Let's talk about controllers
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Add me to the people liking the N64 controller. The shape is strange, but I still think it's the best solution to have a confortable grip on both the stick and the D-pad. It may even be the pad I prefer for 2D games.
There were minor problems (C buttons doesn't replace a second stick for 3D, for example) but most of the issues come from retarded choices by developpers.
I don't really have a prefered one, I think that there's good ideas everywhere. The shape of the gamecube one, the D-pad of the Vita, the face buttons height/spring of the Dualshock, the shape/placement of the face buttons of the gamecupe pad...
The placement of the left stick (symmetric or not) depends so much on the game you play that I don't have a definite preference on this...
There were minor problems (C buttons doesn't replace a second stick for 3D, for example) but most of the issues come from retarded choices by developpers.
I don't really have a prefered one, I think that there's good ideas everywhere. The shape of the gamecube one, the D-pad of the Vita, the face buttons height/spring of the Dualshock, the shape/placement of the face buttons of the gamecupe pad...
The placement of the left stick (symmetric or not) depends so much on the game you play that I don't have a definite preference on this...
Solemn_In_Berlin
Member
The DS4 plays like a dream. Also, I more or less agree with the list from GameTrailers.
http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/is377o/gt-countdown-top-ten-controllers
http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/is377o/gt-countdown-top-ten-controllers
As someone who has never owned an Xbox in my entire life I must say that the Xbone controller looks stunning in press photos. Still have yet to try one though. The 360 controller was aces though, loses many points for the dpad however.
As for the PS4 I love the DS4. Feels great in the hand and of sturdier quality than the atrocity that was the DS3.
As for the PS4 I love the DS4. Feels great in the hand and of sturdier quality than the atrocity that was the DS3.
I thought I had forgotten all about this POS excuse of a controller... and here it is. Again. *raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaage* As for the best controller, I am heavily leaning towards a tie between DS4 and HRAP Premium Viewlix. I can't pick a winner between those two.Worst?
That spongy d-pad still gives me night terrors. (Gravis was like the first party of PC controllers for their time)
You can't play wirelessly at the moment if I'm not mistaken so you still need to mess with a wire.
pinkurocket
Member
Best: Gamecube.
Bumsticks.
TsunamiOfSwagger
Member
Best - wii u pro.
Worst - OG XBOX fatty.
Worst - OG XBOX fatty.
OP X1 most aesthetically pleasing? can't say I agree... it looks like the old xbox controller-s
Controllers I love - Wii U Pro Controller, PS2 Dualshock
Controllers I like - Xbox 360 controller (downfall is that it doesn't look good), PS4 dualshock (its good but not god tier like people claim, its basically the same as the PS2 and PS3 controller)
Controllers I don't like - PS3 Dualshock (triggers break it for me)
Controllers I hate - Wii mote and nunchuk (not a fun experience to play normal games and waggle), Gamecube controller (button configuration is horrible) and hand cramping due to unnatural perpendicular position of handgrip. N61 - worst controller of all time, unreachable buttons, not enough buttons.
Controllers I love - Wii U Pro Controller, PS2 Dualshock
Controllers I like - Xbox 360 controller (downfall is that it doesn't look good), PS4 dualshock (its good but not god tier like people claim, its basically the same as the PS2 and PS3 controller)
Controllers I don't like - PS3 Dualshock (triggers break it for me)
Controllers I hate - Wii mote and nunchuk (not a fun experience to play normal games and waggle), Gamecube controller (button configuration is horrible) and hand cramping due to unnatural perpendicular position of handgrip. N61 - worst controller of all time, unreachable buttons, not enough buttons.
It's lacking a couple of things that would have made it a more "complete" controller. No left shoulder button, no L3/R3 clicks, no select button, tinny dpad, and awkward yellow stick thingy. The best thing about the pad was the shape that made it a joy to hold, and the nifty analog/digital trigger combo.
My favorite all-around pad at the moment is my white A1 model DS3(yes, not a popular opinion) but with RealTriggers.
Least favorite is Master System pad with no select/start buttons(who thought this was a good idea?).
Most aesthetically-pleasing would be the Xbox One pad(that white one is gorgeous).
Edit:
What were Sega thinking leaving out the extra two buttons from the DC pad. It limited the controller, especially for fighting games.
