Best PC Controller?

[JRedmond3]

Just wondering what a good controller for the PC is, going to be playing mostly old school SNES/Genesis/etc on it. I saw on Amazon there's some type of SNES looking controller.

[Baloo]

I just use my Logitech Dual Controller, designed like a Playstation 2 controller. It's not so good for 6-button games, but it does the job.

[Ghaleon]

I don't yet have mine so I can't give a first-hand account, but this Saturn USB controller (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220410178444&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&salenotsupported)is made by a division of Sega called SLS (Sega Logistics Service), so it is technically a first-party, genuine Saturn-style controller, but with a USB interface. Various forum members highly recommended this particular model, and so I've ordered one from the linked seller, and I'm really looking forward to using it! Keep in mind though that the product description on that auction listing has some glaring errors, like there's really no analog control, I don't think there's any slow motion, etc: it only has the features of the Sega-brand ergonomic-style Saturn digital controller.

[sketch]

I just use a Logitech Precision, which is similar to the original PSX controller (no analog sticks). It works fairly well for most games, as it has a nice, crisp feel and the digital joypad is nice. It's not ideal for 6 button games, but the only game I really need 6 buttons for is Street Fighter. I tend to emulate the games I don't have (either to try them to see if they're worth buying, or because I can't afford them) so I don't play any SF on the computer anyway:)

I can't say if it's the best, as it's the only one I have. But it works well and is cheap (~$10).

However, I did pick up a couple of Playstation-to-USB adapters, so I can use any PS1 or PS2 controller for my computer. It works nicely. Now that I think about it, I have some PS2 Street Fighter pads, so I guess I could play SF2 on emulation if I really wanted to:)

[sketch]

I don't yet have mine so I can't give a first-hand account, but this Saturn USB controller (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220410178444&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&salenotsupported)is made by a division of Sega called SLS (Sega Logistics Service), so it is technically a first-party, genuine Saturn-style controller, but with a USB interface. Various forum members highly recommended this particular model, and so I've ordered one from the linked seller, and I'm really looking forward to using it! Keep in mind though that the product description on that auction listing has some glaring errors, like there's really no analog control, I don't think there's any slow motion, etc: it only has the features of the Sega-brand ergonomic-style Saturn digital controller.

That is extremely cool. Be sure to post a review when you get it. Since you're already testing the waters, I might pick one up if you find the quality is good;)

[Ghaleon]

OK, I'll do that. I'll post in the Official Haul thread when I get it, and start a new thread to post a small review once I've played around with it.

[Tanegashima]

Watching TV on a handheld game system!?!! NEXT YOU'LL BE TELLING ME THAT MY VIDEO GAMES WILL COME ON COMPACT DISK!!

[MrMatthews]

Hahahahahahahahahah!

Tanegashima posted that comment in the wrong thread!

*points and brays laughter*

[David J.]

I either use the SFIV 360 Pad (dunno if the PS3 one works) or the USB Saturn pad.

[Baloo]

Hahahahahahahahahah!

Tanegashima posted that comment in the wrong thread!

*points and brays laughter*

Lol, wrong thread Tangeashima.

[MN12BIRD]

Logitech Precision Pad is great for the price. Its simular to the original PSX controller without any analog sticks. Works good for SNES emu and you can pick those up for like $10 new.

For 3D games like modern racing games the XBOX 360 controller works great. You can plug a wired XBOX 360 controller into your PC and XP will recognize it.

[Knuckle Duster]

Use an Xbox 360 or PS3 controller.

[17daysolderthannes]

Use an Xbox 360 or PS3 controller.

ewwww, no! Maybe for something that is a simultaneous X360/PS3/PC release, but not for anything made before analog controls, absolutely not!

Here are the best options, from cheapest to most expensive:

#1 PS2->USB adapter $3 shipped:

http://img.en.china.cn/0/0,0,201,19246,350,350,22fb4574.jpg

By far the cheapest way. Simply grab any PS2 controller and go to town. A great option if you already have a solid controller like the Madcatz RetroCon or the NUBY Street Fighter controller. As an added bonus, I can use the tilt features of the Psyclone tiltsense controller through this adapter as well (great for MAME racing games).

http://www.axess.com/twilight/console/detail/retrocon.jpg http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41JGKDKSPTL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

#2 Logitech Precision $10 (available at Target and some other brick and mortar stores):

http://www.computertarget.com.au/oscom/catalog/images/Logitech_Precision-Gamepad.jpg

Identical layout to the original PSX controller but much more ergonomic and all the buttons and D-pad have a very nice feel. Pretty much the perfect choice for any 4 or less face button system (NES, SNES, Neo Geo, 3-button Genesis games, SMS/GG)

#3 Sega Logistics Service (SLS) USB Saturn replica pad $20:

http://s243.photobucket.com/albums/ff44/Riceandbeans01/Games/Controllers/SaturnUSB.jpg

