BEST GAMEPAD

the answer is still gamecube

Voting for the Wavebird yet again.

man i am a sega fanboy but they really have never gotten this right, have they? that is a terrible list.

ps2 dualshock kills this

esp back in the day when you used the direction buttons to move character/car etc around instead of the joystick

Negatives for Dual Shock: a)ridiculous copyright infringement-avoiding D-pad with no diagonals and b)spearheaded the way for awful future controller designs based around "let's add more buttons and sticks!" while not making them all distinctive, intuitive or necessary, this includes four shifty triggers, face buttons identified by weird symbols instead of letters, 2 identical analog joysticks that also acts as buttons. ...Mostly b.

I'm not saying some of these advancements weren't eventually turned into something useful or good, but I think its weaknesses have never really been addressed since it hasn't been significantly redesigned since Dual Shock (except maybe for DS2 adding analog face buttons, which almost no game uses and is frankly unnecessary).

what do you mean no diagonals? skillz with the right pressure on one d button and the right pressure on another d button = mad diagonals

face buttons identified by weird symbols instead of letters

Yeah, why have jump as triangle when every fool knows it's 'A'?

spearheaded the way for awful future controller designs based around "let's add more buttons and sticks!"

I think that the N64 controller was there first, as it's a SNES controller with bits added. The centrally mounted stick and Z trigger were particularly awkward and hand cramp inducing. The DualShock had the burden of having to retain backwards compatibility with existing PS1 games, so the positioning of the analogue sticks is more understandable. Also, if you have large thumbs, the segmented D-pad is no problem.

^^^ wow I sound like a sanctimonious tosser in that, don't I?

You don't sound sanctimonious, but then again, maybe it's because I largely agree with you about the N64 controller, as it's even worse - though technically it did come out two years after the PS1, so my blame still lies with Sony messing up the SNES pad design.

N64 came out in June 1996 in Japan. PS1 had that digital only pad up until late 1997 when the Dual Analog came out. Both are examples of "bolt stuff onto an existing controller design", but I think that Nintendo are more at fault here because they had a lot more time to develop a new controller, compared to Sony who had to react to Nintendo's competition.

Ah, you are correct, I didn't take into account that the Dual Analog came out later. The N64 controller is definitely worse, I have no qualms about that. I guess in my mind, it's because the Dual Shock was far more successful and influential (in terms of future consoles and PC pad makers) that I blame Sony, but you're right about it being Sony's response, I forgot about that. (I often forget that it it didn't ship with the Dual Shock)

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

a new challenger has arrived

y'all pedestrians

I think you're just not very convincing dude - I have nothing especial to say about the Playstation controllers, apart from the great icon design, but I racked up probably thousands of hours over the years on them without ever being annoyed*, which is more than I can say for any other controller I've tried on this list.

*Admittedly I never played any of the games where the analog buttons were used wrong - there was a driving game where the harder you pressed X the faster you went? That wasn't smart.

I am flatly astonished that i am the only one repping the NES controller as being the ur-controller. You're either all much younger than me or just really weird.
i <3 this 4eva
https://www.cliffracer.com/store/images/NES_controller.jpg

do you not remember nintenditis?

index fingers got fucked up with that shit.

first five words

lol

how come this wasn't in the poll

http://www.estarland.com/images/products/27/25127/43495.jpg

valid qn

i wouldve voted gamecast

worst: original xbox, shit is like holding a baby + those damn black and white buttons

You're either all much younger than me

well ya

snes was my first system, how could i hold an nes controller after that and be like 'oh yeah this rocks balls'

jordan s otm re xbawks

I'm with ya forks, I nearly voted NES. Granted, knuckle cramps were occasionally a problem, but that also served as a clear indication that you were having a great time.

My first controller was the NES pad as well, but I can't really fight for it, as much as I have undying love for the system - if you pick one up today, it feels tiny and boxy and difficult to use for a long period of time. But then again I think I used the Max half the time. The NES pad was totally awesome and revolutionary at the time compared to those what was out for the previous decade, but modern production and design has passed it by.

