Laughing-Man Posted December 2, 2003 Share Posted December 2, 2003 This thread sort of spawned off a previous thread. This may sound like an odd question to ask, but most of you have seen many a console in your day. I am just curious out of all the systems you have played, what console controller do you like to game with? Those of you who have friends :rolleyes:, probably have the one friend that says something like "Oh I could have schooled you, but if it wasn't for this sucky controller I would have won. This controller sucks!" So if you are that friend now is the time to put in your two cents. Or like the thread this spawned from, you may enjoy throwing your favorite type of controller at something. Remember I am asking about the controller, not what is the best console, there are already hundreds of threads about that. Also if I forgot some rare system sorry about that, I could only fit ten in. And if this was a thread before, feel free to delete this, but I did a search. Personally, I am a PSX/PS2 controller man myself. I like the force feedback and it fits comfortably in my hands. I can't stand the GameCube or XBox controllers. The buttons on the GameCube controller are everywhere and are of various shapes and the XBox controller is just too bulky. The PSX/PS2 controller has just enough buttons and it doesn't hurt your fingers as much as the others do playing with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
preducer Posted December 2, 2003 Share Posted December 2, 2003 playstation controller is just nice for my small hand and it's not bulky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iron2000 Posted December 2, 2003 Share Posted December 2, 2003 I like the PS controller too. Haven't really played other consoles but I got the feeling that PS's is the most comfy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChicoCahill Posted December 2, 2003 Share Posted December 2, 2003 gamecube controller is great, especially the wavebird Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notchbak Posted December 2, 2003 Share Posted December 2, 2003 playstation2 controller is the best .. i even use it on my pc with an adapter.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danrarbc Posted December 2, 2003 Share Posted December 2, 2003 I have to choose other. Xbox Controller S and the GameCube controller are practically in a dead heat for me. I love the button layout for the GameCube, shape letter and direction-based (home, up, left, right). And the shoulder click is nice. I like the controller S for it's clicky sticks and the non-nipple secondary analog stick. Both feel great in the hand. I really dislike the PS1/2 controller though, I can't wrap my head around the square triangle X thing - after 8 years I still have to look down when the game tells me to hit a certain button on-screen (i'm fine in twitch gameplay though). And I hate that in the 21st century they STILL don't put the analog stick where your thumb rests, but instead use the D-pad there. As far as the older consoles on the list, ergonomics > nostalgia for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazzla Veteran Posted December 2, 2003 Veteran Share Posted December 2, 2003 Wow, I'm the only person to vote for the N64 controller :blink: Such a quality controller and so innovative at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danrarbc Posted December 2, 2003 Share Posted December 2, 2003 Don't get me wrong Dazzla, I love that thing. I'd probably still say it's more comfortable than an original Xbox controller for me, and more familiar than a PS2 controller. But in the end a the controllers this gen (or at least some of them) have surpassed it for me in both usability and comfort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boffa Jones Veteran Posted December 2, 2003 Veteran Share Posted December 2, 2003 I chose gcn, although the z button is terribly uncomfortable, its the best one overall. I really like dhte n64 controller as well awesome for shooters, and it had the most amazing d-pad, never used it but it was awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing-Man Posted December 2, 2003 Author Share Posted December 2, 2003 Wow, I'm the only person to vote for the N64 controller :blink:Such a quality controller and so innovative at the time. Well it probably has the most accurate joystick. It was really good for Mario64 type games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whipper25 Posted December 2, 2003 Share Posted December 2, 2003 i like the playstation controllers..not too bulky and very comfortable and ergonomic..when you've got dirt stuck between the controllers crevices you know you got a good fit :) (or maybe i need to wash my hands) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mm3h Posted December 2, 2003 Share Posted December 2, 2003 It has to be the PS controller its fits in your hand like a glove :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davemania Posted December 2, 2003 Share Posted December 2, 2003 I have to say PS2. IMO PS2 is better layed out than the N64 controller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Prodigal Father Posted December 2, 2003 Share Posted December 2, 2003 i like the N64 controller best.....it's layout is amazing and it really started a controller "revolution" in my opinion......the gamecube has the worst layout on earth and the XBOX is big BUT you know what they say about guys with small hands....lol j/k, the Contoller S is great and is quite PSX like but THE PSX controller is still the best out of this Generation of Consoles. Dreamcast had a nice controller but it was too squared and wasn't very ergonomic......still N64 has the best controller of all time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malechai Veteran Posted December 2, 2003 Veteran Share Posted December 2, 2003 I have to choose other. Xbox Controller S and the GameCube controller are practically in a dead heat for me. exactly what i did for the same reason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt74441 Posted December 2, 2003 Share Posted December 2, 2003 (edited) I like the Xbox Controller S and the Gamecube controller. The Playstation 2 controller is too cramped for me. But I'd trade it all for the good old days of the rectangular NES controller. Edited December 2, 2003 by matt74441 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerofsweden Posted December 2, 2003 Share Posted