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Console Controllers on PC Preference Thread

TriAceJP

Member
Now that all the current generation consoles are out and just about all controllers can be used on the PC, which is your preference?

I have at least one of everything able to be used on the PC. The situation usually decides what I'll use, but I'm on the hunt for the 'go to' pad.

Wireless Xbox 360: Made to simply work with the PC. The controllers can be found dirt cheap and make setting up multiplayer games absolutely simple. These are what I use for when I have friends over for Smash Bros or whatever running on Dolphin and Sonic All-Star, etc. The fact that xinput was made for these controllers saves the headache of dealing with background apps of curious origin. My negative against these are that I don't find them comfortable, but this is simply preference. Also, I've had nothing but bad luck with battery packs so I now use rechargeable AAs.

Xbox One: Majorly improved design over the 360 controller (personal opinion, of course) and natively support xinput, but only being able to be used wired is a major drawback. Requiring batteries or packs is also confusing, it's 2014. Also, there is a very slim chance of finding these under $45.

PlayStation DualShock 3/Sixaxis: Simply preferred over the 360 in design in my case, but can be a hassle to set up. The lack of need for a dongle is great, but that only holds true if you happen to have a compatible Bluetooth receiver built in your system or have a USB receiver anyway. These don't natively use xinput so getting them to work with a majority of games stress free involves emulation software that may/may not have some sneaky background stuff going on. Even with the software, not all games will see them 100% and have issues (Dark Souls was a big one in my case). The awesome battery life and convenient mini USB charger gives them a mighty plus. These are what I keep in my laptop bag. Easy to transport and awesomely syncs fine with the laptop, no issue. These are mostly found cheap but have a lot of misleading knockoffs and genuine controllers typically run a bit higher than a 360 controller.

PlayStation DualShock 4: These things pack a unimpressive battery life (you guys win!) but have the option for using the touch screen as a mouse, which can save some hassle if you're playing on a couch without a wireless keyboard. The micro USB cable makes a more modern simple charge and sync, but otherwise these are very similar to the PS3 controllers in terms of sync and compatibility. However, some games do support these natively (Transistor) but it is unknown if this will be commonplace. I also prefer these over the DS3 in comfort.

WiiU Pro Controller: These bad boys are light, comfortable and pack a hell of a charge. Simple mini USB charging is a plus. I don't have much more to add due to not having personally used one on the PC, but it is my current favourite design of controllers available. I will try to sync mine to my PC tonight and post back my findings.


So how about it, GAF? What's the best console controller used on the PC?
 
Dualshock 4 seems more flexible with Dinput support, most game inputs have XBO/360 controller button prompts so that's where it starts and ends with me.
 
PlayStation DualShock 4: These things pack a pretty impressive battery life...

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The DS4 has the worst battery life I've ever experienced on a wireless controller. It's my favorite controller ever though, and I use it on my PC with a wired connection.
 
I highly disagree.

I'm not sure you'll find anyone that does agree, lol.


I've stuck with the wireless 360 controllers for now. My controllers must have long battery life (days/week+ playtime) and be wireless. They're so darn cheap too...both the dongle and the controllers.
 
Rocking an Xbox One-controller and am very happy with it. I don't care too much about cables or batteries either since I don't do comfy couch gaming and my USB cable is long enough to find a comfortable position in my office chair anyway.
Native XInput is awesome too.
 
I have wireless 360 pad for like 5 years and it's just great. The only other pad I want is Steam Controller, for couch gaming of noncontroller supporting games, like Mass Effect trilogy. Hopefully next year.
 
If the DualShock 4 has "impressive" battery life, then what would be the right word to describe the Wii U Pro Controller's 80 hours? :P
 
DS4 is easily my favorite, though you've puzzlingly quoted battery life which is more or less my only complaint. DS4Windows is soooo goood.

360 is okay for anything that NEVER EVER uses the d pad.

Wii U pro controller is neat, but with manual re-syncing I really haven't even bothered to use it on PC. It's more than good enough, but not really superior to DS4 in any way but battery to me so I haven't considered it worth it. If it's your only controler it's more than worthy though.
 
I was using a 360 controller, now I use the Xb1 controller. When you plug in the XB1 controller, I don't think it uses battery power anymore. I could be wrong about that, but I don't remember ever needing to charge it while playing a pc game with it.
 
Well, i use the DS3 since it's the only controller i own. I had some annoyances setting up Xinput but it works fine now, and i've always loved playstation controllers.
 
Wii U Pro with that Mayflash thing.

Pro
- insanely easy to set up
- best battery
- best d-pad

Con
- button placement is different and you have to get used to it at first, especially weird when you have other consoles you use

As to other controllers: the Xbox 360 controller is not an option, the d-pad is the worst. DS3 works fine with a dongle, but there are better controllers. DS4 I haven't used that much so far but its battery life is really bad on the PS4.
 
