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[Fredescu]

Yes, your accelerator pedal on the floor (or up arrow, a button, x button) is no doubt better. For the people that play racers with gamepads, how would you prefer your analog acceleration to happen? Right trigger, or right stick? I had no idea the latter was widespread until yesterday.

For the right stick fans, which games made you this way? Which games can and can't be customised to allow you to play like this? Do you also invert the y axis in shooters?

 

[TheSeks]

GT3 is the first game that uses by default. Frankly, I can't stand it and rather use the triggers for the functions.

Too bad the only controller with a decent gas/brake trigger function is the X-box controller.

 

[Supervlieg]

I tried it but decided to stick with the trigger. Feels more natural, the switch between braking and accelerating is more instant. And I find the horizontal travel distracting.

I can see the stick working better for an airplane throttle though.

 

[Deleted member 30609]

I didn't really start playing racing games outside of arcades other than Mario Kart until the Xbox gen, and at that point the triggers were standard.

It seems to make a lot of sense to me as far as hand-position on the controller is concerned. Frees up lots of room for your thumb to hit other buttons. That, and you know, the triggers are kind of similar to pedals.

I don't really see the downside to that method, whereas the stick taking up a whole thumb not only sacrifices comfortable hand position (assuming you use another finger to hit the face buttons), but it also makes getting the in-between speeds much harder to stably land on. Making accelerating and braking mutually exclusive also rubs me the wrong way.

 

[yencid]

Neither, i cant stand it like that, when i played midnight club LA i changed it back to a button press

 

[AndyD]

I tried it but decided to stick with the trigger. Feels more natural, the switch between braking and accelerating is more instant. And I find the horizontal travel distracting.

I can see the stick working better for an airplane throttle though.

Same here. The lack of brake and gas distinctly does not work well for me. And the horizontal movement is misleading.

And the stick does work for plane games very well. Well, as well as a tiny joystick might. :lol

 

[Air Zombie Meat]

My preferred setup is triggers for accelerate\brake, right stick for shifting gears.

 

[TheExodu5]

My preferred setup is a Logitech G25.

 

[evolution]

I prefer triggers, but GT3 and GT4 worked better for me since there were no triggers on DS2. There is a learning curve, but it offers much better control compared to the "X" button.

 

[Ranger X]

When I play a racing game on PS3 I prefer gaz/brake on the right analog stick.

I feel it's more precise than than the trigger + I don't really need to trottle and brake at the same time so...

 

[Snuggles]

I like the right stick in games like Halo or Borderlands, where driving is occasional and you might need the trigger for an alternative action like shooting, but in a dedicated racing game the 'R' trigger is the only way to go. It makes much more sense because of the location and the right stick would probably get uncomfortable pretty quick.

 

[UFRA]

No way, I'd never use the stick for gas/brake. It just can't be as fast and effective as using the buttons or the triggers.

In the PS2 days, I always used X for gas, Square for brake. L1 and R1 for down/up shift.

Now, NFS: Shift introduced me to the glory of the more effective triggers. I now use R2/L2 for gas/brake, and then either X for upshift and Square for downshift, or in F1CE Triangle for upshift.

Never going back. And of course, I'll be using my wheel for GT5.

Also, I don't see how there would be a correlation between using the right stick for gas/brake and inverting the Y axis.

I invert the Y axis on all shooters/games you can control the camera. Just how I prefer it since it's more logical to me from a pilot perspective.

 

[Len Dontree]

My preferred setup is triggers for accelerate\brake, right stick for shifting gears.

Yes yes! It's a shame more games don't let you shift gears using the stick.

 

[chixdiggit]

I don't really need to trottle and brake at the same time so...

You should re-think that. Gas plus brake is very beneficial in most racing games. Taking corners while easing into and out of both helps a ton for me at least.

 

[Fredescu]

Also, I don't see how there would be a correlation between using the right stick for gas/brake and inverting the Y axis.

