360 controller quirks?

[ToiletKid77]

Hello, I've been playing the several shmups I have for Japanese 360, and I've noticed some annoying "auto-drift to the left" problems on just about all of them. I thought it was a controller problem, but it's not like that on my other games (or I don't notice), and it did the same thing on my backup controller. It's pretty maddening to be weaving around the screen just to have the character dive left onto oncoming bullets til I straighten it out. Maybe it's been discussed before, but anything I can do to fix that?

[xris]

I think it's the controller. I've noticed a big difference in the sensitivity between different games also. Cave games don't fly off w/ my wireless, triggerheart does it alot. Use a different one..

[xris]

bet 'cha a dollar this gets moved to hardware

[Elixir]

Don't use a 360 controller, problem solved. I did a writeup here about the X Converter 360, it's really the only way to play shmups on the 360.

[worstplayer]

I had similar problem, left stick kept drifting downwards (it happened in all games so it could be different thing altogether). Don't know what actual problem was, but bending the pot away from stick and then pushing it back fixed it.

[Zaarock]

The analog sticks can wear out pretty quickly causing them to fall a bit off the centre if you tilt the controller, etc. My current controllers left analog is wearing out pretty badly due to playing Virtual On: OT with it (+ I have an attack mapped to L3)

[EPS21]

Can a shitty d-pad be considered a quirk?

[fraggore]

its your joypads i've had this with 2 of my 360 pads the anolog stick ware over time and start sticking in one direction but its only noticeable on certain games that have high sensitivity on the controls.

you could try opening the pad up and blowing all the dried silicone dust out of the anolog stick its worth a shot if that don't work a new pad will solve it.

[SFKhoa]

Can a shitty d-pad be considered a quirk?

[Damocles]

It's your pad, though it's determined by the game. I have a two-year old pad that came with my 360 that will drift on Ikaruga and Ketsui. Every other game is fine. I just think the input ranges for those two games are more sensitive than others.

[Enhasa]

+1 to everyone who said controller problem + different deadzones for different games. Take them apart with a screwdriver and see if you can fix anything.

[pcefx]I recall official Sony DualShock (TM) controllers allowed one to pull up on the analog sticks for added tightness and decreased sensitivity. Really handy for the occasional controller quirks as well as tight situations in Konami's modern classic Gradius V. ^_~[/pcefx]

Don't use a 360 controller, problem solved. I did a writeup here about the X Converter 360, it's really the only way to play shmups on the 360.

HRAP EX-SE?
modded stick? (if you don't like Sanwa parts)
FightPad?

I prefer telekinesis myself.

[Kollision]

I don't understand why so many people ditch the d-pad of the 360 controller as being shit.
It's way better than the analog control IMO and works just fine for me.

[Shatterhand]

I don't understand why so many people ditch the d-pad of the 360 controller as being shit.
It's way better than the analog control IMO and works just fine for me.

QFT

I can play shmups with the 360 dpad without any problems. It's far from perfect, but it's not so bad. I find it a lot better than the DualShock dpad.

[Jeneki]

Most of my issues with the 360 D-pad are related to its lack of texture. The surface is just too smooth so my thumb wanders too much. I fixed this by using a razor to score the surface in a crisscross pattern, and now it grips a lot better.

Related to controls sticking in a direction, I had a similar problem on an arcade stick not too long ago. It would keep moving right after centering every once in a while. I think the quick disconnects were loose, maybe coming into contact with each other. I gave it a MacGyver duct tape fix and it's fine now. So yea, there's likely something loose or not positioned right inside the controller.

[Shatterhand]

When I had just got my brand new Xbox 360, this "stick to right" would happen with Borderlands.. it was a brand new controller, and this would happen only with Borderlands. I don't even own the game, I just borrowed it from a friend for a couple of days, and I never saw this happening in any other game afterwards.

I'd like to add that I play not only shmups with the 360 dpad, but I also play Street Fighter IV and BlazBlue with it without any problems. It's a lot better to play with the dpad than with the analog stick.

[Ganelon]

Although I'm fine with its shape, the 360 controller probably has the worst QA of any of the 3 on the market nowadays. Even mine had the up direction on the d-pad less than responsive as well as a squeaky left analog stick even though it was bought brand new. I'd disassemble to fix it but I learned from the PS2 onwards that it's no longer as safe and straightforward as it used to be.

But with an HRAP or TE, most shooters have their problems solved.

[E. Randy Dupre]

I can play shmups with the 360 dpad without any problems. It's far from perfect, but it's not so bad. I find it a lot better than the DualShock dpad.

That's hardly a ringing endorsement, though.

[ncp]

The fact that anyone can find the 360 dpad to be better than the PS2 pad is MIND-BOGGLING to me. I love the PS2 dpad, I even got my first clears on a few Cave games with one. The 360 on the other hand, I can't play for shit with. It would take some getting used to, for me.