WiiU Pro + Mayflash Adapter works great. That DInput/XInput switch is a godsent. Haven't used any other controllers on my PC since.
 
OHHH, I love pc games!

I'm about to hit 1000 games myself: http://steamcommunity.com/id/av2k

As for my preferences on controllers.. this is my go to for fighting games and 2d games.

2vIgQo0.jpg


Rogue Legacy is bliss with this joystick.. (top row: attack/magic/ability, bottom row: jump, dash back, dash forward)
 
I enjoyed the Xbone controller a while back but then I sold the Xbone. Now Im rocking the DS4. Its a damn comfortable controller and I just noticed the other day that the pad can be used as a mouse :) I havent tried figuring out if it works wireless or what I need to make it work but since the battery is WiiU gamepad levels of shitty Ill prolly just keep it plugged in.

Will try the WiiU Pro controller thou since its also super comfy and doesnt have that crazy blue lightbar flashing.
 
It's pretty tough. I have access to the DS3, DS4, Xb360 wired/wireless pad and the Xbone pad (Haven't bought the dongle for Wii U Pro). But I end up just grabbing whatever is closer between the Xbone and PS4 controllers. I think the PS4 has a slight edge but they are both great controllers.
 
Has MS said anything yet about a wireless adapter for the Xbone controller? I'd like to try it out but I'm not a fan of having even more wires than I already have. Also, batteries are the best. I always have some in a charger so I can just quickly switch them out when the ones in the controller are low.
 
WiiU Pro Controller: These bad boys are light, comfortable and pack a hell of a charge. Simple mini USB charging is a plus. I don't have much more to add due to not having personally used one on the PC, but it is my current favourite design of controllers available. I will try to sync mine to my PC tonight and post back my findings.


41rc31-dlIL.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Wii-Pro-Controller-Adapter/dp/B00E6553PW

Buy the USB adapter, don't bother using hacked bluetooth drivers. Save yourself time and disappointment. Happy gaming
 
I use a DS3 because it's all I have. One of the triggers is missing a spring so it's really sensitive because it won't spring back into place. But thanks to the glorious PC, I can just change the deadzone and fix it.

I am thinking of getting a DS4 but they're a bit expensive. I could buy a PS4 and get one with it but I know I'd end up playing like 2 games a year on it.
 
I enjoyed the Xbone controller a while back but then I sold the Xbone. Now Im rocking the DS4. Its a damn comfortable controller and I just noticed the other day that the pad can be used as a mouse :) I havent tried figuring out if it works wireless or what I need to make it work but since the battery is WiiU gamepad levels of shitty Ill prolly just keep it plugged in.

Will try the WiiU Pro controller thou since its also super comfy and doesnt have that crazy blue lightbar flashing.

Use DS4 Windows and you can use Xinput over bluetooth, and you can do whatever you want with the light bar including turning it off.
 
If you play racing games the Wii U controller shouldn't even be on your list unless you use a wheel. I prefer the PS4 controller the best over USB. Bluetooth is still too hit or miss for my experience.
 
Dpad games I use my Sega Saturn pad with a converter. Everything else I use a 360.

Looking to get a PS4 or XBO pad at some point to play games that play best with a Dpad but need a right analog stick and/or analog triggers.
 
I use the Xbox One controller. I can't be messing around with third party drivers, I just want plug 'n play. I also rather like the controller, it's great to use.
 
Wii U Pro for me. it's the best one-size-fits-all controller imo. it permanently retired my x360 controller. it's basically an x360 controller with better stick placement, an infinitely superior dpad, an infinitely superior battery life, and better triggers (digital master race bros, fuck what ya heard). it's great for 2D and 3D games so it's the only PC controller I need.
 
most of them are pretty middling for me. the ds4 is pretty good all around but the battery is awful and purely diagonal movements on its dpad are strangely difficult. the 360 controller is the best i've felt in terms of ergonomics but everyone knows about that awful dpad. the wii u pro controller is nice, feels good, and has a sevicable dpad, but doesn't have trigger range and the bluetooth pairing is always wonky.

for shmups, fighters, arcade games and the like i've just transitioned to an arcade stick because of the middling dpads on all of the above.
 
Definitely Xbox One. Comfortable, nice d-pad and triggers, no wrappers to mess with, etc. Not wireless, but that isn't an issue for me.

And then an arcade stick when the situation calls, which is pretty damn often.
 
As the person who wrote the review thread for the Wii U mayflash adapter, definitely get the mayflash adapter. If time is money, even if you only consider yourself minimum wage, it pays for itself.
It -literally- makes syncing the Wii U Pro controller to your PC easier than syncing to your Wii U.
Also its the best controller. :x
 
Was on the X360 wired until XB1 controller came along.
Perfect.
Great build quality, excellent battery life, out-of-the-box support and compatibility.

I ordered the Buffalo SNES controller for old school emulator games. \o/
 
I prefer the DS4.

