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[Bonfires Down]

For me, I haven’t actually found one that works well in every situation. The Steam Controller is fantastic for shooters but customizing it for every game gets really old, and the buttons aren’t very satisfying.

The XB1 controller is great, but it’s a little too small for me, and the d-pad has become less responsive now. It also doesn’t have a gyro.

The 360 controller is the perfect shape for my hands, but the d-pad is trash, and I like the analog sticks of the XB1 controller better.

If I could only choose one it would be mouse+keyboard, but 8-way digital movement is far from ideal and pressing keyboard keys in general is not as intuitive as controller buttons.

 

[JareBear: Remastered]

One S Controller

Switch Pro Controller

PlayStation Dualshock (1997)

SNES Controller

 

[VlaudTheImpaler]

And it isn't even close. From now on it's paddles or it's a no go for me.

But the runners up would be...

I was able to pick this up in a pawn shop with allowance money. None of my friends had anything like it so I thought it was cool. I did end up preferring it though because it felt more like a sega controller which I used a lot.

I had something like this that I found at a pawn shop as well for the snes with six buttons on the right but for the life of me I can't remember what it was. I just remember loving all the extra buttons. Spent a very long time using this. At one point, I actually mastered mega man x to the point I could nearly beat all levels blindfolded.

Found a Wingmaster at a yard sale. It had a throttle that came with it but I can't find a pic... Dunno if joysticks count... But some demo disk space and flying games where amazing with this. Actually, I remember playing flying tigers with it all the time and GREATLY preferred playing it that way.

flying tigers

Then there was the sega mega drive controller. Best sega controller I used. Spent a whole lot of time with this.

But as soon as the xbox controllers entered the scene, it's been nothing but asymmetrical sticks and great ergonomics from then on out.

EDIT: Gat dang power outages. I was editing to add more just after I posted and then zap...

 

[CatLady]

XB1 - Because it's a high quality contoller that can take a lot of abuse and keep working, has the sticks in the right place, uses replaceable batteries, has the right weight and just feels right for my hands

NES - Because it was my 1st game controller and I have fond memories of the console and controller that 1st introduced me to gaming

 

[Hosam6xavi]

GameCube ( the goat )

XB1

Switch pro controller

 

[Fbh]

Boring answer but I really like the Dualshock 4.
I think it's really comfortable, looks nice, can often be found on sale, I like the triggers, works well with Ps4 and PC, and it has a great Dpad.

I know some people have had issues with the build quality but aside from my launch controller which had the analog stick peeling issue, I've owned 4 and never really had any issues with them and they get a fair share of use and have all been dropped multiple times.

The only issue is the shitty battery life but once you get used to just have it plugged in when you aren't using it it's not really a big problem

 

[Mokus]

DualSens, obviously!


Dualshock 1-3, given I've spent such a long time with this design and finished so many games with it (and still playing).

 

[JareBear: Remastered]

To add to my first post, ask me in a year and I think my answer might be

Assuming it’s actually taken advantage of

 

[jackets with pockets]

 

[Mr Hyde]

 

[CatLady]

Oh damn, I forgot JoyCons. Like everything about the Switch (except that the games are not for me) I think they are super cool and work surprisingly well when assembled as a single controller. It is also the only controller with an internal battery I find tolerable because it lasts even longer than the XB1 between charges. It's also so cool you can break it up into 2 controllers, it's the Transformers of game controllers.

 

[DjMystix]

I have gone through so many controllers this gen, its ridiculous. Razer Raiju Tournament Edition (I prefer asymmetric sticks) is now my favorite controller. I not only use it with PS4 but also on PC as well. Super comfortable to hold with great custom button placements. If I have to pick from original controllers, then I think XBOX ONE is my favorite, even though I play mostly on PlayStation (Sometimes I use my xbox controller to remote play PS4 when I am not in the game room XD)

Razer Raiju Ultimate | Console

PS4 Controller with Bluetooth and Wired Connection

www.razer.com

 

[Birdo]

 

[JareBear: Remastered]

 

[Saber]

Gamecube and PS4.

And here I'm hoping Dualsense beats PS4 controller.

 

[kunonabi]

1. Wii remote & nunchuk

2. Japanese Saturn pad

3. Wii U gamepad

4. Dreamcast controller

5. Gamecube controller

Tied for 6th. PS1 controller. mostly because it works best for old school survival horror and rhythm games)

Tied for 6th. N64 controller. I'd put it higher than the ps1 if it had a better dpad and the analog stick didnt degrade so badly.

 

[Vawn]

PS4 and 360 probably. But, I'll be surprised if my answer going forward will be anything but

 

[Ballthyrm]

I really liked the Air Flo Controller , either the 360 or the GameCube one
Why such a good feature is not present on more controller nowadays ?

