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Xbox Has The Best Controller Designs

Who Has The Best Controller Designs?

  • Xbox

    Votes: 172 44.8%
  • Sony

    Votes: 173 45.1%
  • Nintendo

    Votes: 23 6.0%
  • Other

    Votes: 16 4.2%

  • Total voters
    384

Joramun

Member
Both xbox and switch pro are better than ps.

My 360 and xbox one controllers are still in good shape.

ps4 controller not so much and it was the least played.
 

Alan Wake

Member
I still prefer the Xbox controller layout. But the DualSense is a more exciting controller and I'm finding myself buying multiplat games for the PS5 instead thanks to the haptic feedback and the speaker. The Switch Pro Controller is Nintendos's best yet, but I still don't like the shallow triggers.

I also want to say that the Elite controllers are trash. I've had big issues with two of them now, and it's not acceptable.
 
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Robb

Gold Member
The future of console gaming is all about "Lowest Input Latency" and near-realtime gaming.
In a world where the biggest console gaming user base is found on a system that plays games at sub 30fps, I’m pretty sure the future is not about lowest latency inputs.

But hey, I wouldn’t mind seeing wired pads make a comeback.
 
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bbeach123

Member
I like ps's layout for one single reason that I can use the D-pad while holding the left stick . Which impossible for me to do on the xbox's layout .
 
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mdkirby

Gold Member
Should have put your explanation in your title. Voted Sony because they win by a country mile with the dual sense in terms of actual controller. But yes, aesthetic skins, xbox wins. I’ll never understand the wasted opportunity on skins from Sony, they even made and patented easily replaceable faceplates for the ps5, and proceeded to do practically fuck all with them.
 

DenchDeckard

Moderated wildly
Xboz is tge best controller hands down but the dual sense is good this time. The previous dualshocks for me gave me handcramps.

Tge dual sense does have an awkward bit on the wings that dig into my palms.

Xbox controller is ergonomic bliss.

Seeing every third party manufacturer copy their design just backs this up imo.b
 
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King Dazzar

Member
I enjoy the Elite Series 2, but it has had numerous QC issues and its grips are way too slippy (I customised mine). I think the standard current Xbox controller is better ergonomically than the Elite 2, but doesnt have the features I need. Both lack any significant innovation this gen which is poor. Great inhouse cosmetic customization options.

Previous Sony controllers for me were always uncomfortable one way or the other. But the dualsense and especially the Edge, have not only sorted that for me. But I now prefer them ergonomically to the Elite 2. The Edge is the best controller I have ever owned - and I've owned lots of expensive custom ones. But its flawed battery life and only two paddles, have it screaming for a sequel. The amount of tech crammed into a dualsense is amazing - gyro control, haptics, adaptive triggers, touch pad, light strips & microphone, far out do the stagnant innovation shown by Xbox. Would be good to see more custom options for the Edge inhouse.
 
I prefer the Xbox design, when i was playing thru Oblivion on the ps3 on my days off from work i regularly had 12+ hour gaming sessions and frequently ended up with major hand cramp.

I have never had that problem with a Xbox controller, I also like the Elite design because of the paddles and trigger locks.
 
Xbox is balanced with cool special designs offset often with terrible, gaudy colors. Hell, most controllers have colors that are for me terrible eyesores. But for form they always feel so good.

Only thing I want for the Dualsense that'll never happen are for the symbols on the buttons to be back lit with a blue color. Fuck the battery, I need it now.
 
I enjoy the Elite Series 2, but it has had numerous QC issues and its grips are way too slippy (I customised mine). I think the standard current Xbox controller is better ergonomically than the Elite 2, but doesnt have the features I need. Both lack any significant innovation this gen which is poor. Great inhouse cosmetic customization options.

Previous Sony controllers for me were always uncomfortable one way or the other. But the dualsense and especially the Edge, have not only sorted that for me. But I now prefer them ergonomically to the Elite 2. The Edge is the best controller I have ever owned - and I've owned lots of expensive custom ones. But its flawed battery life and only two paddles, have it screaming for a sequel. The amount of tech crammed into a dualsense is amazing - gyro control, haptics, adaptive triggers, touch pad, light strips & microphone, far out do the stagnant innovation shown by Xbox. Would be good to see more custom options for the Edge inhouse.

