Which of the Big 4 has the best controller? 🎮

Who has the best controller?

  • Total voters
    346
Heisenberg007 said:
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.
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Its all down to preference of course, bit confused by the OP though. As a pack in controller then I guess the DS would take it, but there are much better first party controllers for me personally.

Edit: I'd never consider using the Dual Sense as a PC controller, the Wolverine V3 is the GOAT for me. But that's a different topic.
 
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Series controller is great, fixed all the issues I had with previous Xbox controller. But, the trigger is low quality, keeps getting stuck.

Ps5 is fine, but the touchpad is just stupid.

Switch 2 controller still has worse dpad than the Wii u pro controller, so no, just no.
 
I like the battery life of the Xbox controller and being able to change the rechargeable batteries easily.

Battery life on the PS5 controller is so so poor, but I prefer the controller. Feels more comfortable to hold
 
Plies said:
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
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Honestly, i'm starting to prefer the dualsense. The Xbox buttons and sticks are so damn hard. Dualsense is soft.
 
When you say 4 big i guess you include pc gaming and if you include that, the winner is crystal clear.

Between the big 3, xbox for the stick positioning but their building quality almost reached sony ds4 level lately, bonus points for being the most compatible on pc by far.

Sony and N battle for the third and 4th place with their respective useless gimmicks.

All of them are overpriced.

Any decent 40-50 dollars controller from gamesir or the other suspects with hall effect sticks\triggers and back buttons smash all 3 big with ease.
 
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I'll give it to the dualsense.

The haptics are a game changer and it has symmetrical sticks.

It's not a perfect controller, it's stick reliability is garbage and battery life sucks.
 
#1 is Switch 2 Pro controller
The sticks feels like sex.
I just wish it had analog triggers. Besides that it's absolute pure perfection.

#2 is the Series controller. Feels nice, good sticks and triggers, fairly good battery life, good enough D-Pad for 100% Hollow Knight.

#3 is the wired 360 controller. Besides the D-pad everything just works. I've had one since the 360 days, no battery, no stick drift, zero problems.
 
Fess said:
#1 is Switch 2 Pro controller
The sticks feels like sex.
I just wish it had analog triggers. Besides that it's absolute pure perfection.

#2 is the Series controller. Feels nice, good sticks and triggers, fairly good battery life, good enough D-Pad for 100% Hollow Knight.

#3 is the wired 360 controller. Besides the D-pad everything just works. I've had one since the 360 days, no battery, no stick drift, zero problems.
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See, if the OP means the Switch 2 pro controller then you have to stick the Dual Sense edge and Elite 2 into the mix as well.
 
Fess said:
Elite 2 changes nothing, I have the Halo one. And I haven't tried DS Edge.
Switch 2 Pro is king 👑
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I do like the Switch 2 pro controller( I have one) however for me personally the 4 back paddles on the Elite are placed perfectly for my hands. Also the Switch doesn't have analog triggers, not an issue so much right now but if they bring Forza Horizion or similar over then it will be.
 
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Dualsense is crushing it in the poll. No wonder because that's what people have. I have one and I don't even have a PS5.

keefged4 said:
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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One would expect Nintendo to nail that? I use dpad for emulation all the time, so quality there is non-negotiable.
 
BlackTron said:
You have my attention. So many people were saying that they fixed the dpad, what happened?
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Holammer said:
One would expect Nintendo to nail that? I use dpad for emulation all the time, so quality there is non-negotiable.
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I does a crazy amount of left/right pushes when up or down aren't pressed exactly on center. You can see this for yourself by going to test input devices in settings, then holding either up or down and wiggling slightly.

It's fine for newer games that dont rely on the dpad for precise inputs, but for retro stuff, nah it sucks.
 
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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And it still feels flimsy compared to the XSX controller. New features are cool and all, but as long as a company doesn't do the basics right, I can live without mic and touchpad on my controller.
 
vodka-bull said:
And it still feels flimsy compared to the XSX controller. New features are cool and all, but as long as a company doesn't do the basics right, I can live without mic and touchpad on my controller.
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It seems like we had the opposite experience.

Been using DualSense for many years. They work fine, and the quality is super good - except for the drift issue, which is exactly the same in all console controllers as they all source the same stick from the same vendor.

On the other hand, I've had multiple Xbox controllers broken down (especially their triggers) after only a couple of weeks.
 
Either Dualsense or Xbox wireless controller. The Dualsense is very comfy and fits great in my hands, with a satisfying weight to it. I like the haptics when it's implemented right but very few devs seems to care about it. Dualsense draw back is the poor battery life. It's atrocious in this day and age. Really puts a damper on the controller.

Xbox wireless controller is also very comfortable. Fits great in my hands and having a satisfying weight. Great for PC play. Compatible with pretty much anything game. Battery life is excellent and I like that it comes with rechargeable batteries for easy swapping.
 
keefged4 said:
I does a crazy amount of left/right pushes when up or down aren't pressed exactly on center. You can see this for yourself by going to test input devices in settings, then holding either up or down and wiggling slightly.

