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Best controller by generation?

S

SickBoy

Member
Since everyone loves to make their own lists, here's one that maybe hasn't been done before. What's the best controller for each gen? Talking about all-purpose controllers, not special controllers like light-guns or game-specific peripherals (i.e: Steel Battalion control panel)

This is how I think the ages sort of divide...

Pre-NES
NES era
16-bit era
32-bit (pre analog)
32-bit (analog)
current gen

Here are my unpopular picks ;)

Pre-NES era: Any Wico stick
NES era: Ugh. Well, the NES controller was sturdy.
16-bit era: Genesis 6-button.
32-bit (pre analog): Big freaking original Saturn controller
32-bit analog: Dual Shock
Current gen: Dual Shock 2
 
Pre-NES era: Atari Joystick :lol
NES era: NES Controller
16-bit era: SNES controller <3
32-bit (pre analog): I don't know
32-bit analog: Dual Shock <3
Current gen: Dual Shock 2 <3
 
i love the xbox s controller, best by far - and the wavebird is gold

hate the dual shock :p

*hides*
 
pre - nes: uh... only thing I can even think of is them atari joysticks
nes - nes controller is the only one I know
16 - this 3rd party genesis controller I had. 6 buttons, with programmable shoulder buttons
32 - only one I know would be the original playstation controller
32 - n64 controller
64 - gamecube controller
 
GameCube this gen, it's by far the most comfortable. I used to think the N64 controller was supercomfortable at the time - it's amazing how much better the 'Cube controller feels.
 
i agree with sickboy's picks, except for the eccentric choice of the us saturn pad over the japanese saturn pad. come on -- those weird circular depressions at each point of the hard plasticky d-pad?
 
SickBoy said:
NES era: Ugh. Well, the NES controller was sturdy.
16-bit era: Genesis 6-button.
32-bit (pre analog): Big freaking original Saturn controller
32-bit analog: Dual Shock
Current gen: Dual Shock 2
Click to expand...

Pretty much exactly what I would pick, except with the qualifier that Wavebird might basically be tied with DS2 for different reasons.
 
SickBoy said:
Pre-NES era: Any Wico stick
NES era: Ugh. Well, the NES controller was sturdy.
16-bit era: Genesis 6-button.
32-bit (pre analog): Big freaking original Saturn controller
32-bit analog: Dual Shock
Current gen: Dual Shock 2
Click to expand...
You're obviously not a fan of Nintendo's controllers, but the NES controller started the current design that controllers follow. Without it, we could be using joysticks or who knows?
 
Dragmire said:
You're obviously not a fan of Nintendo's controllers, but the NES controller started the current design that controllers follow. Without it, we could be using joysticks or who knows?
Click to expand...

...and that's irrelevant to these lists. We're not debating historical significance or anything, just which controllers we like the most. No offence, but I HATE when threads get derailed because of fanboyish damage control like this. It's subconscious, but you do realise that what you said isn't really the issue of debate right?
 
gaming would be a million times cooler today if the nes had come with arcade sticks instead of control pads.
 
Pre-NES: Well you look back, they all kind of sucked really. But I'll probably say Intellivision?
NES era: NES. If only for start and select.
16-bit era: SNES. Shoulder buttons.
32-bit (pre analog) I'd give it to Saturn. (Just)
32-bit (analog): Nintendo 64
current gen: Controller S
 
8 bit era: Sega Master System
16-bit era: Genesis 6-button
32-bit (pre analog): Sega Saturn Japanese controller
32-bit (analog): Dual Shock
current gen: Xbox S-controller
 
Pre-NES - Beats the hell outta me
NES era - Master System
16-bit era - Genesis six button
32-bit (pre analog) - Saturn (Japanese)
32-bit (analog) - Nights pad
Current - XBox S
 
Button layout > form fitting comfort


NES
Genesis 6 Button (analog was a bit nasty on the thumb, though)
Jaguar's Calculator
Dual Shock (though N64 controller was great for adventures and FPS)
Dual Shock 2 (GC = best fit, worst button layout. Xbox type s = good layout, more comfy than the Dual Shock, but a bit too big and shitty for fighters)
 
Pre-NES: I remember really liking the Epyx 500XJ mostly.
NES era: NES controller.
16-bit era: Genesis 6-Button arcade pad.
32-bit (pre analog): Japanese-style Saturn pad.
32-bit (analog): Nights 3D pad.
current gen: XBOX Controller-S.
 
As far as this gen goes, I think it really depends on the genre of game.

While the Controller S is best for shooters and (arguably) racing games thanks to the tighter sticks and triggers (gas and brake), the DualShock 2 is flat out best when it comes to sports games and (arguably) fighters due to the 4 shoulder buttons.

I personally prefer the Controller S, but they all have strengths.
 
Pre-NES: whichever one came with a joystick =P
NES era: NES, of course
16-bit era: SNES, so rounded and comfy feeling
32-bit (pre analog): Saturn, responsive and didnt rip into my thumbs
32-bit (analog): N64, my favorite controller so far. Sturdy, tight analog, and super comfortable.
current gen: GCN, my third favorite controller so far. Felt like a step back from the N64. I dislike the idea of the second stick in controllers.
 
