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[Dice]

I wrote this in another forum... different attitude there, so don't take anything personally.

No prob, I posted this on another forum too, but it was a long time ago so I lost my points for each figure. The basic idea was that the guy was griping way too far up on the controller, mostly because he was trying to keep separate figners on all 4 of the top buttons at the same time, which doesn't work out.

You see how comfortable it is when you only use two fingers for the top. But if you really must push all of them at the same time (developers rearely do this) you can use this technique.

I hope you werent gripping it wrong or anything, haha. If not, then I guess we just disagree. For me the controller is the most natural fit of them all, I also don't have any problems gauging the pressure sensitive buttons and I like how loose the stick are.

 

[FiRez]

Look at the B picture /rolleyes

 

[nubbe]

Spoiler

NES
SNES
N64
GC

 

[Sander]

No, I posted this on another forum too, but it was a long time ago so I lost my points for each figure. The basic idea was that the guy was griping way too far up on the controller, mostly because he was trying to keep separate figners on all 4 of the top buttons at the same time, which doesn't work out.

You see how comfortable it is when you only use two fingers for the top. But if you really must push all of them at the same time (developers rearely do this) you can use this technique.

I hope you werent gripping it wrong or anything, haha. If not, then I guess we just disagree. For me the controller is the most natural fit of them all, I also don't have any problems gauging the pressure sensitive buttons and I like how loose the stick are.

The reason the grip is too high in A+B is because the fingers are curled around the buttons like a retard. I use 4 fingers for the top buttons when necessary and the position of my hands is exactly the same as when using 2.

 

[Dice]

The reason the grip is too high in A+B is because the fingers are curled around the buttons like a retard. I use 4 fingers for the top buttons when necessary and the position of my hands is exactly the same as when using 2.

The controller seems to naturally slide into the palm that way (at least that's what was happening with the dude on the other forum). I can use all four the way you describe, but it requires a slightly detached grip that feels funky and gives the fingers a little more work than I'd prefer.

Talking about this feels like trying to explain how to hold your spoon to eat soup. :lol

 

[Truelize]

Best controller ever!!!

 

[AB 101]

Sega Master System
Sega Genesis
Dual Shock
Dual Shock 2


The Dual Shock is the best. The addition of triggers would make it gaming nirvana.

Reading this Sony? Triggers for PS3!

 

[luxsol]

No prob, I posted this on another forum too, but it was a long time ago so I lost my points for each figure. The basic idea was that the guy was griping way too far up on the controller, mostly because he was trying to keep separate figners on all 4 of the top buttons at the same time, which doesn't work out.

You see how comfortable it is when you only use two fingers for the top. But if you really must push all of them at the same time (developers rearely do this) you can use this technique.

I hope you werent gripping it wrong or anything, haha. If not, then I guess we just disagree. For me the controller is the most natural fit of them all, I also don't have any problems gauging the pressure sensitive buttons and I like how loose the stick are.

LMAO. The first two are pretty retarded. I'm more of a C and i hate switching to D (FPS controls suck on controllers).
Anyway, keeping my thumbs that low and seperated hurts like a bitch after more than an hour like that, especially if it requires precise movement because the PS2 sticks are too friggin loose.

 

[Baron Aloha]

ColecoVision
NES
SNES
PSX
PS2
PS3

 

[olimario]

The Cube's pad is only good for Nintendo titles, but it is the most comfortable.
The DS2's analog sticks suck
And the Controller S always feels awkward in my hands.

Overall I'd give it to the DS2, but I don't want to because analog sticks are such a priority for me.



NES
SNES
N64 - Fucking Z Trigger and middle analog made Goldeneye badass.
PS2

 

[Bluemercury]

I don't understand how anyone could find a problem with the DS2, it's perfect.

:lol the d pad is the worst since the NES pad, i mean if there is one thing that NES did well was how a d pad should be done and not some 4 button displayed in a d pad shape......and its because sentences like this that i think Sony will just create a DS3 with some minor enhancments, the DS2 pad is just full of flaws, but since its the one used by 60(or 80) million users they will take anything that Sony throws at them.....its that simple....

 

[Kiriku]

I hate the shape labeling for the buttons instead of the conventional letters

I've never liked conventional letters, because they always end up confusing me since every controller seem to be different, switching positions of both buttons and letters. I mean, even today I have to look at my GC controller to know which one is Y and X (the bastard button Z is hard to forget though). I go by colors rather than letters on the Xbox controller, which makes it a bit easier.

