Orniletter
Banned
....you do know that you are supposed to hold the controller with your middle fingers and use the triggers with your index fingers... right ?
What a weird opinion.
What a weird opinion.
-
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I hate shoulder buttons. Why are they a thing?
- Thread starter MikeDip
- Start date
Samurai G0SU
Member
Wait, you cramp up your hand and lose back support? I think you need to visit a doctor and get that checked out.
Sheriff_Battlesnake
Banned
Because I'm budgeted on thumbs and like throwing grenades.
sixteen-bit
Member
OP consider buying an arcade stick
I believe when he says back support, he is talking about the back of the controller, like it will slip out of his grasp when he uses the shoulder buttons.
Yes, of course! I did not mean my spine gave out when I used these buttons.
LonelyGreyWolf
Banned
OP knows how to hold a game controller, right?
Random pics from Google
I don't see the problem.
Random pics from Google
I don't see the problem.
Parhelion69
Member
shoulder buttons is one of the best things that happened in gaming.
Sometimes shoulder buttons are the "main" buttons and the rest are just support, and it works wonderfully
Sometimes shoulder buttons are the "main" buttons and the rest are just support, and it works wonderfully
TheSlySoul
Member
You are going to hate the n3DS then since it has 4 shoulder buttons.
Honestly 2 never bothered me, but 4 irks me.
Honestly 2 never bothered me, but 4 irks me.
Dr. Black Jack
Member
In what universe is an ergonomically-designed controller shell less comfortable than a flat pad?
kavanf1
Member
I knew I had seen that avatar talking about some crazy opinion before.
You're the same guy who wishes his Coca Cola was warm and way thicker.
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=981716
Wtf dude? You're making a strong run at Terrisus for being the strangest poster on GAF.
You're the same guy who wishes his Coca Cola was warm and way thicker.
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=981716
Wtf dude? You're making a strong run at Terrisus for being the strangest poster on GAF.
Elitist1945
Member
This is why I liked the PS3 controller. Index fingers rested on the triggers, and then the shoulder buttons were below that which was easily pushed by your lower finger if you needed to.
Omegasquash
Member
Aaaaaaaand I've read the silliest thread in a long time, just now. Thanks for the chuckle, OP.
Give War A Chance
Member
I've only ever had an issue with shoulder buttons once (the bumpers on the X1). Outside of that, I don't know that I've ever heard anyone complain about anything but those.
The Cool One
Member
Naw I never had a problem with controllers with shoulder buttons. I think you might be alone on this.
Also GEN controller is the GOAT
Also GEN controller is the GOAT
hydrophilic attack
Member
They are great for 3d games where you use your right thumb to control the camera. Mapping important functions onto the face buttons force you to use an uncomfortable claw grip for optimal performance. Mapping them onto the shoulder buttons prevents this problem. More character action games should adopt Souls-style control schemes in this regard.
Claw method probably
Yes, hardware manufacturers need to work with how a controller is typically held.
As for the OP, I disagree.
JinjoUnchained
Member
Kinda understand the point. It sounds like the same reasoning that Nintendo used when going back to the Wii Remote: having more than the binary choice from two buttons is a barrier to entry for many people. Everyone in my family will play some NES Super Mario Bros, but Super Mario World would be a lot more intimidating to them. Even though X/L/R aren't used that much in SMW, IME the extra potential complexity throws off a lot of people that don't play regularly.
I think that's what OP is getting at, any way. Personally, I like shoulder buttons as an item toggle instead of as an action. Comparing Mega Man X to NES Mega Man, it's so much more convenient changing weapons with L/R in real time than the old NES method of pausing to select a new weapon. I wouldn't want to use shoulder buttons for any action that requires precision and quick reflexes.
I think that's what OP is getting at, any way. Personally, I like shoulder buttons as an item toggle instead of as an action. Comparing Mega Man X to NES Mega Man, it's so much more convenient changing weapons with L/R in real time than the old NES method of pausing to select a new weapon. I wouldn't want to use shoulder buttons for any action that requires precision and quick reflexes.
terrisus
Member
Having large hands make it very easy to hold with the index finger on the shoulder buttons and middle finger resting the triggers.
The buttons I dislike, well feel they are in the wrong location is the the L3, R3 buttons. Pushing the thumb sticks down when they could have just put them on the bottom.
The buttons I dislike, well feel they are in the wrong location is the the L3, R3 buttons. Pushing the thumb sticks down when they could have just put them on the bottom.
Skellig Gra
Member
Just when I thought I had heard it all. Simple answer is they couldn't fit more buttons on the front of the controller comfortably so they started putting them on top.