 

[Nymphae]

Dual Shock 4 and the Wavebird

 

[Jeeves]

If there's no need for sticks, you can't beat the SNES controller. Best layout, comfortable but without bloat, and the finest D-pad ever made. I was very happy to see it faithfully reproduced for the mini console.

Not the best for every type of game, but the GCN controller is probably the most comfortable for me. Standout aspects are the octagonal gates on the sticks (why the FUCK did we ever get rid of those?) and the comfy grooved shoulder buttons with that oh-so satisfying digital/analogue hybrid sensitivity.

For modern all-around use, the 360 controller is extremely comfortable and has a pleasing weight to it, and a great layout. The Switch Pro controller basically ties with it.

I've never liked Playstation controllers. The narrow grips and symmetrical stick placement isn't comfortable for me. The PS5 looks like a step in a much better direction though.

 

[rofif]

360. It's no longer the best but it's my fav.
Now, xbox one S with ds4 following closely but taking 2nd place because short battery life and bad windows support

 

[Meowzers]

For me, it's from the first console that I actually properly remembering owning, way back in 1997 as a wee lad...the humble N64 controller. So it wins on nostalgia, but was actually comfortable though it looked awkward at first.

And after that the original Xbox controller.

 

[REDRZA MWS]

I use an Astro c40 with PS4 Pro, love it.
On Xbox one X and PC I use an Elite ver. 2. Also love it. 2 of the best controllers ever. I know my elite 2 will work with my series X day 1, just hoping Sony allows the c40 day one too.

 

[BusierDonkey]

Series 2 Elite is easily my best controller. It was pricey but it's been worth it so far. The Xbone family of controllers has really been top-notch. The Xbox 360 was great too, but the battery box always got in the way and the d-pad sucked. Switch pro is great outside the d-pad, which is fixable with a small mod.

I always loved the layout of the WiiU Pro. With paddles, better rumble and analog triggers this would have been a perfect controller. It was big, had good battery life, and the buttons all felt good.

 

[wordslaughter]

Xbox Elite controller by far.

 

[Nikana]

Elites series 2 has been a God send. I can't go back to a controller without back buttons without it feeling weird.

I thought I loved the 360 controller but holding one recently its weird to think I played with one of those for 7 years. It just feels off.

 

[ILLtown]

All things considered, probably the 360 controller.

I much prefer the Xbox One controllers in terms of feel and design, particularly the Elites, but I've had nothing but problems with them. I had 5 Elite Series 2 controllers be faulty out of the box so I gave up and got a refund, but if MS could actually make a controller in 2020 that wasn't as fragile as a ResetEra poster's ego, I would definitely have put that at the top, cos in terms of on-paper design and feel in the hand, it's awesome.

 

[brian0057]

 

[ScarletSpider]

.

 

[GymWolf]

my favourite because i have giant hands (unfortunately they make my wewe look smaller than it is)

X360 pad second place.

 

[GermanZepp]

1. Dreamcast

2. Genesis xyz abc
3. 360

 

[BlackTron]

Xbox 360 was my favorite all-around, until the Switch pro controller. Its d-pad could be better, but it's still a huge improvement over the 360's terrible d-pad. Most controllers seem to have some area of great proficiency while botching it elsewhere, making it hard not to amass tons of controllers so you always have the right weapon for the job...

360 is still my main PC controller, though when the situation calls for a d-pad the Wii U pro gets its time. With both sticks on the top, I also like to take it out for twin-stick shooters.

Still a huge fan of SNES, N64 and Gamecube though. SNES gets a lot of competition from U pro because its d-pad is great and it has the same button layout, only with handles and ergonomics. I love the N64's precise control stick and 6 face buttons, but the dumb 3-prong design forces you to needlessly lose use of the d-pad. Gamecube fits like a glove, but messed up some easy details like only one shoulder getting a Z button and another bad dpad. It's the best controller for many multiplayer Nintendo games though so I use GC and Wavebirds to this day.

Ultimately I think Switch is the closest to perfection, it tightens up the few flaws of 360 and adds gyro and HD rumble. STILL not perfect though! Give this controller the U's d-pad, the "octagon notches" around the GCN sticks, and change the shape of the back triggers to a U pro/360 style and I think that would be IT...

 

[Celcius]

The Sega Dreamcast had a fantastic controller. The DualShock controllers are otherwise my favorites.

 

[Aidah]

A great Mouse and Keyboard (a lot of games are just not worth playing without them, a lot others are just way more enjoyable with them).

Wii remote and nunchuk (loved the split approach, very comfortable, perfect for the games designed for them. Absolutley loved motion whether it's popping a wheelie in Mario Kart, balancing Mario in a ball on a beam in Galaxy, playing a game that entirely depends on it, or just navigation the interface. built-in speaker adds charm when used in Nintendo games).

