What's the best controller for shmups on 360?

[PinkSweets]

Looking for a quality controller with a good pad and response. I like to have an alternative method of playing when I don't feel like using a stick.

Mainly will be playing shmups and some XBLA arcade games with this.

These are the ones I'm interested in:

MadCatz Fightpads/Brawlpads (I'll have to remove that horrid artwork if possible)

Hori Pad EX 2 with Turbo

Versus Controller by PDP

Feedback will be much appreciated. Please, feel free to mention anything else.

The standard Xbox 360 controller just isn't doing it for me. The Dpad is absolute shit.

[Gus]

Buy the official wireless controller. I've never had any problems with the d-pad on that.

[Jon]

I have a Fightpad and find it more than adequate for shooters and fighting games. Much better than the dpad on the standard 360 controller.

[Moniker]

I've also got a brawl pad. It controls slightly better but isn't as ergonomic (as using the LS).

Honestly, I still find the standard analog stick the best overall.

I bought a madcatz wwe brawlstick, but the joystick is rubbish (unless you don't intend on using diagonals, in which case it's fine.) Apparently it's easy to mod so I ordered a sanwa stick to replace it. Hopefully it'll arrive fine and install sans issue. We'll see...

But there's no way I'm ever giving up The Rock/Hulk Hogan/John Cena artwork. My ego likes to be taken down a notch every time I play.

[Never_Scurred]

I wish someone would have told me to at least consider the MadCatz stick instead of buying into the Hori hype. For well-regarded sticks, they seem to be quite limited in almost every aspect. While you can swap out the parts easily, any other advanced mod is a no-go unless you are experienced in electronics. Furthermore, and i'm only speaking for the model that I have (EX-Pro), you can't switch the joystick inputs if you wanna use it on a game that uses the left or right stick, which was a bummer since I can't use the Hori with Tetris: ACE.

[Gus]

Can't speak for Madcatz but avoid the Hori sticks at all costs. They're cheaply made trash.

[ptoing]

Can't speak for Madcatz but avoid the Hori sticks at all costs. They're cheaply made trash.

Uh, no? I got the HRAP EX, which has a very nice (sanwa) stick and crap (hori) buttons. The buttons are pretty easy to change, which I did, and that only cost like 15 dollars extra. Saying the hori sticks are shit but the default controller dpad is good is quite baffling to me.

[Damocles]

The Madcatz pads are awesome...if you get one that is consistent with diagonals. I don't know if they ever fixed them, but some in the original run had issues with hitting them consistently. Auto-fire is occasionally useful as well.

The PDP pads are pretty good. They're not as good as a consistent Madcatz pad, but they're far more reliable. I personally use one for shmups on the 360. Clicky clicky.

I have no experience with the Hori pad, but if you pick one up I would suggest these. I use one on my PSP d-pad and they make things much more comfortable. Actually, you might try one on a stock 360 pad as well.

[BulletMagnet]

I'm personally interested in hearing from European shmuppers who got ahold of that one "limited edition" 360 pad that MS put out a few years ago...supposedly it's pretty much the same as a 'regular" 360 pad except for "pea soup" green coloring and an improved d-pad. Is it as effective a fix as one would hope?

[PinkSweets]

I'm personally interested in hearing from European shmuppers who got ahold of that one "limited edition" 360 pad that MS put out a few years ago...supposedly it's pretty much the same as a 'regular" 360 pad except for "pea soup" green coloring and an improved d-pad. Is it as effective a fix as one would hope?

Microsoft released another neat Limited Edition controller in the states in November of last year. I don't have any experience with it, but I've heard good stuff about the new Dpad. The analog sticks were slightly altered as well. They don't have those tiny rubber grips anymore.

Here it is.

Sweet design if you ask me.

[rapoon]

Can't speak for Madcatz but avoid the Hori sticks at all costs. They're cheaply made trash.

did you huff gas before you posted that?

I own the PS3 HRAP 3 SA (Sanwa) and the X360 HRAP EX SE (Seimetsu). I also own a standard MadCatz SF IV stick
w/ Sanwa stick and buttons. My HRAP's are boxed up atm but they're sure as hell not cheaply made. I've owned
the Dreamcast "Green Goblin" and a couple of Namco sticks. My HRAP's are hands down the best out of the group.
Granted, Hori does make some cheap shit but the majority of their sticks are top notch.

