XBOX 360 controller for emulators?

[Scream And Fly]

I wanted to buy a new gamepad, and I was thinking of an XBOX 360 gamepad for my emulators. Have any of you used one fot that? Your feedback would help a lot!

Greg

[Xizer]

I hope you don't intend to use it for 2D emulators, but rather PS1/N64/DC and so on.

The D-pad sucks ass, but everything else about it is perfect.

[Scream And Fly]

Actually - yes, that was my intention. I really only play NES and SNES games on my PC, so the D pad must be great. Any suggestions on a gamepad with analog sticks that has a good D pad? I thought about the Logitech models...

[Xizer]

TBQH, you're not going to find a pad perfect for 3D games and 2D games.

You'd be better off getting an Xbox 360 controller for 3D games, and a Saturn ripoff for 2D games. That's what I do, and it allows me to play both 2D and 3D games perfectly and comfortably.

[Scream And Fly]

Thanks for your input man (no pun intended) :)

Greg

[Nesmaster]

If all you're going to be using it for is NES and SNES, I would suggest building/buying one of those retroUSB controllers/kits. ;)

[dcx516]

i use my 360 controller for arcade emu and it works great.

[Retsudo]

Go to Radioshack, buy a PS2 usb adapter, and have fun.

[YoshiM]

I use a modified Xbox controller on my PC for 2D gaming and I have no problems with it whatsoever. The D Pad is large enough and is positioned well enough that it's fairly comfortable. If you've got an Xbox for less than say $10 and a little work you can make your own Xbox-to-PC-USB adapter (need a USB cable which can be found cheap, the little 3 inch breakaway dongle can be purchased used from an EB for like $3 and then some electrical tape).

It all depends on what you do with your PC. If you play modern games on there an Xbox 360 pad might be worth it (or the above hack if you don't mind cutting and splicing wire). I've just started getting back into PC gaming so I'm looking forward to titles I might not have played because of a lack of decent controls (like a racing game or a platformer) or if I find my flightstick to be uncomfortable for the simulation games. A SNES controller on the PC would be cool but don't limit yourself if you want to game beyond emulation.

My 2 zenny on this.

[Sweater Fish Deluxe]

If you're only emulating NES and SNES with it an XBox 360 pad or a PS2 adapter or something might indeed be perfect, though neither of those controllers really had very great dpads as has been pointed out. Personally, I wanted a pad with six face buttons (and preferably also shoulder buttons) for MAME and Genesis emulation. That was a bitch to find. I didn't want to drop the money on one of those Saturn look-alike pads since I heard their dpads weren't that great and for $40 it'd have to be. What I ened up getting was a Powerramp Mite from ACT Labs. This is a cntroller that plugs into your PS/2 keyboard port and acts as a PS/2 keyboard, which means anything and everything will support it (I even have it set up with mousekeys so that I can get around in Windows without having to open up my laptop or use a mouse). It has a really nice dpad and excellent buttons, too. Also really easy to use despite how flexible and programmable it is.


...word is bondage...

[Scream And Fly]

Just one more question - do I have to install drivers for the 360 controller, or will WinXP just detect it? Will I have any problem mapping it with emulators or even MAME?

Thank again everyone.

[YoshiM]

Just one more question - do I have to install drivers for the 360 controller, or will WinXP just detect it? Will I have any problem mapping it with emulators or even MAME?

Thank again everyone.

From what I read if XP is fully updated it should already have the drivers installed and will be detected. If not then you can just go through the setup and download from the Windows Update site and it should work.

[ddh819]

If you have that 360 controller you can also play that audio and force feedback only game In the Pit that only works with a 360 controller

http://www.studiohunty.com/itp/

[Flack]

I use a Mad Catz PS2 Retrocon and a PS2 to USB adapter. Both the dpad and the analog stick work with my emulators. The dpad isn't the greatest (feels a bit mushy) but it works well enough for me.

http://i20.ebayimg.com/01/i/08/92/8d/c2_1.JPG

[MarioMania]

Mad Catz is pure crap..

[PapaStu]

*BOOT*

to modern gaming!

[Leo_A]

Is it necessary to constantly move post? The thread is about using a 360 controller for classic game emulation. (I assume it was posted in classic gaming beforehand). How does that make it more modern than classic?