SolidSnakex
Member
The size was just one of its potential problems. Another one was that if you saw the controller from an angle it seemed like they were using something similar to the 3DS slidepad instead of traditional analog sticks.
Let's talk about controllers
- Thread starter SolVanderlyn
- Start date
The size was just one of its potential problems. Another one was that if you saw the controller from an angle it seemed like they were using something similar to the 3DS slidepad instead of traditional analog sticks.
Came here to post the Mortal Kombat X controller, but I guess that's considered third-party.
Seriously though, as being a huge fan of handhelds, after getting a Vita, I never wanted to go back to the PSP. Mainly because of the analog being an actual analog.
As for actual controllers... As far as I don't like the 360 too much, its controller is perfect. Don't know about the One one (lol) as I haven't tried it yet. But man, Microsoft got it right, hope they didn't screwed it.
Seriously though, as being a huge fan of handhelds, after getting a Vita, I never wanted to go back to the PSP. Mainly because of the analog being an actual analog.
As for actual controllers... As far as I don't like the 360 too much, its controller is perfect. Don't know about the One one (lol) as I haven't tried it yet. But man, Microsoft got it right, hope they didn't screwed it.
TheGameChanger
Banned
Xbox 360 controller is the best.
Dualshock 4 and Xbone controller tie for a close second.
Worst: Dualshock 1-3.
Dualshock 4 and Xbone controller tie for a close second.
Worst: Dualshock 1-3.
Salty Hippo
Member
I just hated how some games required you to press all the way down for no reason. Metroid Prime and its scanning thing comes to mind. The joints of my index right finger were always sore after 1 or more hours playing the game.
You're right about that. If there's one thing I really liked was the placement of the face buttons.
ChronotriggerJM
Member
If the 360's pad had swapped the left analog placement, put in the Vita's D-pad, and widened/flattened the face buttons, it would have been the most fantastic piece of work on the planet. Man someone needs to hodgepodge that controller for me lol.
POWERSPHERE
Member
wash yr hands
Never used it or even seen it in real life, but
Atari Jaguar. That can't be comfortable to use, can it? Has to be one of the worst.
It's not, but not for the reasons you assume. Everyone concentrates on the number pad, but the number pad isn't a problem at all. In fact, it's quite useful in many games. The problem is nobody ever shows the back of the pad, so people assume it's just one giant hunk of plastic. It's not. The controller has two handles that run down the back with molding for your fingers. The number pad is actually a raised, thin piece in the middle that you hands never really touch. The actual shape of the controller is more like this:
Not that unlike any modern controller. Actually, an xbox 360 controller with the chatpad attached has a very similar form factor:
No, the reason the stock Jaguar controller sucks is all about the normal part of the pad - the d-pad and the face buttons. First of all, it's not obvious in pictures, but the top part of the controller, where the face resides, is slanted inwards at almost a 45 degree angle. Because the handles that run along the controller align your hands, it means to hit the face of the controller you need to twist your hands awkwardly. As seen from the side:
This makes the controller uncomfortable from the get-go. beyond this, the d-pad on this controller has virtually now throw. It doesn't depress. It feels like pressing into a very stiff sponge, with no real feedback to let you know when you've made contact. it's extremely mushy. Even the face buttons suck - they are oriented in a slightly-more vertical than horizontal orientation. Systems with 3 face buttons in a row (like the genesis pad or even the NES pad counting select) put the buttons horizontally oriented so that you can hit multiple buttons with different parts of your thumb. Extend your thumb across two or more buttons, and use the tip of your thumb to hit one and the joint of your thumb to hit another. The Jag pad's orientation is more vertically oriented, which makes hitting multiple buttons a pain. This is compounded by the fact that the buttons, like the d-pad, has no throw and are extremely mushy.
FWIW all these problems were fixed with the much improved Jaguar Pro Controller:
The pad is now flat, with no slant to the face, so your fingers align correctly. The buttons are now more horizontally oriented than vertically oriented, and the d-pad and buttons have a lot of throw and feel very solid and comfortable to push (honestly comparable to the saturn buttons and d-pad). It also added 3 more face buttons and 2 triggers which are smartly mapped to buttons 1-3 and 4 and 6 on the number pad, providing backwards compatibility with many games. A much improved controller in many regards.
