Favorite controller?

[MasterEn]

i still have the original controller for my n64. a red on. still works, the analog stick is a bit worn out though.

 

[G78]

When it comes to regular controllers, my favorite right now is the DualSense from PS5. Sony has been making consoles for many years, and it’s clear they’ve put a lot of thought into the comfort, ergonomics, and functionality of their controllers. The DualSense feels like a big step forward, especially with its tactile feedback and adaptive triggers, which add a lot of depth to the gaming experience.

However, as a fan of arcade fight sticks, I’d also like to highlight the Hori Tekken 3 Fightstick HPS-27 for PS1. It’s a true classic! The top metal panel makes it stand out from modern plastic models, which tend to heat up quickly during use and feel a bit cheap to the touch.

The stick also features excellent classic buttons and a high-quality joystick. These deliver the authentic feel of an arcade machine, from the button presses to the precise joystick movements. For retro enthusiasts and anyone looking for a genuine arcade experience, this is a perfect choice!

 

[moonbits]

For 2D games: The Sega Saturn
For 3D games: Dualsense

 

[DoubleSunday]

Is the d-pad an improvement over the original?

in my opinion it is, you can swap the disco ball out for a regular dpad and theyre both made of metal. Its definitely better than the base controller though

 

[Parasite_Steve]

I have to go with the ps4 controller. Ergonomics-wise one of the best I’ve ever held in my hands. It’s not perfect. The analog sticks could use a little more resistance but I never feel any fatigue even after long sessions.

When it comes to retro controllers I have to give it to the Saturn hands down. Probably my favorite d-pad by a mile.

There are a lot of good options for gamepads these days. A huge contrast to the choices available for PC gamers during the 90s lol

Pc gamepads were a nightmare throughout the nineties for real. I got used to playing fighting games and racing games either with a keyboard or a joystick instead.

 

[Ian Naxieas]

Currently, the DualSense is my babe. I really like how it feels in my hands and I like the haptic feedback when it's used. The adaptive triggers are both a blessing and a curse and the D-pad feels a little squishy sometimes. Unsurprisingly, they are not the most well built either. I'm not hard on my controllers but I've had one DualSense die, one replacement arrived DoA and the DualSense that came with my PS5 still works fine but the face buttons are a little mushy. I use it for most my PC games and a lot of emulation. However...

The Xbox One controller is really nice too. Sadly it doesn't have the compatibility of the 360 controller, but I think it's Microsoft's best feeling controller. It was my favorite until the DualSense came along. I still use it occasionally, but really only for racing games. The triggers feel good for accelerating and braking and I like the position of the left stick better for racing as well. Their build quality is kinda shit though. I've gone through a handful of them and I'm legit shocked the two we currently have are still working past the replacement warranty.

The 8BitDo Pro 2 sees a lot of use as well. It's THE controller for my Switch and I use it for emulating Nintendo games or PC games that my PS5 controller doesn't want to play nice with. I'm a bit sad I don't have the newer model with the Hall effect joysticks, but it's lasted years with no issues at all so I'll cross the replacement bridge when/if it comes. It's also cheaper than all the first party controllers by a good chunk and like half the price of modern controllers if you opt for the wired version.

Finally, the GameCube controller. It's always felt super nice to hold, the clicking of the L and R triggers is one of the best feelings ever and you can even connect it to your Switch and/or PC with the 8BitDo Gbros adapter! I've also never had one of them truly die on me, which is not the case for literally any other console. I have 4 (3 wired, one WaveBird) and while two of the wired ones have ever so slightly loose sticks, the other two are in perfect condition. And even the loose ones are perfectly useable! It's not a total nightmare like the N64 stick.

And, well, this isn't a controller, but the 8BitDo Wireless USB Adapter 2 is excellent. It works with PCs as well as the Switch. So you can play the Switch with a PS3 controller! Yippie, I guess? I use it for both the PC and Switch. When connected to a PC it basically just makes your computer think the paired controller is a 360 controller, so it's compatibility is nice. It works with every wireless controller I own, though I'm sure there's some third party or such controllers that it won't play nice with. x) The only real downside is only one controller can be paired at a time. I swear I'm not being paid by 8BitDo to advertise their shit either. :V I've just been super happy with all their stuff so far.

 

[Trainer Red]

Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 and PS Dual Sense Edge !