Yeah the battery life is shit, even with the LED like 90% dimmed, but honestly I don't really play controller games all that much and even when I do it's not really more than an hour or 2 at a time. And functionally the controller is basically perfect imo.
 
I'm sorry in advance for a little thread hi-jack but I have a question regarding a PS4 controller.
Left stick in my original controller that came with PS4 broke so I need to buy a new one and I was thinking about getting the blue one.
so my question is;

Is it as good as the black and white ones?
 
for me, I go in this order of preference but will randomly use any of them

1) DualShock 3
2) DualShock 4
3) Wii Classic Controller Pro (though only when less buttons is acceptable)
4) Wii U Pro
5) Xbox 360 Wired
 
I have the Mayflash adapter for the Wii U Pro controller and it replaced my 360 controller as the go-to PC controller. It's just a wonderful controller, the layout works even better than I expected, and that battery life is nuts.
 
I use a Razer Onza (360 pad) on mine. Wired is a plus to me since I'm always close to the PC and I'd rather not worry about batteries, but its cord is insanely long and can sometimes get in the way. It's got some nice features but the only one that matters is that it's got hands-down the best face buttons I've ever used on a controller - it makes me look forward to games with button mashing sequences because I completely dominate them. Although I can mash so fast Asura's Wrath wasn't picking up my inputs. It's also got two extra programmable shoulder buttons which is nice sometimes, but mostly for console games with non-configurable controls.

The downside is that it's Razer. I've had mine for years and dropped it a few times, it's still fine. But there are a LOT of people who had problems with the build quality. Honestly sounds like I got lucky in that mine didn't self destruct 5 minutes out of the box. I know they make another pad called the Sabertooth but I've never used it and doubt they improved the durability much.

When my Onza dies I was going to switch to the Xbox One pad, it's not quite as good but it's close and probably much more durable.

However I'm also really interested in using a Wii U pro controller on my PC since that's an amazing gamepad in general. Huge battery life and nice d-pad too.

For fighters, shmups, and other arcadey 2D games I bust out a Hori HRAP VX SA. Depending what my income looks like in a few months I may get a new stick for PS4 but this one is perfectly fine.
 
Gamepads are literally the last thing I want to use on the PC, but when it is necessary I've used a wired 360 pad and a Logitech F310. I like the F310 a bit more, mostly because it's better with platformers (one of the genres where sometimes keyboard controls are difficult). The 360 pad would be better for FPS and racers but I have m/k for the former and a wheel/pedals for the latter.
 
I use an Xbox One pad on every game I can. Wish more PC games supported couch mode.

If I wanted to use a keyboard and mouse I'd be doing work (I program all day). I can only handle so much of it before RSI becomes a risk.
 
I use a Razer Onza (360 pad) on mine. Wired is a plus to me since I'm always close to the PC and I'd rather not worry about batteries, but its cord is insanely long and can sometimes get in the way. It's got some nice features but the only one that matters is that it's got hands-down the best face buttons I've ever used on a controller - it makes me look forward to games with button mashing sequences because I completely dominate them. Although I can mash so fast Asura's Wrath wasn't picking up my inputs. It's also got two extra programmable shoulder buttons which is nice sometimes, but mostly for console games with non-configurable controls.

The downside is that it's Razer. I've had mine for years and dropped it a few times, it's still fine. But there are a LOT of people who had problems with the build quality. Honestly sounds like I got lucky in that mine didn't self destruct 5 minutes out of the box. I know they make another pad called the Sabertooth but I've never used it and doubt they improved the durability much.

When my Onza dies I was going to switch to the Xbox One pad, it's not quite as good but it's close and probably much more durable.

I had the Razer Onza for a while on my 360, loved it. Then it started breaking down, first the rubber on the sticks wore off (much in a similar fashion to the DS4 stick problems) and then the shoulder triggers just started fucking up.

Sad, cause I really liked it.
 
I've only used a Dualshock 4 on PC and after the initial frustration I'm in love with it. I only use it for more action oriented games like Metal Gear Rising and Dark Souls since they seemed to be designed fully with controller in mind. Battery life has never been an issue and I can go a week on a charge (I average 2-3 hours of gaming a night). The reason I went with a DS4 is because other than PC the only other gaming platform I've played on in the last decade has been made by Sony. So I was most comfortable using it. Plus I plan to pickup a PS4 soon, so I'll have a spare for that.
 
I went from 360, to PS3 (best Dpad, Dark Souls), to Xbox One (no third party drivers).

I'd probably use a PS4 pad if I had a spare, and the drivers are better than motioninjoy
 
Wii U pro controller, Hitbox and when I'm really blasted, the Razer Hydra. I really wish the Steam Controller was out, as I'm dying to try that control method.

Those Logitech controllers have some pretty cool features, like being able to switch the functionality of the left analog stick and the d-pad with the push of a button. That's helped me many times in games that inexplicably won't let me set movement controls to the d-pad. They also have incredibly stiff triggers, to their detriment.
 
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