Discussion: What is your gaming controller of choice.

Saturday, May 23rd 2009

I've decided to start a discussion on gaming controllers in interests to spark up the site more. I'll make more discussions as time goes on, but lets start with this one.

I prefer the xbox 360 controller. It fits in my hand nicely. I'm not a big fan of the wiimote because I do not have as much practice aiming things in the air. What are y'alls preference on gaming controllers?

Posted: 5/23/2009 8:05 am
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I do enjoy using the 360 controller for my PC ( I don't own a 360), though I feel that the d-pad is pretty terrible somehow.
I love the PS3 controller, except that L2 and R2 buttons are uncomfortable if you hold them down for a long time, particularly with driving games.
On my Wii, I enjoy using either the Wii-mote on it's side, or the classic controller. Don't mess with a good thing, I say.

However, I think on of the smartest controllers out there was the Gamecube controller. The d-pad was great, the analog sticks were superb, and it had a unique button layout. Combining analog and digital control on the very comfortable shoulder buttons was just plain smart. The only thing that confused my is why the right side of the controller had two shoulder buttons, whereas the left had only one.
Having a prominent "A" button amongst the others also helped ease non-gamers to the controller without feeling TOO overwhelming.

Let me make this point: I recently attended a Super Smash Bros. Brawl tournament a few weeks ago. I was the ONLY one not using a gamecube controller (I was using a Wii-Classic). Amongst a crowd of about 30 participants, and only one person not using a gamecube controller, that says something.

......Wow, long post. Darn it! I was hoping to keep it short too.

Stone
Stone Level 26

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5/23/2009 10:05 am
-     My only problem with the Gamecube controller is that the d-pad was just a little too small, and with my overly large thumb I usually ended up pressing two directions instead of just one.
  
      The reason why they only had one shoulder button is that it is the 'Z' button, and if you remember the N64 controller there was one placed on the back almost like a trigger, which they were unable to do on the new design. Instead they placed it on the shoulder where you used it almost like a trigger, just sideways.
  
      But in all, I have to agree with you as the Gamecube is my favourite console controller and for the fact that most of the good Wii games (Super Smash Bros Brawl and Mario Kart Wii to name two) are best played with a Gamecube controller.
  
  Commandant
  Commandant  Level 9
  
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  5/24/2009 2:05 am
    My gaming controller of choice, is in fact not even a controller. The keyboard and mouse combo is the greatest in my opinion just for the sheer amount of key commands and buttons you can use and the precision of the mouse. Of course, these days I don't use my PC for gaming much and always use my Xbox 360, but if they made it possible to use a keyboard and mouse for the 360 I'd use one without hesitation.

    My only problem with console controllers is that they're all so simple. Sometimes I think games have been limited in the amount of actions you can perform just because they couldn't find enough buttons for them.

    For the newer gamers, a simple console controller is the best way to be eased in to gaming. But if you're a more experienced gamer (like myself =b) you feel restricted using the controller.

Commandant
Commandant  Level 9

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5/24/2009 2:05 am
- I would agree, but everyone can agree that it depends on the type of game you're playing that determines what type of input device is superior.
  FPS's almost always benefit from kb/mouse combo. Third person shooters could go either way, but generally I'd use a controller (much easier to circle-strafe with a controller than a keyboard/mouse)
  
  However, one thing I notice is that no one seems to use a traditional joystick anymore on their PC. I'm talking about either a single or dual joystick controller that you actually grip your hands around. Y'know, like the flight sticks with the bajillion buttons on it.
  
  Stone
  Stone Level 26
  
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  5/24/2009 10:05 am
  - I used to have a joystick, i wonder if its in the basement...
    
    GeneBit
    GeneBit Level 23
    
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    5/24/2009 10:05 am
- I have to agree with you The keyboard and mouse are my greatest weapons. the mouse, acting as a giant analog stick, and wasd, as a d pad. I think i enjoy using these features better because the response time is so much better, and with the mouse you use not only your fingers to fire the gun or click on things with but you also use your wrist which in fact gets more accurate than a thumb would. it then sometimes extends out to using your whole arm in some occasions.
  
  Not to mention most mice are designed for your hand to sit comfortably on top of them.
  
  as for key commands on keyboardsIi have logitech's first g15 keyboard, it had 18 macro buttons with 3 different ways to set each one. so my options are very explorable here. I also love how when using the keyboard you don't just use your index, middle finger, and thumb. you use ALL your fingers. most the time. not to mention you can quickly and effectively switch to typing if needed.
  
  GeneBit
  GeneBit Level 23
  
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  5/24/2009 10:05 am
I've always loved the Playstation controllers. They fit perfectly in my hands, have the best D-Pad I've ever used and have a good weight to them.

360 controllers are pretty solid too, unless you ever want to use the D-Pad. I remember playing Bioshock and failing the hacking games because I couldn't get that crappy D-Pad to do what I wanted it to do.

justin
justin Level 29

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5/25/2009 7:05 pm
I love the Playstation controllers: good shape, reliable analog stick, responsive buttons, and usable D-pad. The Xbox's small controller and the 360 version are also quite nice except for the craptastic D-pad. Also, the heft of the Xbox controllers give them at least the illusion of indestructiblity, while the Sony controllers often felt flimsy.

I was raised on console games; I can't stand gaming with keyboard and mouse. FPS? Give me Perfect Dark and an N64 controller any day. RTS? Command & Conquer Red Alert on the Playstation always felt more natural to me (save for the atrocious slow-down).

Gaw
Gaw Level 5

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5/26/2009 10:05 pm
- Then you will never truly understand a RTS and joys of playing it, which can only be achieved from a keyboard and mouse. Also, I'm not sure where everyone is getting the fact that the Xbox 360's D-Pad is bad, I have never had a problem with it and use it quite often (changing weapons, movement in fighting games, changing stances, etc).
  
  Commandant
  Commandant Level 9
  
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  5/27/2009 2:05 am
  - That's just it, I get no joy from playing Starcraft, Warcraft II, or any of the others I've played with K&M. I don't like how the game becomes a matter of who knows more hotkeys and can click faster and more accurately. I'm much more dexterous with my thumbs on a controller, and it doesn't kill my wrists.
    
    The problem with the 360 D-pad is that it's not very precise, which is what we would want as an alternative to the analog sticks. But it's not uncommon to press Up and get a little bit of Left with it, which makes playing something like Megaman 9 difficult with it.
    
    Gaw
    Gaw Level 5
    
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    5/27/2009 12:05 pm
The craptasticular d-pad on the 360 is probably the main reason why so many people got the arcade sticks for Street Fighter 4

Stone
Stone Level 26

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5/27/2009 8:05 pm

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Cisle

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