Pre-NES - Well, I played C64 back then, used different kinds of joysticks which I don't remember the names of. :P
NES-era - NES controller, lack of real alternatives
16-bit era - Genesis controller, prolly because I used it more than the SNES controller
32-bit (pre analog) - Playstation controller, but Saturn controller might come close even though it wasn't as functional
32-bit (analog) - Dual Shock, no question about it
current-gen - Had it not been for the clumsy positioning of the black/white and start/back buttons, I definitely would've chosen Controller S. As it stands though, I'll go with Dual Shock 2, and kudos to the GC controller for being the most comfortable to hold.
 
miyuru said:
...and that's irrelevant to these lists. We're not debating historical significance or anything, just which controllers we like the most. No offence, but I HATE when threads get derailed because of fanboyish damage control like this. It's subconscious, but you do realise that what you said isn't really the issue of debate right?
Click to expand...
Okay... What's the difference between what I said and a list where I say the same thing? No wait, I'll tell you... Nothing. Hope this precious list thread remains discussionless for you now.
 
c64system.jpg

m_sys_s.jpg

4608-fm.jpg

controller_thumb001.jpg

mpsx016.jpg

1059396480561_dualshock_blue.jpg
 
Well, it certainly can't be the dual shock. That controller freaking blows. Controllers shouldn't be that uncomfortable to use for extended periods of time. It also completely sucks for FPS games as well.

Controller S would have to be my pick.
 
The Dual Shock 2 and Controller S work better than the other for certain games. I like the feel of the Controller S better. Feels more solid. The only thing that holds back the current Xbox controller are those damn black/white buttons. Next gen xbox controller with the shoulder buttons instead of the black/white buttons should be the ultimate controller!
 
SNES
PlayStation (edit: dual shock)
Controller S

Controllers pre-SNES weren't very good, though the NES one was revolutionary in the way every controller since has been influenced by it in some way (cross pad, start, select, ab, etc). I liked the NES pad but the corners hurt my hands after a while.
 
Mrbob said:
The Dual Shock 2 and Controller S work better than the other for certain games. I like the feel of the Controller S better. Feels more solid. The only thing that holds back the current Xbox controller are those damn black/white buttons. Next gen xbox controller with the shoulder buttons instead of the black/white buttons should be the ultimate controller!
Click to expand...

Agreed...the placement of the black/white buttons is simply horrid. If the 360 controller has those buttons arranged so that the face had a three on three layout like the Genny six shooter, or thrown on top like the Pelican controller for XBox as has been suggested (which thinking about it is probably my favourite controller this gen, defintely makes playing WE8 a lot easier), it'll be the ultimate controller...er, barring some revolutionary functional feature or design that I haven't thought of yet.

BTW, here's a couple pics of the Pelican Afterglow for XBox.

afterglow_screen001.jpg


afterglow_screen002.jpg
 
NES Controller
SNES controller(still the best there is)
PS(which is really nothing but an SNES controller with two extra shoulders.)
Dual Shock(just add two sticks and two motors...take that Nintendo!)
Controller S

I dont think the dual shock 2 should count. It is a very well made controller and wonderful, but it is just a slight modification to an old gen controller. Its layout is the same and all. Just lazy. Half the fun of a new gen is new controllers. But if it aint broke...
 
there are things i dislike about the dual shock 2, but it's the only current controller with a usable d-pad. if we aren't limiting it to stock controllers, the ps2 logitech wireless is my current favorite.
 
I don't understand how anyone could find a problem with the DS2, it's perfect.
 
The problem with the ds2 is that analog stick is crap compared to the gc's analog in feel and funtionality. The gc's stick is more precise, hell even Xbox's sticks feel a little better to me also the dpad could use an update.

One more thing, please sony give me ABXY for buttons next gen. Never got used to saying square, traingle, and circle. shit call me a retard but while playing God of war i was looking at the controller in order to get some mini-game combos out :lol
 
Dice said:
I don't understand how anyone could find a problem with the DS2, it's perfect.
Click to expand...
I wrote this in another forum... different attitude there, so don't take anything personally.

The PS2's Dual Shock 2 is exactly like the Dual Shock which was a total afterthought onto the original PSX and that makes it more flawed than it already was. The original controller was fantastic by copying the perfect SNES controller scheme and adding handles which made it very comfortable to hold. Bad thing was the retarded digital cross pad which seperated each input as its own button. They shortened the handles on the PSX controller by adding analog sticks (parallel) which dug into my fingers by the way I grip onto it. The analog sticks have remained EXTREMELY loose compared to the other first party analog sticks. It has no tactile analog buttons, so you can't feel how much pressure you're putting onto the buttons. This makes it a very poor controller for racing, flying and various other games where a tactile button would be very helpful.
Click to expand...
Going back to analog sticks: the placement of the Dual Shock sticks is HORRIBLE. If you hold your hands in front of you and let them relax notice how the thumbs naturally positions itself close to the fingers (if they don't then something is wrong with your hands). Now imagine holding the Dual Shock (get the Dual Shock if you can't remember but put it back down), notice how far away your thumbs get away from your fingers. You should feel the strain just as soon as you put your thumbs in that position, now imagine holding this position for an hour or two at a time (or whatever your average gaming session lasts). Now compare this to the Xbox, GCN or Dreamcast controllers. The analog placement on them is way more natural than the afterthought PS2's analogs.
Click to expand...
 
Dice said:
I don't understand how anyone could find a problem with the DS2, it's perfect.
Click to expand...

It isn't close to perfect. It eats a dick for racers compared to the XBox controllers (or the Cube controller for that matter), I've always hated cross haired d-pads, I hate the shape labeling for the buttons instead of the conventional letters, and the sticks don't feel nearly as weighty or precise as the other pads. On the plus side, it's still an improvement over the PSX version, which was just useless bile. And it's probably the best standard controller for a Virtual On game ever made. :lol
 
Controller S. The Cube's pad is too strange for some genres, and the PS2's just hurts my hands after extended play.
 
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