Gamepad recommendations

Sferics · Post by **Sferics** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 4:30 am

I'm not sure if this is the right forum, but I'm looking for a good gamepad recommendation. I'm searching for a wireless USB controller with a good 4 way directional pad, shoulder buttons, 4 face buttons, and preferably (but not required) 2 analog sticks. Also, since I will be using this gamepad on my laptop, I'd prefer the wireless receiver to be small and without wires, pretty much not a dongle-like receiver.

EDIT: Found this, anyone had any experience with it?

http://www.brloh.sk/images/obalky/pchry/h7189.jpg

Post by **Agozer** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 2:50 pm

Logitech Rumblepad 2 Coordless.

or the X360 or the PS3 pad.

Sferics · Post by **Sferics** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 4:14 pm

I've looked a the Cordless RumblePad 2, but it has rather large receiver with a wire. And I've heard bad things about the Xbox 360 controller's D-Pad.

DOLLS (J) [!] · Post by **DOLLS (J) [!]** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 7:21 pm

Sferics wrote:And I've heard bad things about the Xbox 360 controller's D-Pad.

Yeah, it sucks.

Post by **Agozer** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 8:44 pm

Sferics wrote:I've looked a the Cordless RumblePad 2, but it has rather large receiver with a wire.

Did you expect something different? AFAIK, most cordless PC gamepads have a wired receiver.

Or then I'm misunderstanding something here.

Gil_Hamilton · Post by **Gil_Hamilton** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 8:50 pm

Agozer wrote:
Sferics wrote:I've looked a the Cordless RumblePad 2, but it has rather large receiver with a wire.
Did you expect something different? AFAIK, most cordless PC gamepads have a wired receiver.

Or then I'm misunderstanding something here.

He's looking for one with a reciever like wireless mice use. That just hangs off the USB port.

Sferics · Post by **Sferics** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:50 pm

Agozer wrote:
Sferics wrote:I've looked a the Cordless RumblePad 2, but it has rather large receiver with a wire.
Did you expect something different? AFAIK, most cordless PC gamepads have a wired receiver.

Or then I'm misunderstanding something here.

I have found that to be true in most cases, but since this gamepad is going to be used primarily with my laptop, I'd prefer not to have a receiver with a two-foot long cord dangling from my USB port.

Gil_Hamilton · Post by **Gil_Hamilton** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 7:04 am

Personally, if it's laptop usage, I'd recommend a wired one.
The wire clutter won't be that big a deal since it won't be constantly connected, and you'll save your batteries.

Sferics · Post by **Sferics** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:17 am

Gil_Hamilton wrote:Personally, if it's laptop usage, I'd recommend a wired one.
The wire clutter won't be that big a deal since it won't be constantly connected, and you'll save your batteries.

I do think the Super Nintendo controller is virtually unrivaled as the best controller ever, and I have been thinking about compromising for a wired SNES retroport. The only downside with that for me is that I would need a joystick for some other games...

That Wii Classic Controller does look perfect for what I need, being a SNES-like controller with joysticks (by the way, does the quality compare with the original SNES controller?), but would it be possible for me to somehow connect that to my laptop?

funkyass · Post by **funkyass** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:21 am

if you want to carry around a wiimote with you... a bluetooth dongle would work.

on that note as well, you could also use the ps3 controller with bluetooth.

Gil_Hamilton · Post by **Gil_Hamilton** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:24 am

Sferics wrote:
Gil_Hamilton wrote:Personally, if it's laptop usage, I'd recommend a wired one.
The wire clutter won't be that big a deal since it won't be constantly connected, and you'll save your batteries.
I do think the Super Nintendo controller is virtually unrivaled as the best controller ever, and I have been thinking about compromising for a wired SNES retroport. The only downside with that for me is that I would need a joystick for some other games...

That Wii Classic Controller does look perfect for what I need, being a SNES=like controller with joysticks (by the way, does the quality compare with the original SNES controller?), but would it be possible for me to somehow connect that to my laptop?