Just a little hypothesis from a small sample size. And it's not "y axis invert, therefore right stick." It was "right stick, therefore y axis invert."

 

[markot]

I invert and I use the right stick >.<,

GT3 got me into right sticking.

Cant remember about inverted, just always done it that way, and cant stand using the stupid method.

 

[Mar]

Using the stick to accelerate and brake seems insane to me in an age of triggers. What's next, asking to return to having steering on the same stick too? Remember Pit Stop on the C64? Great game, but your hands would be destroyed after one race holding up on a stick for a whole race.

It's backward thinking for a number of reasons.

1. You can't brake and accelerate at the same time. Case in point: Burnout Paradise 'burnouts' to start events.
2. Sort of related to point 1, precision cornering would be difficult, as you have to stop accelerating entirely in order to tap brake.
3. Degree of motion would be less on a stick, as the distance it travels is shorter.
4. Thumbs aren't as agile as pointer fingers leaving a lack of accuracy (movement in a third person action game for instance, it's difficult to find the sweet spot of slow walking and running on an analogue stick).
5. Your fingers are sitting there regardless if there's triggers or not. So you'd want to use them for something. What else would you use triggers for in a racing game?
6. You could accidentally brake instead of slow down, due to both movements attached to one input. For instance, accidentally hitting brake instead of just easing off the accelerator could spin you out in sim style racing games.
7. Where would you map the camera? In some views in some racing games, adjusting the camera up or down so you can see better when going up or down a hill is necessary.

 

[XiaNaphryz]

My preferred setup is a Logitech G25.

But you can't use these sexy pedals with it (on consoles anyway, they'll work fine with a G25/27 on PC):

 

[Xav]

After I first played MSR on Dreamcast using the triggers there was no other option for me. Not really sure how I'm going to deal with Gran Turismo 5 on PS3, I'm just hoping those pro trigger attachments I got will be good enough.

 

[inner-G]

Ha, i use x and o for acc/brake. (I steer with the dpad too)

I use a DFGT now, i dont play with a pad much anyomre. But in the day i played GT 1-4 with the pad and face buttons.

 

[Grayman]

analog x button(with onscreen throttle indicator if it is a game like GT) is my favourite gamepad acceleration.

I used right stick for GT1 and 2 sometimes but for ps2 games and later I have never used it.

 

[shattyboombatty]

I like the right stick in games like Halo or Borderlands, where driving is occasional and you might need the trigger for an alternative action like shooting, but in a dedicated racing game the 'R' trigger is the only way to go. It makes much more sense because of the location and the right stick would probably get uncomfortable pretty quick.

I agree.

 

[evlcookie]

Using the stick to accelerate and brake seems insane to me in an age of triggers. What's next, asking to return to having steering on the same stick too? Remember Pit Stop on the C64? Great game, but your hands would be destroyed after one race holding up on a stick for a whole race.

It's backward thinking for a number of reasons.

1. You can't brake and accelerate at the same time. Case in point: Burnout Paradise 'burnouts' to start events.
2. Sort of related to point 1, precision cornering would be difficult, as you have to stop accelerating entirely in order to tap brake.
3. Degree of motion would be less on a stick, as the distance it travels is shorter.
4. Thumbs aren't as agile as pointer fingers leaving a lack of accuracy (movement in a third person action game for instance, it's difficult to find the sweet spot of slow walking and running on an analogue stick).
5. Your fingers are sitting there regardless if there's triggers or not. So you'd want to use them for something. What else would you use triggers for in a racing game?
6. You could accidentally brake instead of slow down, due to both movements attached to one input. For instance, accidentally hitting brake instead of just easing off the accelerator could spin you out in sim style racing games.
7. Where would you map the camera? In some views in some racing games, adjusting the camera up or down so you can see better when going up or down a hill is necessary.

