You can list a 3rd party controller if you want. There is no right or wrong answer. My favourite controller of all time is the Xbox 360 one. What about you guys?
From the ones that i owned, its the Dualsense. If it had two paddles in the back (no need 4 like some prefer) and hall effect sticks, i would consider it being perfect.
KB+M is the top one for me. At the end of the day, if i could only have 1 way to play games, then KB+M.
In terms of traditional gamepads:
To be honest they are all pretty much the same. I have a slight preference for the xbox layout for racing games (right turns don't stretch my thumb as much). However i find the PS layout a better all rounder overall as the Dpad is in a better position and the stick placement isn't really an issue. In terms of comfort, I would have definitely given the nod to xbox for the 360 and Xbox 1 controllers: however Sony have done real good with the dualsense. Happy to play long gaming sessions on both. I didn't really use the PS4 controller mind but the PS3 controller was properly rank.
The gamecube controller would have been nigh on perfect if it had clickable sticks, a hat on the right stick and an extra shoulder button. It looks goofy but it's very nice to actually use.
However traditional pads are dinosaurs and barely fit for purpose today. It's such an old design and developers have run out of ideas on what to do with them. There is very much just 10 year old standardised templates for these now and it's a bit of a shame. MS especially are poor on this front. They have basically added no new functionality since the original xbox. They just took that and made it more ergonomic. Very boring. No flappy paddles as standard. Same old rumble (they did add rumble to the triggers...and didn't use it it seems). Not even a gyro. It's a little sad.
VR controller are of most interest to me these days in terms of the tech in them and their capability. Very flexible and powerful ways to interact with a game. It would be cool to see them used even in non VR games. I like the idea of having a split controller. I also miss the pointing facility of the wiimote. That's a loss.
Anyway KB+M overall. Of the current lot of gamepads, I'll take the dualsense. Fav console controller of all time.....need more time with the dualsense but....maybe? The wiimote and nunchuck were very interesting but with a few too many faults. I wish there was a V2 though. Same with the gamecube approach (though the dualsense has, in a roundabout way, brought dual stage triggers back at least which is cool).
@osan0: Well, the Xbox controllers have evolved a bit. The very first original Xbox controller practically needed a forklift to operate it. It was huge! 😂
Granted, they got significantly better perception when Microsoft released the "Controller S". It was much better.
The Xbox controller, it has been perfect since the X360 and very little has ever changed.
When playing 2D games I prefer the SNES controller or something with a Nintendo style D-pad.
People say this about the x360 controller, but its false. Firstly, the analog sticks were too stiff, which makes it garbo for micro adjustements. Secondly, the sticks were too short for anything that requires precise/accurate aiming. Then there's the garbo dpad that is unusable and a battery holder that looks like a pregnant squirrel. Comfort is more subjective, but lets just say that i don't see many that prefer it over the dualsense, xbox controller or the x controllers over the 360's.
The Xbox controller, it has been perfect since the X360 and very little has ever changed.
When playing 2D games I prefer the SNES controller or something with a Nintendo style D-pad.
People say this about the x360 controller, but its false. Firstly, the analog sticks were too stiff, which makes it garbo for micro adjustements. Secondly, the sticks were too short for anything that requires precise/accurate aiming. Then there's the garbo dpad that is unusable and a battery holder that looks like a pregnant squirrel. Comfort is more subjective, but lets just say that i don't see many that prefer it over the dualsense, xbox controller or the x controllers over the 360's.
Ok but then what is your deal with the Xbox One controller?
The Xbox controller, it has been perfect since the X360 and very little has ever changed.
When playing 2D games I prefer the SNES controller or something with a Nintendo style D-pad.
People say this about the x360 controller, but its false. Firstly, the analog sticks were too stiff, which makes it garbo for micro adjustements. Secondly, the sticks were too short for anything that requires precise/accurate aiming. Then there's the garbo dpad that is unusable and a battery holder that looks like a pregnant squirrel. Comfort is more subjective, but lets just say that i don't see many that prefer it over the dualsense, xbox controller or the x controllers over the 360's.
