Best PC controller?

[Aeula]

Wired Xbox 360 controller is what I've always used. It's one of the most compatible going, perfect for when my hands are having a bad day.

[ComputerNerd]

oh ok, I just haven't run into any problems yet

It depends supposedly on how the game polls the controller.
Some games as soon as you press a button will act like one of the buttons is pressed permanently.
Super Hexagon, New n Tasty: Abe's Oddworld Odyssey being two examples where I have had issues.
The official response seems to be that the game developers should update their games, but they didn't ask for this change.

Regret forking out the extra on the xb1 controller now, and should have bought a 360.

[Zelendria]

360 pad originally and then the XB1 pad when the former died.

No issues with the drivers on either, but the pad's themselves are poor quality. I've probably been through 3 or 4 X360 pads, and 2 XB1 pads since they were released that all developed off centre sticks over time. That's without ever being thrown or mistreated.

[Cerunnir]

I've had the wired xbox 360 controller for a while now, probably in 5 years I've had a couple, and I'm starting to want to use a keyboard and mouse because I just don't like the feel of it anymore. Anyone have a good experience with a controller on the PC? because I still prefer it for some game.

The Xbox One controller is the way to go these days. Native windows support, and most controller enabled games support it out of the box. They swap the popups out and show you the button to press instead of the letter to press for actions. Aka. fully integrated "console experience".

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Hands down the Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS! (Amazon UK link).

I'm more a mouse and keyboard man myself, just cannot, for the life of me, get on with a controller - I feel like I have the co-ordination of a 1 year old when I try and use one.

It takes alot of efford and hours and hours and hours and hours of practice to become skilled with a controller. Especially in FPS games. It will never be quite as good as M&K, but if you look at really good FPS players using controllers its amazing how accurate they are.

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that's basically me. though most of the time I prefer keyboard/mouse combo, occasionally controller can be nice, especially if the game is console port and wasn't exactly optimized for keyboard.

mainly I prefer it over xbox due to its slightly smaller size and button/joystick configuration (I prefer everything symmetrical and have smallish hands) (that and I had an extra one anyways)

haven't tried any of the pc specific controllers

Perfect example of a game thats better (and pretty much made for controllers) is the Dark Souls series.

[Ciddy]

Eh, I've always preferred the wired XBox 360 controller myself. If you just don't like the feel of it, you could always try a wired PS3 controller, although I've heard some people have issues getting those to work properly.

There's also the retro controllers, but those won't work on a lot of modern games, for obvious reasons. They're fun if you like to play some of the simpler games on Steam though.

[Dhrizzle]

Hands down the Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS! (Amazon UK link).

I'm more a mouse and keyboard man myself, just cannot, for the life of me, get on with a controller - I feel like I have the co-ordination of a 1 year old when I try and use one.

I went for the Thrustmaster Hotas-X myself. As I only play one game with it (Elite Dangerous) I couldn't justify spending over £250. However for the same price as an X-Box pad the cheaper alternative is a bit of a bargain.

Usually I play with an X-Box 360 pad (even FPS games, I was never a fan of turning shooters into point-and-click games where all you can do is Use Gun On Man) but it's getting a bit worn down now, I have tried the XB1 pad and it feels really good so I'll probably get one of those eventually.

[Konteil]

i may have to see if my xbox pad works on pc games now. i wonder if it works on PC d3

[Witchblade77]

Eh, I've always preferred the wired XBox 360 controller myself. If you just don't like the feel of it, you could always try a wired PS3 controller, although I've heard some people have issues getting those to work properly.

There's also the retro controllers, but those won't work on a lot of modern games, for obvious reasons. They're fun if you like to play some of the simpler games on Steam though.

I've been using http://ds4windows.com/ with my, (granted ps4) dualshock for windows and had no issues. it just makes my computer think I'm using an xbox controller.

just keep controller plugged in even though its wireless, so never have to worry about the battery, and since other then letters on the buttons on right side, they are essentially the same? all I did was use little label dots on the buttons to mark them with xbox version of the letters and voila - perfectly working controller that is fully integrated.


but yeah, controller took me a WHILE to get used to. I'm still at best mediocre with it, but at least I can use it now :P

[Blade Wolf]

I prefer the Hori PS3 or PS4 controller



turbo function so button mashing isn't a problem.