BouncyFrag
Member
As primarily a Xbox gamer I was reluctant to even get a ps3 since I never liked its controller. When I did get a ps3 I snagged these triggers you could attach to the controller and it was like night and day.
Both controllers are now equal in my eyes.
Both controllers are now equal in my eyes.
Hip Hop
Member
My favorite would have to be the Xbox 360 controller. So easy to go from PC to the 360 (wired of course, just plug and play). Pretty much like everything about it. No complaints. I would have given it to the Xbox One controller, but the bumber buttons are absolutely horrid. Don't know what they were thinking. My fingers always rest on the "unclickable" part, but why are they unclickable in the first place? makes no sense. It makes for an easy way of messing up in fast paced games like Call of Duty, where the button is required.
Worst controller would easily be the PS3 controller. From the shoulder, and triggers, it was just bad. The sticks had very little resistance too. Not my go to at all for FPS games or anything that required precision.
The Dualshock 4 really made a step up from this. It's pretty solid overall. My only gripe is the stick placement. Never was a fan of it from the dualshock but that's just preference.
Worst controller would easily be the PS3 controller. From the shoulder, and triggers, it was just bad. The sticks had very little resistance too. Not my go to at all for FPS games or anything that required precision.
The Dualshock 4 really made a step up from this. It's pretty solid overall. My only gripe is the stick placement. Never was a fan of it from the dualshock but that's just preference.
Best controller for me would be a tie between the 360 and GameCuber controllers. 360 wins on overall usability and gets point for easy PC integration, but GC wins on comfort and clicky triggers.
Worst that I've had to use consistently has been any iteration of the DualShock (DS4 excluded I suppose, since it's a drastic redesign). Those things were not made for human hands.
Most aesthetically pleasing? I gotta go with the Wii U Pro.
Worst that I've had to use consistently has been any iteration of the DualShock (DS4 excluded I suppose, since it's a drastic redesign). Those things were not made for human hands.
Most aesthetically pleasing? I gotta go with the Wii U Pro.
Nintendojitsu
Banned
Best: A 3-way tie between the Gamecunbe controller, Wiimote and nunchuk and the Wii U Pro controller.
Worst: Sixaxis - sux ass
Worst: Sixaxis - sux ass
EdwardTeach
Member
I think the dualshock would look nicer if they had gone for really bright colours on the buttons like the xbone pad (though I think even brighter would be better).
My favourite would be the wii u controller. It has gone for something really different with the second screen, and in some games it is really useful like wind waker, monster hunter, Deus ex and assassins Creed. It is great for things like inventory management, keeping hud off the TV screen and providing a permanent map (not having to constantly pause in assassins Creed is a godsend!). Despite its appearance it is really comfortable to use as well. The only problem is that it could do with more games that make good use of it.
My favourite would be the wii u controller. It has gone for something really different with the second screen, and in some games it is really useful like wind waker, monster hunter, Deus ex and assassins Creed. It is great for things like inventory management, keeping hud off the TV screen and providing a permanent map (not having to constantly pause in assassins Creed is a godsend!). Despite its appearance it is really comfortable to use as well. The only problem is that it could do with more games that make good use of it.
EdwardTeach
Member
As primarily a Xbox gamer I was reluctant to even get a ps3 since I never liked its controller. When I did get a ps3 I snagged these triggers you could attach to the controller and it was like night and day.
Both controllers are now equal in my eyes.
What difference do they make?
I am fairly new to the ps3 controller, what is the perceived issue with the triggers?
Azure Phoenix
Member
For me, I doubt anything will ever top the Gamecube controller. The ergonomics are so good that it literally just melts in your hands, making you forget you are even holding a controller. I absolutely love the analog shoulder buttons as well, they function like triggers yet are shaped perfectly for your fingers to rest on and have that very satisfying click to let you know the sweet spot. I even love the main button layout, having a large primary A button is really useful for a number of games as your thumb will always be resting on the button you'll primarily be using, yet due to the size you can also just move the edges or tip of your thumb to press B, Y or X at the same time.
Sure, the D-Pad is too small, there is only 1 Z button and it's not great to press - but damn that controller just feels right. I really had hoped that Nintendo would have slightly revamped the controller to fix those two flaws when they re-release it alongside Smash, but at least they recognise it's still their most popular controller so there is still hope that one day we'll get a revamped version.
