiNeko]

For joysticks, I'd have to go with the NES Advantage. It's a great controller, well worth the $29.99 it cost when it was first released. You just weren't playing with power without one. :D Some runners up in this category include the official Sega Genesis joysticks (big, black, and beautiful, whether you picked a three or six button stick!), and ASCII's Dreamcast sticks with the green buttons and white trim. Both were a little costly for my tastes, but they were beautifully constructed.

For controllers, I'd pick the Sega Arcade Pad for the Genesis and its descendant, the Sega Saturn joypad (second/Japanese model) without hesitation. The circular D-pad was more responsive and handled diagonals better than the Super NES pad, plus the placement of the buttons was perfect, especially for the Capcom fighting games which were in abundant supply on the Saturn.

For light guns, I have to admit that I liked the Sega Master System light phaser. It was light, the trigger wasn't too stiff, and it was fairly accurate. The new Guncons are supposed to be even more precise, but they're bulkier than I feel a light gun should be.

For dance controllers, Sega's Samba de Amigo maracas win first prize. They're especially fun with Samba de Amigo 2000, where the player is encouraged to wave them back and forth at key moments.

So there you have it. Sega is the king of game controller design.

JR

[Lady Jaye]

My fave controller of all time is the GameCube's, followed by the Genesis 3-button.

The first time I tried the GameCube controller, I fell in love with it. For the first time, a controller fit my hands perfectly, not just approximately (I have small hands; to give you an idea, I fit into medium-sized junior baseball batting gloves).

As for the Genny's pad, i've always felt that the crescent shape was a lot more comfy than the rectangular NES and Sega Master controllers and even better than the SNES's.

[ClubNinja]

Sega Saturn (Japanese/2nd US style).

Best pad ever. There, that was easy. ;)

[Delgrace]

Probably the Dualshock...either one, they're both great. It's funny, too... Ages ago, when I use to go to my cousin's house and play his Megadrive, my hands would always feel weird when I'd come home and play the Master System. :roll:

But from what I've seen of the Gamecubes controller...that might become my favourite, if I ever pick a GC up.

[Moose]

I have to say I love the SNES controller the best. I always felt that the button placement was perfect, wheter I was playing a fighting, roleplaying, or even adventure game. Not to mention, the controllers I had were very reliable, never having any of them break-down.

[petewhitley]

C'mon, am I really the first one to vote for the Wavebird? That thing has revolutionized wireless controllers. And it's battery life is incredible.

[Classicgamesdepot]

I love the DC pad, the genny six button, snes, and psx controllers are a close second..

[Neo_Veteran]

Massystems Neo•Geo Pro Joystick.

[cheesystick]

I'm gonna have to go with my always-reliable little buddy:The SNES pad. Its a controller that anyone can easily use. They are practicaly unbreakable, and they were easy to memorize and master due to the simplitic yet perfect button layout.

I hate to throw a next-gen console in to this, but my wavebird is a damn close second. When all my friends are over at my house gaming, it is so much easier to hand them a wavebird then it is to hand them a chained and anchored controller. With the wavebird, my company can sit wherever they want. They could play me while they were taking a piss if they wanted. What is more impressive than the dead on accuracy that it recieves, is it's battery life. The batteries last fooooorrrrreeevvveeerrr......

Well, now my third favorite would have to be my STEEL BATTALION CONTROLLER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually, now that I think of it, Steel Battlion would have to be my favorite controller.
Who's with me???

-crispy

[buttasuperb]

Import Saturn pad.

Works great for CvS2 online on the Xbox.

[devilman]

While I like the Playstation pads for the L1/L2/R1/R2 buttons and the simple button layout, I hate the two Analogue sticks - they're just loose for me.

Favourite pad for me would have to be the Gamecubes. Official one only, mind, as third-party versions have inferior analogue sticks.

[kai123]

1.Wavebird
2.Saturn 2nd version
3.Snes

[jaydubnb]

My favorite controller has to be the PS2's...perfect feel and weight, although sometimes it feels as if it has too many buttons with the R2 and L2.

Face stick would be the NEO*GEO's. Light yet sturdy. And for some reason, I love the clicking sound it makes when moving the stick.

And much respect to the stick on the NGPC! Great idea!

[Darkness X]

1.Saturn import or M2 pad
2.PS2 DualShock
3.Genesis 3-button

Runners up: Xbox S and standard Dreamcast controller(both of these controllers fit my hands perfectly)

[Nez]

My fav is the saturn controller that looks just like the geni six button controller. Second is the dreamcast it just feels right i cant explain. Thrid the original nes controller for the nostalgia.

[downfall]

I'm very suprised that nobody mentioned the Virtual Boy controller. I always dug that one, it was always very comfortable, at least to me. I know that's true for a lot of other people as well.