December 2, 2003 my first choice is the smaller xbox controller.. second choice is the ps2 controller.. and third is the n64 controller, argh i abused that one.. :cool: :cool: :ninja: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eppisode3 Posted December 2, 2003 Share Posted December 2, 2003 Yeah, GameCube controller wins out for me, but I really wish the DreamCast controller could be modified (I guess it could, but I'm not good at wiring) for the PC because that is the best "fighting game" controller ever. And using it with MAME would be sick. I, too, love how the shoulder buttons on the GC controller feel. My fingers can't slip off them and they feel comfortable. You also can't go wrong with the D-Pad, as it is the same size as the GBA, and Nintendo is the innovator of the D-Pad. I do wish the Z button was placed somewhere different (like the Z trigger on the N64) but I've gotten used to it, so it's irrelevant. I wonder how the next-gen controllers will be like? As far as I'm concerned, Nintendo can leave it the same and it will be fine with me. XBOX has to change and the Dual Shock is getting kind of old. We'll see...(patiently waiting to get off work, go sleep a few, then pick up 1080 Avalanche)... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyD Posted December 2, 2003 Share Posted December 2, 2003 Logitech Precision Controller for the Xbox -- took a bit to get used to but now I definitely prefer it over any other controller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kryptonik Posted December 2, 2003 Share Posted December 2, 2003 I vote the Gamecube controller. Fits in my hand perfectly and doesn't cramp them or anything. Buttons are perfect and the ones you use the most are easy access. I don't mind much about the 'z' button because it is the least used button. X-Box controller is way too big and the PlayStation controller is just crappy. Too cramped and isn't really comfortable. It is more like the SNES controller just revised. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lingwo Posted December 2, 2003 Share Posted December 2, 2003 I like the the Little version of the Xbox controller and the Dual Shock controller but i think the Dual Shock has the edge cause i am more used to it having owned the PSone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..... Posted December 3, 2003 Share Posted December 3, 2003 (edited) I did this comparison of each console's controller a while ago, as such I didn't have the wavebird (I do prefer it to any other controller though) PS2 Controller Analogue Sticks: I don't like the sticks on the PS2 at all - they are too loose, the coating on the top doesn't give enough grip, and they should at least have put an indent in the top to try and improve the grip. The least accurate of the controllers. The layout is terrible - they are too close to each other, so are terrible for games that require you to use both. They do work as a button as well, so I applaud them for adding that in. D-Pad: I don't like the "d-pad" on the PS2, they should have gone for a more conventional design rather than 4 buttons. I hear that they are also analogue and that you can get 2 levels of sensetivity on them from my PS2 friends, but I can't say I've noticed it. Buttons: The face buttons have a good layout, but there is still the useless "analogue" button there. The shoulder buttons are well laid out, although I do feel the L1 and R1 buttons are a bit small. Sony claims the buttons have 255 (I think) levels of sensitivity, which just isn't possible in actual use, as the buttons are set far too low into the controller, and most people will only get two or three different levels of sensetivity from them. I don't like them for that aspect. Rumble: The weakest rumble features of all of the controllers, in my opinion, but there are two or three different levels which is nice. Overall: I find this pad to be a bit small, and my hand cramps up after an hour or so of play. The buttons, whilst having a good layout, are set too low on the controller. It is probably the worst controller for racers, as the buttons are too low, and the analogue sticks (if you use them for accelleration that is) are too loose, and too inaccurate. GameCube Controller Analogue Sticks: Nintendo still has the best analogue stick around. Very accurate, and just tight enough for it to spring back at a nice rate. The surface has just the right grip on it, although it isn't great if someone with sweaty hands has used it, as it can be quite slippery. The stick does not act as a button, which is the only thing I can really fault them for, as it would be nice to have. The C-Stick is just as good, although the shape of it means that it is not good for games that use both (eg fps) frequently. It works well for controlling a camera in a third person game (not aiming though, eg splinter cell) and being used as 4 or 8 buttons (eg, metroid prime's weapon selection) The layout of the sticks, just like the xbox's layout is great, as you have some distance meaning your hands don't cramp nearly as quickly when in use. D-Pad: Although small, I would have to say that it is the best d-pad around still - the traditional shape is still the best, and has not been beaten yet. I haven't come across a game that has used it as it's main control, so it isn't really a problem, although it might not be good for fighters (I haven't tried any on the cube) If it was a bit larger it would be perfect, but as a secondary control it is great. Buttons: The buttons on the gamecube, whilst having a strange layout, work very well. They have a great feel to them, are set at just the right height from the pad, and have a great 'click' when using them. The analogue triggers are very smooth, and also have a nice 'click' when you fully push them in - however I don't think this would work well for racing titles (another genre I have not tried on my cube) but they are put to great use in the games I have tried. I often hear many complaints about the Z button on the controller, yet I have not had any problem with it. I imagine that it depends if you use your index, or middle fingers on the triggers. With the gamecube controller, I find it more comfortable to use my middle fingers on the trigger, due to the shape of them, so I can easily use the z-button with my index finger if I need to. I am not sure if the buttons on the controller are analogue or not. I do not think they are, as I haven't seen them being