Best controller for a shmup?

[mehguy]

Which controller do you prefer for a shmup? I'm talking about specific controllers like the sega saturn controller of something.

[KAI]

Dual Shock 2 master race

[Pretas]

For standard pads, Genesis 6 Button, Saturn Model 2 or Dreamcast. But I only use them when no stick is available.

[Captain]

Spoiler

Forever and ever.

EDIT: HOLY SHIZZLE GIANT IMAGE

[nosorrow]

I just ordered two Saturn-style Sony pads for use on the PS1/PS2, so it's safe to say the Saturn pad is my favorite - I also use it all the time on the Dreamcast via the Total Control 3 adapter.

It's a shame there isn't a way to use a Saturn controller on the 360.

[Ghegs]

It's a shame there isn't a way to use a Saturn controller on the 360.

Sure there is. The Saturn pad is my weapon of choice for anything 2D. I have three of the Saturn-style PS2 pads, several Saturn pads modified to work with my CMVS and Supergun, and one of the USB ones for PC. I have adapters to use the controller with GC/Wii, Famicom, DC...had a PC Engine adapter too before I sold the system.

[Xyga]

Dual Shock 2 master race

[nosorrow]

It's a shame there isn't a way to use a Saturn controller on the 360.

Sure there is.

You just made my day! Thank you sir.
(Stupidly, I never thought of searching for a PS2 adapter... )

Edit: Do you know if they make the adapters in black as well and/or if they restock frequently?

[Ghegs]

Not sure, but I don't think they exist in any other color. Not sure about their frequency of restocking either, but there's a US seller on eBay who has plenty of 'em, just search for xtokki.

[PurpleTheGuy]

I don't know about what's the best controller/input, but I can tell you (the OP) what I've used so far. For PC games (shmups and whatnot) and PS3 shmups, I use my Dual Shock 3 pad, and for the Xbox 360, I use the stock wireless 360 pad. For the PS2, I use a stock Dual Shock 2 pad, though I may need to get a new one. I've heard of the hori pads for these three controllers, so I may get those sometime in the future.

What else did I use... Well, I used a keyboard as well, it wasn't that bad. It just depends on what keyboard you're using.

Dual Shock 2 master race

I'm curious, if you don't mind me asking KAI, which Dual Shock 2 pad do you use? A stock one, or one of the hori pads? I'm planning to on getting a hori pad in the future, and well, I'm wondering on just how good are they, or should I just get a new stock Dual Shock 2 pad.

[coffeyrt]

Home made joystick with seimitsu parts...

Spoiler

... gets a bit expensive for a first stick though

[LordHypnos]

I think this topic is supposed to be about gamepads, guys.

I second Saturn tho. That gamepad rocks. I don't even have a saturn, but I still use it with adapters for DC and PC stuff. I wish there was a method to adapt it to 360, though, for whenever I actually get a 360, that didn't take more than one adapter >_<. Know if anyone does customs?

I'd imagine a Genesis 6 button pad would be about as good, as well, because those feel about the same as the saturn ones. No shoulder buttons is kind of a shame though, unless mode counts

[TransatlanticFoe]

Saturn for sure, either model too - the Japanese-style one is better but the other is fairly sweet too (even with the weird soft shoulder buttons).

Standard Mega Drive pad is great too. Does the Japanese arcade power stick count for this thread? Microswitched stick with a very short throw and nice big buttons.

I have arcade sticks for everything I have arcade shmups for though, which I greatly prefer. Even the 360 Hori EX2 with its weird-arse buttons.

[antron]

I thought Saturn for sure, but recently a few friends said the Neo Geo was. Having never used it I wasn't in a position to disagree, but I have my doubts.

[professor ganson]

I use a Saturn or PS2-Saturn pad for most everything: 360, supergun, PS3/PS2/PS1... Easily my favorite.

[cicada88]

japanese arcade panel

[waiwainl]

Hori EX-SE with a CronusMAX to hook it up to various consoles.