Either way, neither is anywhere near the worst controller ever. They are merely popular punching bags. Even from the same company, this was much worse:
ChronotriggerJM
Member
Either way, neither is anywhere near the worst controller ever. They are merely popular punching bags. Even from the same company, this was much worse:
Whooof, oh man, that looks rough. From your description it actually sounds like the other controller is decently comfortable lol.
The GameCube controller's button layout was absolutely genius and I think it's sad that Nintendo abandoned it. They sould have kept it as their standard and I hope that we'll see it again some day (aside from the GC controllers they're rereleasing for Smash of course). The only problem with the GC controller was its small D-Pad, and even then that never bothered me a whole lot. An updated version with the D-Pad they use on the DSlite, clickable sticks and ZL/ZR instead of just Z and I'd be in heaven.
Other than that, I've enjoyed most pads I've tried out, with a few exceptions: Both Xbox S controller and Xbox 360 controller make my hands very sweaty, and I don't know why. The 360's pad's D-Pad is also absolutely atrocious. DS4's Sticks felt absolutely horrible to me when I tried it out, but I've only used it for a few minutes so I'll give it another chance when I actually get a PS4. The OG Famicom's controller has weird wire placement and isn't very comfortable to hold, but I'll excuse that considering its age.
A few honorable mentions when it comes to good controllers: Wii U GamePad (haven't tried the Pro yet), Sega Saturn 2D Pad (Japanese) and Wiimote + Nunchuck.
Everything I haven't mentioned I either haven't tried out or don't have any problems with but don't feel that they're exceptional enough to be mentioned here.
Other than that, I've enjoyed most pads I've tried out, with a few exceptions: Both Xbox S controller and Xbox 360 controller make my hands very sweaty, and I don't know why. The 360's pad's D-Pad is also absolutely atrocious. DS4's Sticks felt absolutely horrible to me when I tried it out, but I've only used it for a few minutes so I'll give it another chance when I actually get a PS4. The OG Famicom's controller has weird wire placement and isn't very comfortable to hold, but I'll excuse that considering its age.
A few honorable mentions when it comes to good controllers: Wii U GamePad (haven't tried the Pro yet), Sega Saturn 2D Pad (Japanese) and Wiimote + Nunchuck.
Everything I haven't mentioned I either haven't tried out or don't have any problems with but don't feel that they're exceptional enough to be mentioned here.
BeamImpact
Member
Best: Gamecube and DS4, id they both are on par
Worst: Original Xbox Controller
Most aesthetically pleasing: DS2, i really like its shape
Worst: Original Xbox Controller
Most aesthetically pleasing: DS2, i really like its shape
The worst part of this controller is that the analog stick is non-self centering. It is so annoying.
I saw at least one mod for the Atari 5200 is to make Atari Jaguar controllers work with them using a DAC to convert the analog stick into a digital pad.
ChronotriggerJM
Member
LOL ooooh man, I can't even imagine the frustration. I'm happy to say I never owned that machine.
My Atari joystick at least centered itself
You're pretty knowledgeable on the subject, so perhaps you'd know. I had an atari that had two different controllers (maybe that's all of them I'm sure), it had the one with the disc on top that rotated left and right, or the joystick with the one button on the top left. I have no idea which system that was lol
LOL ooooh man, I can't even imagine the frustration. I'm happy to say I never owned that machine.
My Atari joystick at least centered itself
So the funny thing about the Atari 5200 is that, for all intent and purposes, it is a redesigned Atari 8-bit computer, with frustratingly incompatible software. The Atari 8-bit line of computers is basically Atari's most popular gaming product of all time (even more popular than the 2600) but it's popularity was mainly confined to Europe. In America, we mainly remember Atari as the early gaming company, while in Europe, Atari was Commodore's primary competition and a major player until the 90's. Commodore had the Commodore 64, Atari had the Atari 8-bit. Commodore had the Amiga, Atari had the Atari ST.