Ok but then what is your deal with the Xbox One controller?
Nothing. Talking about the X360 controller, not the xbone one.
Nothing. Talking about the X360 controller, not the xbone one.
When it comes to the X360 controller I also think the triggers are a big stiff and they are softer and nicer on the Xbox One controller. The PS4 and PS5 controllers also give the triggers a run for its money and overall feel nicer.
I agree that d-pad is ass and the other criticism are a minor annoyance. Overall I'd say it's a 9.75/10
@ghosts4ever: we both agreed. Xbox controller is a masterpiece. Nothing beats it yet for all the basic aspects...good reliability, ergonomic, function and cross platform support.
No junk like dual sense or haptics, TouchPad gimmick or speaker in controller. MS keeps costs down and focuses on gaming.
Xbox Elite Series 2 controller, has great weight to it and you can adjust the thumb sticks height and the triggers for the amount of pressure on the shoulder buttons.
Can't say I have an all-time favourite, but Sega and MS have made some of the best, while Sony has some of the worst, and Nintendo's get the job done without being anything special.
Personally I really loved DS4. Its not as big as the Dualsense and light enough for long gaming sessions.
I also love the 8bitdo pro controllers and the xbox design variation. Those are very well made and I am hoping 8bitdo gets a license for PS version but I doubt it as Dualsense is most bought accessory and Sony dont want a good but cheap alternative.
I think right now my all time favorite is the Dualsense. It's just plain comfortable in my hands. I don't care about the haptic stuff at all though. In many games I actually turn it off. I just like how it feels and it has some heft to it.
I also have a Nintendo Pro that I love and I often take my Series X with me when I travel for some laptop gaming.
I like all three but the Dualsense wins in the comfort department (for me)
Nothing beats the Xbox 360 controller back in the old days, it was the best controller I ever used and now, the Xbox Series controller for my gaming PC gets way more love. Used to own an Xbox Elite but I abuse that sucker out big time. So the Series controller is my jam.
The DS5 now isn't so far behind, I do like the evolutionary of what Sony is trying to do and so far, it does feel evolutionary of a controller cause I think innovating a controller should be a thing.
And finally, back during PS1 era, when Sony introduced their analog controller, it was no more playing tank controllers, and playing it with Ape Escape was a huge game changer.
I've tried most of the main controlers: Dualshock 1,2, 3, OG Xbox, X360, XOne, Series, GC controler, N64, WiiU, etc, etc
And my personal pick is the Dualshock 4
It was perfect, just perfect *insert homelander meme here*
I do even prefer it to the Dualsense. I dont think the Dualsense haptic feedback is that good for gaming tbh. I dont like the tension on the triggers, I feel they might break at any time. DS4 had the best ergonomics for my big hands, the triggers were confortable and the rumble was at a right level, not too strong, not too soft
I beat a lot of nes games using the nes advantage. Will always have a soft spot in my heart.... The Xbox controllers are the most ergonomic and best lay out. Dualshock controllers have always felt budget brand.
Of reason years, this, picked this up on some charity sale thing maybe about 3-4 years back, for retro games it's heaven.
I hate my spazzy hands. I play Streets of Rage WORSE with the Mega Drive-style 8BitDo M30 controller because my fingers keep accidentally pressing A and B simultaneously, wasting stars, and I don't jump as much as I used to because there is more of a separation between the attack buttons (A and B) and C (jump) than with the modern YXBA diamond. The ABC controls are objectively superior to YXBA, but I can't WORK them properly.
I loved the Xbox 360 controller but it does feel rather small compared to the PS5’s Dualsense now. If more games took advantage of the Dualsense’s haptic feedback I’d say that would be my favorite of all time but for now it’s the 360’s controller.
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