I like how Sony have been so coherent with their controller button labelling, and I think it's a lot easier to remember a shape rather than a letter, especially if the shape has a designated color. Too bad the DS2's still stuck with the L/R buttons...whenever I'm to explain which one's the L1/L2/R1/R2 button, I always have to stop and think for a couple of seconds. :lol

 

[Dice]

:lol the d pad is the worst since the NES pad, i mean if there is one thing that NES did well was how a d pad should be done and not some 4 button displayed in a d pad shape......and its because sentences like this that i think Sony will just create a DS3 with some minor enhancments, the DS2 pad is just full of flaws, but since its the one used by 60(or 80) million users they will take anything that Sony throws at them.....its that simple....

I forgot to talk about this. I don't like the d-pad on the original dual shock, but for the PS2 they made it floating which took care of the main problems I had with it. I do think saturn has the best d-pad, but PS2's is nice.

 

[AB 101]

the DS2 pad is just full of flaws,

Theres 187 million people out there that would like to prove you wrong.

 

[drohne]

ten years on from the playstation launch, it's alarming that there are still gamers who think playstation d-pads are four separate buttons.

 

[TheDuce22]

The Dual Shock is garbage for just about any genre. Its a tie between Controller S and Wavebird.

 

[DCX]

- NES
- SNES
- Saturn Pad
- Saturn Analog Pad
- Controller S

Honorable Mention:
- Dual Shock II
- Gamecube Pad
- Dreamcast Pad

Worst Controllers:
- Jaguar
- N64
- Genesis 3 Button

DCX

 

[olimario]

Theres 187 million people out there that would like to prove you wrong.

There are a 187 million people who both believe and have proof that the DS2 has no flaws?
SHOW ME!

 

[Shinobi]

Best controller ever!!!

:lol Even this pad takes a dump on the Dual Shock...then again I've got man-sized hands, as opposed to the hands of a child.

I've never liked conventional letters, because they always end up confusing me since every controller seem to be different, switching positions of both buttons and letters. I mean, even today I have to look at my GC controller to know which one is Y and X (the bastard button Z is hard to forget though). I go by colors rather than letters on the Xbox controller, which makes it a bit easier.

I like how Sony have been so coherent with their controller button labelling, and I think it's a lot easier to remember a shape rather than a letter, especially if the shape has a designated color. Too bad the DS2's still stuck with the L/R buttons...whenever I'm to explain which one's the L1/L2/R1/R2 button, I always have to stop and think for a couple of seconds. :lol

I find the letters far easier to remember then a bunch of abstract shapes. It isn't like left = square in any walk of life, unless it's an insult from right wingers that I haven't heard of yet. :lol They could just as easily colour code the letters anyway. Hell, use numbers instead...anything's better then shapes.

Funny enough, I agree about the R buttons...they oughta be the easiest to remember, yet I have more trouble with those then the face buttons. :lol

Theres 187 million people out there that would like to prove you wrong.

Great reasoning...I guess the 70 million+ people who bought a NES proves that controller is still flawless too. :lol People adapt to the controller that's in the box...if the last two Playstations had come bundled with Jaguar pads, we'd still have 180 million users.


BTW, here's another controller I'd recommend...this one is for PS2.

There was a pretty big thread about this controller before...basically you can take out the sticks, buttons and d-pad, and arrange them to your liking. You can also increase and decrease the tension of the sticks. It's an absolutely ingenious design, and feels like a quality, sturdy product as well. Defintely recommended if the Dual Shock layout isn't to your liking.

Hoping such a thing becomes commonplace for the hardware makers is probably pointless...but hell, maybe Sony took a note or two.

 

[lachesis]

8 bit: PC engine Controller.
16 bit: Genesis 6 button.
32 bit: (pre analog) - Saturn 6 button
32 bit: (post analog) - Dual Shock
This gen: Dual Shock 2 (but.. getting old, really.)

 

[PC Gaijin]

Pre-NES: I used joysticks from Wico (The Boss) and Epyx (Starfighter). The standard Atari joystick was just too stiff.

8-bit: the NES dogbone pad (the second generation pad that came with the top-loader). It's basically an SNES-style NES pad. Rounded corners and very comfortable. And :lol at the Sega fanboys who chose the SMS pad.

16-bit: hard call between the SNES and Genesis, but I have to go with the Genesis 6-button pad. The second best digital control pad ever made.

32-bit digital: hands down the second generation (or Japanese-style) Saturn pad. The best digital control pad ever.