NES controller comes top out of all the 8 bit console controllers.

the simplicity and directness of the nes controller made it pretty much spot on; nintendo more or less used that controller as the template to make the most popular system of all time: the game boy!

i still think of pretty much all controllers as the NES one + however many extra buttons.

kinda wish i'd repped for megadrive/genesis 6 button. that was a beaut.

what's the difference b/w ps2 ans ps3 dualshocks? besides the sixaxis, which sucks in most games.

ps3 DualShock is wireless

http://www.ncsxshop.com/images/products/large/1207/arkanoid_ds_paddles.gif

what's the difference b/w ps2 ans ps3 dualshocks? besides the sixaxis, which sucks in most games.

yes wireless, and also far better shoulder analogue triggers

erm ' analogue shoulder triggers '

and the fact you can literally turn the ps3 power off with the pad now too

(although that could be called a console design rather than a pad attribute)

and the fact you can literally turn the ps3 power off with the pad now too

― Ant Attack.. (Ste), Saturday, January 31, 2009 6:57 AM (1 minute ago) Bookmark

yeah this is really rad, and alternately a huuuge flaw w/ the wii controller

what you mean you gotta walk across the room, OMIGAWD!

jordan you can turn the wii on and off with the pad, the little button even has the universal power symbol on it

http://img.skitch.com/20090131-kat2wxsstfct6pcjgumdwj952n.jpg

what you mean you gotta walk across the room, OMIGAWD!

walk across the room and BEND DOWN no less.

http://img1.uplood.fr/free/ftxy_sticxbox-(1).jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x97/KDBA/whatthehell.jpg

http://www.electronballet.com/GreyCabinet/11090003.JPG

do we need a counterpart worst controller poll w/the same options

http://www.cedmagic.com/tech-info/remote-control/epyx-500xj-joystick.jpg

http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/66/7b/018cb2c008a0bb37c4f34010.L.jpg

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/3700/interactarcadesharkandnjc4.jpg

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/klb_001/madcatzn64_joy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v670/OmegaRanma/b483_1.jpg

i used to have this one

http://www.ntrautanen.fi/computers/other/images/konix_navigator.jpg

what's a good arcade stick for Mame games?

I had that one too, was pretty good for sensi

ste, the hori ex2 is ok
http://static.gamesradar.com/images/mb//GamesRadar/us/Other/E3%202007/guncon%20zapper/IMG_4469--screenshot_large.jpg

is that for xbox though? how about one for the PC ?

it's available for 360 and PS3 and both versions work on mac and pc : D

ah cool

ta

I am glad the Dual Shock won!

hott
http://www.chewingpixels.com/astro.jpg

EG reviews the £150 SFIV TE stick

If you can get hold of one, this is a controller to carry with you through life, a joystick in every sense of the word.

stickballs

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/Steel_Battalion_controllers.jpg/800px-Steel_Battalion_controllers.jpg

Does anybody know of a high-quality imitation snes style pad available for PC (plug and play with usb connector & vista compatible)?

If you have a genuine SNES pad, a SNES>USB adapter would be the best solution. If you don't have a SNES pad then a trip to a thrift store/charity shop should turn up several.

god, dreamcast deserved to do better. and saturn analog! bah.

i wanna know if there's an explanation for this shit:

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/3700/interactarcadesharkandnjc4.jpg

What I was hoping is that there's a pad like an snes one (same shape and button placement), but of higher quality (something easier on the hands).

Not a fan of the Dreamcast controller, btw - that thing was HUGE and clunky.

Am fast becoming a fan of the SFIV fightpads (not for fight games though).

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2488/3894415440_bb7d73b68c_o.jpg
I have this one. Kinda hate the artwork, but the pad is great for Saturn and SNES emulation

oh yeah, sometimes i forget other ppl's handspans aren't measured in feet

I was the one person who voted for the Dreamcast controller, unless I'm remembering wrongly. I don't have especially big hands, but I do have long fingers, so the DC pad fits well.

all-time
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/features/hardware/hori-digital-controller/hori-gamecube-pad.jpg

http://comicotoko.com/zencart/images/Wii_Classic_Controller.jpg

features the Lord's Own D-Pad imo.

anyone imported one of these yet?
http://www.ncsxshop.com/images/products/large/0709/classic_controller_pro_black.jpg

'okay so the games industry never figured out how to use movement capture controls, nevermind, at least now i get to spend another £40'

Jeff, I hear even the imitation Saturn USB pads on eBay are pretty decent, and not too expensive either. Much better D-pad for fighting games, too, I used a actual Saturn pad and Dreamcast converter for 3S, MvC2, etc.

