Which of the Big 4 has the best controller? 🎮

Who has the best controller?

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Plies

Plies

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Used to be the case that a Series Xbox controller was best for many of us. It works by default in many games without extra software. Downside has always been the crappy d-pad.

It appears that folks have moved onto the Dual Sense controller as the new champ for good games. Some people liked the Switch 2 controller as well.

So question 1 is to rank the following 3 game controllers:
Xbox Series
PS5 Dual Sense
Switch 2
 
Xbox Series. Dualsense feels too big and i have big man hands. Havent tried the switch 2 controller. I'm not spending $85 on a controller that doesnt have hall sticks.
 
Haven't had a chance to compare them all but while I do love the feel and features of the DualSense, I'll give credit for my XBO slim not getting drift. Not fucking once.
 
Different purposes... at least with the Switch 2 if we're talking about stock joycons. It's hard to rate that alongside the other controllers when it is built to function as multiple things: split controller for 2 players, on-tablet controller (so compare to steam deck?), mouse controller on tabletop, etc.
 
Take the Series Elite 2 shape Triggers and rechargeable battery but replace the Dpad and rumble with the Dual Sense voice coils.

Edit-and trade out the sticks with 8bitdo Tmr Hall effect.
 
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I have to give the edge to the Dualshock 4/Dualsense. All controllers are pretty good now though. I use to prefer the PS controllers but since the XONE, MS finally designed a controller that I feel is good.

I have played the same game across both PS and XONE, extensively and I mean that, I spent almost equal amount of times with both consoles with this game. And I feel like this is the only way someone can really tell if one controller might be better than the other.

The difference I felt, is marginal so I don't feel it is worth mentioning.
 
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Plies said:
They get firmware updates regularly.
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I'm not lying, if the Xbox controller was modern, like Switch 2 and PS5, we would have more games using new technologies. The Xbox controller limits third-party productions as it represents more than 30% of the controllers on the market.
 
Series X > DualSense > Switch 2 Pro Controller

the Series X controller simply has the best sticks of the first party controllers, and the smoothest analog triggers ever made period. as someone who likes shooters and racing games, that's a combo that can't be beat even remotely by the others.
but I wouldn't be against the idea of adding the same internal plastic ring for the sticks that the Switch 2 Pro controller uses, where the stick doesn't actually hit the stick gate, but gets stopped and rolls across an internal plastic ring. that makes them super smooth when rotating them around the edge.
 
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I might never get to use an Xbox one or series controller. Heard they're nice. Some people complain that they're small but that sounds good to me.
 
XBOX Elite Series 2. If they did a Series 3 with hall effect and improved quality a little they would have the crown for ages. PS5 controller battery life is abysmal. Havent tried the switch 2 pro but the switch 1 pro isnt bad.
 
Xbox Series X is the best all around except for the D pad, also no haptics.
Dual Sense is good but I don't like the symmetrical sticks. However its D-pad is the best in the business. Bonus points for haptics
Have not tried Switch pro because I really only play my switch undocked. Dont have a switch 2, gonna wait for OLED.

Verdict: I prefer Xbox Series X controller for some game genres, while I prefer Dual Sense for others. Xbox for shooters, ARPGs (POE1) if I'm not on M&KB. Deal Sense for fighters and action-adventure games, Soulslike etc. I try to play M&KB.

Xbox wins out overall because I'm old and my hands get tired more easily on other controllers.
 
I used to always go Xbox, but with the DualSense and Switch 2 Pro controllers in the mix I feel like all three have some really comfy stuff.

The DualSense seem to be the most feature complete though. I would like to see analog triggers added to the Switch 2 and gyro controls added to Xbox. Both seem like strange omissions to me.
 
Series controller while last forever on whatever batteries you use, but it has outdated rumble and a noisy d-pad. Dual Sense has lousy battery life and a near unusable d-pad. And any Nintendo switch 2 controllers are probably ridiculously overpriced (i don't know, have checked, but everything about it is overpriced). They all suck. At least Switch 2 can use more 3rd options in regards to controllers than the others (wireless in particular). 8bitdo stuff is on series s/x, but it's mostly wired.
 
Plies said:
They get firmware updates regularly.
Click to expand...
Outdated with new features and immersion. The haptic feedback on the Dualsense and Switch 2 Pro feel better than the basic rumble of an Xbox controller. Motion controls, speakers, triggers,

Not to mention the Dpad is clicky and feels so cheap. The next gen Xbox controller needs to take ideas from PlayStation and Nintendo and most likely will
 
In my place Xbox is the best because:
- Easier to find
- Easy to repair by local
- Bit Cheaper
- Easy to use to all PC devices

IMO xbox is better here, because all of those factors, doesn't even need official support and very reliable for all segment.
 
I use the PS5 controller the most as that is the only console I own (aside from first Switch, but that's gathering dust). Touchpad could have more potential, though.
Have an Xbox for my PC and the textured grip on the back are more noticable. Maybe that's only cause it's quite new and hasn't been used all that much.

Don't think one is necessarily better or worse than the other. They're are pretty good. I only don't like the letters swapped around between Nintendo and Xbox. It's confusing when you use both of them recently after the other.
Ah well, not really a problem anymore and won't be for quite some time until Nintendo hopefully launches an OLED Switch 2.
 