32-bit analog: this is tough since I didn't really like any of the alternatives. N64 is the worst of the lot by far, I hated that piece of shit with a passion. Supremely uncomfortable, it's IMO the biggest flaw of the N64. Next is the Dual Shock, which I was never fond of. Poor D-pad, plus the analog sticks were too loose. And the Dual Shock (along with most Japanese controllers) was too small for my hands. Finally the Saturn analog pad, which I guess was my favorite of the 32-bit era simply because the other two choices were so poor, although it had problems of its own (the analog nub always felt junky and the face buttons didn't have the "feel" of the standard Saturn pad).

Current gen: Gamecube is one of the most comfortable controllers I have ever held, and its analog stick is excellent too (the only saving grace of the N64 pad). The odd button sizes and layout took awhile to get used to, but the feel of the buttons is great. The only drawbacks are the awkward (and tiny) D-pad and the very stiff Z button. Controller S is decent outside of the black & white button placement, and the shape makes my hands hurt after awhile. The Dual Shock 2 is an improvement over the original (it's lighter, and the sticks are tighter) but it's still my least favorite controller.

Honorable mention must go out to the joystick on the Neo Geo Pocket. That was one of the best control methods put on any gaming device.

 

[SickBoy]

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.

That's true enough... it's not like any of the controllers this gen suck. I'm not a huge fan of the Gamecube controller (the feel of the shoulder buttons annoys the hell out of me for one), but for a game like Monkey Ball, its analog stick is probably the best...

BTW, in total agreement with everyone panning the white/black Xbox buttons. In my eyes, the only real complaint with that controller.

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?

...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?

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.

While clearly you're stung by the initial response, I can't say miyuru was wrong. Your comment has little to do with what's good and what's bad... and the NES controller stank it up in every way other than the fact that it worked well and could take a shitload of abuse (so yeah, I'll grudgingly list it, but I'd still rather use some of the controllers that predated it).

At any rate, I think the comment is debateable and probably wrong. Consider controllers like the intellivision disc and the colecovision controller -- the d-pad is an evolution from compact designs that were already emerging in the early 80's.

So I don't buy the suggestion that without Nintendo we'd still be languishing in the world of joysticks. Credit where it's due to Gunpei Yokoi for blazing that trail, but the gaming world would have gotten there at some point.

 

[sasimirobot]

Wavebird is the best controller ever!

I can see why the Dual Shock 2 is chosen as this gens top stick, but the buttons stick and break too easily for my tastes. I also like the feel of the analog sticks and the octagon corners that surround them on the Wavebird the best. No wires= confy, I wonder if people who have never used one could really even understand...

 

[Kiriku]

No wires= confy, I wonder if people who have never used one could really even understand...

I've never used a wavebird, but with GC...I can definitely understand. I always have to keep my GC standing on the middle of the floor whenever I play a GC game to be able to reach the controller from my sofa. It's kind of silly how short the GC controller cables really are...and it's an interesting coincidence (?!) that Nintendo decided to release a wireless GC controller.

 

[Flo_Evans]

preNES I remember CH making the best joysticks
8bit NES controller
16bit SEGA pad
I never played a saturn pad, so I don't know
DS1
DS2

 

[TheQueen'sOwn]

NES
Genesis
N64
Wavebird/Controller S

 

[ocelittle]

Yeah, depending on the game, it goes to the X-Box controller (original, I can't stand S...due to being used to the original) and Gamecube.

Going back a bit...

NES era: NES
16 bit: SNES
32 bit: Dual Shock
64 bit: N64
Current: Tie: Xbox (regular) and GC

I hate the Dual Shock now...terrible controller.

 

[Dragmire]

While clearly you're stung by the initial response, I can't say miyuru was wrong. Your comment has little to do with what's good and what's bad...

Wtf? It has everything to do with it. Most joysticks were an awkward mess. The NES controller was so great for almost any kind of game that it changed game controllers. No, it's not comfortable compared to what we have now, but I don't play NES anymore. What do I care? If you wanted people to say which controllers best fit into today's standards, then you should have made a thread that said that somewhere in it.

Look no further than all the controllers that followed. They all agree that NES's pad was thing to emulate. If you want to believe that the d-pad, and obviously the Dual Shock, was inevitable (which is absurdly easy to say now that it's become ingrained in our logic) then more power to you. But it doesn't change the fact that Nintendo made the NES pad and controllers changed from there.

 

[Ristamar]

The Dual Shock is garbage for just about any genre. Its a tie between Controller S and Wavebird.

Dual Shock is nice for Tony Hawk type stuff. I agree wholeheartedly with your second statement, though.