[Weak Boson]

Arcade stick for me. Currently using a Seimtsu LS-40 and sanwa buttons in a madcatz case for all my 360 and PC shmupping. I still have my old Mayflash but it's a bit past its best now (thanks psyvariar)

[To Far Away Times]

I went to a used game store a while back and bought a couple Dual Shock PS1 controllers for my retro gaming. I feel they use the best plastics and have the best build quality out of any of the Sony controllers, and they work great on 360 and PC with an adapter.

[Volteccer_Jack]

360 pad normally. Not good for anything except convenience, but that's enough (It used to be something good like Dualshock 2 or anything with Genesis/Saturn-style dpad but I lost that adaptor a while back). Keyboard for games unsuited to pad play, or just when pad isn't available.

Serious adult time gaming is on a stick obviously.

[KindGrind]

Saturn pads are by far the best pads out there for what we do here, but at the end of the day I remain partial to sticks.

[Pretas]

Saturn pads are by far the best pads out there for what we do here, but at the end of the day I remain partial to sticks.

People forget that the US Model 1 Saturn pads were very awkward, with shoulder buttons that didn't click or depress.

[manatworks]

[amdiggywhut]

I cosign the Saturn pad as the best pad. But arcade sticks feel more natural (and more fun) to me. I didn't really play shmups much before using one so my skills have grown hand in hand with my stick usage.

LS-56-01 is my favorite, with a slight preference towards Sanwa buttons.

[mehguy]

You'd be jumpin' around like you were on crack if you used one of those

[SuperSoaker360]

... for the Xbox 360, I use the stock wireless 360 pad.

If you are proficient with this, then you are my hero. I use a wired stock 360 pad and I literally flipped out in anger when I tried playing shmups on a wireless 360 pad. I felt that the delay was more significant than it really was and as a result, it threw my off my game entirely. Never playing a shmup on wireless ever again.

[Shatterhand]

Saturn 3D Controller.

I really think that's the best controller ever designed by man. I freaking LOVE that controller, and I guess that's why I play my Sega Saturn so much.

I find hilarious how the Dreamcast controller should be an "evolution" of it but it's worse in every aspect.

I personally hate the Dualshock, the controller is too small and the dpad just sucks imo (And, guess what, I don't like the SNES controller that much either).

I don't have nothing against the X360 controller. It's not awesome, but I don't find it that bad either for shmups. It's not good for 2D fighters IMO, but it's decent for shmups.

[KindGrind]

Saturn pads are by far the best pads out there for what we do here, but at the end of the day I remain partial to sticks.

People forget that the US Model 1 Saturn pads were very awkward, with shoulder buttons that didn't click or depress.

Obviously, I meant JP Saturn pads, although I'd take a Model 1 US Saturn pad over a Dual Shock any day of the week. IIRC MMM used nothing but SatPads to defile Ketsui back in the day.

Saturn 3D Controller.

#2 pad for me. The Saturn may have had a lackluster library overall, but damn these controllers are nice.

I could never do anything with a X360 pad besides getting angry and cursing. The D-pad, in particular, is one of the worst I have ever seen: it would click and remain stuck from time to time. Unreliable, to say the least.

[mastermx]

DS3 pad is great for fighting games like Street fighter, but I can see why people hate it for shmups, thumbs start to hurt after a while. In terms of comfort nothing can beat the blisterless experience of a stick. I haven't used analog sticks much for shmups, but I do know that if you flick some if them, they can tend to bounce back, inputting the opposite direction of what was intended.

[KAI]

Dual Shock 2 master race

I'm curious, if you don't mind me asking KAI, which Dual Shock 2 pad do you use? A stock one, or one of the hori pads? I'm planning to on getting a hori pad in the future, and well, I'm wondering on just how good are they, or should I just get a new stock Dual Shock 2 pad.

The stock ones, never had the chance to try a hori pad.
If you are getting a new DS2 go for Type-A (Late) model with removable membrane, those have the best D-pads and can be easily repaired.