Switch Pro controller (Great build quality. Built-in battery with amazing life. No annoying logo light or light bar. Best gyro, great for games designed for it, and can be a replacement for M/KB in shooters when you feel like it without loosing too much of the game's appeal. Best pad overall).

Dualshock 4 (Favorite controller for 3rd person action like Souls/borne, DMC and the like. Favorite for racing that use analog triggers. Favorite for games that are better with a D-Pad. Best position for the D-Pad. Good bumper buttons. Battery life is not long enough but at least it's built-in. Great overall shape).

Right now I'm looking forward to trying the DualSense, and it could end up on the list replacing Dualshock 4 and solving most of its problems.

 

[EtherMagic]

Favs are any Xbox controller from 360 on, Switch Pro controller, Airflow GameCube, basically any controller that has the Analogs offset, concave sticks.

100% agree with this guy (below), My thoughts exactly on basically ANY Sony controller...

 

[Elektro Demon]

Xbox 360 is my perfect controller. I still use it for pc games.
The shape is perfect, layout is perfect, d pad is a little wonky but alright.

 

[Stuart360]

X360, then XB1 a close second.

 

[Old Retro]

greatest controller of the last greatest decade ever

Destroy you fucking children/scuff/thumb players like your pajamas were nailed to the fucking floor

 

[lachesis]

My current favorite is Switch Pro controller. Right size for me, and so far I haven't noticed any issues with D pad... but then again, I'm only playing Animal Crossing.

 

[CrustyBritches]

I've liked more than I've disliked. If I had to narrow if down to 3 I'd say:
-SNES
-Wiimote+
-Xbox One, in particular Razer Wolverine, but the Elite looks comparable. Gotta have those extra buttons on the back.

 

[German Hops]

the Nintendo Power Glove.

 

[BusierDonkey]

My current favorite is Switch Pro controller. Right size for me, and so far I haven't noticed any issues with D pad... but then again, I'm only playing Animal Crossing.

The d-pad has no pivot, so you can press the entire pad down from the center like a single button.

It’s not awful, but I wouldn’t want to play a fighting game on it.

Luckily it’s an easy diy fix to make a pivot for the d-pad.

 

[Eimran]

I need to have soo much sex with my cousin so that our children can play with this.

 

[Tamy]

My fav, just love everything about it.

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

I use these whenever I can and have gutted them / bought converters to use them across all my systems, from the NES on upward.

I love the Wiimote and the Wiimote + nunchuck combo. Very comfortable and I wish more games were designed with one-handed gaming in mind (b-baka not like that). Either the Wiimote or the Wii U Pro controller are my favorite Nintendo ones.

Six button SEGA Genesis controller or the American Saturn controller (yes, the one with the funky d-pad) would be my favorite SEGA ones

I like both the Playstation and Xbox controllers, but until the PS4 I would say I preferred the Xbox Duke + 360 standard controllers more in terms of form-factor. Now I don't have a preference per se, I just don't care hard enough to say which modern one I prefer. Both are very comfy in the hands.

 

[sublimit]

All playstation controllers as well as the WiiU Pro controller.

 

[martino]

Doesn't exist that would switch pro with xbox trigger where i can't change dpad / left stick and right stick / 4 buttons layout
an adaptable controller to the game I'm playing.
for now there is always games where i wish i can use another one or change thing on the controler i'm forced to use (when not on pc)

 

[sonomamashine]

disgusting.

greatest controller of the last greatest decade ever

Destroy you fucking children/scuff/thumb players like your pajamas were nailed to the fucking floor

Is this a fake PS1 controller ?

I use these whenever I can and have gutted them / bought converters to use them across all my systems, from the NES on upward.

I love the Wiimote and the Wiimote + nunchuck combo. Very comfortable and I wish more games were designed with one-handed gaming in mind (b-baka not like that). Either the Wiimote or the Wii U Pro controller are my favorite Nintendo ones.

Six button SEGA Genesis controller or the American Saturn controller (yes, the one with the funky d-pad) would be my favorite SEGA ones

I like both the Playstation and Xbox controllers, but until the PS4 I would say I preferred the Xbox Duke + 360 standard controllers more in terms of form-factor. Now I don't have a preference per se, I just don't care hard enough to say which modern one I prefer. Both are very comfy in the hands.

I can't stand Hori square gate stick, i tryed it, failed miserably, i find sanwa octagonal gate more practical.

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

I can't stand Hori square gate stick, i tryed it, failed miserably, i find sanwa octagonal gate more practical.

Grab a screwdriver and replace it, then? I have octogates + 2 lb springs + larger actuators in all my sticks (except the Seimitsu) and the mods cost a grand total of about $15.00.

 

[sonomamashine]

Grab a screwdriver and replace it, then? I have octogates + 2 lb springs + larger actuators in all my sticks (except the Seimitsu) and the mods cost a grand total of about $15.00.

I know, Sanwa parts cost around 40$ (buttons + stick + gate)