Anywho, the funny thing is that, with this in mind, the 5200 controller has 17 buttons (plus 2 redundant buttons), and an analog, non-self centering joystick. What did the Atari 8-bit have?
Keep in mind they were essentially playing the same games. When games would come over from the Atari 8-bit to the 5200, they'd often fuck the controls up as hard as possible to make use of the number pad and useless analog stick.
What a terrible system and controller.
ChronotriggerJM
Member
So the funny thing about the Atari 5200 is that, for all intent and purposes, it is a redesigned Atari 8-bit computer, with frustratingly incompatible software. The Atari 8-bit line of computers is basically Atari's most popular gaming product of all time (even more popular than the 2600) but it's popularity was mainly confined to Europe. In America, we mainly remember Atari as the early gaming company, while in Europe, Atari was Commodore's primary competition and a major player until the 90's. Commodore had the Commodore 64, Atari had the Atari 8-bit. Commodore had the Amiga, Atari had the Atari ST.
Anywho, the funny thing is that, with this in mind, the 5200 controller has 17 buttons (plus 2 redundant buttons), and an analog, non-self centering joystick. What did the Atari 8-bit have?
Keep in mind they were essentially playing the same games. When games would come over from the Atari 8-bit to the 5200, they'd often fuck the controls up as hard as possible to make use of the number pad and useless analog stick.
What a terrible system and controller.
That's crazy to hear lol. It always baffles me at the various things happening in different regions.
I'm pretty sure it was that controller, but I had both in black, with the orange button lol. Man this is taking me down memory lane.
Man, that's the classic Atari 2600:
Those rotary controllers are badass. All Atari controllers are technically analog, but the joysticks use a DAC to turn the analog signal into digital button presses. But the rotary controllers operated as true analog controllers, on one axis (as opposed to the two on the n64 joystick). They were so smooth, you hold them like I describe the joysticks in the last page. They were always my favorite atari controllers.
They never released an official one for the Jagauar, but Jeff Minter hacked a 2600 rotary controller to the thing and included hidden support for the controllers via a code. Today, it's extremely popular to mod a jaguar pad to use with tempest 2000:
This looks uncomfortable, but because you wind up holding the jaguar pad like a joystick (again, refer to last page for description of how to hold a joystick if you're confused) it winds up being the most comfortable jag pad of them all. The analog control in Tempest 2000 is absolutely amazing, it makes it so much better. One of the best control options on the entire jaguar.
The classic 2600 joystick is alright, it uses a rubber membrane to keep the stick centered and over years they've tightened up, so they're stiffer than they used to be. Not a bad controller, but the joysticks I described last page all eclipse it easily.
The controller I posted above is the Atari 8-bit controller. The 2600 controller was black and orange. Funnily enough, the Atari Jaguar controller isn't really the atari jaguar controller, it's a black atari falcon controller:
This controller has a much better d-pad than a stock jaguar pad, and is less mushy. It was used on the Atari Falcon, their successor to the Atari ST that was short lived. The Jaguar used this controller because the controller was designed to make full use of Atari's Advanced Joystick Port, which was extremely advanced for the time. The Advanced Joystick Port had 15 pins for communication in both directions, and could do stuff that controllers weren't able to do until the dreamcast days. Unfortunately, there was a bug in the Jaguar's controller handler and thus it could never be used correctly beyond basic controller polling. but using an Atari Falcon, you can see just how advanced this gameport was.
The Atari Falcon was killed by Tramiel when they decided to go in the direction of the Atari Panther and Atari Jaguar.
This is arguably THE commodore controller, far more ubiquitous than the official joysticks, and the primary reason I said your rule on third party controllers is bunk. The much loved Competition Pro.
Man, this brings back memories! We had those in black and in clear.
I didn't even know there were official Commodore joysticks, as far as I remember neither our C64 nor any of the Amigas came with one. I'm not sure if the C64 even came with a mouse.
white ds4 is perfection
Yeah aesthetically this thing is beautiful. I don't think I'll ever really need more than the 2 controllers I have, but if I do I'll be getting 2x white controllers. I'm not normally a fan of white systems/peripherals either.
