Plain and simple, the PS controller sucks.

[Damocles]

So I just got done playing a few rounds of Shiki 1 and 2 on the PS2, and only now have I come to realize how ill-suited that controller is for shmups. Seriously, it's like trying to play with an old 4-way joystick. Just doesn't work. I remember it being fine for the Twisted Metals and Resident Evils, but then again, those really didn't require intesive diagonal control. Then again, I love the stock Dreamcast pad, which everyone seems to hate.......take it as you will.

*shrug*

[Diabollokus]

$60,000 dollars?!!!! at university??? how the hell did you pull that off.


Yeah ps joypad ain't great no diagonals!, saturn pad is the king though.

[Super Laydock]

So I just got done playing a few rounds of Shiki 1 and 2 on the PS2, and only now have I come to realize how ill-suited that controller is for shmups. Seriously, it's like trying to play with an old 4-way joystick. Just doesn't work. I remember it being fine for the Twisted Metals and Resident Evils, but then again, those really didn't require intesive diagonal control. Then again, I love the stock Dreamcast pad, which everyone seems to hate.......take it as you will.

*shrug*

I dislike the Ps2 standard controller for exactly the same reasons as you do!
The Gamecube controller has an even worse Dpad though...
And not everyone hates the DC stockpad, I for one don't since it's my prefered controller!

[ST Dragon]

Best Gamepad I've had till now is the 10button Microsoft Sidewinder. It has been serving my Shmuping needs since 1998! I have 2 of them & mostly use them for Emulation.
Its a perfect pad suitable for more than 10 different systems via emulation.
It Rocks! Hands down!

[Damocles]

$60,000 dollars?!!!! at university??? how the hell did you pull that off.


Yeah ps joypad ain't great no diagonals!, saturn pad is the king though.

Private college. Damn lucky for scholarships though.....



I dunno, something about the seemingly recessed buttons making hitting those diagonals a bitch.

[Ganelon]

I dislike the d-pad too but it works fine and have actually grown very accustomed to it. Better than the SNES and Xbox pads IMO and far better than the DC crap. If some of the best US fighting game players don't mind the PS pad, I figure I can stand it as well.

[FatCobra]

This pad should solve those PoS2 pad problems
Or you can find it here as well

[ST Dragon]

There is also a SNK NEOGEO PS-2 Joystick availiable somewhere on that site.

[sethsez]

It's unfortunate that the Retrocon's pad isn't better than it is, because it really could have been the best controller out there.

[system11]

I believe there is (or will be Real Soon Now) a Saturn pad for the PS2. There's definitely one for the PC (in lots of pretty colours), I think it was the last joypad to actually do the d-pad properly.

[theevilfunkster]

It's unfortunate that the Retrocon's pad isn't better than it is, because it really could have been the best controller out there.

Is that the NES pad shaped thing?

[sethsez]

Yep. I still prefer it to the DS2, to be honest.

[CMoon]

I've actually gotten very used to the PS pad over the years and think it is great for most games. There are a LOT of controllers that are worse.

[UnscathedFlyingObject]

The PS pad is fine, and I don't think there is a ton of a difference when compared with the Saturn pad or any other. I'm in the "too used to it" camp so color me biased. Please note that there is a significant difference between the DS and DS2 buttons when playing Shmups since the former are digital and the latter analog. I found that when playing GV with the DS2 I had to press the buttons harder to make it register, which makes it tougher to do tap tap maneuvers.

[TWITCHDOCTOR]

Actually you can improve the diagonals of the PS1&2 Dual Shock controller.
You must loosen the screws a bit. This will create more "play" in the thumb pad itself. Now, it won't be as loose as the JPN Saturn pad, but you should be able to notice a difference.

The PS2 controller is great for 3D modern games, but for arcade type stuff, I'll use a joystick for the most part.

[Skyline]

The PS2 d-pad is actually a lot better for most types of games than people give it credit for. I find that you get a lot of accuracy out of it's design. This is the only controller that I can play Tetris even remotely well with. It's also really comfortable.

On the other hand, and this goes ESPECIALLY for the PSOne DualShock...trying to play shmups like Dangun Feveron with it WILL turn your thumb into motherfucking Chop Suey.

[Specineff]

I remember seeing a PS1 pad that featured not a D-pad, but the sweet clicky button found on the Neo Geo Pocket. Wonderful for fighters.

[theevilfunkster]

Yep. I still prefer it to the DS2, to be honest.

I bought one today for £7.99, it's not bad. Iv'e been playing metal Slug X and R-Types on it for most of the day. I prefer the little sticks on it to the duel shock ones. And the lights on it are so pretty

[sffan]

The only problem with the PS2-Saturn pad is that the X-button is so damn noisy! Click.Click.Click...! It's great otherwise though. For shmups that is.

[Nemo]

Then you're going to love the PS3 pad! Seriously though, just import a PS2 Saturn pad, they even have a sexy Morrigan style one out now.

[Cthulhu]

I always wanted to try one of those retrocons, but they're a mad catz product... I -REFUSE- to buy anything they make. I sold their stuff at EB for two years, I know how awful 99% of it is.