[NTSC-J]

My kingdom for a Saturn to 360 converter. The things I would do with one of those...

[Ghegs]

Microsoft released another neat Limited Edition controller in the states in November of last year. I don't have any experience with it, but I've heard good stuff about the new Dpad. The analog sticks were slightly altered as well. They don't have those tiny rubber grips anymore.

Here it is.

Sweet design if you ask me.

I actually picked this up just a few days ago. I'm liking it.

[Elixir]

Controller Converter Pro, X Converter 360 or http://etokki.com/Xtokki360 +

[NTSC-J]

I'd go that route but problem is, Saturn PS2 pads are $100-200 apiece, plus I go through those d-pads pretty fast due to the intensity with which I play my shooters. I need something like my beloved PC joybox converter.

[Elixir]

I've been using the same one since 2005 and it's seen a lot of use. I had to open and clean it once since down-left had stopped working, but otherwise it's fine. I actually have two, this and a white one.

There was some dude on Yahoo Auction who had custom-made PS2 Saturn pads, looks like he isn't selling any right now though.

[ancestral-knowledge]

i think the best input device for the previous and this century is this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmeKY5L_NMI

[evil_ash_xero]

You can attempt to get a XConverter 360, connect that to a Keio PS2 to Saturn, and then a Saturn pad to that. That's a lot of stuff, but that's my setup. And don't forget the wired Xbox 360 controller for the XConverter. I'm having problems getting my hands on that xtokki thing.

[Sumez]

Anything with a LS-40 or similar.

[rapoon]

My kingdom for a Saturn to 360 converter. The things I would do with one of those...

you and me both. or a ps2 saturn pad, but as you previously mentioned, too expensive.
I have a box full of Saturn pads (~30 total), both models. I love my sticks but
I would really like to play some of my shmups on a proper pad. I've heard of hooking em up via
the method ash mentioned (there's a site out there somewhere showing how). it's supposedly
very flaky. I do have a saturn ---> DC convertor (works perfectly). is there a DC to 360 route?

[PC Engine Fan X!]

I currently use one of those Hori RAP EX-SE variant arcade sticks for my 360 shmupping sessions.

As for the PS3 platform, I use a Hori RAP 3 SA variant arcade stick.

Those LE versions of the newest official Microsoft 360 gamepad are still available, albeit with a $59.99 USD MSRP.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Casey120]

Can't speak for Madcatz but avoid the Hori sticks at all costs. They're cheaply made trash.

You Mad

[Sumez]

The cheaper, the better.

[Skykid]

Can't speak for Madcatz but avoid the Hori sticks at all costs. They're cheaply made trash.

Aren't they just.

[professor ganson]

Controller Converter Pro, X Converter 360 or http://etokki.com/Xtokki360 +

Awesome post. Elixir, do you know whether eTokki.com has good products? Their converter looks especially nice.

[twalden]

No love for this one?

[Casey120]

Awful to actually use but great for hacks I think !

[Sumez]

Haha, that's the funniest X360 controller I've seen.

I'm not sure how I would go about hacking that thing. I think it's beyond redemption.

[Elixir]

Controller Converter Pro, X Converter 360 or http://etokki.com/Xtokki360 +

Awesome post. Elixir, do you know whether eTokki.com has good products? Their converter looks especially nice.

eTokki is ran by Laugh of SRK. At my request, he specifically made a DIN13 to PS2 adapter for my AV7000 supergun a few years ago, which I used my PS2 Saturn pad with.

I don't have his latest adapter, the xTokki, but I would buy it blindly based on my experience with the PS3 Inpin (I didn't bother reviewing this since the PS3 automatically accepts USB Saturn pads, it is lagless though) and X Converter 360 that I ordered off him. My friend has it and says it's exactly what he wanted. Personally I've actually wanted to buy the xTokki too, since the Controller Converter Pro has some unnecessary baggage (USB cable for PS3 controllers which I'll never use, control box sticks out like the the end of a lettuce stub) but I just haven't done so yet.

If you're looking for a PS2 Saturn pad, probably proxy sniping Y!JP is your only option.

[professor ganson]

Yeah, I've got a Saturn PS2 pad and would love to use it on my 360. I just tried to get the converter at eTokki and it looks like they are out of stock. I couldn't find the other two converters you mention on eBay. If you have any suggestions for how to find one, that would be much appreciated!