Neither my C64 nor A1200 came with one but I've seen Commodore branded controllers. There is at least one other variant that looks different (button on base, etc). There were like a million different packs of C64 and Amigas throughout the years, not even factoring in regional differences.
Growing up, I had a clear blue and silver one that I used to play SMS games with. That one, unlike the one I currently use for my Commodore machines, had two independently functioning fire buttons, but given that I bought it in the states and it was advertised as a sega product, was likely a different model.
I've been wanting to get a zipstick. Those are essentially Competition Pros in yellow and black with microswitched parts.
Russell_T_Shackelford
Banned
whitemex88
Member
I will never understand why the N64 controller gets so much hate. Shit felt good in my hands and still does. Sure the stick sucked but it was comfortable and it worked so well for so many games.
shadowfall
Member
DS4 is the best controller in my opinion. I find it extremely comfortable to use and is perfect for long gaming sessions. Hopefully they improve the battery life in a future version.
InfiniteCombo
Banned
For me, it's divided along genre lines:
Non-fighting game overall best controller: WIRED Xbox 360. I haven't played much with a DualShock 4 yet, so the Xbox 360 holds the place of the best analog sticks I have ever used. The buttons are just the right size, and the triggers feel good when pressed. The only thing keeping this controller from absolute perfection is the somewhat atrocious D-pad.
Fighting game overall best controller: Sega Saturn. Nothing else comes close. This is by far the most godlike pad of any controller, ever. Also, I don't know why, but I like the fact that the top buttons are smaller than the bottom buttons. If you're a pad warrior and you play SNK or (actually, even more relevant) Capcom games, then there is no better pad for you.
Most aesthetically pleasant controller: White Xbox One controller. When I finally do get around to getting an Xbox One, I'll go for the white controller. Very pretty indeed.
Worst controller: Nintendo GameCube. The absolute worst; my hands aren't even that big, but I still found the ergonomics to be weird. The strange layout, size, and shape of the face buttons probably only ever works for Nintendo games. That D-pad has to go in the history books as the worst D-pad ever made, so I wouldn't even touch fighters on the GameCube with a 1000-foot pole.
Non-fighting game overall best controller: WIRED Xbox 360. I haven't played much with a DualShock 4 yet, so the Xbox 360 holds the place of the best analog sticks I have ever used. The buttons are just the right size, and the triggers feel good when pressed. The only thing keeping this controller from absolute perfection is the somewhat atrocious D-pad.
Fighting game overall best controller: Sega Saturn. Nothing else comes close. This is by far the most godlike pad of any controller, ever. Also, I don't know why, but I like the fact that the top buttons are smaller than the bottom buttons. If you're a pad warrior and you play SNK or (actually, even more relevant) Capcom games, then there is no better pad for you.
Most aesthetically pleasant controller: White Xbox One controller. When I finally do get around to getting an Xbox One, I'll go for the white controller. Very pretty indeed.
Worst controller: Nintendo GameCube. The absolute worst; my hands aren't even that big, but I still found the ergonomics to be weird. The strange layout, size, and shape of the face buttons probably only ever works for Nintendo games. That D-pad has to go in the history books as the worst D-pad ever made, so I wouldn't even touch fighters on the GameCube with a 1000-foot pole.
-duskdoll-
Member
The Xbox One controller is gorgeous but i will always prefer the symmetrical style of the PlayStation controllers.
Salty Hippo
Member
I refuse to believe this thing was seriously considered by anyone at any point.
Slight detour from this topic, but I seem to be alone in the universe by not loving the DS4.
The shape and layout means my thumbs don't sit well on the analogue sticks. All previous Playstation controllers, from the original digital pad up to the DS3, fitted my hands perfectly. With the trigger add-ons, the DS3 was such a great controller. Suited to all game types, never giving me cramp or discomfort or getting in the way of the game. The components in the DS4 are so much better tan the DS3, but it's shape just isn't as well suited for me.
I've ordered some stick covers from eBay, which might help things.