It's fine for newer games that dont rely on the dpad for precise inputs, but for retro stuff, nah it sucks.
Click to expand...

vbaPpPojZkV1PIeH.gif


I'm probably getting this controller as a gift with DK today and thought I was all set to ride off into the sunset. WTF do I even need this thing for if I already have a pro 1 controller and the dpad still sucks? Time to start shopping 8bitdo screw this.
 
BlackTron said:
vbaPpPojZkV1PIeH.gif


I'm probably getting this controller as a gift with DK today and thought I was all set to ride off into the sunset. WTF do I even need this thing for if I already have a pro 1 controller and the dpad still sucks? Time to start shopping 8bitdo screw this.
Click to expand...
Stolen from reddit because I'm too lazy to type:

The Switch 1 Pro Controller can't power on the console remotely.

Switch 2 Pro controller has 2 re-mappable triggers on the back, C button for Chat, and a headphone jack to connect wired headphones to the controller.

If you don't care about those features you can just use a Switch 1 Pro Controller.
 
BlackTron said:
vbaPpPojZkV1PIeH.gif


I'm probably getting this controller as a gift with DK today and thought I was all set to ride off into the sunset. WTF do I even need this thing for if I already have a pro 1 controller and the dpad still sucks? Time to start shopping 8bitdo screw this.
Click to expand...
To be fair to the switch 2 controller, the dpad is the worst thing about it. Everything else is fantastic. It's the most comfortable to hold out of all of them, and the sticks despite being non hall/tmr are amazing. Just a shame about the dpad, and non-analog triggers.
 
clarky said:
Stolen from reddit because I'm too lazy to type:

The Switch 1 Pro Controller can't power on the console remotely.

Switch 2 Pro controller has 2 re-mappable triggers on the back, C button for Chat, and a headphone jack to connect wired headphones to the controller.

If you don't care about those features you can just use a Switch 1 Pro Controller.
Click to expand...

Yeah all that stuff is very nice but the only problem I actually needed to be fixed was the dpad. I also falsely reported to my friends that the dpad had been fixed.

From the description they reversed the problem? So in a Tetris test. It might not drop the piece all the time because it's no longer false down, it's false left/right. That's cool. Progress in change, or something. Anyway, I hope nobody bought me this controller, I actively don't want it
 
Ps5 controller is the most uncomfortable controller i have ever held in my hands. I haven't tried switch 2 controller but i guess its similar to xbox one, which is perfect in my hands, plus it uses batteris and that is important to me.
 
Plies said:
I'll allow it .
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I don't think there as an actual answer to this. All 3 have their pros and cons and its basically down to what features the user values the most.

None are perfect.

The poll is a little confusing as you have the standard xbox/ps pads then im guessing you mean the Switch 2 pro controller? Because nobody in there right mind would vote Joycon
 
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I really like the Dualsense - feels really solid and chunky.

Series X one is "ok", I find it too small actually and too clicky for me - the Xbox One controller I found better than the Series.
 
clarky said:
I don't think there as an actual answer to this. All 3 have their pros and cons and its basically down to what features the user values the most.

None are perfect.

The poll is a little confusing as you have the standard xbox/ps pads then im guessing you mean the Switch 2 pro controller? Because nobody in there right mind would vote Joycon
Click to expand...
nintendo has pros and (joy)cons
 
I collect VHS tapes said:
switch 2 pro controller is the most comfortable controller I've ever used
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I really like the controller, I just wish the sticks had a bit more resistance. They're not Dual Shock 1 loose, mind you -- but over use, they're just gonna get looser. More loose. ... Easier to move.

Of the other two, I prefer the Dual Sense (Edge), although I do prefer the paddle layout/config on the Elite 2.
 
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I voted PS5 Dual sense as I think it's the best official controller in terms of features. However, it's unreliable and the battery is shite.

If we talk third party controllers, the 8bitdo Ultimate is fucking awesome. Feels very sturdy, hall effect joysticks and battery life is never ending from what it seems.
 
Lucifers Beard said:
I voted PS5 Dual sense as I think it's the best official controller in terms of features. However, it's unreliable and the battery is shite.

If we talk third party controllers, the 8bitdo Ultimate is fucking awesome. Feels very sturdy, hall effect joysticks and battery life is never ending from what it seems.
Click to expand...
Yeah - both my Series controller (stick drift) and Dualsense (constant issues in 4 player local, shitty battery life) are collecting dust and I have an Ultimate and a 2C and my kids have an Ultimate 2 and a 2C.
 
Plies said:
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
Click to expand...
I think overall it's Dualsense but all of them have their positives and negatives that the others do better or worse.

I wish the DualSense was smaller and had better battery life but the positives outweigh the negatives.
 
Would be Switch 2 when it would have triggers instead of bumpers for the L2/R2 so i had to vote for the PlayStation.

(Have 4 PS5 Controllers all of them with stick drift though)
 
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Dualsense.

Im actually surprised by the Dualsense feautures being supported on PC. Was not expecting to play games like Kingdom Come 2 with support for haptic feedback and adaptive triggers that definitely enhanced the imersion of the game for me.
 
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