There's no wrong answer here, all 3 controllers are superbly designed for different reasons and across all of them I have very few complaints. We've come a long way since the Wiimote and stubby DualShock 3 days.

Voted Xbox as it's my preferred controller simply for its ergonomics and triggers.

DualSense is a very close second. While I love the tactile vibration haptics, the adaptive triggers don't add much for me personally and I usually disable the feature in games.

Third for me is the SW2 Pro controller, my only gripes being the lack of analog triggers and its barely-improved d-pad over SW1's. Sure, it's better, but it still feels like they cheaped out on it. Disappointing.
Everything else though? Smooth as silk. Best controller Nintendo's ever made.
 
Think Give Up GIF by Boomerang Official


DualSense and not even close.
 
Heisenberg007 said:
How is that even a question?

Only DualSense introduced new stuff and is actually a next-gen controller. No other controller made any improvements from the previous gen, which is a huge shame.
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No paddles/back buttons (on the standard), terrible battery life, Symmetrical sticks (preference) Useless features (resistance triggers, again preference). Nice Haptics though.

The Switch 2 pro controller takes it for me. If they ever update the Elite 2 and make it more reliable then that one might stand a chance.

Edit: I changed my mind, its the Elite 2, as the S2 pro controller doesn't have analog triggers.
 
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I used to use an Xbox Controller for Windows with my PC gaming but I switched to using my Dualsense controller and I haven't looked back for an instant

Dualsense is just the best video game controller today, period
 
Dualsense is awesome, super comfy, great dpad. The tech in it is a game changer, a built in mic that eliminates the requirement of a headset if you don't feel like wearing one, the haptics and built in speaker add to the immersion when utilized well.
 
Dualsense is super nice, and the triggers are wonderful, when correctly used, way more confortable than the DS4 (and even more than the DS3). But not perfect, the side by side sticks are a bit weird nowadays.

Xbox controller doesn't have gyro, and use batteries like it's 1999, but a nice grip.

Haven't tried the Switch 2 Pro controller though
 
Crayon said:
I might never get to use an Xbox one or series controller. Heard they're nice. Some people complain that they're small but that sounds good to me.
Click to expand...
They're nice in one specific way: instant compatibility with PC. No dongle, no software needed -- just instantly connected to Windows.

They're measurably bad at everything else. The lack of features, horribly loud buttons, and an archaic battery solution will legit make you wonder "Who keeps lying to Xbox that this is good?"

I'm thinking there's a legal advantage (i.e., patents) that both Sony and Nintendo have that prevents Xbox from making a good controller. It makes zero sense for everything else at Xbox to have evolved since the Xbox 360/2005 except for the controller.

For the people who haven't used the Series controller but have used a DualSense: the Series controller is like an iPhone 1 and the DualSense is like an iPhone 16 Pro Max. It's night and day.
 
They all have stuff that kinda sucks. So it really depends on personal preferences. DualSense and Switch 2 Pro controller are overpriced, though.
 
clarky said:
No paddles/back buttons (on the standard), terrible battery life, Symmetrical sticks (preference) Useless features (resistance triggers, again preference). Nice Haptics though.

The Switch 2 pro controller takes it for me. If they ever update the Elite 2 and make it more reliable then that one might stand a chance.

Edit: I changed my mind, its the Elite 2, as the S2 pro controller doesn't have analog triggers.
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I don't think any standard controller has back pedals, so that's not a factor at all. It's the same thing with everyone.

Battery life is fine for 1-2 big sessions. In the meantime, you can charge it. I've never run into this battery issue personally. Like never have I been unable to play because of "low battery."

The sticks, as you said, is a preference. I prefer symmetrical sticks, and I have used the Xbox controller A LOT.

The features are definitely not useless. Even PC gamers are using DualSense because of the new features, and those features are the ones that will utlimately determine which controller is better - considering all standard controllers are sold at roughly the same price.

I use DualSesne with my PS as well as my PC. Games feel like they are missing something without DualSense to me at this point.

Haptic feedback, mic, adaptive triggers, gyro, ... all this stuff matters.
 
Plies said:
You use third party controllers?
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No. I do have a DualSense, an Xbox controller and a Switch 2 Pro controller. When I play stuff on PC, I use M&K, the Xbox or DualSense, depending on the game. I use the Switch 2 Pro controller with the Switch 2.
 
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Xbox easily.

Symmetrical analog stick placement doesn't make sense. If it would make sense, the original PlayStation controller would look something like this.
ds2.jpg
 
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Switch Pro Controller has the perfect shape and grip, it's what I'm using on PC for all games. Digital triggers are a boon, they are much better for the vast majority of games.

The Switch 2 version has the two additional back buttons, which is awesome, but the grip is not as good, it's too smooth. Still waiting on that Steam Input support before judging, I haven't used it much.
 
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mèx said:
Switch Pro Controller has the perfect shape and grip, it's what I'm using on PC for all games. Digital triggers are a boon, they are much better for the vast majority of games.

The Switch 2 version has the two additional back buttons, which is awesome, but the grip is not as good, it's too smooth. Still waiting on that Steam Input support.
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Its a great controller for sure but the OP is sending out a confusing message here. Are we talking about the best controller made by the big 3 period? Plies Plies or just the standard controller that comes with the console?
 
The real answer is the 8Bitdo Ultimate 2. But out of the three its the Dualsense just down to features. The Switch 2 comes very, very close even though the dpad sucks.
 
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