What gamepad are you using for PC and Switch shmups?

[beer gas canister]

- M30 for all Toaplan and classics from the 80s/90s, including ACA games.

I play everything on the 2.4ghz model and it's a godsend. After 2 years of heavy use, and a previous owner, the dpad membrane is starting to wear down, so I'll likely replace it with another one when the time comes. It's a great controller. I favor it for non-arcade games with simple inputs like Slay the Spire too since it's so lightweight and comfortable to handle.

[Atariboy]

I never even thought to try the M30 2.4g for the Sega Genesis Mini on my Switch. Great to know that it works so well.

I was actually envisioning buying a Bluetooth model for that purpose, not realizing that this one was also compatible.

[Nugs]

I play on handheld mode so joycons for me. And since the "d-pad" isn't really there I play with the joystick. I've said it before, but its short travel distance makes it digital-like and I kind of like it. (If I play on the TV I use the SN30 pro)

But... I just came across this video of third party joycons that had the potential to be the perfect handheld solution both in ergonomics and dpad (and wireless, so working also with the flipgrip), but the dpad turned out to be its weakest point...

https://youtu.be/VRuMHNveCzw?t=581

Yep. This is the Flip Grip struggle. It's amazing nobody's stepped in to fill this space. I'm sure it's not a huge market, but it is a market, as opposed to the myriad random junk clone controllers out there which fill no particular need.

A few years later and now that I am looking at getting a Flipgrip I am still running into the same issue. I hate the original joycons, so my go-to over the course of the last couple years has been the Hori Split Pad Pro for handheld, but obviously it isn't wireless so it won't work with the Flipgrip. Based off what I have seen over the course of the last few months, the front runners for wireless joycon replacements seem to be the NYXI Hyperion Pro and the Mobapad M6. The #1 thing I am looking for is a good d-pad and it's surprising how few people even discuss d-pads in their controller reviews. As weird as a lot of people may find it, the XBox 360 D-Pad is my favorite followed by the Sega Saturn, so I like the floating-disc style.

The Mobapad M6 seems very interesting as you can swap the D-Pad to a disc, and it has been getting a TON of positive reviews (almost "too good" to the point where I am worried most of it is coming from paid shills). However, it has microswitches for the D-pad and face buttons which is great for reliability, but I am worried about the extra noise as the #1 place I like to play handheld is in bed as my wife is sleeping. Also, I am concerned that the shape doesn't have the grip go down deep enough into the palms of your hands like a normal controller. The Hori SPP is just barely big enough for my taste.

The NYXI Hyperion Pro looks okay. It doesn't have a floating disc-like style D-Pad but I can live without it if it's good enough (like my Hori SPP). I just can't find enough people commenting on the d-pad to instill confidence.

Has anyone been playing with either of them? If so, what are your thoughts?

Is there a site out there with input lag numbers for Switch controllers? I picked up a Hori Split Pad Pro, and it feels amazing on an ergonomic level, but gameplay feels subjectively clunkier, compared to the joycons.

I feel the same way. I can't tell for sure, but I do think the Hori SPP has a little more latency as I feel a difference between playing with it in handheld versus another controller docked (even compared to my XB360 controller through a converter). It's most noticeable when timing up swings in both MLB the Show and ACA Big Tournament Golf/Turf Masters. It's not terrible, but since it's been the best joycon replacements so far I just put up with it.

I've tried a bunch of 3rd party joy cons from Nyxi, Bin Bok, Coiorvis etc (which I'm pretty sure all come from the same manufacturer).
They work OK but the d pads have all been average to bad.

I'm now using the Mobapad M6 HD.
I was sceptical of the reviews as well but it is by far the best one.
The dpad is clicky and accurate, and I like the disc attachment.
The shape is very comfortable in my largeish hands and I actually have zero complaints about it.

The only snag for you is that the buttons do make audible clicks so not great for playing next to a sleeping partner.

