Topic: PC game pads that don't suck?

[Ian Sane]

I think this fits since the PC as a game platform is an "other system".

Anyway my brothers and I have been playing some popular arcade games lately in a well known manner that doesn't require purchasing full arcade cabinets.  Anyway we play a lot of 3-4 player games but it's really uncomfortable for us to crowd around the keyboard.  So I'm thinking about buying a PC game pad so that I can use it to play these games and free space around the keyboard (there are three of us and two at the keyboard is acceptable).

However so far my research on PC game pads has revealed that most PC controller are useless pieces of crap.  So can anyone suggest something that I can easily buy that works well and doesn't cost tons?  I don't want an X-Arcade (well I WANT one I just don't want to PAY for it) so I need something in a good price range.  Or if there isn't really a great controller does anyone know where I can get any adapters to work with console controllers I already have (preferably SNES, N64 or Playstation in that order since I need a good d-pad).

Just so you know I'm using XP.  

[Gamefreak]

Yup...
Okay I made a PC game thread a few months ago but whatever. Here are my top 2 recommended PC dual analog gamepads (both have PS2 layouts):

Logitech Rumblepad 2 - $30 MSRP ($40 for wireless, could find for less) - This has good rumble, and pretty much the exact layout of a PS2 controller. It's comfortable, has good build quality. The only slight gripe I have is the analog sticks are slightly too loose compared to an Xbox/GCN controller, but it still works well (Prince of Persia 2 controls very well). The Dpad is good, which is my main concern with PC gamepads apart from build quality. Not SNES/N64 good... The dpad is basically just like the one from the Xbox S controller. The corded one is black and blue and the wireless one is black. Both have rumble. I suggest the wired one since you shouldn't be going to far from your comp, especially if you have front USB ports. I have a corded one myself. Works great for emulators (especially SNES) as well as console ports like POP2 and sports games. Wired Wireless PS on the pictures the dpad looks abnormally high up on the gamepad but it's not really like that... Oh and battery life for wireless is claimed to be 100 hours, apparently with rumble o_O oh and the Gamespot review

Thrustmaster 2-1 Dual Trigger Gamepad - $20 (great deal) - This is a great gamepad. I'm planning on getting one for my second gamepad for some 2 player emulator action. But here's the best part. This hooks up to either a USB port on your PC or your PS2's controller port. You are getting a PC and PS2 gamepad in one! Not only that, in addition to the normal PS2 buttons there are two analog triggers (just like the Dreamcast or Xbox ones) that you can use on your PC. I wasn't sure how much they were, I figured 30 bucks, but I see that CompUSA is selling them for an amazing 20 dollars. It's a well built gamepad, and looks good (blue, black, and silver). I haven't played a game with it but Gamespot's review says the analog sticks are great. The Dpad looks well designed from the pics. Also, the analog sticks have a circular well they are in like the PS2 gamepads (where the GCN has an octogon and and the Logitech above has a square, because windows calibrates gamepads to a square range). Gamespot review Oh and it has two vibration motors of course.

If you want a console controller, there is a perfect adaptor for the N64 called the Adaptoid. It even supports rumble pak in windows and can even upload saves from your memory card to your PC. It rocks. Or... It rocked. They aren't being made any more... If you are lucky you could find an online retailer with some left or look on ebay...

There are numerous other adaptors for PSX, Dreamcast, N64, Gamecube, etc. just look online game retailers and import sites like lik-sang. There's this good gamecube one that comes with some good software and supports rumble and dual analog and even the analog triggers and the click and everything, but it doesn't support wavebirds. Hope that helps... and if it means anything, like I said I personally have the logitech and will get the thrustmaster. Also, Thrustmaster has some PC-only gamepads that are pretty good (my friend has one) but I prefer those two I listed. Oh, and whatever you do, DO NOT get the version of the logitech that has no rumble, it looks the same but 10 bucks less and without rumble, but it sucks. And the dpad is totally different (it's an older model, the two I listed both came out within the last year). Also, go to stores such as BestBuy and CompUSA to buy any PC gamepads, because they have demo gamepads out on the shelves that you can feel and mess around with. If you consider buying a PC one the Thrustmaster at CompUSA looks great, 20 bucks, good gamepad, PC and PS2, and has analog triggers. Only wired though.

Oh and I'm using XP too... The logitech comes with a CD installer, it installs logitechs calibrator and their program that you can use for all logitech products. You can also remap things and reprogram buttons and stuff for each game installed on your computer. For example, you can program it so that in just Grand Theft Auto 3, pressing button 3 actually results in pressing button 1 continuously, or whatever. Not sure if the Thrustmaster has a CD. Probably...

Hope that helps.  

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

For straight-up old-school and arcade 8-way digital gaming, I recommend the Saitek P220.  Large, responsive, rounded, not flimsy-soft, not MS Sidewinder-hard-as-a-rock, D-pad.  6 face buttons that do have a good feel and good click-depth, and large responsive L/R buttons that don't demand your index fingers be put at aweful positions.  It's comfy, and I personally think it rivals the GCN controller as far as ergonomics are concerned.  I liked it so much, that I own 2 of them.  I use them with my 2nd pc that's hooked to a big-screen via tv-out for "classic 16-bit gaming" applications.

And it retails for US$10.

Edit: it also doesn't require its own drivers, cuz any Windows since 98SE natively has universal USB-gamepad support for it.

[Famicom]

Personally, I say ditch the idea of ever finding a good PC pad. I've yet to find one with a satisfactory D-pad. That Logitech pad Gamefreak mentioned is fairly decent, but an adapter for a PSX/2 controller works just as good if not better, and cheaper. I bought one from Lik-sang for $15 I think. Its a USB adapter (requires no drivers) and has 4 controller slots.

I wish I had an adapter for N64 controllers.

[KDR_11k]

The Sidewinder Pad is nice enough unless you want to play long games of Megaman because that kills your thumb. But hey, playing Nightshade for half an hour on a PS2 pad does worse things to your hand. The Sidewinder didn't cause any problems for me with any game but Megaman X5, all the others worked perfectly and its six button layout works well for the 3+1 layouts common with PC fighters. My other pad is a Speedlink Stormtrooper. Rather cheap but works. It's a PS2 clone (feels much more solid than that PS2 garbage) and works well enough for most games (except for shmups but you aren't going to play a shmup with a joypad, are you?), even fighting games (must use the analog stick for that, though). Its dpad isn't that good but you can use the analog for everything. Might cause the same cramps as a PS2 controller, though.

[Gamefreak]

The original Sidewinder was my first PC pad but after several years it just stopped working one day. Like, it's in perfect condition and the light still lights up and Windows detects it but it just doesn't work. Pressing buttons would get no response... It's like it's in a coma. But that was several years ago... Now after resting for several years and on my current computer and XP it might work again... Whatever. Sidewinder's dpad sucks. More like a circular blob thing.