Personally, I'm partial to the XBox 1 "S" controller. It's got a very nice d-pad, and fits the hands pretty well(mine, anyways).
The analog triggers are the only downside, being a tad mushy for SNES usage.

The Wii classic controller has to interface through the Wiimote. There's drivers for the Wiimote, but I dunno if they support the classic pad yet.

Sferics · Post by **Sferics** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:26 am

What all would I need for that? A bluetooth USB adapter, Wiimote, and Wii Classic Controller? Lugging around a Wiimote does sound like a pain...

As far as a PS3 controller goes, I find the split d-pad doesn't work too well for a lot of SNES games I like to play.

Gil_Hamilton · Post by **Gil_Hamilton** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:30 am

Sferics wrote:What all would I need for that? A bluetooth USB adapter, Wiimote, and Wii Classic Controller? Lugging around a Wiimote does sound like a pain...

Yeah.
And the classic controller has a wire connecting it to the Wiimote.

It's not really an elegant solution.

As far as a PS3 controller goes, I find the split d-pad doesn't work too well for a lot of SNES games I like to play.

I just find it damned uncomfortable(less so on the PS2 than the PS1, since it's a far less stiff pad. I've spent no real time with the PS3, but I don't think they improved the pad any).

Mechanically, it's nearly identical to every other pivot-point d-pad. The split is an aesthetic feature more than anything else.

Sferics · Post by **Sferics** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:37 am

So is a SNES retroport just the best solution? Or is there any other controller that has a comparable feel/quality?

I know you recommended the the Xbox S controller, but does it even hold a candle against the SNES controller? I've never played on an Xbox, so I wouldn't know. I do know one of my favorite qualities of the SNES controller is how small and compact it is, and I just don't see that in the Xbox S controller.

Gil_Hamilton · Post by **Gil_Hamilton** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 9:40 am

Truth is, I find the SNES pad TOO small.
The big gripe I''ve got with the XBox pad for SNES usage is the d-pad is off to the side instead of front and center.

Post by **badinsults** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 10:25 am

I have a Logitech Dual Action controller. Though it is wired, it is very comfortable and has a layout similar to a PS2 controller, except without the awkward angled handles. I have played many games with it on zsnes, and it works like a charm.

Sferics · Post by **Sferics** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 12:55 am

I have heard even worse things about the Dual Action's d-pad. One person went as far as to say it was so bad that it was a pain to even navigate menus with it.

Gil_Hamilton · Post by **Gil_Hamilton** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 7:08 am

Sferics wrote:I have heard even worse things about the Dual Action's d-pad. One person went as far as to say it was so bad that it was a pain to even navigate menus with it.

Keep in mind that Logitech redesigns their pads every few years, and keeps the model names.

I had a Logitech pad that was complete and utter shit. But that was at least 2 revisions ago(back when they had the transparent blue d-pad).

Sferics · Post by **Sferics** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 4:16 am

Well, I've decided to just go with a Super Nintendo controller, so I ordered one of those retrokits. It got me thinking though, would it be possible to install the usb chip into the receiver of a wireless super nintendo controller? Are there any good wireless super nintendo controllers?

Gil_Hamilton · Post by **Gil_Hamilton** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 4:37 am

Sferics wrote:Well, I've decided to just go with a Super Nintendo controller, so I ordered one of those retrokits. It got me thinking though, would it be possible to install the usb chip into the receiver of a wireless super nintendo controller?

If the chip takes the SNES bit stream(as in it can be an actual adapter that sits between the SNES controller and the PC, as opposed to gutting the controller and "rebraining" it), it should be installable.
If it takes direct switch inputs, no.

Are there any good wireless super nintendo controllers?

I'm betting no, but I'm not positive.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 4:19 am

Righteous: Saitek makes really good controllers. I highly recommend the P990.