[nogden]

Yep. This is the Flip Grip struggle. It's amazing nobody's stepped in to fill this space. I'm sure it's not a huge market, but it is a market, as opposed to the myriad random junk clone controllers out there which fill no particular need.

A few years later and now that I am looking at getting a Flipgrip I am still running into the same issue. I hate the original joycons, so my go-to over the course of the last couple years has been the Hori Split Pad Pro for handheld, but obviously it isn't wireless so it won't work with the Flipgrip. Based off what I have seen over the course of the last few months, the front runners for wireless joycon replacements seem to be the NYXI Hyperion Pro and the Mobapad M6. The #1 thing I am looking for is a good d-pad and it's surprising how few people even discuss d-pads in their controller reviews. As weird as a lot of people may find it, the XBox 360 D-Pad is my favorite followed by the Sega Saturn, so I like the floating-disc style.

The Mobapad M6 seems very interesting as you can swap the D-Pad to a disc, and it has been getting a TON of positive reviews (almost "too good" to the point where I am worried most of it is coming from paid shills). However, it has microswitches for the D-pad and face buttons which is great for reliability, but I am worried about the extra noise as the #1 place I like to play handheld is in bed as my wife is sleeping. Also, I am concerned that the shape doesn't have the grip go down deep enough into the palms of your hands like a normal controller. The Hori SPP is just barely big enough for my taste.

The NYXI Hyperion Pro looks okay. It doesn't have a floating disc-like style D-Pad but I can live without it if it's good enough (like my Hori SPP). I just can't find enough people commenting on the d-pad to instill confidence.

Has anyone been playing with either of them? If so, what are your thoughts?

Is there a site out there with input lag numbers for Switch controllers? I picked up a Hori Split Pad Pro, and it feels amazing on an ergonomic level, but gameplay feels subjectively clunkier, compared to the joycons.

I feel the same way. I can't tell for sure, but I do think the Hori SPP has a little more latency as I feel a difference between playing with it in handheld versus another controller docked (even compared to my XB360 controller through a converter). It's most noticeable when timing up swings in both MLB the Show and ACA Big Tournament Golf/Turf Masters. It's not terrible, but since it's been the best joycon replacements so far I just put up with it.

I've tried a bunch of 3rd party joy cons from Nyxi, Bin Bok, Coiorvis etc (which I'm pretty sure all come from the same manufacturer).
They work OK but the d pads have all been average to bad.

I'm now using the Mobapad M6 HD.
I was sceptical of the reviews as well but it is by far the best one.
The dpad is clicky and accurate, and I like the disc attachment.
The shape is very comfortable in my largeish hands and I actually have zero complaints about it.

The only snag for you is that the buttons do make audible clicks so not great for playing next to a sleeping partner.

That thing looks awesome I might have to give it a try. A lot of people recommend the hori split pad pro but mine broke on me after about 6 months. And while the dpad was meh, the joysticks absolutely sucked. Tons of deadzone and too much movement required to bottom them out.

[Steven]

Oh hey it's this old thread. Let's see what I said.

I hope the d-pad on my Saturn controller doesn't break.

lol so much for that.

[cfx]

.

[Steven]

Oh hey it's this old thread. Let's see what I said.

I hope the d-pad on my Saturn controller doesn't break.

lol so much for that.

If you have a very early Japanese Saturn pad, the "cross" inside the controller that engages the rubber domes is made of a regular hard plastic, and it has these scored lines in it so it can break right off on each of the four directions. Incredibly stupid design; later that piece was replaced with one made of nylon with no lines molded into it, and much more durable.

Then again, if you had the one I described it likely would have broken after a few weeks of use if even that.

Source: me. I had two of these; one came with my gray Saturn, a fairly early one I guess as it came in the larger box, and a spare controller I bought with the console. So I don't know how long these were made or how common they are. By now I'd assume they're all broken though.