Best: Tie between WiiU Pro and PS4.
Worst: Phillips CD-i controller. Easily.
Just look at that thing. Fucking awful. The stick was terrible (and even broke off on mine), the "surround the stick with 4 buttons" was amazingly stupid (almost impossible to use the stick with one thumb and hit buttons with the other thumb, without doing some weird crossover nonsense).
Nothing else comes close to this bad.
Worst: Phillips CD-i controller. Easily.
Just look at that thing. Fucking awful. The stick was terrible (and even broke off on mine), the "surround the stick with 4 buttons" was amazingly stupid (almost impossible to use the stick with one thumb and hit buttons with the other thumb, without doing some weird crossover nonsense).
Nothing else comes close to this bad.
Bl@de
Member
Best Controller.
But it seems a lot of people have huge and sweaty monkey paws so they can't use the sticks and slip off the triggers =P ... for my hands the DS3 is just perfect. Personally i think the DS4 is worse =/
2nd Place: Gamecube. I liked the Button Layout and the sticks.
3rd Place: Wii Remote with Nunchuck (the split concept is perfectly comfortable)
The triggers are the wrong shape, so your fingers slip off them easily. The clip-on triggers fix this, and make it a perfectly usable controller.
I've always adored the Xbox's controllers (except maybe for the very first one). They look so clean and comfy with all the round edges.
While I do have a soft spot for the classic DualShock design since that's what I've always had, I'll admit that it's not the most comfortable thing to hold. Not too fond of the touch panel and the light bar of the DualShock 4 but the more ergonomic design is really doing it for me.
While I do have a soft spot for the classic DualShock design since that's what I've always had, I'll admit that it's not the most comfortable thing to hold. Not too fond of the touch panel and the light bar of the DualShock 4 but the more ergonomic design is really doing it for me.
BuggeryBugz
Member
Worst?
That spongy d-pad still gives me night terrors. (Gravis was like the first party of PC controllers for their time)
Holy shit!
I had this. It had a stick that you could screw into the d-pad. Oh the memories.
robertsan21
Member
Dualshock 4 beats all. Such a perfect controller!
Astro Racer
Banned
If anyone thinks the N64 is the worst controller, then they haven't played many consoles. I would rank it among the best.
THE BEST: Gamecube
THE WORST: Atari 5200
THE BEST: Gamecube
THE WORST: Atari 5200
Cave Johnson
Member
Best controller I've ever held in my life. Every native GC game from REmake, Zero, Eternal Darkness, Pikmin, Mario Sunshine all felt very natural in the hands and control scheme-wise. Playing on the emulator recently through the standard 360 pad made me disconnect these games immediately. It only made me appreciate how much significance the controller was to it's library.
Never had a "worst" controller other than cheap 3rd party PC products.
PhantomZone
Member
My personal favourites:
Sega Mega Drive 6 button
fit nice and snuggly in my hands, loved the d-pad.
Microsoft Sidewinder
Used this in the late 90's through to the early 2000's, i was devastated when it stopped working. One of my favourite pc game pads i have ever used.
Others such as the C64 Quickshot that has been posted previously.
Sega Mega Drive 6 button
fit nice and snuggly in my hands, loved the d-pad.
Microsoft Sidewinder
Used this in the late 90's through to the early 2000's, i was devastated when it stopped working. One of my favourite pc game pads i have ever used.
Others such as the C64 Quickshot that has been posted previously.
It's hard to say which controller is the best because games are built for specific controllers. The best example would be the N64 controller, which has a lot of fundamental flaws but is great for the first and second party games released on the system. Same with the GameCube controller which I feel is the most ergonomic controller so far. The 360 controller is great for many genres but not for 2D games.
If I had to choose one universal controller it would probably be the Dualshock 2 but again it's not ideal for every kind of game.
If I had to choose one universal controller it would probably be the Dualshock 2 but again it's not ideal for every kind of game.
I know this will probably make me stick out a bit, but I found the most promising controller to be the Wiimote+Nunchuck combo. Still heavily flawed (buttonstarved like a mofo, pointer prone to interference from reflections or lamps, easy-to-saturate accelerometers, mostly meh support in multiplats/third party games, etc pp) - but the promise it held was real.