Extremely close to the Japanese/US model 2 Saturn pad. Perfect for Genesis and Saturn emulation, as well as any other system that doesn't really require 2 sets of shoulder buttons. Also it should be noted that there is no "Select" button, so you will come up one button short with Playstation games, for example (which is fine as most games don't use select anyway). This also means you have to map Z or C to Select to play SNES games. It should also be noted that the shoulder buttons are not the standard game pad silicon membranes but rather "click switches" known as tact switches, similar in function to cell phone keypads, but a little better (also the same as the eject/sync buttons on an XBOX 360). These tact switches can make SNES games like Star Fox, which requires double taps to do a barrel roll, a little difficult as they aren't capable of the same reset speed on each press. Still, its totally playable using them as normal shoulder buttons.

#4 X-Arcade dual joystick $100 (refurbished)/$130 (new):

http://www.theslipperytruffle.com/log/picts/twoplayer1.jpg

This stick brings the full arcade experience home. Representative of most US arcade cabinets, this thing can be mapped to be like any real cabinet, even the Neo Geo's offset 4 button layout. If you're a whiny baby that needs to make excuses about why you aren't better, you can also swap out the buttons/joysticks with any other real arcade parts and it won't even void your warranty! Aside from PC compatibility, you can also use this stick on almost any console via adapters (or do what I did and get a PS2 adapter and then run that through PS2->whatever system adapters). Certainly a fun alternative to a handheld controller.

[Baloo]

That arcade stick looks like a beast. Any downsides to it?

[17daysolderthannes]

That arcade stick looks like a beast. Any downsides to it?

lame-o's complain that the joysticks aren't good enough, but I don't know WTF they're talking about. Otherwise, I can't really see anything to complain about other than the fact that I think I will forever be better with a game pad than a joystick.

I personally recommend getting one with a PS2 adapter and use PS2->USB adapters as its normal USB operation is as a keyboard and you can accidentally do all kinds of crazy stuff to your computer by pressing Shift/Control/etc. Yeah, you can custom map it, but I prefer it to be recognized as a gamepad. Another advantage to getting the PS2 adapter is you can use it with PS2->XBOX, GC, Dreamcast, PS3, etc. so you have a REALLY universal joystick.

[chinitosoccer]

I have that same X-arcade stick, and let me tell you that IT SUCKS!, the buttons are kinda ok but the sticks are the worst i have ever tried, it makes 4-way games unplayable i.e.: Street Fighter, Marvel vs Capcom and all capcom fighters( a 4 way stick restrictor provides better input response for diagonals, but sticks included with x-arcade are cheap chinese clones from some old happ sticks) ,
on the other hand is heavy and build like a tank, you can jump over or smash it with a hammer and this thing will keep working forever, and if you can mod it, take my advise and do it, replace the sticks with real happ sticks or even Sanwa sticks or any other stick tha can be switch to 4-way.

[TheRollingStoner]

I just use my Logitech Dual Controller, designed like a Playstation 2 controller. It's not so good for 6-button games, but it does the job.

I've got one of those too, it's great for SNES games and three button Genesis games, and of course it does NES well. I haven't broken into PSX emulation yet, but I'm sure it'd work fantastically. I want to get adapters for my original controllers though,but the Logitech Dual will suffice for now.

[David J.]

I need to get a logitech pad like the one pictured but with analog... how's the D-pad?

[MN12BIRD]

I like it on the Precision. I actually have both the Dual and the Precision but prefer to use the Precision for older games that don't use analog (like SNES and Gen) as its smaller. I use the Dual for newer PC games like Need for Speed or whatever.

[Puffy2k316]

That arcade stick looks like a beast. Any downsides to it?

The PCB is known to be unreliable. You can easily put a PS2 one in there though. And the buttons/stick really aren't authentic. That can be fixed with 15 bucks though.

[17daysolderthannes]

The PCB is known to be unreliable. You can easily put a PS2 one in there though. And the buttons/stick really aren't authentic. That can be fixed with 15 bucks though.

That's total bullshit on all accounts. Yeah, the buttons and joystick are based on Happ parts, but whats the damn difference? nothing. Its the same damn shit both ways. If the PCB ever breaks (which it won't, whoever did that probably tried to mod it and fucked up), you can have it repaired or replaced under the lifetime warranty.


Look everyone, I have the X-Arcade Dual Stick, I've been using it almost daily for over a month and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. My only real complaint is that the round restrictor plates can be vague when getting ancy and doing quarter circles and lead to you jumping by accident, but then again I did that on my Namco stick with Hori internals and a square restrictor plate. The real problem is probably just that I'm not taking enough care to position myself at the proper angle. I think octagon restrictors might be best, but again, that's all just excuses for not being better at whatever game you're playing. The X-Arcade is the authentic arcade experience at home, period. All of this "you gotta put Japanese parts in it" is Wapanese fanboy bullshit.