[Bigbazz]

As with PS3 controller issues in games, you just use Motion In Joy drivers to fool the game into thinking it's an Xbox 360 pad, works perfectly.

[Davemetalhead]

I went for the Thrustmaster Hotas-X myself. As I only play one game with it (Elite Dangerous) I couldn't justify spending over £250. However for the same price as an X-Box pad the cheaper alternative is a bit of a bargain.

Usually I play with an X-Box 360 pad (even FPS games, I was never a fan of turning shooters into point-and-click games where all you can do is Use Gun On Man) but it's getting a bit worn down now, I have tried the XB1 pad and it feels really good so I'll probably get one of those eventually.

I have the TM Hotas-X too, use it for Tie Fighter and Wing Commander IV, as well as some older flight sims that don't really need the full Warthog experience.

But for DCS World and Falcon 4, there's nothing better than the Warthog, coupled with a TrackIR 5 and some Saitek rudder pedals.

Ralfidude shows tha benifit of the Warthog in DCS A-10C -

[Jester Joe]

As with PS3 controller issues in games, you just use Motion In Joy drivers to fool the game into thinking it's an Xbox 360 pad, works perfectly.

That was actually the exact program I was using, worked fine with everything except for Transistor for some reason (Joystick wouldn't register, had to use D Pad for movements).

[Tech614]

The Xbox One controller.

Anyone suggesting the 360 controller is foolish as the Xbox One controller fixed all of it's minor flaws such as the shit d pad, and has much more durable sticks.

The Xbox One Elite would technically be the best PC controller IMO, but the standard Xbox One is just as good just not as much of a quality build(expected given the massive price difference).

Also don't need to differentiate between a wired or wireless controller with it either, it can be either.

[Jester Joe]

The Xbox One controller.

Anyone suggesting the 360 controller is foolish as the Xbox One controller fixed all of it's minor flaws such as the shit d pad, and has much more durable sticks.

The Xbox One Elite would technically be the best PC controller IMO, but the standard Xbox One is just as good just not as much of a quality build(expected given the massive price difference).

Also don't need to differentiate between a wired or wireless controller with it either, it can be either.

Unless they care about money, since the 360 controller wired only was like, $20 for me.

And doesn't the Xbone controller require a dongle connector for wireless even? (Without using 3rd party programs I mean)

[zealo]

Unless they care about money, since the 360 controller wired only was like, $20 for me.

And doesn't the Xbone controller require a dongle connector for wireless even? (Without using 3rd party programs I mean)

The xbox one controller has a mini usb port in the back just like the DS4 does, although I haven't tried mine with the gaming PC cause my 360 wired controller still works for me there.

Id assume it can be connected without a dongle with that, but I may be wrong on that.

[Tech614]

Unless they care about money, since the 360 controller wired only was like, $20 for me.

And doesn't the Xbone controller require a dongle connector for wireless even? (Without using 3rd party programs I mean)

Yes but the option is there.

With a micro usb to usb cable it's plug and play(and everyone should own a million of these from phone chargers.)

To each their own but I don't go cheap on something my hands are going to use for hours upon hours of my life. The 360 controller feels like shit in every way possible once you hold an Xbox One controller, from the triggers to the obvious dpad to even the face buttons being much clickier and comfortable. MS basically took all the Nintendo fundamentals of controller design and it shows with it.

[Asmekiel]

I bought an Xbox One Elite controller to play Dark Souls 3, best controller you can get in my experience. Would be bad if it wasn't though, considering the price. Those 4 paddles on the back are really useful and I wouldn't want to go back to a normal XO controller because of those. If you don't mind the pricegap it's definitely worth it.
Still prefer a keyboard + mouse though, but some games simply aren't made for that.

[Halicia]

I got a (cheap) dongle a decade or so ago that adapts my PS2 controller to USB, and have never needed a PC controller since.