Controllers

[Blue]

I've been meaning to pick up a controller for my laptop for a while now to play some of my Steam games (buying GTA: SA the other day has pushed me over the edge) and I don't know what you all might recommend that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I don't have a 360 so I don't have a controller otherwise I'd do that. Is there a cheaper option? Or am I in the $40 range. Would rather not pay that much just to not have to use a k/m, but if that's what I have that's what I have.

Thanks up front.

[evilgoodwin]

Do you own a PS2/PS1 controller already? You can usually get a PS2/PSX-to-usb device for around 5 bucks. I've been using a cheap one with a PSX controller for years. One of the few things I've bought that I have 0 regrets about.

[Khrymsyn]

Honestly, by far the best gamepad I've ever used for the PC has been the 360 controller. I've never used a game controller from either Logitech or Madcatz, or even the PS2 controller that ever felt "right" on the PC like the 360 controller seems to for me.


I'd rank it #4 on my "Pc controlling devices" under
#1. Mouse and Keyboard
#2. Old MadCatz Panther XL.
#3. Saitek X52

[Wayward_Son]

I've heard good things about the 360 controller; in fact many games on Steam now have a 360 layout by default.

Honestly though I've never used it for that so I can't say, but I will say that if it were me, it needs to be a familiar layout, so the 360 is literally a natural for many folks (a PS2 controller in my case but to each their own).

EDIT: I'll add that I've never owned a Mad Catz controller that I liked. Sometimes it was just preferential stuff, sometimes practical.

[Blue]

Do you own a PS2/PS1 controller already? You can usually get a PS2/PSX-to-usb device for around 5 bucks. I've been using a cheap one with a PSX controller for years. One of the few things I've bought that I have 0 regrets about.

Will a PS3 controller work? I have a dual shock and if that does the job maybe that's all I'll need.

Honestly, by far the best gamepad I've ever used for the PC has been the 360 controller. I've never used a game controller from either Logitech or Madcatz, or even the PS2 controller that ever felt "right" on the PC like the 360 controller seems to for me.


I'd rank it #4 on my "Pc controlling devices" under
#1. Mouse and Keyboard
#2. Old MadCatz Panther XL.
#3. Saitek X52

I'm getting much more used to a k/m these past few months but I'm so used to GTA on a console that it just feels far too foreign not using a controller. If all else fails maybe I"ll have to suck it up and buy a 360 one. Hmmm...

[Dark Acre Jack]

I use an Afterglow 360 knock-off (http://www.ebgames.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=77445) that I bought to make sure the games I make are gamepad compatible.

To me it feels a bit more comfortable than the standard 360 but there is definitely the "this is a cheaper version of the real deal" vibe to it.

It was a bit tricky setting it up, as it uses a non-standard driver setup, but a little Google-fu got it done.

I saved 10 bucks and it lights up. /shrug

[johnperkins21]

Buy a wired 360 controller. They're $35 new at Amazon, $30 or so used at Gamestop.

[Blue]

Buy a wired 360 controller. They're $35 new at Amazon, $30 or so used at Gamestop.

Maybe I'll just go this route. For some reason I assumed it was near the $50 mark which is too much to me when I already have a controller technically in the k/m.

Appreciate the answers all.

[Panthera]

The wireless controllers are the ones that are $50.

[evilgoodwin]

Will a PS3 controller work? I have a dual shock and if that does the job maybe that's all I'll need.



I'm getting much more used to a k/m these past few months but I'm so used to GTA on a console that it just feels far too foreign not using a controller. If all else fails maybe I"ll have to suck it up and buy a 360 one. Hmmm...

You can technically get the PS3 controller to work, but it has to be plugged in and involves setting up 3rd party drivers. It's a pain in the ass, but free, and it DOES work.

[Vigil80]

360 controller for me, too. I've used a couple others, but I like 360 ones the best. In addition to being the best quality I've had, it also has worked without the need to fool with drivers and configuration.

[Wayward_Son]

You can technically get the PS3 controller to work, but it has to be plugged in and involves setting up 3rd party drivers. It's a pain in the ass, but free, and it DOES work.

Really? I always figured I had to Bluetooth connect it somehow to get it to work, and my experience with Bluetooth drivers.... I'll just use k/m.

