Looking for new PC gamepad

[PooshhMao]

Hello fellow shmuppers,

After taking some time off from shmups and gaming in general, my desire to shoot cores and be praying came back with a vengeance.

I'm in the market for a new controller. I have a Hanaho HotRod (remember those?) arcade stick which is fantastic to play with, but isn't suitable for my setup (that setup being my laptop hooked up to a big TV and playing from the couch)

Currently using a Wireless Logitech F170, which is slowly starting to fall apart after years of use, so now I'm looking for a new one. I'm fairly happy with it, it served me well, even if on the whole, it doesn't feel quite as tight as, say, a PS3 controller.

I do tend to play the occasional game that isn't a shmup, so analog thumbsticks and the like are a necessity - please don't recommend a Saturn pad with USB interface, please.

So what would you recommend?

[geekmiki]

XBOX One controller or PS4 Dualshock4, both work on PC.

[Einzelherz]

I'm a fan of the Wii U Pro, but you'll need a separate adapter from Mayflash. It's what I prefer to the Xbox 360 and PS3 pads. Haven't tried a PS4 or XBone controller though.

[Fudoh]

XBO is Windows 10 only though, right ?

[h1ghju1ce]

http://support.xbox.com/en-GB/xbox-on-w ... ller-to-pc

It does work on Win7/8 but you dont get the audio functionality, and not via Bluetooth

[BuckoA51]

I would definitely NOT recommend the Xbox One controller, Microsoft screwed up the DirectInput drivers which breaks compatibility with loads of games. Even after half a dozen or so updates they still can't get it right.

I'm using a Dualshock 4 via USB and the DS4Windows software. It's great, works in every game I've tried it with the added bonus that you can use the touchpad as a mouse while using Steam, Evolve or Shadowplay overlays etc.

[PooshhMao]

Forgot to mention I use Linux, but so far I haven't had a single device that didn't work straight away after plugging it on, so...

[Guspaz]

If you don't need the d-pad much, the XBox 360 controller is still one of the best-suited for Windows gaming, since it's sort of the default controller that any game with controller support was tested against. They can be found quite cheap now when they go on sale.

[wgogh]

Kind of related to the topic...
Just got this gamepad today, the directionals have a "click" and arent sensitive. I guess it works for some games.
Anyone knows about that controller or have thoughts about it?

Spoiler

[bobrocks95]

Second vote for the Wii U Pro Controller. I think it's the most solid controller available right now. If you have a bluetooth dongle of any kind you can connect it without getting the Mayflash adapter.

I got mine new on ebay for around $30 I think.

[Einzelherz]

Second vote for the Wii U Pro Controller. I think it's the most solid controller available right now. If you have a bluetooth dongle of any kind you can connect it without getting the Mayflash adapter.

I got mine new on ebay for around $30 I think.

Which OSs can do that? I haven't kept up on compatibility lately but I'm contemplating building a htpc/file server/2d game machine.

Also, is using a PS3 controller easier with win8 or win10 than the convoluted nightmare to get it running on win7?

[RGB32E]

+1 for Xbone controller. Its a nice upgrade from the 360 wired pad I was previously using years ago.

[creamygarlicdip]

i was gonna say saturn pad with usb adapter, ha.

I use both a wired xbox 360 controller and a ps4 controller. Both work well, ps4 controller can be configured easily with a free input mapper program.

ive found these controllers have the best build quality for pc gamepad, although i haven't tried the higher end pc gamepads.

[creamygarlicdip]

Second vote for the Wii U Pro Controller. I think it's the most solid controller available right now. If you have a bluetooth dongle of any kind you can connect it without getting the Mayflash adapter.

I got mine new on ebay for around $30 I think.

Which OSs can do that? I haven't kept up on compatibility lately but I'm contemplating building a htpc/file server/2d game machine.

Also, is using a PS3 controller easier with win8 or win10 than the convoluted nightmare to get it running on win7?

ive been using this program for my ps4 controller on win7 pc its super easy, haven't tried ps3 controller but it looks like it supports it too:

https://inputmapper.com/

[noonan2678]

If you don't need analog, these are both really good:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017Q ... UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TK ... UTF8&psc=1

I do have an Xbox and a Steam for some games, but I use these for almost everything. They are very similar and I couldn't decide, so bought both. I'd say that I prefer the first of the two, very, very slightly. Obviously they're designed with fighting games in mind, which I play a lot, but I use them exclusively for SHMUPs too.

[bobrocks95]

Second vote for the Wii U Pro Controller. I think it's the most solid controller available right now. If you have a bluetooth dongle of any kind you can connect it without getting the Mayflash adapter.

I got mine new on ebay for around $30 I think.

Which OSs can do that? I haven't kept up on compatibility lately but I'm contemplating building a htpc/file server/2d game machine.

