Pad players

[cstle]

What do you use? Currently I'm using the 6-button Hori pad for 360. (on my PC) EX-2 or something. It's pretty good, but damn the cross pad blisters my thumb. I used to use a Madcatz 360 fightpad which was good for like 2 weeks then it became mushy crap. Still good for casual puzzle games though.

I'm considering (well not really anymore, am getting) getting a USB Saturn pad for my PC where I'm doing all my shootan gaming now (Ketsui omg best game ever who needs the rest) but all those bootlegs were hard to wade through on eBay. I found one with a seller who says it's a genuine pad, put up comparison pictures with the logos, stickers, fake PCB and a genuine PCB and all so I guess that's my best option. At worst I'll get a good quality bootleg?

I talked to a friend who has some too and he said that as long as I get one with SLS stickers and all I should be good, but that the build quality of the controller itself is missing something compared to the original Saturn pads. Seems to be a common complaint on other forums too, and someone tried swapping the USB PCB (which seems to be pretty much perfect, also the same size and layout as the old Saturn pad PCBs) into an old Saturn pad and said it worked great. So I'll do that. Old used Saturn pads don't seem that expensive although I'll probably dip the plastic parts into bleach for a day because using used accessories (especially ones this old, who knows what sort of animals and insects have crawled all over them at some point, barf) bothers me.

Also I can't use nor afford a stick so if you're just going to post "lol just get a stick its better!!" - don't

[Lance Boyle]

You can't... use... a stick?

Why would that be?

[Elixir]

You can't... use... a stick?

Why would that be?

2010 members.

I use a PS2 Saturn pad for everything when I attempt to play seriously, be it PS2, 360 or PC. Just buy appropriate adapters and you won't have to worry about the thought of your USB ones being bootlegs.

[cstle]

You can't... use... a stick?

Why would that be?

My left arm is paralyzed. I was born with Erb's palsy.

Since I was born with it, I've had to learn and adapt to things like that from the start. I can play most games, type (70ish wpm!), use the computer in general etc fine, but I can't get around something where I'm severely limited (due to the size and layout) physically like a stick.

You can't... use... a stick?

Why would that be?

2010 members.

I use a PS2 Saturn pad for everything when I attempt to play seriously, be it PS2, 360 or PC. Just buy appropriate adapters and you won't have to worry about the thought of your USB ones being bootlegs.

What are good adapters (no lag and decent price) for Saturn -> PC? I already googled it.. Most of the ones that people recommended were out of stock or way out of my price range.

[rancor]

I use a Super Famicom gamepad at the moment. Have a USB to S.Famicom adapter called the "Super Smart Joy". Honestly it works for 90% of what I play. MAME as well as 99% of doujin games pick it up with no configuration required. I'd really like to invest in a stick some day, but I haven't had the time/inclination to look into what is best. Those USB Neo-Geo sticks look pretty swift, though.

[Elixir]

What are good adapters (no lag and decent price) for Saturn -> PC? I already googled it.. Most of the ones that people recommended were out of stock or way out of my price range.

I don't know. Like I said, I use a PS2 Saturn pad, with a PS2 to PC adapter. For 360, I use the XConverter360.

[CptRansom]

This.

[Zaarock]

I use the hori ex-2 turbo pad as well, its pretty nice. the A button has got a bit loose due to shmupping though. For MAME I used to use a Logitech Precision pad which is actually good, unlike what you'd expect from logitech pads. I think it was mentioned in some other pad threads earlier too. Loose and small but precise. I broke mine, should buy another one sometime.. its probably something like 15$ now.

[rancor]

This.

OMG.. I haven't actually LOL'd at something online in a long time.. I think you made me wee a bit with that one.. haha..

[gs68]

I always carry a J-Saturn controller with a USB converter in my backpack. I'd rather take the time to hook it up to my laptop for on-the-go shmupping instead of using the keyboard.

[CptRansom]

This.

OMG.. I haven't actually LOL'd at something online in a long time.. I think you made me wee a bit with that one.. haha..