used in a game yet, and the nice 'click' they have also suggests this. I will mark them down for that, as I feel that at least the main buttons on a controller should be analogue, but for some reason I have never really noticed it. Rumble: Stronger than the PS2 rumble, it is quite good, but I have only noticed one level of vibration, whereas the other controllers have a wider range of feedback. Overall: Probably my favourite controller - a great button layout once you get used to it, and a very high quality pad. Very nice shape and size (slightly larger than the ps2 pad, and slightly smaller than the controller-s) The only downsides are the lack of buttons which could cause problems in multiplatform titles, but I haven't played any on my cube, as I get multiplatform ones on my xbox, if I get them at all. The other downside is the apparent lack of analogue buttons, although like I said, I am not sure if they are or not. XBOX - "Duke" Controller Analogue Sticks: Has the same great layout as the gamecube controller, but the sticks are not quite as good. They are slightly less accurate, but are still far better than the PS2's sticks. They are a bit too tight, but after a couple of weeks they loosen up a little, and are about as tight as the cube's sticks. They also work as buttons which is great, but I find myself sometimes pressing in the right stick by mistake due to the shape of the top of it. The surface is good, but the shape allows for more grip than the PS2 or GameCube one (the surface on the cube one is nicer though) I don't really like the right stick though, it isn't indented as much, so there is more chance of your thumb slipping. D-Pad: A strange d-pad, but not a terrible one. It is the worst of the three system's but is in a better location than the PS2's pad. It is quite accurate, and works reasonably well for fighters. Buttons: Definitely the best analogue buttons - set at a great height, and doesn't have a 'click' which means you can get six levels of sensitivity easily. I like the diamond shape the main buttons are in, as it feels more natural than the "regular" layout, but is not as good for certain genres, eg fighting. The black and white buttons are a bit too small, but they are intended as secondary buttons, although I will still fault them for that. The best thing to have done would be to have them as shoulder buttons above the triggers. Rumble: The best rumble in any controller I've used so far. It has two motors, and at least five different levels of feedback. I may just be imagining things, but it may have "directional" feedback, as the motors are in either side, and can work independantly, but I haven't really noticed it in a game. Overall: Despite it's size, after spending a half-hour of playing with the controller, most people don't have a problem with it. I have large hands so it fits mine nicely, but my friends have quite small hands, and it is their favourite controller (they don't own an xbox.) Very good for racing, and first-person games, but the triggers, and button shape/layout is not so good for some other genres. XBOX - Controller S Analogue Sticks: Very nice analogue sticks - a little bit looser than the "duke" sticks, but still tighter than any of the others. The shape of the top is the best of the other controllers, as it allows for a good grip, and has a nice feel to it - however I still prefer the rubber feel that the cube controller has. As with the duke, and the cube controller, it has a great layout for the sticks. The sticks are also buttons, but I didn't have the same problem I sometimes did with accidentally pressing the right on in on the duke controller. D-Pad: The worst d-pad - I even prefer the duke's to this one. The shape looks good, but it is quite inaccurate with diagonals in comparison due to the "flatness" of it. The location is still an improvement over the ps2's one. Buttons: Great main buttons, just like the duke they have the best analogue capability, but this time they are round buttons and in a more common layout, which makes them better for fighters and other games. The black and white buttons also get a lot of complaints from people, but just like the Z button on the cube controller I don't seem to have a problem with them - I just use the back of the knuckle on my thumb when using them, although having them as shoulder buttons would still be an improvement. The start and back buttons are in a strange location, but it doesn't cause any problems, apart for people that are using the controller for the first time and don't notice where they are. The triggers are great, although the ones on the larger controller were a bit better due to the larger size. They are still great for fps and racing, but fall short in many other genres like the duke's do. Rumble: Just like the duke, although slightly weaker due to the smaller motors. Overall: The second best controller you can get. A great size (slightly larger than the cube's) and a very nice feel to it. No real complaints other than the d-pad, and the analogue buttons on it are great, although not having the 'click' can put some people off. My rating of the controllers in order: Gamecube: The best overall controller, with a great size, and strange, yet great button layout. Controller-S: Very comfortable to hold, with the best analogue buttons around, and a great one for fps and racing games. Duke: Despite it's offputting size, a very well designed controller, but falls short in one or two areas. PS2: Far too small, and needs a redesign. It was made back in the PSone days when most control was digital, and it shows. Edited December 3, 2003 by andrewfee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing-Man Posted December 3, 2003 Author Share Posted December 3, 2003 Hot damn andrewfee, nice breakdown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimplyPotatoes Posted December 3, 2003 Share Posted December 3, 2003 i dont see the xbox controller my neighbor has on there...but it is small and comfy... :/ so i gotta vote other! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash Posted December 3, 2003 Share Posted December 3, 2003 ps2 controller bad for racing games? no way i never complained about it being too small, besides its simple and easy for someone new to quickly know the buttons. I find it just perfect, everyone has their own opinions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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