I *wanted* to put the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller because it's actually the most comfortable
but yeah ... that issue with the button mapping on certain smartphones just too big a problem :/

 

[hazys]

Even though I've gotten very used to the DualShocks over the years, I still prefer the Gamecube controller ergonomically, though I understand it's terrible for stuff like traditional fighters. I also think the Switch Pro controller is pretty decent.

 

[PrismRed]

Dualshock 4, it just feels right on the hand, and it has all the buttons you need.

 

[Yukyon]

The Xbox Series controller, Microsoft barely changed their controller this gen for a reason
It just works

The Gamecube and Dualshock 4 are 2nd and 3rd place to me

Post automatically merged: Jan 29, 2025

OG Xbox controllers

The Duke or the "S" controller?

 

[dejap80]

Ive

any controller with playstation layout. I love my 8bitdo pro 2

Using this aswell as my goto on the PC for emulation. Is basically a Xbox controller so it works out of the box with anything really, no hassle to setup.

Its overall a good controller i'd say, been having a pretty good time with it,

 

[Kid Dynamite]

I'd have to say the PS4. It feels very comfortable.

 

[RageBurner]

I'd have to say the PS4. It feels very comfortable.

Absolute peak controller design. Besides it, I love the Saturn's as well.

 

[King Koopa's iconKing Koopa]

Dualshock 3

 

[CargoRoms]

I've always been a Dualshock person, for some reason, I prefer my left thumbstick under the dpad.
Perhaps, left thumbstick above the d-pad is more ergonomic, putting less strain on your hands? And I'm the one who doesn't want to change?

Although, with the recent Dualsense I got, I'm starting to think I should've bought Switch Pro controller instead? Why are L2 and R2 triggers so needlessly hard to press? Dualshock 2's L2 and R2 buttons were perfect.

I get it, triggers are good for driving games, emulating pedals.
But regarding shooters? I disagree. If PC mouse hasn't changed M1 and M2 buttons, not transforming into triggers, then there's no excuse for L2 and R2 buttons. Which is why I always switch to L1 and R1, regarding aiming and shooting.

 

[Den MDM Den MDM]

The DualShock 2 will always be the most comfy thing ever for me! I'll also add this little modded controller that's like an SNES one but with two more triggers, don't remember where I saw it but it was neatttt

 

[Deleted member 884]

No one in particular. I like the Xbox One controller, but also the PS3 and Pro Controller one for the Switch.

 

[DunkeyKong]

My favorite would be the BSP D3 controller, been using it for awhile. It's pretty easy to set up and use for both my phone and laptop, also because I bought it for a pretty cheap price like RM34+ ($7+)

 

[Dinosaurcerer]

Used to love dualshock controllers but now that my hands have grown I feel like switch pro controller is the nicest to hold. I'm currently using an xbox 360 one but i preferred Switch pro.

Do you like buttons that sort of 'click' instead of having some kind of progressive input?

 

[CargoRoms]

Used to love dualshock controllers but now that my hands have grown I feel like switch pro controller is the nicest to hold. I'm currently using an xbox 360 one but i preferred Switch pro.

Do you like buttons that sort of 'click' instead of having some kind of progressive input?

I prefer the buttons that click, with nothing in between (analog input?)

MGS3 used pressure sensitivity on buttons, which I found annoying. Same goes for triggers, just, eh...

The only benefit I see, is left analog stick movement, something what WASD on keyboard can't properly emulate.

 

[Graw]

The DualShock 2 will always be the most comfy thing ever for me! I'll also add this little modded controller that's like an SNES one but with two more triggers, don't remember where I saw it but it was neatttt

 

[Clippy]

We already have a thread here. A merge! A merge! My kingdom for a merge! @Waffles

 

[Waffles's iconWaffles]

(Bump to merge).

 

[loopy]

Dualshock controller + DS4Windows is godtier for 3DS and DS and WiiU emulation, because I can assign the touchpad the my mouse, and even to switch/enlarge the secondary screen when i have my finger on the touchpad, and shrink it back when I no longer have my thumb on the touchpad

Games that dont need the right joystick for circlepad emulation on 3DS, and for DS games always, I can use it as an alternative way to move the mouse cursor to control the touchscreen.

Also because Dualsense has six-axis motioncontrols, and some 3DS and WiiU games need that. But for DS because the trigger buttons are always unassigned, I can set the left trigger to toggle six-axis motion controls to mouse movent, and right trigger to click/touch the touchscreen.
That way I can simultaneously use the touchscreen but keep my fingers on all the facebuttons and dpad.

 

[SyphonFilter12]

PS3 I would say.