I'm not joking. Look at the center controller part. It's a normal cross d-pad with just the four face buttons. It's about the size and thickness of an NES controller. I've been using it for a few months and I love it. I just threw away all the other shit. TOTALLY worth $13 or whatever.

[Frederik]

I use a PS2 Saturn pad for everything when I attempt to play seriously, be it PS2, 360 or PC. Just buy appropriate adapters and you won't have to worry about the thought of your USB ones being bootlegs.

I have the USB Saturn pad, and if it is a bootleg it´s a damn fine one. In any case, nothing has come close to these pads for me so far. Very light and clicky, and very cool looking.

Though the Neogeo pads seem to be quite interesting as well, they have actual microswitches in them:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.ph ... ostcount=1

[Elixir]

Though the Neogeo pads seem to be quite interesting as well, they have actual microswitches in them:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.ph ... ostcount=1

Those things aren't very good. I had one and couldn't press diagonally for the life of me.

[Kyle]

I use a PS2 Saturn pad for everything when I attempt to play seriously, be it PS2, 360 or PC. Just buy appropriate adapters and you won't have to worry about the thought of your USB ones being bootlegs.

Agreed. I'm a stick player but Saturn pads are the only ones I care for. This would be a better recommendation if PS2 Saturn pads could be had without spending $100. Another similar option is the Keio PS2-Saturn converters. They can be linked to other converters for 360 etc compatibility. Too bad they're currently listed as out of stock. You may hit up Paul, the designer to see what's up.

http://keio.dk/converters.html

[mesh control]

Keio converters are excellent, too bad they're out of stock.

I sold mine to drauch a few months ago. I don't think it's what he wanted and he might be willing to get rid of it if anyone is interested shoot him a pm.

[Drum]

Not about pads specifically, but I'm hijacking this thread because it's loosely related and I don't want to start a new one.

I have a Dreamcast arcade stick and I'd like to be able to use it with MAME (specifically ... Lethal Thunder!). Can anybody recommend an adapter? I'm thinking something like this: http://www.hkems.com/qa-TrioLinkerPlus.htm

[`Throwdown]

I use the hori ex-2 turbo pad as well, its pretty nice. the A button has got a bit loose due to shmupping though. For MAME I used to use a Logitech Precision pad which is actually good, unlike what you'd expect from logitech pads. I think it was mentioned in some other pad threads earlier too. Loose and small but precise. I broke mine, should buy another one sometime.. its probably something like 15$ now.

For MAME I use the Logitech dual action pad... looks like a PS controller.... it's actually a VERY reliable controller. Logitechs PC pads are quite decent imo.

[Obiwanshinobi]

What are good adapters (no lag and decent price) for Saturn -> PC? I already googled it.. Most of the ones that people recommended were out of stock or way out of my price range.

If you're gonna use a PS2 Saturn pad, I suggest one of those PSX/PS2-to-USB converters:



Dunno how much of a lag they actually induce (there's always some lag, but in certain adapters it's minuscule AND steady, which is also important), but Shikigami no Shiro II played with one on a PC didn't feel worse than on a PS2 with the very same DS2. It allows you to plug two controllers in one USB port, as well as supports analogue sticks and vibrations.
Can't go wrong with it if you already own some PlayStation controllers.

[Frederik]

Though the Neogeo pads seem to be quite interesting as well, they have actual microswitches in them:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.ph ... ostcount=1

Those things aren't very good. I had one and couldn't press diagonally for the life of me.

Ah, I see, thanks. Seems these would make more sense for fighting games - the weird mini-joystick looks awkward for these small taps you need in shooters.

[Elixir]

Ah, I see, thanks. Seems these would make more sense for fighting games - the weird mini-joystick looks awkward for these small taps you need in shooters.

The thing with the neogeo pad is, unlike a stick, you don't always fully take the pressure off the pad before moving again, so it won't click every time a movement is made.

it's not impossible to use but I would rather stick to using a Saturn pad, honestly.

