Great console-style gamepads for PC

[jeffx]

I bought this one on Ebay last week and I've been using it with OiF and I and II and it ROCKS. As solid as the OiF/Napishtim mouse/keyboard combo is, I'm really more of a console guy and I'd rather have a controller in my hands.

I've had the older, gameport-only model for years but obviously it doesn't work on my laptop so I had to get the newer USB version.

Here's my report:

- Felghana: Still not sure whether I want to switch to the controller. Playing with the mouse and keyboard is much more precise. Also the D-pad on the sidewinder is a bit stiff and dashing is kinda hard to pull as well as to keep. It is brand new however, so it may need to be broken in. I can't seem to be able change the button layout to my liking. After a whole hour I got the hang ot it and as long as there aren't any tricky jumps (aka the castle) then the controller is just fine.

- Ys I+II complete: oh yeah this is just PERFECT. If you're about to start a new game, you should consider getting a controller on ebay for that classic old-school feeling.

- Saturn Emulator (SSF): another match made in heaven. The Sidewinder emulates the saturn controller to perfection, right down to the layout. It's even more comfortable dare I say, though the saturn pads are among the best ever made (especially for figthing games) Guardian Heroes here I come!!!

- Cave Story: I put off playing this game until I got the controller. Glad I waited!!! I can finally kick back in my chair and enjoy this metroidvania clone game to its fullest!! (PS check it out if you haven't still... incredible freeware)

[FM-77AV]

Hrm, that one doesn't look comfortable to me. The buttons are in an awkward position, and the d-pad looks nasty. Also, there's no analogue stick.

I have a PS2->USB converter so I'm using my Dualshock2-controllers and that works great, but I'm planning on getting a Saturn->USB converter for 2D games. That'll be awesome.

[Zeithri]

OOh, I loved the Sidewinder Joystick back around 98'-2000.
But that controller looks a tad to big, kinda like the prejudice about Xbox controller which people said you needed a whole room just for

But, I'll stick with PS1 / N64 as soon as I get my Super Joybox home

[DoubleD64]

Sidewinder huh?
Great Joysticks, but not so good gamepads.
And what Saturn emulator are you using anyway?
(Sorry if the above question pesters anyone)

[jeffx]

> Logitech Dual Action USB

that was my second choice. By the way, I was just hoping to get a discussion going and see what input methods were preferred around here.

DoubleD64 check this out:
evilboris.sonic-cult.net/SSF/index.php?x=download

if you have a fast computer, you'll be AMAZED at what this thing can do.

[SkyeWelse]

I think the Logitech Dual Action USB or the Saitek Dual Action Analog contollers are very nice well-rounded controllers that have a nice compatibility with several games, a great feel to them and some offer additional programable features. I've been using both of them off an on for Ys, various emus, Cave Story and Beyond Good and Evil.

-SkyeWelse

[Majuunun]

If you have Windows XP, you can plug in an Xbox360 controller.

Regular Xbox controllers are USB at heart(I slashed the wires and spliced them to a USB connector) then found some drivers out in the net.

I know there's USB adapters for just about every console controller out there.

[FM-77AV]

www.mayflash.com - IGN of China

[Tigershard]

I will second the Xbox 360 controller. If you buy a USB one, you can use it on your PC. If you have or want a wireless Xbox 360 controller, you will need this peripheral which comes out at the end of December:

www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=802337

I can't wait. I have an Xbox 360 and a few wireless controllers, so the receiver is awesome. I have never used a more comfortable controller.

[Adol.Christin]

I bought a PS2 controller to USB converter a while back, and that still is my main controller for games on the PC (that only excist of Falcom games and MSX emu's). So I use the best controller ever made: the Dual Shock 2 Controller for PC games.
The converter works emediatly under windows98SE-Server2003(Vista is unknown at this point). you can probebly find the converter for a few bucks on ebay.

I'm still in the market for a PS2 tot PC-Engine converter, I used to see them quite often, but now I can hardly find them

[MonCapitan]

I use a Playstation 2 controller.

[Nanase]

I have a bunch, actually.

I have two MIDI port MS Sidewinders, a Saitek P220, and a Virtua Fighter Arcade stick, and now I just got a wired 3rd party Xbox 360 controller. XD

All of them are pretty good. Non-dualshock controllers are also good too, but I don't have one of those PS2-controller port to USB doo-hickys to use.

[Leroy]

The Xbox 360 controller is basically perfect when it comes down to standard controller design.. the corded controller is plug-and-play in Windows XP and it works beautifully in all the recent Falcom games. Even if there's nary an Xbox 360 game I want to play so far I'm in total love with the controller.

[Mejilan]

PS2's Dual Shock 2 with the proper USB adapter is awesome.

Wired (USB) X360 gamepad just as awesome. (Crappier d-pad, but no need for an adapter).

[Nanase]

mejilan said:

Wired (USB) X360 gamepad just as awesome. (Crappier d-pad, but no need for an adapter).

Yeah, but you need unofficial drivers in order to get them working on any other operating system. That was a real annoying puzzle for me to figure out, and I had to do it in order to play Ys Origin because I forgot that my PC lacked a MIDI port for my non-USB Sidewinders.