That's cool, I may try that just to see how well it works on my laptop.

[evilgoodwin]

I got it working when I tried the FFXIV beta, and it responded very well. I haven't tried it for anything else though... I should hook it up since I reinstalled Fallout 3 and the mouse seems to have... issues.

I don't know if you can do it with bluetooth. Neither my desktop or laptop have bluetooth.

[Seika]

Will a PS3 controller work? I have a dual shock and if that does the job maybe that's all I'll need.


MotionJoy (http://www.motioninjoy.com/download)
Wiki Tutorials: http://www.motioninjoy.com/wiki/en/help


Is what I use with my PS3 controller, for a couple of games, including FIFA and PES.
It can emulate the Xbox-360 controller, perfectly.

I was also looking into buying a gamepad, but I'm actually happy with this setup.

I have it with the USB cable, I have not tried it with a bluetooth dongle, but that should work too.

If you're on windows 7, you do have to disable driver signature enforcement when you start up your PC. Since Microsoft doesn't allow unsigned drivers to run normally, but it's just a simple process of hitting F8 and selecting that option at start-up.

Since I rarely restart my PC, it's no problem to me. :o

Total cost; $0, or $12 if you don't have a bluetooth usb dongle.

[Deadend]

I have used a 360 controller with my PC for awhile. The wired controller is great.
Namely, in a very good number of games, they have the controls map *right* and even have icons for the buttons. It's quite nice.

Even though Fallout 3 gave me a scare once when I went to play it and my keyboard and mouse didn't work.. as the game saw my controller and switched to it by default.

getting a PS3 controller to work might be best, as it's got a better Dpad.

[TheKeck]

I've been meaning to pick up a controller for my laptop for a while now to play some of my Steam games (buying GTA: SA the other day has pushed me over the edge) and I don't know what you all might recommend that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I don't have a 360 so I don't have a controller otherwise I'd do that. Is there a cheaper option? Or am I in the $40 range. Would rather not pay that much just to not have to use a k/m, but if that's what I have that's what I have.

Thanks up front.

I've sort of been meaning to ask this question as well. Although, it's funny to me that GTA is the game you're wanting it for as I'd rather kill myself than play GTA without mouse keyboard. :p

Anyway, sounds like a wired 360 controller might be the way for me to go if I ever bite the bullet myself.

[Hawkzombie]

There's only one choice:

http://c0.adoctane.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Tron-Controller-Xbox-360-650x365.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/TRON-Wired-Controller-Xbox-360-Collectors/dp/B003WTMR7A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289194289&sr=8-1)

[Troggles]

MotionJoy (http://www.motioninjoy.com/download)
Wiki Tutorials: http://www.motioninjoy.com/wiki/en/help


Is what I use with my PS3 controller, for a couple of games, including FIFA and PES.
It can emulate the Xbox-360 controller, perfectly.

I was also looking into buying a gamepad, but I'm actually happy with this setup.

I have it with the USB cable, I have not tried it with a bluetooth dongle, but that should work too.

If you're on windows 7, you do have to disable driver signature enforcement when you start up your PC. Since Microsoft doesn't allow unsigned drivers to run normally, but it's just a simple process of hitting F8 and selecting that option at start-up.

Since I rarely restart my PC, it's no problem to me. :o

Total cost; $0, or $12 if you don't have a bluetooth usb dongle.

Actually, you can get around the restart thing now too. Download this program: http://www.ngohq.com/home.php?page=dseo You can enable test mode and then just forget about it. It will always start up with the ability to use your PS3 controller on your PC until you disable test mode.

[Vandabo]

I'll toss my vote for the 360 controller on the pile.

It's just so easy to use and I love the controller anyway.

[Talanvor]

Even though I don't need it, I kind of want a Razer Onza (http://www2.razerzone.com/onza/comparison).

[OrangePulp]

There's only one choice:

http://c0.adoctane.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Tron-Controller-Xbox-360-650x365.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/TRON-Wired-Controller-Xbox-360-Collectors/dp/B003WTMR7A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289194289&sr=8-1)

Why is it the wii tron controller is the only one that's wireless? Rage. I want one of those.

