Joystick of choice for emulation on PC

[Snapple]

Simply put, for those people who play roms and otherwise emulate on their PCs, what kind of joystick do you use?


About six years ago, I bought a Gravis GamePad Pro from Best Buy for only about $10. It may be cheap, but it's one of the best bang-for-buck purchases I've ever made, because it's a really excellent console-style controller that works just as good as the day I bought it.

Here's a review I found of the controller from 2000:
http://www.macgamer.com/reviews/game...amepadpro.html



As you can see, it's basically a clone of a PS1 controller with a USB port. It's very comfortable, and perfect for PS1 and SNES games especially. Although, I also use it for everything else, too. One of the negatives he lists is that "wear and tear takes a fast toll," but I have no idea what he means by that, because like I said, I've had this controller for six years. I've logged hundreds of hours on it, and it's still great.

[DeputyMoniker]

I think I have that exact model. I used it until I got this (I love it when I get to mention it) official Sega Saturn USB controller.

[Imstarryeyed]

I use a standard 9 pin Wico Bat Handle Joystick for my emulators like old consoles and computers. (Vic 20, C64, Amiga, Atari, etc)

I also use a standard 9 pin 6 button gamepad for consoles that need more buttons.

I connect the classic joysticks to my machine by either using the Catweasel MKIV PCI card which has 2 9 pin connectors on it or I use PPJoy and a Parallel Port cable I made (simple) to connect 2 9 pin digital joys to the PC.

With this setup I am able to play 4 player Gauntlet 2 on Amiga or other games.

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

I use a Microsoft Sidewinder control pad. It's 6 front mounted buttons make it easier to use when emulating the Sega Genesis, and can still be easily configured for SNES use.

JY

[Berserker]

I just use my PS2 controller with the aid of a Smart Joy adapter. Works wonderfully. I also use this for many things other than emulators... the analog stick makes a huge difference in playing things like Neverball, which is basically an open source Monkey Ball clone for the PC.

The combination of analog sticks and d-pad makes it extremely adaptable to just about any game you throw at it. Best 10 bucks I ever spent.

[Greg2600]

I have a blue version of that Gravis Gamepad Pro USB, and swear by it. Gravis is great for hand held joysticks.

[Cryomancer]

Xbox / 360 via USB, and then I also have an adapter that does Saturn, DC, and PSX, which i mostly use for the Saturn controller.

I also just got a wii remote working on my PC so once i get a second sensor bar, hopefully it will make a good MAME lightgun.

[Classicgamesdepot]

I also use that exact controller shown in the pic, it rules.

[mrmeatball]

I'm also currently using my wired 360 controller for emulation. I'm tempted to get Hori's PS3 arcade stick that recently came out since its compatible usb as well since the 360's Dead or Alive 4 stick couldn't register the two trigger buttons to be pressed at the same time (for street fighter and marvel vs. fighting games)

[Flack]

I had one of the pictured Gravis pads, but I wore it out. Now I use a PS2 to USB adaptor with a Madcatz Retrocon controller.

[Hwj_Chim]

I use a logitech precision. It is very nice. It has a floating d pad like the saturn so it is very good with 2d fighters

[Damaramu]

I've been using a Sidewinder gamepad Pro for years now (at least 7).

[Captain Wrong]

I'm currently using the Nuby 15th Aniversery Street Fighter PSX pad with a USB adapter. I like that arrangement a lot.

[Griking]

Xbox / 360 via USB,

Same here. Its a very nice feeling controller

[Damaniel]

I'm using a PS2 controller hooked up with a PS2 to USB adaptor, which works great. I've thought about picking up one of the Microsoft USB wireless receivers so I can use my XBox 360 controllers instead, but I like the directional pad on the Playstation controllers much more than the 360 ones (plus, unlike my consoles, I'm only sitting a couple of feet away from the PC, so a cord isn't a big deal).

[kedawa]

I currently use a $10 usb clone of the american Saturn pad, which miraculously works better than not only the pad it's cloned after, but also the japanese Saturn pad. It's bondi blue like the original iMac.
Unfortunately, it's on its last legs, and the dpad tends to rotate, making it hell for diagonals. I'll try and rebuild it if I can find an actual Saturn for parts.
I'd like to get a new S Controller, but they're no longer available, so I've been looking at the logitech pads.
Does anyone know if there's a version of the logitech dual action controller that has the same dpad as the precision? That would be ideal.

I'm currently using the Nuby 15th Aniversery Street Fighter PSX pad with a USB adapter. I like that arrangement a lot.

Do the SF pads work better once they're worked in?
I have a dual xbox->usb adaptor and two of the xbox SF pads, but I never use them because the dpads require an insane amount of force to register up-right and down-right.
They are literally the worst pads for SF that I've ever used. I can play better with a keyboard, in fact.

[diskoboy]

For arcade emulation - I use X-Arcade on my desktop.

I'm just a perfectionist like that.

I do have a hori DOA4 stick, and I've set it up on my laptop, but I can't get mame to recognize it. I'm contiplating getting that 360 wireless PC adapter.

[ryborg]

I used to have a couple Gamepad Pros, but I didn't like how the D-Pad kept breaking. I tend to choke the life out of my controllers quicker than usual.

I now swear by the Super Smart Joy SNES-to-USB. It's intended for SNES emulation, but it works just as well for other systems that have an equal or fewer amount of buttons than the SNES system. The best part is that you use an actual SNES controller, instead of some third-party potential-crap.

Unfortunately, Lik Sang (the company that makes the SSJ and similar controllers) got sued into oblivion (thanks Sony) and they're tough to come by. Fortunately, I saw it coming and bought a bunch, in case of emergency.
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IOLITE VAPORIZER HOW TO USE

[Ed Oscuro]

Mad Catz 360 controller via USB. Works great for a lot of games, but some are touchy about diagonals and it sucks for those. On the whole, works great (not to mention it's useful for newer games too).

[DeputyMoniker]

Mad Catz 360 controller via USB. Works great for a lot of games, but some are touchy about diagonals and it sucks for those. On the whole, works great (not to mention it's useful for newer games too).

I don't understand. If the d-pad doesn't always function properly...then why do you consider the controller to work "great"? It isn't just a cosmetic flaw...we're talking about the most basic requirement of a controller. The buttons have to work.
My car runs great but it doesn't start.
Did I misunderstand your post?