1. It was a design decision in burnout paradise. You could have easily started an event with any other button on the controller. I guess they wanted you to feel like you were doing a burnout to start a burnout event in a burnout game, yeaaaaa.
2. True to a point. In an arcade racer it doesn't really matter. In a sim game then there's a good chance you are correct, triggers would be the better option.
3. Mmm not too sure about that one.
4. Same as 3. I've never had any issues with controlling anything using a stick.
5. Trigger is for boost or to look backwards. Just because they sit there doesn't mean they need to be used. It's more comfy to leave them there than to actually be forced to use them for a long duration.
6. For sims, yep, very true.
7. No one needs a camera in a racing game. You only need to look back to see the poor bastards behind you. You could if it was really required, use R3 or map L2 and the stick to look around. At that point you are stationary so it wouldn't really matter.

It should still be an option when it comes to a racing game. There's no point in forcing a control scheme that not everyone likes or wants to use.

 

[user_nat]

Completely forgot that games like GT3 used the stick to accelerate. Seems crazy now.

Triggers all the way, allows greater precision (like half break/half accelerate).

 

[KillerAJD]

What's funny is (ok, not really funny), for the longest time, I was a die-hard buttons/dpad guy when playing racing games. It wasn't until ~'04 when my cousin brought over a NASCAR game or something where I started using the sticks for gas and brake. It then was another two years before I played a racing game on the original xbox (I think one of the NFS games) when I was introduced to using the triggers for gas and brake. It was the first time I'd ever heard of them being used for that. I hated it at first, but once I got my PS3 in early '07, it became the only method I used, up until recently anyway. Ended up getting myself a wheel a month ago Now I completely suck at using a pad because you get a wider range of motion with a wheel, and I always over-react when playing with a pad.

 

[Sohter.Nura]

I tried playing with the right stick once, can't remember what game... it was hideous. I like playing with the trigger buttons much better.

 

[Curufinwe]

Yes, your accelerator pedal on the floor (or up arrow, a button, x button) is no doubt better. For the people that play racers with gamepads, how would you prefer your analog acceleration to happen? Right trigger, or right stick? I had no idea the latter was widespread until yesterday.

For the right stick fans, which games made you this way?

Gran Turismo.

 

[Drkirby]

Xbox 360 Controller is my preferred Cheap man's solution for having Analog with a racing game, since the triggers are Analog and the controller easily hooked up to the PC.

 

[ScrabbleDude]

Too bad the only controller with a decent gas/brake trigger function is the X-box controller.

Actually, the GameCube's analog shoulder buttons were great for this.

 

[Drkirby]

Actually, the GameCube's analog shoulder buttons were great for this.

They are, but I don't think I have ever found a GCN > USB converter that doesn't just toss out the Analog Trigger's input.

 

[notsol337]

With your acceleration/braking on the right stick, you can't do both at once!

 

[FStop7]

I can't use one stick for braking/throttle because sometimes I want to overlap the two when I late brake or trail brake. I stick to the triggers.

 

[Shinjitsu]

Triggers or bust. I like to overlap break and gas a lot in racing games, transition feels smoother to me than just cutting the gas and hitting the breaks.

 

[WickedCobra03]

I tried it in Gran Turismo 4 when they had it as default, but I just couldn't do it. I tried for a good couple days.

On games like Halo though where they use it for occasional vehicle use which does not have to be too precise, I don't mind it at all and think it works well. I just couldn't get the hang of it for an actual racing game.

 

[Fredescu]

you can't do both at once!

Should you really have to? You don't in a normal car right?

 

[Drkirby]

Should you really have to? You don't in a normal car right?

But how will I play Outrun! Or quickly turn my plane in Ace Combat!... Well, I guess a plane isn't a car, but still!

 

[Snuggles]

GT3 is the first game that uses by default. Frankly, I can't stand it and rather use the triggers for the functions.

Too bad the only controller with a decent gas/brake trigger function is the X-box controller.

