Controllers

[MarioMania]

Ok, I'm not doing a poll for this..I just want to know what DP members Fav Controller if all time

Mine is

1. Saturn/Genesis(6 Button)
2. Super NES
3. NES
4. Xbox "S"
5. N64
6. Master System
7. Dreamcast
8. PSX/PS2 Dual Shock

[crazyjackcsa]

A lot of people have said that the 2nd iteration of the Saturn Controller (the Original Japanese one) is the best controller ever. I agree. I also love the Saturn 3d pad, the Saturn Flight stick (which can switch left to right handed use.) I also Like the Xbox "S" controller.

[xfrumx]

That Dreamcast controller is pretty darn nice!

[jajaja]

NES due to the nostalgic feeling :) The 360 controller is also pretty sweet.

[crazyjackcsa]

I like the 360 controller, but I hate the dual triggers which I think is the worst design ever. If have to change the way you hold the controller to some bizarre configuration where your pointer and middle fingers each rest on a trigger.

[Nebagram]

Tough choice.

1. Xbox 360. Seriously- it just seems moulded to my hands. Perfection. :-)

2. Larger of the official Saturn ones, if only for the '6 face buttons' deal, something Sony and Microsoft really should look into for their 8th-gen machines (assuming they're not going to copy the big N and make controllers out of paper aeroplanes or something).

3. Mega Drive 6 buttoner, same reason.

4. SNES- not too complicated, but does everything you could ask of it.

5. Dreamcast, if only for the VM slots. An in-built screen in the pad is an innovation that simply deserves to be ripped off, and no one has yet!

[vintagegamecrazy]

For Classic,

TG16 More rounded and softer on the hands than the NES controller
Snes rocks too
Psx Dual shock
N64
GCN
Dreamcast

[MarioMania]

oops I forgot to put down the Saturn(Japanese version)

[atomicthumbs]

Dreamcast
Wii
NES
Nintendo 64
Playstation (ds2)

[MrRoboto19XX]

SNES
Saturn
Genesis (First one, oddly enough - I never played a lot of 6 button heavy games)
Dreamcast
PS2

All are easy to memorize, and dont require total finger olympics to use.

[Xizer]

1. GameCube
2. Xbox 360
3. Nintendo 64
4. SNES
5. Genesis

[insinion]

1. Nes
2. Wii Remote+Nunchuck
3. Psx Dual Shock
4. Snes
5. Megadrive 3 button controller

[playgeneration]

N64 is my favorite controller for a 3D console. I find having two analogue sticks awkward and confusing, i can never control accuratly with them, the four digital yellow C buttons are so much nicer to play with. The PS2 is my least favorite, for the two identical sized/shaped and poorly positioned analogue sticks, and the split D-Pad thats rubbish for diagonal movements.

For 2D i love the Neo Geo AES controller, proper arcade stick, and easy to use buttons. The Megadrive controllers are also great. I grew up playing Master System, but its controller is too small for my hands now, i still use it though, would seem wrong to play with anything else

[Push Upstairs]

Well ones I've used and liked:

NES (Regular and dogbone)
Genesis 3&6 button
SNES
Saturn (Japanese/2nd version)
PSX Dualshock
Xbox (S & the Logitech Wireless)

Ones i've used and really don't care for:

N64
Dreamcast

[AMG]

1) Saturn (JP)
2) SNES
3) Playstation 2
4) Genesis 3
5) Xbox

Honorable mention goes to the N64 controller for FPS games.

[FantasiaWHT]

I'm surprised to see so much DC lovin here! My hand cramped up so badly... especially playing PSO and pushing up constantly, it was just a little past the point of comfort and you push up in PSO most of the time. I'm curious what people like about the DC

Me:

1) Wiimote + Nunchuk. Feels soooooo nice
2) Logitech's 2nd gen. wireless PS2 controller. Best wireless controller I know
3) SNES. First controller I thought felt comfortable
4) Gamecube. Would be higher were it not for the %*$( Z button. At least it doesn't get used much.

Uh I'll stop there :) Unless the DS stylus counts!

[Lemmi_Is_God]

my favorite is the Genesis controllers
pretty much anything by Sega felt good in my hands except the SMS controller

and everything made by Nintendo felt alittle uncomfortable
especially the SNES horrible button layout

i like the TG16 controller and the 3DO Goldstar controllers also

[Hwj_Chim]

Jap saturn anthing else is just wrong.

[k8track]

Seems like there was a thread like this a long time ago I answered in, but it's been so long I certainly don't mind answering again, a little more thoroughly.