It just goes to show how it's hard, if not impossible, to make a universal controller. I've compared how I hold and use other symmetrical stick controllers.With the DS3, Pro Controller, Classic Controller Pro and even the Vita, when I'm pushing up on both sticks, my thumbs are still in the centre of the sticks. With the DS4, my thumbs are pushing up on the bottom edge of the sticks, which isn't comfortable. We're talking about a difference of 3-4mm, but it makes all the difference.
The shape and layout means my thumbs don't sit well on the analogue sticks. All previous Playstation controllers, from the original digital pad up to the DS3, fitted my hands perfectly. With the trigger add-ons, the DS3 was such a great controller. Suited to all game types, never giving me cramp or discomfort or getting in the way of the game. The components in the DS4 are so much better tan the DS3, but it's shape just isn't as well suited for me.
I've ordered some stick covers from eBay, which might help things.
It just goes to show how it's hard, if not impossible, to make a universal controller. I've compared how I hold and use other symmetrical stick controllers.With the DS3, Pro Controller, Classic Controller Pro and even the Vita, when I'm pushing up on both sticks, my thumbs are still in the centre of the sticks. With the DS4, my thumbs are pushing up on the bottom edge of the sticks, which isn't comfortable. We're talking about a difference of 3-4mm, but it makes all the difference.
Elitist1945
Member
Best: DualShock 3 (with 4 coming in second)
Worst: 360. Perhaps my hands are just small, but that controller gave my hands cramps after 30 minutes. I also didn't like stick layout.
Mind you this is just based on me having played on Xbox, Xbox 360 and PS1-4. I'm sad to say I haven't played on a Nintendo console.
Worst: 360. Perhaps my hands are just small, but that controller gave my hands cramps after 30 minutes. I also didn't like stick layout.
Mind you this is just based on me having played on Xbox, Xbox 360 and PS1-4. I'm sad to say I haven't played on a Nintendo console.
As someone with mild RSI symptoms, the face buttons on the 360 really do require too much force to press. It physically hurts to play on after awhile.
I basically only use the thing for racing games now, which it's at least pretty good for. If only it had symmetric analog sticks.
The face buttons on the 360 pad are like pebbles, with a sponginess to them meaning you had to push harder than on other controllers. In traditional games, my right thumb always ended up with a huge, painful dent in it. The Dreamcast controller gave me the exact same issue.
If a game wasn't dual stick controlled (racing/FPS/TPS) then the 360 pad was poor.
Shpeshal Nick
aka Collingwood
Xbox One controller is both functionally and aesthetically the best controller imo.
While Dualshock 4 is a ginormous improvement on its atrocious predecessors, the One controller is for all intents and purposes perfect.
1. Xbox One
2. 360
3. Dualshock 4
HM
Gamecube
While Dualshock 4 is a ginormous improvement on its atrocious predecessors, the One controller is for all intents and purposes perfect.
1. Xbox One
2. 360
3. Dualshock 4
HM
Gamecube
I'm not sure where to even begin with good controllers. The SNES is the classic and the Wii U Pro is excellent, and I'm routinely amazed by how far popular opinion has shifted on the GameCube controller, not unlike the shift on Wind Waker.
But forget about all that. Here's an underrated controller I got to use a while ago, and I was actually really impressed with it --
The Namco Negcon would let you twist the controller to simulate, roughly, the turning mechanic in PlayStation driving games like Ridge Racer. It sounds counter-intuitive but it really makes sense in your hands, and the controller works really well. Twenty years ago this industry would do some wacky things, and sometimes they turned out really well.
Quoted this for truth yet again. People complain a lot about this generation but just look at the battery life of controllers we have today.
Oh, also, some of you guys need to lay off the N64 controller. It's easy to badmouth it in hindsight but that thing was a revelation at the time, and we owe it much. It brought analog controls, trigger buttons and rumble to the masses.
But forget about all that. Here's an underrated controller I got to use a while ago, and I was actually really impressed with it --
The Namco Negcon would let you twist the controller to simulate, roughly, the turning mechanic in PlayStation driving games like Ridge Racer. It sounds counter-intuitive but it really makes sense in your hands, and the controller works really well. Twenty years ago this industry would do some wacky things, and sometimes they turned out really well.
