JustSomeone
Member
This.
It's bad enough I have to use this thing on the ps4. To use it on PC? Hell no
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The best PC gaming controller according to The Wirecutter is....
- Thread starter entremet
- Start date
It's bad enough I have to use this thing on the ps4. To use it on PC? Hell no
That's another advantage of the Steam controller - it basically runs forever off of two Eneloops.
I mean, I guess one thing I could agree with is that I'd take any DS controller over a XB controller simply by virtue of the stick layout. Luckily, in a world in which the Steam controller exists I don't have to
The Steam controller is more comfortable to hold, it's more precise, it's far more configurable and customizable, and it has grip buttons. There really are very few genres for which I'd choose a different controller these days (and as I said earlier, often that "controller" is an arcade stick).
That's one of the many benefits of PC gaming, and in controllers it is embodied by the versatility and customization features of the Steam controller.
SirPinkyNose
Member
Lies, everything we disagree with is just in it for the hits
Nopes.
I swear I can't believe how many supposed PC gamers have so much issue with something like DS4Windows to use Xinput with a DS4. Is that hard?
I fear for you children when you try to install anything on your computer. How do you guys manage to install mods for games or use Reshade or you know... do anything fun on PC that it allows you to do?
And here I thought the whole benefit of a PC was having so many options at your disposal with just a bit of extra effort.... it's almost like people here treat their PCs like consoles. Sad.
Supposed PC gamers hating on the benefits that the PC platform provides.
People treated PC like it's console because they want console's ease of use with superior hardware. Which also means they want to be lazy and have a rig which they can go home after work, turn it on and enjoy the game without any hustle. This is why plug-and-play important.
PC purists would never touch a controller and would see it as a demon spawn invading their holy sanctuary. They already have the vastly superior control system which is mouse and keyboard.
Console war have never been a thing for me. I just grab the easiest one to use and go along with it.
JustSomeone
Member
They sound like smart people, those PC purists. I can only feel pity for people who prefer a controller over kb+m, unluess it's one of the rare games that really needs a controller to be playable
I've never been a fan of the Playstation controllers, the Xbox 360 controller still being my preferred one for PC. But I'm strictly keyboard and mouse wherever I feel it works best (often coming down to shoddy implementation when it doesn't), and that includes some games many people seem to insist work better with controller.
Backfoggen
Banned
Weird choice. Ease of setup and general compatibility should have made the Xbox the preferred choice with DS4 second if you prefer the layout. Most games don't even have the DS4 button prompts.
The Wirecutters approach is generally flawed, I bought some disappointing products before by listening to them. I think you're better off reading people's opinions online than trusting one site conducting one review.
The Wirecutters approach is generally flawed, I bought some disappointing products before by listening to them. I think you're better off reading people's opinions online than trusting one site conducting one review.
potatohead
Member
That's fine. Some people want that.
I just find it annoying for PC as a platform that people say "only the easiest is best because easiest is best for everyone." Because it's not that way for everyone.
For others PC gaming as an experience is tailoring it to fit them, sometimes if even for no other reason than because it's possible, and even if it takes a bit of extra work. I know it is that for me at least. Maybe I'm alone on that these days.
It's also embodied in the versatility and customization features provided by DS4Input with a DS4.
Which is written in the article, I hope you read that.
Did we mention there's a Dpad on the DS4 too?
Two questions:
1) why do you need the PlayStation button prompts if you're already familiar with the face button placement on a Xbox controller? or Nintendo controller?
2) general compatibility is just as good with DS4Input and a DS4 as it is with a XB360 controller
And as far as I've heard the Xbone controller has more issues with compatibility than I've ever heard from DS4Input x DS4 and Xinput games. I've not heard a single Xinput game that doesn't work with DS4Input or DS4Tool and a DS4.
To me it sounds like your reasoning is more flawed than what you are accusing WireCutter of.
That's alright though. I didn't visit your website.
I try and use my DS4 but some games just don't work at all..
-Darksiders has your camera fly into the sky and you can't move the right stick.
-Left 4 Dead 2 all the buttons are all over the place.
-Murdered Soul Suspect was completely fine.
I have DS4windows running and all the buttons are mapped to match a Xbox controller. Really annoying.
-Darksiders has your camera fly into the sky and you can't move the right stick.
-Left 4 Dead 2 all the buttons are all over the place.
-Murdered Soul Suspect was completely fine.
I have DS4windows running and all the buttons are mapped to match a Xbox controller. Really annoying.
potatohead
Member
You forgot to click the setting that says "Hide DS4 Controller" in the settings tab.
That blocks DirectInput functionality while you have DS4Input running.
Really I do worry about the children playing on PC these days... this is easily google-able stuff. GIYF and whatever.
Backfoggen
Banned
a) It's not about me, it's about people who don't know a lot about the topic. Wirecutter is catering to them.
b) I'm more talking about hardware and configuration compatibility. I couldn't get the DS4 to work with my Bluetooth adapter for example.