100%. Elite S2 is probably my favorite controller, but I've retired it in favor of a Gulikit KK3 Max because of all the QC issues. I fixed both bumpers and now I've gotta put in new potentiometers to fix stick drift.

And DS is absolutely amazing. The Dual Shock 4 was the first Sony controller where I really thought was comfortable, and the DS took that to another level.
 

King Dazzar

Member
Xbox is balanced with cool special designs offset often with terrible, gaudy colors. Hell, most controllers have colors that are for me terrible eyesores. But for form they always feel so good.

Only thing I want for the Dualsense that'll never happen are for the symbols on the buttons to be back lit with a blue color. Fuck the battery, I need it now.
There are custom options which will do the face button illumination thing you're after.
 
Xbox controller is pretty weak with the features. Still takes batteries, no gyro, no cool haptic feedback and triggers. Even thevNintendo switch joycon and controller has some pretty decent haptic feedback with HD rumble.
 

IAmRei

Member
1VN4UFG.jpeg

Feels like Homura / Pyra is the only reason i prefer this above anything else~
 

DaichiChan

Neo Member
It's like the clunkiest controller I ever played with. The Nintendo pro controller is a silent responsive controller and the*adaptive trigger * of the ps5 controller driven me crazy because how loud it is
 

Gojiira

Member
Nope. Always had awful buttons which have missed pressure sensitivity every gen. Awful Dpad every single gen. Awful bumpers outside of original Xbox.

No Dualsense/Shock is and always will be the best. Ergonomically it fits better in larger hands, best triggers/bumpers,pressure sensitivity, haptic feedback in the Dualsense is GOAT in the games that use it properly, better looking controllers too.
Granted they have issues too such as the Analog Sticks on earlier models, stick drift of course.
But the Pros vastly outweigh the cons.
After the Dualsense though, I dont want to go back to previous gens, if it wasnt for stick drift its nearly perfect.
 

AlphaDump

Gold Member
It's way too bulky and awkward for me. I feel like a grandma driving a mack truck when I hold one.

I do like their premium line though and wish Sony had a better offering there.
 

Shakka43

Member
Black and white definitely look the best. I just don't know why PS has these horrible colors. Same for the plates.
Red looks pretty good in person, I have a first day black and a red one but mainly use the red one as it matches my red plates.

The PS classic dualsense Edge that came out recently is undoubtedly the best looking controller out there though, no matter the brand.
 

GoldenEye98

posts news as their odd job
Xbox was fairly relentless in iterating their controller design while Sony was fairly stagnant for 15 years.

Hell even going from the Duke to the Controller S in the same generation was like holy shit!
 
Xbox controller is absolutely terrible. Feels completely small, cheap and tacky with nothing novel about it.
Not the point of the discussion. It is about looks and Xbox has some brilliant controller design( the photos shared by others in the thread can serve as proof). Why drag out of bounds things into it?. If you prefer the looks of dualsense, share pics of your favourite colour and special editions.
 

kingpotato

Ask me about my Stream Deck
The Xbox Series controller is the first one that really got it all perfect. Replaceable batteries has always been awesome on these things as well as compatibility with PC. I always had gripes with the Dpad until the series iteration, with the 360 being absolutely frustrating. I also felt like the plastic used for the buttons on the original as well as the 360 was a little too grippy, but that hasn't been an issue with the latest versions.
 

Kataploom

Gold Member
It is Nintendo, but Xbox feels better. The problem I have with Nintendo controllers are ergonomics, they're designed for children hands, Xbox is just way more comfortable, but Xbox controllers don't have gyro, which has been limiting games for years
 
I think xbox has the best looks and overall controller. ps5 controller looks extremely ugly due to the two tone style and it kind of reminds me of a fisher price toy with cheap features like the sound and useless gimmicks it has. the xbox controller is one solid nice color and elegant looking.
 

rm082e

Member
The Original Xbox S controller cast the mold. It was fantastic. Everything Xbox has done since is just refining that design (moving the black and white buttons up to the bumper position, wireless, etc.). PlayStation moved in that direction with the DS4, and even further with the Dual Sense. Nintendo just copied their homework for their Pro controller.
 