Software I use says Win 7/8/10. Recently there was an update to where you likely don't need the Toshiba bluetooth stack either.

http://www.wiinupro.com/home

[SGGG2]

The beauty of PC is that between usb adapters and controller utilities you can pretty much use any device you want. I'm even using a New 3DS XL. Direct input controllers will work with xinput games using XOuput or x360ce. For the path of least resistance pick up a 360 or XBone controller.

[BuckoA51]

Once again I will warn against the Xbox One controller on Windows if you play any older games. Its DirectInput drivers are completely borked. It has issues in games as recent as Binary Domain (button mappings messed up) and Sonic Racing (just not recognised at all).

IMO it's a complete waste of money if it won't just work with all my games like the 360 controller did.

[ZellSF]

I like the 360 controller because it works with everything, especially considered there's a lot of software specifically made for it to address its weakness (lack of configuration) and making it work with games it has problems with.

Its dpad is terrible though, I'd get a Saturn USB controller and a 8bitdo Super Nintendo controller for old games in addition.

[Tatsuya79]

It's hard to find something that is all-in-one (for me 2 analog sticks + analog triggers) and a good D-Pad.
I ended up buying a wired X360 pad, and yes, the D-Pad sucks.

But if you open it, cut a circle in a plastic card or something and put it under it, it becomes quite decent (see here).
Like I can do special moves in fighting games without problem now; which is night and day vs the untouched D-Pad.

[RGB32E]

games as recent as Binary Domain (button mappings messed up) and Sonic Racing (just not recognised at all).

For shame Bucko! You should know better than to confuse games with poor controller support (buggy) with a particular controller. I realize that PCs can be difficult to troubleshoot and root cause issues, which is why some people stick to console gaming exclusively.

[Guspaz]

The XB1 controller has worked fine with the modern games that I've tried, and considering how the controller is basically a more ergonomic 360 controller with a good d-pad, it's a pretty good option for PC.

Many people have a 360 controller lying around (either wired, which just works, or wireless that can be used on PC by just grabbing a cheap wireless adapter), so probably the best of both worlds is to use an XB1 controller for most things, and keep a 360 controller handy if you're playing old games with broken button remapping support.

[BuckoA51]

For shame Bucko! You should know better than to confuse games with poor controller support (buggy) with a particular controller.

That doesn't make sense, the Xbox One controller is just supposed to be an upgrade on the 360 controller. All the buttons are in the same place, there is absolutely no sane reason why it should be incompatible with a bunch of games when the 360 controller works fine out of the box with no remapping required whatsoever. This isn't the fault of the games, the drivers are just screwed for DirectInput and the problem cannot be solved simply by troubleshooting (believe me I've tried).

[Snayperskaya]

Xbox One d-pad is weird and the analogs have a project error in which both parts don't fit flush, causing wobbling and "clicking" when doing 360º spins. Also the RB and LB aren't designed to be hit on the middle (like almost all shoulder buttons), but on the outmost part, just like a lever.

Being a fan of Logitech products, I'd suggest a Chillstream if you can get your hands into one. Pretty nice grip, floating d-pad and XInput make it a great all around controller.

[Lord of Pirates]

If you don't need the d-pad much, the XBox 360 controller is still one of the best-suited for Windows gaming, since it's sort of the default controller that any game with controller support was tested against. They can be found quite cheap now when they go on sale.

Agreed. For fighters and shmups you can always get a longer USB cord for your arcade stick, presuming it isn't hardwired.

[Perikles]

I grew to really like the d-pad of the Xbox 360 controller, I don't use anything else for arcade shooters. Nothing but heresy in this thread!

[EmperorIng]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017Q ... UTF8&psc=1

I have the Hori Fighting Commander 5 for MAME/emulator/games-that-need-dpad, and I couldn't be happier with it. Extremely sturdy build, good compatibility, and plenty of options (turbo option ftw; great for Cho Ren Sha 68K!) to switch button functionality. The only, ONLY minor problem I have had with it is with using the Saturn emulator SSF, but I chalk that up to either Saturn emulation sucking (it kinda does) or an option/setting I am unaware of.

[bobrocks95]

I have the Hori Fighting Commander 5 for MAME/emulator/games-that-need-dpad, and I couldn't be happier with it. Extremely sturdy build, good compatibility, and plenty of options (turbo option ftw; great for Cho Ren Sha 68K!) to switch button functionality. The only, ONLY minor problem I have had with it is with using the Saturn emulator SSF, but I chalk that up to either Saturn emulation sucking (it kinda does) or an option/setting I am unaware of.

You see the new Libretro Saturn core? I heard good things.

[BazookaBen]

The Hori Pad Pro 3 has a great d-pad and face buttons. Good size too. Only downside is the triggers don't register as analog on PC.

[WelshMegalodon]

You see the new Libretro Saturn core? I heard good things.

It's easier to use in Mednafen. Give me drag-and-drop over that monster of an interface any day.

It sounds like the original Mednafen core is more compatible as well.