My other picks:

NES
SNES
Tie: Saturn/N64

 

[miyuru]

Wtf? It has everything to do with it. Most joysticks were an awkward mess. The NES controller was so great for almost any kind of game that it changed game controllers. No, it's not comfortable compared to what we have now, but I don't play NES anymore. What do I care? If you wanted people to say which controllers best fit into today's standards, then you should have made a thread that said that somewhere in it.

Look no further than all the controllers that followed. They all agree that NES's pad was thing to emulate. If you want to believe that the d-pad, and obviously the Dual Shock, was inevitable (which is absurdly easy to say now that it's become ingrained in our logic) then more power to you. But it doesn't change the fact that Nintendo made the NES pad and controllers changed from there.

Yeah I can't say you're wrong, but that's never what I was getting at in the first place. I was only pointing out that this thread has nothing to do with the historical significance of any controller and its influence on subsequent-generation pads; this thread is about what people feel is the "best controller by generation".

It was more your tone or *why* you said what you said that spured me to reply. But now that I reflect upon it, I think it's a valid argument to choose the NES pad as the best pad for its generation because it was so influential (whereas other posters have been basing the value of each controller on how well it plays).

 

[SickBoy]

Wtf? It has everything to do with it. Most joysticks were an awkward mess.

Yeah, a stick with buttons is real hard... The problem with joysticks as a general input device wasn't that they were by nature awkward, imprecise, or poorly suited for games of any sort. It was that 80% of the sticks on the market were of poor quality.

As I said in my response to your comments, there are controllers that predate the NES pad that were better quality and worked at least as well for any sort of game. That still didn't stop me from saying in my initial post that I think it's the best of its generation...

If you want to believe that the d-pad, and obviously the Dual Shock, was inevitable (which is absurdly easy to say now that it's become ingrained in our logic) then more power to you. But it doesn't change the fact that Nintendo made the NES pad and controllers changed from there.

Well, we don't have a wayback machine to hop into, but I think controllers that predate the NES pad indicate that it was inevitable (not to mention that it's smart engineering and an idea that makes sense from a cost and durability perspective).

What's the d-pad but a further flattening of the mushroom-style compact controllers that started coming around '82? Again, full credit to Nintendo for being the company to develop it and get it out on the market, (yes, influencing the controllers of the future) but in a little devil's advocacy, maybe some credit lies with Coleco for taking some of the height out of the joystick and making a more compact controller, or Intellivision for doing away with the joystick completely...

 

[Crankenstein]

This gen they all have their aggravating shorthcomings and strengths. A controller with the GC's horns and L/R triggers with the dual shocks square, triangle, etc. buttons, with the Controller S's d-pad and analog sticks---that would be a controller.

 

[Gahiggidy]

NES
SNES
N64
Wave Bird

 

[Ramirez]

The Xbox Duke>every controller ever released.

I hate every sissy who cried and whined until they changed to the POS Type-S. :|

 

[bionic77]

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!

See I think the Xbox controller and Gamecube controllers are better than the PS2 controller for certain genres, but to me the Dual Shock is the only controller that can handle every genre competantly and so for that reaosn it has to come out on top.

I mean Winning Eleven on the Xbox just doesn't play as well because of those stupid Black and White buttons, even though it is superior to the PS2 version in every other way.

 

[miyuru]

IMO the Dual Shock has the most general and therefore most 'flexible' layout, as in it can accomodate for many genres. However, after holding a 'Cube pad most of this generation, I really hate the Dual Shock's shitty sticks, and it isn't the most comfortable thing to hold IMO.

 

[Agent Icebeezy]

Controller S is a godsend

 

[Bauer Action Hour]

Default = only one I tryed

Pre NES - Atari Joystick, default
NES - NES con, default
16 bit - Genesis 6 button con
32 bit non-analog - Saturn
32/64 bit analog - N64 claw
This gen - Dual Shock/Xbox original (tie)

At first I mainly liked the original Xbox controller for this gen because it fit my hands well, the buttons were fine (even w/ the black/white buttons) and the analog sticks were really nice. However, I started to notice that the 4 shoulder button set-up of the DS was being used really well and intuitively in a number of games, so I really started to like it a lot as well.

I like both equally and think it's really smart that MS is abandoning the B/W buttons in favor of adding 2 shoulder buttons.

 

[DCharlie]

each of the controllers this gen are better at certain things than others.

I couldn't imagine playing a FPS on the PS2 to be quite honest,
but then again i couldn't get away with playing WE8 on the Xbox controller.
But then you have the Wavebird with it's wireless goodness.

I spend most of my time with the PS2 pad , and that's what i'm most comfy with, but if i had to pick one from this gen? ... pass.