Quoted this for truth yet again. People complain a lot about this generation but just look at the battery life of controllers we have today.
Oh, also, some of you guys need to lay off the N64 controller. It's easy to badmouth it in hindsight but that thing was a revelation at the time, and we owe it much. It brought analog controls, trigger buttons and rumble to the masses.
I have to say, playing my PS3 and 360 is absolutely excruciating now. It's crazy, I just want things to start without flipping inputs and sound modes. Due to our unconventional setup my fiancee doesn't like me playing games on my monitor because it distracts her from homework. The Gamepad just makes things so convenient. It also kinda does everything and feels pretty good. It's a little heavy over a long time and can only get about 3 hours but I haven't really marathoned a game in years unfortunately.
Also, this is a really beautiful controller.
Worst: DS3
Dual shock was always a thoughtless design and the poor forward thinking on the stick placement persists to this day. Sticks are loose buttons are squishy. The DS3 takes the cake with the bad triggers though. I haven't had enough time with a DS4 to see how much it changed but it seems they learned something.
my vote for the current gen goes to the Xbone controller
such a slick sexy good feeling controller.
The DS4 looks and feels ok ..but the sticks looks cheap as fuck, looks like it can come off very easily too. Not to mention the pointless touchpad on it lol
BUT the most comfortable controller ever is this beast
soooo goood.gif
such a slick sexy good feeling controller.
The DS4 looks and feels ok ..but the sticks looks cheap as fuck, looks like it can come off very easily too. Not to mention the pointless touchpad on it lol
BUT the most comfortable controller ever is this beast
soooo goood.gif
ProvenDeadly
Member
I'm split on DS4 and XB1
I prefer the DS4s bumpers and buttons, but the Triggers and sticks on the XB1. Both are great and it's not a hassle to get used to them again like it was when I switched from the PS3-360.
I prefer the DS4s bumpers and buttons, but the Triggers and sticks on the XB1. Both are great and it's not a hassle to get used to them again like it was when I switched from the PS3-360.
Russell_T_Shackelford
Banned
But... It's not pointless. Just on games I've played so far, it adds 1-4 extra buttons.
Edit: It would be fucking sweet if you could hold "options" and slide across the touchpad to adjust headphone/speaker volume. Get on it Sony.
ThoseDeafMutes
Member
X1 controller is the best IMO. The only change I'd make to it would be the addition of an included 3.5mm headphone jack, rather than requiring an adapter. I even like the LB / RB.
ThoseDeafMutes
Member
The c-stick sucks and it needs a symmetrical partner for z, but otherwise it's pretty awesome. Very comfortable and the Triggers with "clicks" at the end are some of my favourite triggers ever.
The Lamonster
Member
I love my new white DS4, but I think the triggers are a little too small. I don't like how they are narrow and the thin lip at the end is weird and cheap feeling.
You're crazy, it's amazing! I hope I'll be able to use it for MK8 as well as Smash when the adapter comes out later this year.
Shpeshal Nick
aka Collingwood
My man.
I actually just got the adapter today. Pls to get the PS Gold headset to use with all my consoles barring the 360 of course.
Arondight
Member
XBONE the most aethetically pleasing controller that looks good individually and with the console. I feel that the PS4 controller is just a mess visually. Not very coherent with the flat face and the curves and really doesn't fit with the actual console design itself but out of the two, PS4 to me is way more comfortable to hold.Too bad that the controller has some serious quality control issues. WiiU controller have the sticks in the right place though and the screens is actually a pretty cool thing too.
I think it is awkward and ugly and part of the trend that started with the 64 of Nintendo making shit different for the sake of making shit different, with it negatively impacting all but a few first party games.
Fruitster
Member
Always going to be a huge fan of the 360 controller. Got a wired version for the pc and it just reminded me again how good a controller it is. Comfortable, sturdy, button placement, sticks - it all just feels right. Dpad is shite, but nothings perfect. I do really like the Dualshock 4 too. Very comfortable and easy to use. Certainly a massive step up from the wretched DS3.
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