SenkiDala

Member
The Original Xbox S controller cast the mold. It was fantastic. Everything Xbox has done since is just refining that design (moving the black and white buttons up to the bumper position, wireless, etc.). PlayStation moved in that direction with the DS4, and even further with the Dual Sense. Nintendo just copied their homework for their Pro controller.
Sony controllers were great and PS1 and PS2, very good at their times, then the PS3 controller (sixaxis or DS3) was a disgrace, way way too small and the sticks were too soft, it felt really backwards. Then the DualShock 4 raised the bar, it is a VERY good controller with very nice improvements and finally good ergonomics, the DualSense is pretty great but the battery life... Huhhh...
 
Xbox controller is shite. Loud buttons. Crap d pad. Shitty shoulder buttons. No gyro and haptics. Basically no advancement at all. It doesn't even come with a battery pack and you have to use AA batteries! It feels like ancient tech now. Its not even that comfortable to hold anymore. Feels too small. The 360 controller was the best xbox controller and one of the best ever made.
 
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ZoukGalaxy

Member
Nah
No Way Kg GIF by SHOWTIME Sports


Their last best controller was the Xbox 360 controller which I'm still using (and I have numerous brand new original for spare) and everything after from them is TOO FUCKING BIG.
Now, I vastly prefer the DualShock 4, my favorite controller ever.
 

rm082e

Member
Sony controllers were great and PS1 and PS2, very good at their times, then the PS3 controller (sixaxis or DS3) was a disgrace, way way too small and the sticks were too soft, it felt really backwards. Then the DualShock 4 raised the bar, it is a VERY good controller with very nice improvements and finally good ergonomics, the DualSense is pretty great but the battery life... Huhhh...

As a big dumb 'Murican, the early PS controllers were too small for my hands and gave me cramps. I loved the PS1 and PS2, but it was a case of suffering through the controller to enjoy the games for me. The instant I picked up the Xbox S controller, it felt superior to me and I never wanted to deal with anything else again. I still bought a Gamecube, PS3, Wii, etc., but the Xbox became my preferred console based on system power and the controller. To me, the 360 controller was still better than the DS4, but that was Sony moving in the right direction. The DS4 didn't hurt my hands at least, but I wound up using a 360 controller through a USB converter most the time.

Battery life hasn't been a thing for me for many years. I play at a desk on a monitor, so my controllers are always wired now. But it does seem like they should have tuned it differently. Hopefully their next controller uses hall effect sticks and has better battery life.
 
I like all three controllers I use right now: DualSense, Xbox Series and Switch Pro, and they're mostly all the same. The standout is the DualSense imo. The mic and speaker are good features when utilized well and the haptics hit.
 

HeisenbergFX4

Gold Member
Hell yeah. I also want to shout out the Forza controller that was released that year too.
That's a nice looking controller as well

I still have the blue Forza 6 Xbox One edition that made the silly car start up noise when you turned it on, kind of liked that look as well.
 

Robb

Gold Member
1VN4UFG.jpeg

Feels like Homura / Pyra is the only reason i prefer this above anything else~
I don’t really like how all of the special edition Switch Pro controller have colored handles while the rest of the unit is black.. Hope they change that for the ‘Switch 2 Pro controller’.
 

Esppiral

Member
There is only one correct answer and doesn't matter what you have voted in the poll you know which one es the correct answer.
 

Deanington

Member
That's a nice looking controller as well

I still have the blue Forza 6 Xbox One edition that made the silly car start up noise when you turned it on, kind of liked that look as well.

I had to look that one up and it is nice. Do you prefer the look of the controllers now compared to the Ones in general? I still like the cut out accent at the top the ones controller.
 
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