[xris]

I've mentioned before that I don't like playing with a stick, it just feels weird to me. Not really sure if by playing with a pad you are mostly refering to the digital input pads. The Saturn pad isn't too bad, I don't mind using it at all, but is not my first choice.
I'm expecting some heavy flame quotes with this one.. My all time favorite controller and first choice is, the Xbox 360 controller. Yup, I'm going with analog all the way for me. Sure, most people would say that it's rather loose when it comes to fine control, but it's something that I am used to. If I could get one that had a tighter throw it would be dreamy. I really like that it plugs into my pc with no problems what so ever. Greatest controller ever! (personal opinions withstanding) They are some what on the cheap side, I've gone through a couple, knocked one off of my coffee table and it fell about 1 1/2 ft. and the B button no longer worked. And, the analog does wear out over time, creating a huge throw, or most common a slight drag to on side, pulling on screen movement to one side when in default position. I've found that all of my wired controllers have out last the wireless ones. At this point I would say that M$ owes me a free controller. But, will I buy that spiffy new one with the click out d-pad, yeah probably.

[`Throwdown]

Let me ask this question - outside of an arcade stick ... what is a good pad for XBox 360 shmups? How are the Hori pads with shmups? Madcatz have any I should look out for? I'm curious as to what to ask for, for Christmas.

[Tigershark]

I use the ASCII Playstation pad which has a layout like the SS pad. D-Pad is great. Bought it from VGI. Use a PS - PC converter box when playing Mame games. It's a really good controller.

[TrevHead (TVR)]

Like Xris I too have gotten used to analog sticks as when I first got into PC shooters the only pad I had was a PS2 clone a logitech dual shock, which like so many modern pads had a totally unusable d-pad forcing me to use the analog stick, and over time i got used to it (with some tweaking to the sticks deadzone when I could). Although even with pratice its still no good for touhou or contra but more arcady shmups I can play just fine. I have gotten myself a couple of saturn USBs over time, which due to naughty puppy both havnt lasted too long (the annoying thing is that he hasnt touched my other pads only the saturns grr) So Im finding myself back to using analogs untill I get off my arse and send for another saturn usb.

The one Im using atm is a ps2 clone from Game, Its their own Gameware branded pad which for £15 is quite good, the analogs feel ok (and dont have an overlly strong spring making it feel loose), The d-pad while a bit of a wierd design is vastly better then most pc pads of its type, although it isnt as good as a saturn dpad or a snes cross (isnt there snes usb clones? are they any good?) and for the moment i prefer the analog as it would take some time to get used to it. Perhaps the best feature of the pad is the autofire buttons, where you can assign 1 button to autofire if you keep it pressed or even set it up to fire all the time without having to press any buttons (maybe the one handed chap could look into this feature). The only real letdown are the buttons which feel abit on the cheap side.
http://www.game.co.uk/Accessories/PC-Ga ... /~r351859/

[rfisher]

Xbox 360 wireless controller for windows here. I love the weight and feel of the that pad. I have always preferred pads over joysticks except for the NeoGeo.

[`Throwdown]

Xbox 360 wireless controller for windows here. I love the weight and feel of the that pad. I have always preferred pads over joysticks except for the NeoGeo.

Isn't that a regular wireless Xbox controller with the additional USB sensor, and PC software?

[BPzeBanshee]

Xbox 360 wireless controller for windows here. I love the weight and feel of the that pad. I have always preferred pads over joysticks except for the NeoGeo.

Isn't that a regular wireless Xbox controller with the additional USB sensor, and PC software?

Well, yeah, that's why it's "for Windows".

I used a Wired 360 Controller "for Windows" with the XBCD custom drivers when Im not using the keyboard and it rocks.

[kengou]

I use a USB logitech precision pad, works fantastic. Really responsive d-pad.

[DJ Incompetent]

heh, I didn't know Elixir is a pad player.

I still use the Mad Catz SF4 pad. I like it a lot.

[DragonInstall]

I'm actually amazed you people can play shmups with pad. I'm not sure how I could get pixel nudging movements on a pad compared to a stick. Taping on a stick feels faster and more precise than tapping on a pad. Especially when doing diagonal taps.

Maybe I should try a saturn pad out if its that precise.