Here are mine in no particular order, except the first two:

1. Bally Astrocade controllers: Awesome! Joystick and paddle combined into one "gun" style casing.
2. Colecovision Super Action controllers: I just love these.
3. The Boss joystick by Wico, Atari 2600
4. Beeshu Ultimate Superstick series (I've got the 2600, NES, SMS, and TG-16 versions)
5. NeGcon controller for the PS1: I'm on a big NeGcon kick lately!
6. Epyx 500XJ series (various): Love the ergonomic thing.
7. Original 2600 paddle and driving controllers: How can one play any type of Breakout or Kaboom-type game without them?
8. M-Network Tron Joystick for the Atari 2600: Still looking for one of these!
9. Original Jaguar controllers (not the pro-controller): I may be one of the few who loves these.
10. Mad Catz Dreamcast lightgun
11. 2600 Track & Field controllers
12. Samba de Amigo maracas (of course!)
13. the snowboard controller for the PS1: although Amiga's Joyboard predates this by a bit, I'm gonna have to go with this one.

[bangtango]

k8track: I liked the Jaguar controller, too. Never used the Pro Controller, since I've gotten pretty good with using the number pad in the later-day Jaguar games that used it, so I only have the 3-button one to go by.

My Actual Answer:

I'm not ranking them but I would say the NES, Super NES, Genesis 6-button controller and, like I just said, the Atari Jaguar controller (I use it a lot) are all comfortable to me. I never did like the Game Cube, N64, Dreamcast or any of the 3DO controllers. Everything else I've used falls in between. I admit I do have a hard time using 3-button Genesis controllers after spending time with the 6-button ones but I have mostly the earlier Genesis games, anyway.

[Sweater Fish Deluxe]

Yeah, I'm always surprised to see people saying the like the Dreamcast controller, too. While the VMU slot is obviously cool, the controller design itself always feels horrible to me. But then, my surprise that people could enjoy the Dreamcast controller is nothing compared to the shock that people could even use the N64 controller let alone like it. Just goes to show that everyone's hands and muscle systems and brain layouts are more different than you could imagine.

Witout getting into unique or specialty controllers, here's my favorites:

1. Saturn analog controller
2. Saturn digital pad
3. Neo Geo CD pad (mostly for the clicky thumbstick like they also put on the Neo Geo Pocket, that design is just infinitely better than even the best standard dpads like the ones on the Saturn controllers)
4. Genesis 6-button pad
4. ActLabs Powerramp Mite (this the controller I use for all PC gaming including emulators)
5. SNES
6. Playstation

The Xbox 360 controller does look pretty good, though I haven't actually used one myself. Four face buttons just doesn't quite cut it in my opinion, though.


...word is bondage...

[CosmicMonkey]

I like the DC pad. It's just that my thumb slips off the analogue stick and I have to constantly reposition it. Other than that, it's fine. I have no problem with the N64 pad either. Yes, it's a bit odd, but once you get used to it, it's perfectly fine. The Hori N64 pad does look like a much better design, and what I would have expected from Nintendo.

As for my favorite controllers:

NGPC stick > all. No, really. Now that's out of the way.....

My custom built Neo stick, using Sanwa stick and buttons
Official Dreamcast Arcade stick, modded with Sanwa stick and buttons
Old style Neo AES stick
Neo CD pad
Megadrive 6 button / Saturn pad
Super NES. Specifically the US pads, as the X and Y buttons are concave. Pity about the colour ;)

And I have to give an honourable mention to the DC Twinsticks. Can't really vote them as a 'best' controller, as I can only use them with one game. But without them, Virtual-ON just wouldn't be the same.

[DigitalSpace]

Top 5:

1 - Super NES
2 - PS2
3 - NES (original)
4 - Gamecube
5 - Genesis 6-button controller

[Pantechnicon]

1. Atari 2600 Paddle
2. Atari 2600 Joystick
3. Dreamcast
4. Playstation Dual Shock
5. Virtual Boy

[FantasiaWHT]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned...

STEEL BATTALION controller!

Using that thing is like driving a stick shift and eating a gourmet meal at the same time.

My thumb slipped on the DC a lot too, which drove me nuts. That and the cord coming out of the bottom of the controller.

[NEOFREAK9189]

old system
Saturn (JP)
SNES
Genesis 6 button
ps
n64
TG16
nes
nes2 dog bone
pcfx
neogeo cd pad

new system

Wii class control
Wii remote
x box 360
game cube
ps2
dreamcast
xbox s

[KingCobra]

This should be easy and to the point


Pads
1) Saturn 2nd ver/Jpn
2) Genesis 6 button
3) ASSCII Dreamcst FT2 Pad

Single Stick
1) Epyx 500XJ for my "Heavy 6'er".
I'm surprized someone else has ever had one before
2) Coleco Super controllers


Dual Anilog
1) Xbox S
2) 360
3) PS2 Dual Shock 2


and the neGcon for the racers!

[jpark203]

My favorite is the Japanese Saturn controller. Excellent fit, great button layout, perfect for fighting games. The Dreamcast controller would've been my favorite if it weren't for the crummy d-pad.

[Aussie2B]

My top favorite would probably be the SNES controller. Comfortable, the perfect amount of buttons, and the perfect layout for them. It's no surprise that most controllers these days still take after its design.