To me, that two-piece design is really comfy. Plus, pointer controls are awesome. Being able to laze around on my couch as I saw fit without having to grab a chunk of plastic with both hands while playing was quite an exquisite experience.
Also, because I am an old fart with nostalgia goggles the size of your average binoculars: The SNES gamepad beats every other controller. Sure, it lacks that fancy analogue stick that would enable those pesky 3D games, but that's already sort of a bonus in my book. Round, easy to hold, enough buttons to enable many complex gameplay mechanics - but still easy enough to memorize and use for a layman that you barely need to explain anything.
Nostalgia aside... it's a tossup between 360 gamepad and the XBone pad. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. For some reason I just cannot quite feel at home with the Bone controller in the same way I can with the 360 version, but the dpad is so obviously superior... Anyway, both are stellar designs.
Haven't tried the Nintendo version enough to form a good opinion, but it might join this club.
To me, that two-piece design is really comfy. Plus, pointer controls are awesome. Being able to laze around on my couch as I saw fit without having to grab a chunk of plastic with both hands while playing was quite an exquisite experience.
Also, because I am an old fart with nostalgia goggles the size of your average binoculars: The SNES gamepad beats every other controller. Sure, it lacks that fancy analogue stick that would enable those pesky 3D games, but that's already sort of a bonus in my book. Round, easy to hold, enough buttons to enable many complex gameplay mechanics - but still easy enough to memorize and use for a layman that you barely need to explain anything.
In that vein - any direct pointing device.DOWN WITH ANALOG STICKS!!!!1111
Nostalgia aside... it's a tossup between 360 gamepad and the XBone pad. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. For some reason I just cannot quite feel at home with the Bone controller in the same way I can with the 360 version, but the dpad is so obviously superior... Anyway, both are stellar designs.
Haven't tried the Nintendo version enough to form a good opinion, but it might join this club.
Soodanim
Member
I ordered a PS4 controller yesterday after I'd had a few at a music festival, but cancelled the order during the preparing to dispatch phase. So I was pretty lucky. I don't have a PS4. I know I could use it for some PS3 games and on PC, but between the battery life, the stick issues and the price, I saw no reason to actually own one.
I was going to make a thread, but this will do: has anyone's PS3 controller analog sticks (the sticks themselves, not the top) worn away from rubbing against the plastic of the controller shell? My sixaxis controllers only saw a minor amount of wear, but my dual shock 3 has worn so much that there's a notch that goes round the entire stick, and when I click L3 while holding up there's resistance because the edge of the shell is resting inside the notch. I hope that makes sense.
I was going to make a thread, but this will do: has anyone's PS3 controller analog sticks (the sticks themselves, not the top) worn away from rubbing against the plastic of the controller shell? My sixaxis controllers only saw a minor amount of wear, but my dual shock 3 has worn so much that there's a notch that goes round the entire stick, and when I click L3 while holding up there's resistance because the edge of the shell is resting inside the notch. I hope that makes sense.
Agreed.
Mine has that as well (actually all 3 of them have it to some extend), mostly in the upwards direction. Makes sense I guess since many games use L3 to sprint. I haven't really noticed any increased resistance though.
How big does that controller actually feel when you hold it? I have fairly small hands (the DS4 is kind of large for me), and that thing looks huge. I've never seen it hooked up in a store, so I've never tried it. How do the button distances compare to the Wii U gamepad?
people seem to can not controll their strengh and they will slip of the triggers.
edit: or this ->
never happend to me.
and the vanilla dualshock 3 is my personal favorite.
I use it on my PC too.
Best ever would easily be Gamecube and 360. Worst ever would be Wii U gamepad.
Best this gen would be Wii U Pro. The DS4 and XB1 controllers have far too many build quality issues to be the best. Wii U Pro is pretty much the perfect controller. Unfortunately it's tied to a console I have zero interest in ever buying due to the bundling of a controller I absolutely despise.
Best this gen would be Wii U Pro. The DS4 and XB1 controllers have far too many build quality issues to be the best. Wii U Pro is pretty much the perfect controller. Unfortunately it's tied to a console I have zero interest in ever buying due to the bundling of a controller I absolutely despise.
Duxxy3
Member
I would hold back on calling the DS4 the best overall controller because of the triggers and analogs (shape and build quality).