I normally dislike the dualshock's triggers, but for some reason they make sense to me as gas/brake buttons. The squishiness makes them feel like tiny gas/brake pedals and acceleration seems to work well with them. Plus, the location is a little easier for long time playing compared to the 360 pad since on the 360 pad I had to extend my fingers to the trigger.

 

[notsol337]

Should you really have to? You don't in a normal car right?

I don't drive against 8 other people in circles in real life either. It's fun to burn out for no real reason sometimes!

 

[Caesar III]

Using the stick to accelerate and brake seems insane to me in an age of triggers. What's next, asking to return to having steering on the same stick too? Remember Pit Stop on the C64? Great game, but your hands would be destroyed after one race holding up on a stick for a whole race.

It's backward thinking for a number of reasons.

1. You can't brake and accelerate at the same time. Case in point: Burnout Paradise 'burnouts' to start events.
2. Sort of related to point 1, precision cornering would be difficult, as you have to stop accelerating entirely in order to tap brake.
3. Degree of motion would be less on a stick, as the distance it travels is shorter.
4. Thumbs aren't as agile as pointer fingers leaving a lack of accuracy (movement in a third person action game for instance, it's difficult to find the sweet spot of slow walking and running on an analogue stick).
5. Your fingers are sitting there regardless if there's triggers or not. So you'd want to use them for something. What else would you use triggers for in a racing game?
6. You could accidentally brake instead of slow down, due to both movements attached to one input. For instance, accidentally hitting brake instead of just easing off the accelerator could spin you out in sim style racing games.
7. Where would you map the camera? In some views in some racing games, adjusting the camera up or down so you can see better when going up or down a hill is necessary.

I only use the triggers but since the stick is lost to acc/brake either way why not put acc to up and left and brake to down and right. That way you can use up-right to do a burnout just fine and everything works.


I love using the right stick to change the camera angle. Thank you GTA4. And I cannot stand Dirt2 because of this cause the camera is flipping in 90° angles

 

[Philanthropist]

I loved it in the PS2 Burnout games. It felt weird to start using triggers this gen, but I got used to it quickly and I wouldn't go back.

By the way, you could use the right stick to accelerate and brake in GTA San Andreas, but I didn't find out soon enough to take advantage of it. I believe it was possible in Vice City too.

 

[Curufinwe]

With your acceleration/braking on the right stick, you can't do both at once!

I'm sure I've played games where you could have brake on a shoulder button as well as having accelerate/brake on the right stick.

 

[XiaNaphryz]

Should you really have to? You don't in a normal car right?

Left-foot braking is a common race technique.

http://www.drivingfast.net/car-control/left-foot-braking.htm

You also need to use both the brake and accelerator at the same time for heel-and-toe.

http://www.drivingfast.net/car-control/heel-toe-shifting.htm

Of course, if you intend to do heel-and-toe in a video game, you likely have a wheel and pedal setup anyway and aren't worrying about a controller.

I'm sure I've played games where you could have brake on a shoulder button as well as having accelerate/brake on the right stick.

Sometimes that's the e-brake, which may not give you the desired effect. But if it was really set to the foot brake unless it was on an analog button you wouldn't be able to feather it properly.

 

[Dead Man]

This is why I like the analogue face buttons on the PS controllers. I started with the face buttons way back when on SNES/Sega, and I still use them for GT. With the analogue I get the familiar layout with the goodness of being able to use the accelerator and brake at the same time. If I'm driving manual, I use one set of triggers for the gears.

 

[Azure Phoenix]

I use it occasionally, when there aren't any better options available. Most notably all racing games where your acceleration is directly linked to how hard you press the face buttons, it's always very badly implemented and requires you to hold the button very hard to get normal levels of acceleration.

And F1 '98 on the PS1, acceleration with the X button was broken in that game if you used the auto gearbox (it frequently would stick in gear) so the twin sticks layout was the only way to make it playable.