Other than that, in no particular order, nothing beats the dog bone controllers for NES games, I'm a big fan of the N64 controller and am still impressed at its innovation even if so much hate is directed at it, the Neo Geo CD pad has a terrific d-pad (as does the NGPC), and I actually prefer the original PlayStation controller over the Dual Shock since its lighter, has better grips, and overall just feels higher quality even if not as complex.

For more weirdo stuff, I also like the NeGcon and the Namco arcade stick, both for PlayStation.

[Retsudo]

1. Snes
2. PS Dualshock & Original Pad
3. Nes
These 3 I spent the most time with.

[diskoboy]

1. Xbox 360
2. Wii
3. (Tie) Dreamcast/X-box Controller-S (even duke was good, IMO)
4. Super NES
5. Intellivision
6. VCS Paddles - I sure miss those things.

Honorable mention - WICO command control (VCS/C-64)

[Felixthegamer]

I always hae liked the Nes controller, no dog bone for me. Second would be the xbox controller, finally a controller made for my big mitts! Cannot go wrong with an Atari joystick either. I haven't played xbox360 or the wii enough to comment one way or another

[77punk]

Favorites are

1. N64
2. Xbox "S"
3. Master System
4. Saturn/Genesis
5. Super NES
6. TG16
7. NES


worst controller ever for big handed people.. i still have calesis playing withe the stock
7. Dreamcast controllers..

The should have never put the second VMU unit on the bottom, who uses it?

[XYXZYZ]

1. NES Advantage
2. Neo Geo pack-in joysticks
3. ASCII PC Engine arcade stick
4. Capcom Fighter Power stick (SNES / NES)
5. Sega Saturn Eclipse stick (I love it for shooters)
6. SNES Advantage

[Gentlegamer]

The Best Controller Ever! (http://www.vintagecomputing.com/wp-content/images/retroscan/coleco_sac_1_large.jpg)

[diskoboy]

worst controller ever for big handed people.. i still have calesis playing withe the stock
7. Dreamcast controllers..

The should have never put the second VMU unit on the bottom, who uses it?

I use it.

rumble pack....

EDIT - althought you do have a good point. With all that stuff plugged in to your controller, it basically turns it into a 15lb. free-weight.

[xtremegamer]

I like the 360 controller, but my favorite controller has to be the Snes controller.

[Aussie2B]

worst controller ever for big handed people.. i still have calesis playing withe the stock
7. Dreamcast controllers..

Worst controller for anybody if you ask me. I have small chick hands, and it's just as bad for me. After 5 minutes my hands and wrists feel cramped and sore, and that's not even getting into the problems of the buttons and such. It feels like I'm gripping vertical, squashed together bicycle handles.

I'll never be able to understand how anyone could like the Dreamcast controller. Even my brother-in-law who's a HUGE Dreamcast fan and can use the controller quite well doesn't really like it; he just grew to tolerate it.

But some people think I'm crazy for finding the N64 controller so comfortable, so to each his own.

[6502]

Tops: 2nd gen or Japanese style Saturn pad. Just 2D perfection. I use it for as many systems as I can (Saturn, DC, PS2, PC, Xbox). Best pad for fighters and 2D games in general.

Other favs:

Either the original 3-button Genesis or the later 6-button. I prefer the larger size of the 3-button, but the feel of the of the D-pad and buttons on the 6-button is superior. Either way, both are great pads. Sega sure knew how to make good controllers back, I dunno wtf happened with the DC (terrible pad).

Xbox 360. Super comfortable, the only flaw is a crappy D-pad. What is about D-pads nowadays? It seems making a responsive, accurate, and comfortable D-pad is a lost art.

Gamecube. Another extremely comfortable controller. The only beefs I have with it are the C-stick and the overly stiff Z-button. Otherwise it's a vast improvement over the abomination that was the N64 pad.

Super NES. Until the Saturn pad came out, this was the best you could get. Still a great pad, the only real negative is that it's too small (but then again I tend to think most Japanese pads are too small).

NES dog-bone. I love these, much better than the hard-cornered original NES pads.

And kudos to whoever mentioned the NGPC stick. That thing is wonderfully precise and works great with all the fighters on the NGPC.

[eric nintendo]

Pads
1. Saturn Model 2 Pad
2. Genesis 6-Button
3. SNES


Best Sticks
1. Neo Geo AES
2. Saturn Arcade Stick
3. NES Advantage

Modern/3D Controller
1. Gamecube
2. Saturn 3D Controller
3. Dreamcast

Handheld
1. Neo Geo PC
2. Game Boy (Up until the SP, I love the SP but I hate the D-Pad on it)
3. Game Gear

Overall best controller ever goes to the Saturn Model 2. Very comfortable, good placement/button quality, and best D-Pad. Interestingly enough, the Saturn Model 1 is probably one of the WORST controllers ever, next to the Atari 5200 and original X-Box controllers.