What?
I worry about all the faux OId PC Dudes trying to keep PC gaming perpetually janky.
I would have thought the Steam controller beats the DS4 in both respects. Tbh, I also would have thought the only thing the DS4 embodies better about PC gaming is using a third party program to make something work properly.
Shauneepeak
Member
Took me about an hour and a half to get my Xbox One controller working on Windows 7, did not auto install drivers for me. Then went to the official MS site and they had the wrong drivers, then googled around saw something about Microsoft not supporting Windows 7 with the X1 controller anymore so had to dig around until I found the original drivers from shortly after the Xbox One launched that they no longer have on the US site at least.
Candescence
Member
Reasonable choice for many games, but I can't go back from using the Steam Controller. Recently played through both Dark Souls III and Ori Definitive Edition with it with no problems. You can just do so, so much with it that no other controller can provide. If I really need digital input, my keyboard works fine.
Langdon Alger
Banned
Are you kidding me? Peeling sticks, squeaky triggers, 5 minute battery life, nearly flat triggers, etc.
entremet
Member
It's literally the title of the article, plus this lede:
The poster you replied to was talking about their selection criteria, which is for "most people". But they are not shy about saying "Best".
Do people read links anymore lol.
The Lone Courier
Member
Lol nope. My wired 360 is the best out of all the controllers available.
JustSomeone
Member
The Lone Courier
Member
Yeah wired.
It works perfectly fine here, use SCP DS3 (works with DS3 too) or DS4windows.
Thanks to those drivers you can even heavily customize your controller to your preferences (not possible with standard 360/Bone controller.
They're recognized as xinput controller and work in any game that works with a standard MS controller too.
But I don't think the DS4 is the best controller, the wireless 360 pad (changeable Dpad is even better thanks to improved overall controller quality) is better and people suggest that the Xbone pad is the best.
Battery life and overall quality is better on both mentioned controller.
The touchpad is not really that great and I have a wireless Logitech K400 which is better for that.
There is even a big disadvantage with the DS4 controller in comparison with DS3 or 360 in Rocket League and probably any other game.
But on pc who cares about your input device as long as you can make it work?
Budget, taste and personal preferences are what deciding you to get one.
Most of them you can easily set up and you probably can get it cheap or just ask someone to lend their controller so you can try it out.
RealityCheque
Banned
Steam controller for almost everything due to its versatility (it allowed me to play battlefield 4 from the couch without being decimated -- gyro aiming FTW!) and godly battery life, then Xbox one for anything else.
Lack of PS button prompts and, for me, it's eternal flakiness with multiple bluetooth dongles made it a no-go for me. Plus its build quality is incredibly bad.
Lack of PS button prompts and, for me, it's eternal flakiness with multiple bluetooth dongles made it a no-go for me. Plus its build quality is incredibly bad.
The Steam Controller is pretty much the best controller ever made because of how amazingly customizable it is and how perfect the touchpads are for games that typically make great use of a mouse. There are a few genres that still play better with an Xbox One or PS4 controller but they're in the minority.
MilkyJoe
Member
Steam controller is good but only for Steam games. I think it was promised there would be support outsode of Steam but it hasn't been implemented yet. Try playing Battlefront or BF4 with a Steam Controller, it doesn't work. That's why for now it isn't the preferred option for me.
X360 controller FTW. It has the best compatibility with games, drivers are solid, and wireless works great. Xbox One controller is nice but it still has some minor issues.
DS4, come talk to me when Sony releases some official drivers.
X360 controller FTW. It has the best compatibility with games, drivers are solid, and wireless works great. Xbox One controller is nice but it still has some minor issues.
DS4, come talk to me when Sony releases some official drivers.
I think the XBO controller is overall much better than the 360 one, but some of the smaller issues drive me crazy. I can't play the Sega Classics thing because of the controller issues.
tenderbrew
Member
I'll never get this and I guess it's probably due to just different hand sizes but no dual shock controller has ever felt comfortable in my hands. I constantly feeling my hands are in a claw position. I own a PS4 but honestly I'd use a different controller for that if I could. I don't own a One however and bought that controller because my God it's amazing feeling. Slips right into my hands. Even better than the 360 before it. I didn't even attempt Wii U Pro or think about it before this thread but that another great controller.
It's not a bad choice, but it's not remotely the ideal one, and I question how an article with research and a panel would ever pick the Dual Shock 4.
The thing needs modded drivers to even function decently on PC, the battery life is garbage compared to most other pads on the market, I personally don't like the feel of the sticks, the share/options buttons are located in harder to hit places, the touchpad accuracy is weak, and it lacks the rear paddle buttons of the Xbox Elite/Steam Controller that I think should just be a new standard.
In no major area do I think it has any real advantage. It's not as automatic a setup as the 360/Xbone pads, and even with modded drivers is lacking in customization compared to the Steam Controller.