Nope, just a super late Skeleton Saturn controller and the analog controller. It's the Retro-Bit Bluetooth version that broke.

[cfx]

.

[DietSoap]

At least it doesn't say THIS IS COOL on it like the earlier pad.

But that's the best part. Also I'm gonna be a weirdo and say I love the DC controller ergonomics.

[Nugs]

At least it doesn't say THIS IS COOL on it like the earlier pad.

But that's the best part. Also I'm gonna be a weirdo and say I love the DC controller ergonomics.

Same.

[Steven]

I played Raiden III for the first time in a while today and it was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO nice to play with a keyboard again. I wish I could play on everything with a keyboard. It's the best, and it's so good.

[Air Master Burst]

At least it doesn't say THIS IS COOL on it like the earlier pad.

But that's the best part. Also I'm gonna be a weirdo and say I love the DC controller ergonomics.

For stick games, 100%. My fat american hand always cramped trying to use that d-pad, though.

I played Raiden III for the first time in a while today and it was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO nice to play with a keyboard again. I wish I could play on everything with a keyboard. It's the best, and it's so good.

Have you tried a leverless? Best of both worlds. I got some nice concave buttons (except for the thumb) and switched the up and down inputs on mine cuz I don't really play fighters.

[Steven]

I played Raiden III for the first time in a while today and it was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO nice to play with a keyboard again. I wish I could play on everything with a keyboard. It's the best, and it's so good.

Have you tried a leverless? Best of both worlds. I got some nice concave buttons (except for the thumb) and switched the up and down inputs on mine cuz I don't really play fighters.

Been thinking about converting my RAP N to leverless by replacing the lever with WASD. Just haven't gotten around to it yet. I also want to replace the lever on the 1P side of my cabinet with WASD, but I might have to rewire the entire thing because what's in there now is so old that I don't think it's going to work with modern connectors.

[Air Master Burst]

Been thinking about converting my RAP N to leverless by replacing the lever with WASD.

Have you ever tried a thumb button for your 4th direction? I find it makes alternating up/down a lot easier than just using the middle finger.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

Have you ever tried a thumb button for your 4th direction? I find it makes alternating up/down a lot easier than just using the middle finger.

If you learn to play this way early it's definitely optimal, but as someone who grew up playing MS-DOS games on keyboard using arrow keys or WASD, having my thumb as a directional movement feels very weird and I struggle with it. Can't unlearn my muscle memory, I do better with a levered stick or keyboard. ;w;

[Air Master Burst]

If you learn to play this way early it's definitely optimal, but as someone who grew up playing MS-DOS games on keyboard using arrow keys or WASD, having my thumb as a directional movement feels very weird and I struggle with it. Can't unlearn my muscle memory, I do better with a levered stick or keyboard. ;w;

This was me too, until I injured my wrist a while back and couldn't use an actual stick for a few months while it healed. Took about a month of regular play on games I already knew well to properly adjust, but it was definitely worth it.

[copy-paster]

Outside of playing FPS, I just cannot get used to use WASD on shmups or any genre mainly because I always use arrow keys or IJKL since childhood. But yeah all these years keyboard still being #1 for me, never missed diagonals and can do some of the crazier movements. Somehow I'll perform like shit when playing vertical bullet hells with any controller, not the case with keyboard.

As for controller, I'm currently using Logitech F310 and this one makes me never gonna go back on PS or Nintendo D-Pads because circular D-Pad OWNS HARD! I'll buy an M30 later and see if it's worth the hype.

[m.sniffles.esq]

The coincidence of this being necroed is high, because I said

For Switch, the wired Hori pro-controller is actually really awesome. I though I would hate it due to the removable d-pad, but in practice, it's awesome. Second only to the Saturn.

And I just ordered a new one because the drift of the old one became unfixable with TV tuner. So I guess I stand by it.

That said, if any company wants to earn my loyalty, make a disc d-pad with those hall effect or whatever sticks, and you got it.