My personal favorite is my Gamecube controller though. Just fits my hands perfectly, and I prefer the GC analog stick instead of the GC d-pad anyway. Everyone complains about how small it is, but I never use it anyway, unless it's necessary (Windwaker, Rogue Squadron II, etc.).

I much rather prefer my analog stick to be where my thumb actually goes instead of being all reversed on the PS2 Dual Shock. Ugh. I like the Dual Shock, but I hate sticking my thumb down to the side out of it's natural position just to use the analog stick, which is what a whole lot of PS2 games seem to encourage you to use.

[AdoptApet]

XBOX Controller S

[chrisbid]

my two favorites are the Genesis 6-button pad and the standard JPN style Saturn controller. Its a dam shame the six button layout died, fighting games weep at their loss. Add the round 8-direction D-Pad (and kick in the triggers on the saturn controller) and you have perfect 2D gaming control

overrated - SNES. Granted it is comfortable, but that mofo is stiff. I dont know if it is a factor of control design, or if it is a function of the slow clock speed of the system, but i find myself pushing extra hard on the d-pad during intense gameplay - a sure sign of stiff control. secondly, i dont care for the four button layout. for most games this is fine, but for a system that sold a good portion of their machines based on a great looking port of Street Fighter II, the four button layout is sac-relig. The triggers are also very cheaply made, ive had two SNES pads with broken triggers, and pulling off a Dragon Punch with the triggers is tricky at best

overrated part 2 - Dual Shock - the original based off the SNES pad is more responsive and sturdier than the SNES controller, but the addition of analog sticks were an afterthought. The sticks themselves are ok, but their placement is awkward, they are not in the primary position, the d-pad still is in the primary position



as for modern analog sticks, my lukewarm votes goes to the dreamcast. I wouldve voted for the 3D Saturn controller, but the analog direction pad was a bit loose. The Dreamcast sadly adapted the Nintendo style Digital pad (4 direction instead of 8) and they went to the previously mentioned mediocre 4 button layout, but the analog stick worked great. The best innovation of these two controllers were the analog triggers. they are perfect for driving games.

The cube has two great analog sticks, but a stupid button layout, and an almost useless z button

The Xbox S controller, while smaller than the original behemoth, is still heavy. It is too solid, and while there are six buttons, the black and white buttons are in a dumb place.

[NintendoMan]

I am going with the WAVEBIRD from NINTENDO. I just love it so much.

[jezt]

Come on, THe Dramcast controller is the best one of them all. Its comfortable, and innovative as all hell with the VMU attachment.

That is my fave,

Damn, I can feel the wave of dissagreement comming.......

[chrisbid]

had sega not sold out with the digital pad and the button layout, then i would agree

[Pedro Lambrini]

I would have to go with the Euro/Jap Saturn controller - it's just really comfy and the D-Pad is poifect!! :P Quickly followed by the N64 cos noone's bettered the analogue response (even the GC pad as nice as it is!) I also really like the SNES SNPro PADs

We should pick 6 or so controllers and have a poll on this. :)

BTW My most disappointing controller vote would go to the Dual Shock...Rumble was rubbish (why bother?!), analogues were rubbish and the extra buttons were hardly ever used. And actually not that comfy!

[Ze_ro]

My favorite controller ever is the Jaguar ProController. 6 buttons, Pause + Option, shoulder buttons, a good D-pad, and a number pad for anything else you'll ever need. Plus, it fits nicely in my (apparently) gorilla-sized hands. Most other controllers always feel too small for me, especially the PSX controllers (which I've always hated).

--Zero

[Gast]

I seem to be the only one to like the original XBox-Controllers, the size fits my hands perfectly... Ok, the D-Pad is useless - but it's the best Microsoft ever made. Anyone tried the Sidewinder Freestyle Pro? Yeah.

One thing I just HATE are the Shoulderbuttons on the GC-Pad. They might be analog, but that click when you press them down just ruins it. There is no way to use them as analog buttons with that, I usually tend to either press them completely down or just stop before the click. :o

[AlexKidd]

i like the 6 button genesis one and the ps2 one. now if we were picking the worst controllers i'd say the jaguar one and the older xbox one,those things were beasts lol

[Jasoco]

Xbox BIG is my favorite right now. In my hands, it feels so damn right.

In distant LAST place, PlayStation. Fuck the PS Design team for putting the R1 and L1 buttons where they did. This goes for you too, Cube team with the badly placed Z button.

Other faves are:

My Capcom SNES "Pad Soldier". It's ergonomic and awesome and the best Christmas Present I ever got from my Uncle and Aunt.