[EPS21]

The fact that anyone can find the 360 dpad to be better than the PS2 pad is MIND-BOGGLING to me. I love the PS2 dpad, I even got my first clears on a few Cave games with one. The 360 on the other hand, I can't play for shit with. It would take some getting used to, for me.

That's what I was thinking too, even with preferences aside the 360 dpad is just manufactured awfully, I resort to using the thumbstick on shmups because the dpad is just that unreliable. Hell even playing gears of war with my normalfag friends, you use the dpad to select weapons, 1 mapped for up down left and right, and it sometimes even that would mess up.

I'm also much more used to playstation controller pads so that might have to do with it, but its undeniable the 360 dpad is made poorer than most other official controllers.

[spadgy]

Don't use a 360 controller, problem solved. I did a writeup here about the X Converter 360, it's really the only way to play shmups on the 360.

More great stuff from Lixy-kins here.

Of course sticks is the real way to go (though I know people can score very well/better with pads!).

[ToiletKid77]

I found out that my controller quirks just happen on my Japanese 360. Anyone have any clue why? I use the controller that came with it. The only thing I can think of is that I use all of the cords from my US 360 and just do a quick switch up to J360. Think a voltage difference can lead to a controller quirk?

[Ex-Cyber]

I found out that my controller quirks just happen on my Japanese 360. Anyone have any clue why? I use the controller that came with it. The only thing I can think of is that I use all of the cords from my US 360 and just do a quick switch up to J360.

That's the only thing? You're not changing something else, like playing different games on your US and Japanese 360s?

[ToiletKid77]

Using the Japanese power cord did nothing. Mushi Futari and Espgaluda 2 play perfect on my US 360, but have controller drift on my Japanese 360 (using same controller for both systems). Until I find out what's what I'll just use the d-pad.

[xris]

^odd
What's up in Syracuse? I'm in Rochester. Maybe we should start thinkin' about starting an upstate meet thread?

[gs68]

Some people say that shmups with 8-way movement work better on an analog stick than a D-pad. 360 controller's crappy D-pad notwithstanding, I don't get that logic at all. Maybe I should start using the arrow keys to aim in FPSes from now on.

[CptRansom]

I just got this thing in the mail today (if you're looking for a cheap alternative for STGs [and it's awesome with Mega Man 9 too!] on the 360): http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Rock-Ban ... B001B19BIO

Throw the drum pads like frisbees at moving vehicles, small children, the elderly, what/whomever... keep the controller part.

The convex style of the d-pad is awkward at first, but it's pretty easy to roll your thumb on it after a few minutes. Buttons are nice. Everything is extremely responsive! I can't compare it to a Saturn pad since I've never used one... but for $16 right now it definitely gets the job done. I'm already doing better on this thing than I ever did on a stick (not saying much since I kinda suck a lot in general - ESPECIALLY on a stick). TWO THUMBS UP.

Oh, not to mention it comes with "portable" (screw together) shitty drum sticks. Excellent for rocking out and/or ass-kicking (sticking? ...no homo) on the go!

[Sobek]

Hello, I've been playing the several shmups I have for Japanese 360, and I've noticed some annoying "auto-drift to the left" problems on just about all of them. I thought it was a controller problem, but it's not like that on my other games (or I don't notice), and it did the same thing on my backup controller. It's pretty maddening to be weaving around the screen just to have the character dive left onto oncoming bullets til I straighten it out. Maybe it's been discussed before, but anything I can do to fix that?

I don't play shmups on 360, but I do notice creeping to one side or the other in FPS games with any slightly worn 360 controller. It seems to get worse over time, so maybe a squeaky-new controller?


Or you could try the SF4-style arcade sticks. Assuming you have an extra $100 you don't need.

[StarCreator]

If you're going the third party controller route, I can't recommend the Hori pads enough. Their d-pads are great and the buttons are firm and responsive. The only drawback is the button layout on the currently available model isn't an exact match for the official controller, but the current layout probably works much better for roughly approximating Cave arcade button layouts.

[TodayIsForgotten]

The 360 d-pad is useable but its so stiff and has no play whatsoever that it feels too unnature and feels like you're slowly receiving carpal tunnel.

I find the SFIV Fightpad to be a solid choice for shoot em ups. Certain models sell for 18 bucks shipped on Buy.com. It's somewhat on the cheap side with button presses and overall build, but ironically it feels solid. The d-pad has a plush-like feel and seems to be accurate enough. Button layout is like an arcade stick with 2 rows of 3 buttons. The shoulder buttons are the d-pad of the regular 360 controller, though. Stiff and unnatural. To their defense i believe its LB and RT (for the shoulders).

[StarCreator]

The Fightpad's shoulder buttons are LB on the left, and LT on the right.