He doesn't though, we thought that for awhile as well.
PumpkinSpice
Banned
Fine, I'll do it:
Uncomfortable:
I don't mean for like holding it for 5 minutes. But if I'm going to be spending hours holding these things I'd rather just have my fingers on the back.
Uncomfortable:
Comfortable:
Uncomfortable:
Comfortable:
Uncomfortable:
Comfortable:
I don't mean for like holding it for 5 minutes. But if I'm going to be spending hours holding these things I'd rather just have my fingers on the back.
Yes thank you! Exactly what I mean.
UncleCross
Member
What? That's like the exact opposite of how they are. Sounds like you are holding the controller is some weird fashion if you're having so much trouble.
scoobidoo112
Member
I still don't understand how the positioning of one finger makes the difference between comfortable and uncomfortable. It would seem that you could get used to it relatively quickly, unless you have like....arthritis? Whatever the case, controllers aren't changing anytime soon so you better get used to it 
This has to be the most confusing thing I've ever read on Gaf...
This has to be the most confusing thing I've ever read on Gaf...
Those "comfortable" pics look incredibly uncomfortable to me. They are completely opposed to the natural resting position of a hand.
D
Deleted member 752119
Unconfirmed Member
I didn't like them on the SNES, and still don't like them much on portables like the 3DS or Vita (latter is fine with trigger grip attachment though).
But I have had no issues with them on post SNES console controllers, especially the Dual Shock and all the Xbox controllers (sans the orginal XB1 version--type S was great though). Those are designed so its more ergonomic to use the shoulder buttons. Unlike the SNES or portables where the design is flat and they're just on the top corners.
But I have had no issues with them on post SNES console controllers, especially the Dual Shock and all the Xbox controllers (sans the orginal XB1 version--type S was great though). Those are designed so its more ergonomic to use the shoulder buttons. Unlike the SNES or portables where the design is flat and they're just on the top corners.
PumpkinSpice
Banned
Those "comfortable" pics look incredibly uncomfortable to me. They are completely opposed to the natural resting position of a hand.
I'm also trying to take a photo at the same time. I don't usually hold my controllers at arms length at an angle.
Try and just look at my fingers. Gripping a controller with all your fingers on the back is much more comfortable.
I'm referring specifically to finger positions. A hand naturally curls up like in my photo you seem to have your top two fingers contorted behind the controller to grip the back. That also moves your thumb to an awkward position for the joysticks. I couldn't imagine doing that for any extended period of time.
EDIT
I'm not saying that the particular position you are using is not more comfortable for you specifically as I can't speak to that but I personally would find it the opposite.
Here's the real dilemma of the thread. I'm a 4 fingers guy, index on shoulder buttons and middle fingers on the triggers. I adopted it learning to play dark souls since it just makes sense, being able to parry/power attack the second you need to, instead of switching your index finger over. It made the most sense, and ever since I've used it for every game I play with a controller, especially bayonetta/dmc. I see nothing wrong with it, feels fine.
Finale Fireworker
Member
I do not believe how you guys feel holding controllers is how most other people feel holding controllers. I would say most people are probably the opposite.
Yeah, I just tried the "comfortable" position as seen in those photos and disagree heavily. That feels awful.
As with most people, my fingers naturally rest on the shoulder buttons.
Finale Fireworker is still the closest to how I hold a controller:
MikeDip, this is how I, and I think most others, hold a controller.
DJ_Lae
Member
Small controllers or handhelds with shoulder buttons are uncomfortable - I can't disagree with that. The Vita is an abomination in that regard, I had to go out and buy grips for it.
Other controllers, though...not at all. I actually grew to appreciate the Xbox One controller, where I initially hated its shoulder buttons. But they're designed in such a way that you need only the slightest of movements up from the trigger to press them, and with the middle segment of your index finger too. They're great.
The only one I find somewhat uncomfortable is the Dual Shock 2/3, as there is relatively little controller to hang onto at the bottom. And to be fair, the problems with those controllers (especially the DS3) are the triggers, not the shoulder buttons.
Other controllers, though...not at all. I actually grew to appreciate the Xbox One controller, where I initially hated its shoulder buttons. But they're designed in such a way that you need only the slightest of movements up from the trigger to press them, and with the middle segment of your index finger too. They're great.
The only one I find somewhat uncomfortable is the Dual Shock 2/3, as there is relatively little controller to hang onto at the bottom. And to be fair, the problems with those controllers (especially the DS3) are the triggers, not the shoulder buttons.
For me I played alot of Frequency and got used to it then. Amplitude was pure awesome though and helped me more on getting so used to it that I broke the track for R2 and would end up sticking.