Too many games today use triggers as the main action buttons, only for the triggers to be... well just not particularly good. Sony Improved a lot with the dualshock 4. It's a lot more comfortable, nothing is spongey, and the analog tension is excellent. So Sony's decision to leave the trigger mechanism the same as the DS3 is just baffling to me. It's a different shape, but it still does not feel right. The last dualshock controller with good R2/L2 buttons was the DS2. Since then they've made two controllers with nearly unusable L2/R2 buttons.
As for the analogs... well, we have an entire thread for that. If it were my choice I would simply go back to the DS3 shape and material. They could last for a full generation.
My own ideal controller would be based around the XB1 controller (mostly because i'm used to the shape now). Swap out the bumpers with sony shoulder buttons. Replace the analogs with 360 analogs (for the tension). Replace the d-pad with a nintendo cross. Probably make the select and start buttons bigger (i refuse to call them whatever they are).
Too many games today use triggers as the main action buttons, only for the triggers to be... well just not particularly good. Sony Improved a lot with the dualshock 4. It's a lot more comfortable, nothing is spongey, and the analog tension is excellent. So Sony's decision to leave the trigger mechanism the same as the DS3 is just baffling to me. It's a different shape, but it still does not feel right. The last dualshock controller with good R2/L2 buttons was the DS2. Since then they've made two controllers with nearly unusable L2/R2 buttons.
As for the analogs... well, we have an entire thread for that. If it were my choice I would simply go back to the DS3 shape and material. They could last for a full generation.
My own ideal controller would be based around the XB1 controller (mostly because i'm used to the shape now). Swap out the bumpers with sony shoulder buttons. Replace the analogs with 360 analogs (for the tension). Replace the d-pad with a nintendo cross. Probably make the select and start buttons bigger (i refuse to call them whatever they are).
That's a simplistic and wrong explanation for why the DS3's triggers are awful. A trigger is a device designed to cradle one's finger and provide a resting place free of slippage. The DS3's triggers are rounded with absolutely no grip to them at all. They are literally the complete opposite of what a trigger should be.
br0ken_shad0w
Member
If the 360 controller with the updated D-Pad had a wired version, I'd be all over that. DS4 is nearly good, but the triggers are a bit too hard which makes holding them down extensively (driving/racing games) fatiguing.
I might have to check out the XB1 controller now that there's official drivers for it.
+1, for those wondering it's the PDP Pelican triggers btw. Can be had for a couple of bucks. First thing I bought after I got a PS3.
I might have to check out the XB1 controller now that there's official drivers for it.
As primarily a Xbox gamer I was reluctant to even get a ps3 since I never liked its controller. When I did get a ps3 I snagged these triggers you could attach to the controller and it was like night and day.
Both controllers are now equal in my eyes.
+1, for those wondering it's the PDP Pelican triggers btw. Can be had for a couple of bucks. First thing I bought after I got a PS3.
King Gilga
Member
Functionally the DS4 is pretty much Perfect IMO, eapwcially being able to use the mouse as a touchpad on my pc, but it is ugly looking.
The Xbox one controller is beautiful, best looking controller ever, but functionally it's a downgrade from the 360 controller. The sticks are waaaay too loose and te bumpers are a pita to use.
The Xbox one controller is beautiful, best looking controller ever, but functionally it's a downgrade from the 360 controller. The sticks are waaaay too loose and te bumpers are a pita to use.
Salty Hippo
Member
I'll never understand the hate for the N64 controller, it was pretty great for its time.
Best and also prettiest:
Worst:
Best and also prettiest:
Worst:
BrokenEchelon
Banned
This ruined everything.
It funneled a massive disloyal, casual audience into the market, which Sony and Microsoft chased in the form of Kinect and PS Move. Once the fad was over, all of those millions of potential customers packed their bags and moved on to their iPads, leaving Sony to abandon the PS Move, and Microsoft with a device whose market was falling apart.
On top of that, it basically ensured that third parties wouldn't want shit to do with Nintendo for the longest gaming generation on record when they realized that people were just buying Wiis to flail their arms around like idiots in Wii Sports. It also contributed to the death of a large majority of their IP library because they couldn't figure out how the fuck to make their IPs work properly with that piece of shit controller. Nintendo also forced their development dollars into this stupid shitstick instead of developing a proper system for a connected, HD age.
The Wiimote ruined everything.
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