 

[Crankenstein]

The Xbox Duke>every controller ever released.

I hate every sissy who cried and whined until they changed to the POS Type-S. :|

The Duke flops more times than AI does against the Pistons. AI is such an actor. He's tough, talented, but damn, he just flops like Aunt Jemima pancakes.

 

[captmcblack]

Before the NES, the Intellivision's Hand Controller > everything, bitches. RESPECT.

During the 8-bit era, the NES' controller ownt everything. If we count the TG-16 as part of the 8-bit era though...

During the 16-bit era, the SNES pad was king. Perfect button layout, perfect ergonomics...genius. No props for the Genesis 6-button, because it was a remix controller; it fixed mistakes in the original Genny controller design that shouldn't have been there.

32 bits before analog (read: pre-N64), the original PSX controller was tops. It was the SNES controller with extra shoulder buttons (which were sorta hard to get used to at first, but are ingenious now) and handles for comfort. The SS rev. 2/Japanese controller was great - possibly the greatest digital controller ever - but like the Genesis, no props for revisions.

32/64-bit era is all about the N64 controller. Why no other controller ever copied the Z-trigger, I dunno. Supreme comfort and versatility, and a six face button layout. SEX.

This generation, I have to give it to the GameCube. I hate the Dual Shock/DS2 for pretty much every reason stated in this thread, and the awesomeness of Controller S is mitigated by it being a remix controller. The 'Cube's controller basically needs one thing to be the best controller ever - the SNES face button layout. I love the layout as-is, but it makes it difficult to use for 2D fighters.

So yeah...not like I won't enjoy using them, but if we're talking about love and hate, no love for remixes on principle. Crazy am I.

In conclusion, the Controller S is the best controller ever. :lol

 

[PkunkFury]

Props to the SNES pad for its concave/convex button design. I loved the concave X and Y buttons. I enjoyed the extra tactile reassurance that I was pressing the right button during fast paced games without glancing down at the controller. Plus I just love the feel of my thumb pad in the well of the concave buttons

Since it is otherwise layed out so similar to the SNES pad, the fact that all of the DualShock buttons feel the same bugs me. Also Dualshock buttons use goofy shapes, whose order I can't memorize, instead of a logical letter layout (X over Y next to A over B). Between the memorable naming convention and the identifiable feeling of the buttons, SNES game controls always took me seconds to learn and I rarely ever miss-hit.

 

[DIrtyWeasel]

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 that the Cube's controller is the most comfortable. I just don't like the button layout (not good for fighters) and the c-stick should've been the same shape as the analog stick on the left (not good for FPS's)... but the Cube lacks games in both genre's, so there isn't really too much to complain about. :lol The Wavebird is my favorite this generation, I hate wires!

Last gen I liked the controller that came with NiGHTS for Sega Saturn.

 

[Kiriku]

Since it is otherwise layed out so similar to the SNES pad, Tte fact that all of the DualShock buttons feel the same bugs me. Also Dualshock buttons use goofy shapes, whose order I can't memorize, instead of a logical letter layout (X over Y next to A over B). Between the memorable naming convention and the identifiable feeling of the buttons, SNES game controls always took me seconds to learn and I rarely ever miss-hit.

See, I find it even more goofy to use A/B and then throw in X/Y on TOP of those two. I don't find that logical at ALL (had it been A/B/C/D perhaps, with A/B at the "top").
I mentioned it before but...with the DS, buttons have a designated symbol with a separate color, which makes them unique thus easy to remember IMO. I believe it's easier to remember a shape rather than a letter. We see a lot of letters everyday, but how many green triangles? That's what makes it stick. But to each his own I guess.

 

[fse]

and this...

 

[Gahiggidy]

NES
SNES
N64
Wave Bird

^^^

Granted, I've never actually touched controllers from other systems. (But, I have seen pictures.)

 

[Crankenstein]

Handheld-wise, the vertically oriented GBs rule over ALL horizontally oriented handhelds.

 

[Shinobi]

^^^

Granted, I've never actually touched controllers from other systems. (But, I have seen pictures.)

:lol :lol :lol

 

[Jive Turkey]

My personal picks:

NES
SNES
Dual Shock
N64 (Ugly as hell but I liked the way the fit my hands)
GC closely followed by Controller S

Even though I have the first DS listed I can't believe how many people like that horrid DS2. That thing is just awful.

 

[MetalAlien]

pre-NES..Vertex, vector graphics machine
8bit-NES
16bit-Genny 6 button
32bit (pre analog) Saturn
32bit (analog) Dual shock
64bit Dreamcast
128bit Dual Shock2