Steam Controller I easily think is the best choice. The right haptic touchpad + gyro destroys a right analog stick for camera/reticle aim/desktop cursor use, the dual-stage triggers are amazing, I think the back paddles are more comfortable than the Elite ones, the amount of bindings you can implement on it are amazing, the battery life is insane with AA eneloops, and it functions so well on a Windows desktop that I used it as my Netflix remote...or if you need to get past launchers to boot into a game. Also, it's not that hard to load in outside games or emulated titles with it.
The thing needs modded drivers to even function decently on PC, the battery life is garbage compared to most other pads on the market, I personally don't like the feel of the sticks, the share/options buttons are located in harder to hit places, the touchpad accuracy is weak, and it lacks the rear paddle buttons of the Xbox Elite/Steam Controller that I think should just be a new standard.
In no major area do I think it has any real advantage. It's not as automatic a setup as the 360/Xbone pads, and even with modded drivers is lacking in customization compared to the Steam Controller.
Steam Controller I easily think is the best choice. The right haptic touchpad + gyro destroys a right analog stick for camera/reticle aim/desktop cursor use, the dual-stage triggers are amazing, I think the back paddles are more comfortable than the Elite ones, the amount of bindings you can implement on it are amazing, the battery life is insane with AA eneloops, and it functions so well on a Windows desktop that I used it as my Netflix remote...or if you need to get past launchers to boot into a game. Also, it's not that hard to load in outside games or emulated titles with it.
SerTapTap
Member
These posts are kind of funny because
1) OMG no drivers:
A) It has native drivers lol. You mean not Xinput specifically
B) Since when were PC players against a (very small) amount of extra work for a better experience?
2) "Xbox One is better" - I have actually had MORE problems getting my Xbox One controller to work than I ever did with my PS4 controller + DS4 Windows. Several games simply do not work with it. Fez wouldn't even launch.
The mouse thing really does help a ton and the d pad is great. It easily trumps the Steam and 360 controller as a general controller, it'd be a tighter race if the Xbox One pad actually worked as advertised but it doesn't. I also had to uninstall an update for the Xbox One pad because it hard crashed the whole PC. Amazing.
1) OMG no drivers:
A) It has native drivers lol. You mean not Xinput specifically
B) Since when were PC players against a (very small) amount of extra work for a better experience?
2) "Xbox One is better" - I have actually had MORE problems getting my Xbox One controller to work than I ever did with my PS4 controller + DS4 Windows. Several games simply do not work with it. Fez wouldn't even launch.
The mouse thing really does help a ton and the d pad is great. It easily trumps the Steam and 360 controller as a general controller, it'd be a tighter race if the Xbox One pad actually worked as advertised but it doesn't. I also had to uninstall an update for the Xbox One pad because it hard crashed the whole PC. Amazing.
Nabs
Member
You add those games as non-Steam games. I played Mirror's Edge beta and Mass Effect 2 with my Steam Controller.
Official Sony drivers would kill the freedom we currently have. It takes 2 seconds to install DS4Windows (I'm serious). We're PC gamers, this shit is not a roadblock.
i played titanfall on PC win a xbox360 controller, a xbox1 controller and a DS4
i did my absoloute best with the DS4 so that wins it for me
i dont know if i want to use somthing besides ds4windows lol.
i did my absoloute best with the DS4 so that wins it for me
i dont know if i want to use somthing besides ds4windows lol.
Meh.. the PS4 controller is bad. The build quality is awful and I still just do not like the design.
Yes the 360 pad has a shitty dpad. which is why I use a snes like controller for those types of games. But outside of that it just works.. and the sticks are better.
That said Ill always go mouse and keyboard first > 360 pad > snes like pad
Yes the 360 pad has a shitty dpad. which is why I use a snes like controller for those types of games. But outside of that it just works.. and the sticks are better.
That said Ill always go mouse and keyboard first > 360 pad > snes like pad
Bjoern the Smexy
Member
I agree with that.
When you have DS4Windows it just...works.
It's definitely my go to Controller nowadays.
When you have DS4Windows it just...works.
It's definitely my go to Controller nowadays.
AHA-Lambda
Member
Hell no, I still don't get the fuss for the ds4, 360 pad feels far superior to it still.
Plus no native support? Come on
Plus no native support? Come on
Nostremitus
Member
DS4 is a controller that is physically painful to use...
GeordieMark
Member
Lol. I wouldn't recommend the DS4 to anyone, where an alternative exists. I guess if you completely ignore the fact that the build quality is crap, they are ok.
Oppo
Member
people always mention this
but I never, ever look down. just imagine you're holding a 360 controller. boom, correct button prompts!
(if you have them all memorized like I do... I bet many of us do)
a post that is physically painful to read
ATOMICJORGE
Member
I agree I love my PS4 but the controller is not one of the strong points of the console
Wolfgunblood Garopa
Member
It feels like there must have been something wrong with the Steam controller I used when I read glowing praise for that thing, but I know that's not the case.