To get back on topic, the advantage of the 360 controller is how easy it is to set up with some games, as they might have default parameters for it. However, I'd definitely suggest trying out the PS3 controller with the appropriate drivers first, since it doesn't cost you anything.

Also, there's a program called Xbox360CE (I think), a 360 controller emulator. Ironically enough, I had to use it with my wireless 360 controller to emulate a wired one in dead rising 2, since it didn't recognize the wireless controllers; other than losing rumble, it was painless. It should work just fine for the ps3 pad, and might be an easier way to set up your controller for games that support the 360 pad.

[J Arcane]

I used to have a Logitech Rumblepad 2. It was pretty nice overall, save for the odd square stickwells, and the fact that nothing seemed to support the vibration, and familiar for one used to a PS2 controller. It was also nice for emus because the dpad was decent and in the right place. Back when I bought it it was the standard for the industry too, so must games were laid out for it right out of the box.

Sadly, the internal connection for the USB cable died after many years of service, and thanks to Games for Fucking Windows Fucking Live, it lost it's "industry standard" position, and now everything is in fucking multi-colored backwards-SNES Xbox buttons, often even if you have a totally different controller plugged in. That got confusing, let me tell you.

So for it's replacement I bought a wired 360 controller from Wal-Mart for like $20. Don't buy the PC branded ones, there's a markup even for the wired version, buy an actual Xbox one, it works just the same and you save $5-10.

It works decently enough, the sticks are decent, the buttons mostly respond well (I've had some odd behaviors in Batman with keys not registering from soft taps). The D-Pad sucks dick, however, and it's positioning makes extended play of old school games a little bit awkward. Also, the springs on the triggers are insanely stiff out of the box, which made Burnout painful, and even once they've worn down a bit they're still strong enough to be uncomfortable over long sessions.

But on the upside, thanks to the aforementioned GFFWFL, you can pretty much guarantee it will work right out the box with most recent games. I think Blade Kitten is the first one I've run into in some time that didn't.

[Wilkz07]

Maybe I'll just go this route. For some reason I assumed it was near the $50 mark which is too much to me when I already have a controller technically in the k/m.

Appreciate the answers all.

go for the wired 360 controller. there's a driver install on the microsoft site and then it works like a charm.

[fitbabits]

In my opinion, nothing beats the Xbox 360 controller for PC gaming. You simply cannot go wrong with it.

[Karak]

360 controller. Though my old Sietech had buttons even for my pinkies(which was utter bliss) it stopped workin. The 360 controller is just a great design.

[Bone]

360 wired replaces my old favorite, the Dual Shock, which just seems far too angular now that the 360 is perfect ;)

[Hawkzombie]

go for the wired 360 controller. there's a driver install on the microsoft site and then it works like a charm.

I didn't even have to do that. On Vista it was plug and play 100%....works great too.

[Panthera]

No sense in reiterating what everyone's been saying, but I actually got a wireless dongle to use my 360 controllers on the PC. Before that, I used a PSX/PS2 adaptor and a Dual Shock. For years before that I'd try out various PC-specific gamepads, and always found them seriously lacking in one way or another.

[johnperkins21]

No sense in reiterating what everyone's been saying, but I actually got a wireless dongle to use my 360 controllers on the PC. Before that, I used a PSX/PS2 adaptor and a Dual Shock. For years before that I'd try out various PC-specific gamepads, and always found them seriously lacking in one way or another.

I use the wireless dongle as well. It works great, but Blue mentioned that he doesn't have a 360. In this instance, it's much cheaper for him to just buy a wired controller.

[Panthera]

I use the wireless dongle as well. It works great, but Blue mentioned that he doesn't have a 360. In this instance, it's much cheaper for him to just buy a wired controller.

I wasn't actually replying to the original post. Also, using the PS3 controller he already has is even cheaper.

[roboninja]

I just bought the 360 controller for Windows; came with the wireless dongle. Did not have a 360, and could not find wired 360 controllers anywhere, so I just bit the bullet. Works very simply, for the few games I use it for.

[nabokovfan87]

Even though I don't need it, I kind of want a Razer Onza (http://www2.razerzone.com/onza/comparison).

I just got mine... You do not want one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAvRKR1VYeU