What's a good PC controller?

[stargate]

for use with MAME and other emulators...

I used to use a Gravis Gamepad and just bought a Microsoft Sidewinder USB. It seems pretty solid and looks great, but the control sucks. On games like Ms. Pac Man, Contra, any "twitch" type game, it sucks. I just can't get good control out of the D pad.

I own a Hotrod SE, but the thing is just way to huge for my room/ desk.

Any suggestions?

[zektor]

Yes. The N64 adaptoid. The adapter allows connection of a N64 joystick to the USB port. Works great, no drivers needed in Windows at all. The only draw back is that the company that makes them went out of business. I have two for sale tho. PM me if you want them. After that, I would probably recommend the Sidewinder gamepad (which you already have). Not bad, but the N64 controllers are better by far.

[stargate]

you know, I tried a PS2 adapter thingy with my PC and I could not get it to work for the life of me. I was hoping I could just find a USB PC gamepad or stick that works well. It sucks there are not many decent arcade type sticks for the PC unless you want somwthing huge like the X-Arcade.

[ventrra]

I'm not sure that this'll help, but I've been using an Axis Pad for a while for MAME. It's a USB controller that is almost, but not quite, exactly like a Playstation controller.

[ashbourn]

I like to use the sidewinder by microsoft and my PSX controller.

[davidbrit2]

Radio Shack sells Dual Shock USB adapters for about $10. I have one, and it works great with my Mac without any 3rd party drivers, so that's got to say something. :-)

[CrazyImpmon]

I've used Gamepad Pro (looks like PSX controller) and it has worked well for many games and emulators. Of course being USB controller, it won't work on DOS based programs.

[davidbrit2]

Man, I hate that Gravis junk. They really lost touch with good d-pad design. The stupid things actually tend to sink into diagonals, and you have to do some weird balancing act with the pad to make it register a single directional contact. The last time I liked their stuff was in the days of the four button Gravis Gamepad. They also made a dual analog controller not long ago that seemed pretty nice, but the thing just arbitrarily quit working. Nothing even recognizes a USB device being connected.

Okay, I'm done bashing Gravis now. :-)

[jaybird]

I have to second that thumbs down on Gravis' stuff. I have one of their controllers now & was playing Metal Slug last night & couldn't shoot up with it.

I had to press to the left & up to get it to shoot up at all & even then it made me shoot up & run left at the same time. Blahh.

I'm going to Radio Shack after work to check out that USB adapter for my Mac.

[asharru]

I have two ThrustMaster Firestorm Dual Power USB's. I got em about a year ago, and boy lemme tell ya what, they kick some serious ass. They are much like PS dual shocks, only bigger and more durable, and I think with more buttons(I don't own a PS, but if I remember, they only had 6?). Anyway, I've had a million PC joysticks, and these are easily the best I have ever had. They work with like 90% of my emu's(and I have tons), and kick ass in all pc games. Donno if they make em anymore, but maybe they have a heir to the thrown.

[Hamsnibit]

I use usb converter that lets me use a psx controller or N64 controller. I prefer the psx pad myself. It works great, even the dual analog works fine, and supposedly the rumble feature but haven't played any games that support force feedback so I'm not sure. It pretty much kicks ass though, you should check it out. You can pick one up on ebay for about $10-$15.

[stargate]

I have two ThrustMaster Firestorm Dual Power USB's. I got em about a year ago, and boy lemme tell ya what, they kick some serious ass. They are much like PS dual shocks, only bigger and more durable, and I think with more buttons(I don't own a PS, but if I remember, they only had 6?). Anyway, I've had a million PC joysticks, and these are easily the best I have ever had. They work with like 90% of my emu's(and I have tons), and kick ass in all pc games. Donno if they make em anymore, but maybe they have a heir to the thrown.

OK, I just ordered one of these. They do still make them. I went with the model that does NOT have force feedback (I never really use it). Other than this, it appears to be the same thing. Hopefully this will do the trick.

[ManekiNeko]

I like the Interact 6-button Pro Pad myself. I got it for free at a game store last year and I haven't stopped using it. It's more responsive than most of the PC controllers I've used, and the six button layout is wonderful for fighting games. They made a similar product for the N64... I don't know how the two controllers compare.

JR

[DDCecil]

I use a 6 button Capcom controller than came with Mega Man X for the PC. Too bad it can't hook up to this computer I'm using...

[Bratwurst]

I have a Saitek P150 USB Action Pad, a cheapie at 9.99!

It has 6 face buttons ala the Genesis ABC, XYZ, and then two shoulder buttons! The d-pad includes a thumb stick you can put in either the d-pad or an out-of-the-way holder inside the gamepad itself. It grips really well, too, since there are handle bars protruding from the bottom like a PSX controller. That's my suggestion.