The Genesis 6 button and Saturn controllers are really nice feeling for flat pads.

The Cube, if not for the Z button is perfect.

I still like the N64 controller. But even better I like the MakoPad 64 I had in the day.

On a different note, tomorrow I plan on buying one of each used controller I can find at GS and EB just to have. Especially that PlayStation Interact Barracuda I saw at EB. If it's actually as comfortable as I am thinking, I won't complain about the L1 and R1 buttons anymore. IF.

[Kamino]

after much deliberation, i'm gonna shout out to the saturn 3d pad. GREAT sensible design. that, and the atari 7800 proline joystick.
Worst? No doubt the n64 controller, followed by Xbox and cube. controllers have gone downhill lately.
As for a mention of "the thought of a pad being the best controller is laughable", i suppose thats a perspective thing. Thanks to a few people i now understand the reasons why joysticks are superior on certain systems(i was guilty of using SMS pads on atari 2600 until i picked up a pair of 7800 prolines)but for myself, i entered gaming at the pad level on nintendo, and i cannot fathom playing vice city on anything BUT a pad.
I'd also like to throw in an honourable mention to the dreamcast fishing rod!

[Mr Mort]

Sega Saturn (Japanese/2nd US style).

Best pad ever. There, that was easy. ;)

Agreed. Hands-down, the best console controller ever. It was perfect for the plethora of Capcom arcade fighting game conversions, and every other kind of game on the system.

Second place would be the Xbox S controller. Good size & button placement (except for the black & white buttons), and rumble.

[Jasoco]

On the Small Xbox controller, the Start and Back buttons are horribly placed as are the Black and White ones. If not for those things, I wouldn't mind it. To me, the Big controller has the right layout. Start/Back in the middle. B/W at the top.

[BloodshedPlague]

My favorite controller is PS2 Dualshock, Fav joy stick is the Neo Geo Arcade Stick.

My least favorite controller is the original XBOX mound.
I also hate the twisty racing controller for thr ps1.

[dj898]

Capcom Xbox Steel Battalion controller!
sure it only works with two titles - ST and ST:LoC - but what a controller.
where you can get the controller with few dozen buttons that all used in the game play not to mention cool eject switch!

cheers

[Joelius]

Everyone is knocking on the original XBOX controllers. Personally, i find them the most pleasing, due to the reason i have big hands, they fit it perfectly and it feels so right. So that's my favorite controller, and maybe that's why i play Halo so much....

[SkiDragon]

I really like my SNES controller with the "Super Score" attachment. Its just a plastic piece that snaps on the controller. I also like the Gamecube one.

As far as bad controllers, the absolute worst that I have seen has to be the 5200 controller. You have to fix it before you can use it.
The original Master System controller was bizzare. Why did the cord come out of the side?? Those screw on joysticks are neat though.
And the Dreamcast has a good controller, but why does the cord come out of the bottom!

[Sibs]

The original SNES controller and the PS/PS2 controllers are my favorites.

[dethink]

i hate hate hate the PS controller in all of it's many permutations. the 4 shoulder buttons, handle thingies, afterthought analog sticks, etc. all add up to hand cramps in my book. and i don't have big hands. it's shite, but unfortunately it seems to be the only one with a logical button layout (relatively speaking), and more importantly, the right number of buttons without resorting to obvious afterthought z-triggers (GC, cough cough). then again, i've never been a big fan of games that use shoulder buttons outside of anything other than for something like the "lean" in f-zero. dragon punching someone with a face button feels WAY more natural than a shoulder button.

for "modern" controllers, i'd say the N64 is hands down the most comfy, and offers so many possibilities. except for the tiny C buttons, it handles numerous types of games without too much trouble. plus you can stab people with it! LOL

for anything without an analog stick, the first 6-button genesis pad is chiselled from the mold of god's hands or something (see also: japanese saturn pad). the later turbo versions that came with the genesis 3 had WAY loose topsy turvy pads that feel like a ball cut in half.

other than that, almost anything sega has made with the exception of the original genesis 3 button pad (the pad part isn't the greatest) is a model of comfort, even the old master system brick pads.

the DC would be absolute perfection with 2 more face buttons, and wider triggers (on the front face that your finger wraps around). that narrow surface area starts to dig in to your joints after hours of playing games dependent on it.

the xbox S is pretty much as good as it gets for the new consoles, though they shouldn't have mussed with the button placement, i agree.

so in summary - the N64 trident & 6 button genesis pad.

[Lemmy Kilmister]

Sega Saturn (Japanese/2nd US style).

Best pad ever. There, that was easy. ;)

It sure was. I also like the xbox type s controller (got bigger hands).

[AMG]

For First Person Shooters I still like the N64 controller.