It doesn't have the exact same button placement, but you could also just think of it of having 2 extra face buttons - otherwise they're pretty similar, though the Saturn pad is a smidge bulkier than the original SNES controller.

And is it really worth it get that classic controller? I guess if you really hate the Cube face buttons...

The single biggest proble with the Dreamcast controller: the power cord came out of the wrong side.

haha yeah - i love the DC but wow that was a stupid design decision

I like the Wii classic controller alright (just played a game of MLB Power Pros 2008 with it after first trying the Wii remote & the classic felt a lot better). I don't think the addition of the handles of the pro would necessarily make it any better, and I can't think of any games I've played that have used the ZL or ZR buttons (I guess they're for Gamecube games?). It's a comfortable controller for me to hold already - though I'm not super fond of the 8-way cut analog sticks.

DC controller was the greatest ever for racing games

dyao - what are the great dreamcast racing games though (serious question)?

The single biggest proble with the Dreamcast controller: the power cord came out of the wrong side.

― More Butty In Your Pants (Telephone thing), Sunday, September 6, 2009 7:38 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

so otm

Jeff - F355 Challenge, Hydro Thunder, Tokyo Xtreme Racing 2, Sega Rally 2 were my faves...I'm sure there's more

metropolis street racing!!! I never owned a dc and even I know tht!

the power cord came out of the wrong side.

There's an indentation on the underside so that you can route the cable out the back.
http://i17.tinypic.com/6451dm9.jpg
I never did that, though. And it looks like the cable would fall out of the groove rather easily.

oooh, so that's what that was for

And my problem with the DC controller is that with the rumble pack installed, the weight balance is wrong - it becomes front heavy and awkward. In that one respect, the DualShock is perfect, weighty so it's not just an empty plastic shell, but that weight is positioned so that the controller sits in your hands, rather than you having to grip it.

I think my least favorite is the Dual Shock, the position of the analog sticks give me mad thumb strain

does anyone have a good recommendation for a gamepad for a mac (under $40 if possible)? i recently purchased Rogue Legacy for mac (it is soooooooooooooo good) and it would be a much better experience with a gamepad, kupo

I miss Jeff LeVine

otm

xp lol he's still... around

i've heard good things about the Logitech F310, because it has a switch mode to go into XInput for Windows / xbox 360 autodetection and the old style DirectInput, which Mac OS will detect as a standard PnP USB controller

some others recommend the Dualshock 3 which you can often get on sale for $40, or even at this point the Dualshock 4 (more expensive though) as they are generic Bluetooth controllers that should work on Mac

personally i'm using an old Dualshock 2 w/USB converter, works great generally. not always good with games that look for 360 autodetection, though, but that's frankly a crapshoot on the Mac side anyway. you only need to worry about games that use a lot of buttons and console ports

awesome, thanks! i might get myself an early b-day present

do it, kupo

the xbox 360 wireless receiver works well for me.. good if you already have an xbox controller

I don't know about their current controllers, but when i worked for a testing facility that had to test 3rd party controllers (this is pre-360 launch so take with a 7-year-old grain of salt), there was one called the madcatz microcon 360 that was AWESOME. they didn't last too long though :( but they were cheap, felt SUPER PRECISE (if not a little cheap) and were all around awesome. I think i talked about them on ILG a while ago. If they have those on ebay or something, get one. Unless it's expensive. THey're chintzy as hell. Not a multi-year solution.

i have a Mad Catz wired 360 COD Black Ops controller - works fine in Windows, not detected at all on Mac OS X unfortunately since there's no DirectInput mode. as far as I know, the Logitech is the only one that has this unique gimmick with being able to switch modes