[17daysolderthannes]

I have that same X-arcade stick, and let me tell you that IT SUCKS!, the buttons are kinda ok but the sticks are the worst i have ever tried, it makes 4-way games unplayable i.e.: Street Fighter, Marvel vs Capcom and all capcom fighters( a 4 way stick restrictor provides better input response for diagonals, but sticks included with x-arcade are cheap chinese clones from some old happ sticks) ,
on the other hand is heavy and build like a tank, you can jump over or smash it with a hammer and this thing will keep working forever, and if you can mod it, take my advise and do it, replace the sticks with real happ sticks or even Sanwa sticks or any other stick tha can be switch to 4-way.

#1 4-way restrictor plates wouldn't let you make diagonal movements, Pac-Man and Donkey Kong use 4-way restrictor plates.

#2 X-Arcade sticks are not chinese clones, where the hell did you get that idea? Its XGaming's own joystick based off of the Happ Super, which, by the way, IS MADE IN CHINA. So even if the X-Arcade stick IS made in China, that just makes it more authentic to the Happ stick.

Happ Super:

http://www.arcadeparadise.org/reviews/joysticks-happsuper.jpg

X-Arcade stick:

http://www.xgaming.com/Misc/graphics/sticks.gif

http://www.xgaming.com/reference/parts/Joystick_Button_Dimensions.jpg

Joysticks are way too simple to have a big variance from one another, it wouldn't surprise me to find that the microswitches are bought from the same company for Happ and X-Gaming. All this talk about one joystick being better than another is just bullshit, plain and simple. The only REAL differences between joysticks is the shape of the restrictor plate (4-way and 8-way Square/Octagon/Round), the shape of the handle (Cherry Ball or Baseball Bat/Tear Drop/Exclamation Point), and standard microswitches or leaf switches. I bet you're the same type of person that says Nintendo NES controllers are better than Yobo NES controllers when they both, like all normal video game controllers, use virtually identical silicon membranes.

[Puffy2k316]

I have an dual X-Arcade with HAPP in it and I also have the original buttons and I can put the HAPP buttons/stick on one side and the stock buttons/stick on the other and compare them and there's a definite difference. I'm not saying one is better then the other but they definitely are different. I'd rather use the HAPPs because they're what I've been playing on for 18 years. Really a matter of preference.


he X-Arcade is the authentic arcade experience at home, period. All of this "you gotta put Japanese parts in it" is Wapanese fanboy bullshit.

IDK what you're talking about with this. HAPP buttons and joysticks are American. Sanwa and Seimitsu are Japanese. If you want to put Japanese parts in you have to do all kinds of modifications to the case. The American buttons just snap in and the stick mounts right away.


Edit: The microswitches are definitely different. I don't have a problem with either though. I use a mix of both.

[Puffy2k316]

Also, to make things more complicated, a company in Europe named IL used to make the sticks for HAPP. Those are the sticks that were used in arcades throughout the 90s. After Happ broke off their deal with IL a lot of people maintain that the quality of HAPP's sticks went downhill. So you have to get an IL stick or an old HAPP stick if you want the real experience. I have an old one, I've never tried a new one so I don't know for sure.

[chinitosoccer]

#1 4-way restrictor plates wouldn't let you make diagonal movements, Pac-Man and Donkey Kong use 4-way restrictor plates.

right, but Street Fighter and almost all 2d fighting games use 4-way controls, the 4 way restrictor on those sticks provides more precission o 1/4 circles (hadokens) elimnating the 'dead' inputs caused by an 8 way stick (some SNK fighters uses 8-way/diagonal inputs )


#2 X-Arcade sticks are not chinese clones, where the hell did you get that idea? Its XGaming's own joystick based off of the Happ Super, which, by the way, IS MADE IN CHINA. So even if the X-Arcade stick IS made in China, that just makes it more authentic to the Happ stick.

Happ Super:


theres a huge diffrence between this:
http://www.arcadeparadise.org/reviews/joysticks-happsuper.jpg

and this
http://lizardlick.com/images/for_sale/joysticks/il_eurojoystick_k.jpg


IDK what you're talking about with this. HAPP buttons and joysticks are American. Sanwa and Seimitsu are Japanese. If you want to put Japanese parts in you have to do all kinds of modifications to the case. The American buttons just snap in and the stick mounts right away.


newer Happ sticks are indeed made in China http://www.lizardlick.com/pages/joysticks.shtml

[Puffy2k316]

I didn't mean that the sticks weren't made in America. I meant that's what's used in American arcade machines. They're an American company, their headquarters are in Illinois. They aren't the first American company to outsource their work to China for cheaper lol.