For everything else, I like the Playstation DS.

[classicb]

While 6 buttons proved to be needed for fighters my favorite was...

Original 3 button Genesis

Jump / Punch / Kick or Shoot

what more do you need?

Why did controllers have to get so complicated.

Saturn was the last controller I really liked

[om3ga]

Nes Advantage Joystick ..

mmmmmmm godly.

[NintendoMan]

I love the durability and strength of the SNES and NES controllers and the feel of them. (But they're really isn't anything special to them, I mean only a couple of buttons)

My vote has to go with the gamecube controllers. Espcially the WaveBirds. By far the best damn controller to ever come out so far, to me anyways!

[k8track]

For me, a tie between the Colecovision Super Action Controller and the Bally Astrocade pistol grip controller. I also love The Boss by WICO and the Epyx 500XJ (think I got the number right), both for the Atari 2600.

I generally loathe button pad controllers, but the only ones I ever loved were the Atari Jaguar controllers.

[MegaDrive20XX]

1. PS2 Dual Shock Controller
2. Sega 6-Pad/SNES Pad (Tie)
3. Original PSX pad

[DasCrewShtool]

joystick for the Dream Cast, Big, Bulky, and sits in your lap comfortably!!!

[max 330 mega]

Yea, the neo-geo arcade stick is great. I also like the SNES controller.

[youngamer]

doesnt really matter to me whats the "BEST" controller. if it works thats all the info i need.

[NintendoMan]

had sega not sold out with the digital pad and the button layout, then i would agree

Damn, even though I just got done playing my DC during this post, I forgot all about the DC controller. I do like this controller just about the most for looks. The VMU and it's designs that come on during gameplay are just awesome, even though you can't look at them really while playing, there still cool. It is very comfortable too.

[Neonsolid]

Gone.

[racecar]

nes controllers and the snes
arcade controllers (custom made) for disc systems

[Wavelflack]

The Sega 6 button controller (Genesis) is the best fighting game controller in the universe. I always felt sorry for SNES players who had to contend with lame shoulder buttons for SF2. Oh well. They also had to deal with sampled trumpets eminating from the irritating PCM chip as well, but I digress.
3 on top, 3 on bottom. It's the way it's supposed to be.

The Sega Saturn 3D controller takes the prize for best overall controller design. Not only does it have the correct face button placement (as previously addressed), but also a good D pad, analog stick (a comfy one as well), and TRIGGERS (also analog). Microsoft figured it out, and so did Nintendo (eventually). Triggers are simply superior to shoulder buttons, and always will be. Nintendo still managed to screw up in spite of following Sega's lead, and insisted on placing the Z button as a shoulder button. The one thing they got RIGHT on the N64 controller gets moved to an awkward and useless location.

[max 330 mega]

original sega saturn controller, but i stil need to try one of the import ones, they look like they would be quite nice.

[Jive3D]

"I love the powerglove, it's so bad"

no but really....

Virtual Boy controller - It felt right, if I recall correctly it was released before the Analog sticks made it onto the PS controller, I recall comparing the two at the time and loving the Vboy controller much more.

Wavebird - easily my favorite, it's comfy and gives you that true sense of freedom. Sure it doesnt have rumble, but you can get through Zelda WW without that.

Saturn Import Type II - right on par with the genesis 6 button for me. Sega made some really good comfy controllers.

Dreamcast - well I like it for the first hour, or as long as Im not playing soul calibur, that sucker cramps up my pinky fingers, and I dont have Harry & the Henderson hands either.

Nes Dogbone - mmm it's tasty too. I love it.

Neo Geo standard control stick - someone earlier said that the clicking sound was what they liked, hit the nail right on the head. I have never had a better Arcade at home feeling than with my Geo sticks, beats out the NES Adv IMO.

One controller that I never got was the NES MAX, and I know a lot of people really liked it. That Dpad was sooo loose!

[Algol]

SNES. It has all the buttons you could ever need for anything, and yet its small and very comfortable.

[Barbarianoutkast85]

Dreamcast or Gamecube are my favorite

[Black_Tiger]

My favorite is still the standard two button Turbo Fire Turbo & Duo Pads.

I can still play Street Fighter II CE as fast as anyone equipped with a 6 button pad(as I alternate between punches and kicks with the SELECT button).

[Jasoco]

Large Xbox controller. The only one that seems to be built for my hands.

[ScottK]

Nothing felt better to me then the NES Max controller. Those controllers were so sweet!

[FlufflePuff]

"I love the power glove. It's so bad."

[XxMe2NiKxX]

Six-button genesis controller. That or the saturn official controller.

[Jared_Vibelicious]

Turbo Stick for the TG-16! oh yeah!