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Posted: Aug 25 2008 02:24 pm

The Sega Genesis controller, I think, is my favorite, because it just... it always works for me. It fits in my hands very comfortably and it's no hassle to get to a certain button in a hurry. Those stupid quick-time press-a-button reaction events? I could do those no problem with a Genesis controller. Throw a PS2 controller in my hands and tell me to press X, well then now that's a problem. (Yes I know the Genesis controller only has three buttons so it's idiotic to think it's so well-designed because you could press any button you wanted at any time because your fingers are basically over all three of them all the time but work with me here)

I kinda miss using a joystick. Like an honest-to-God joystick. I used them all the time for Commodore and Amiga games, but they all started breaking, and now I never know which one has a broken stick and which one's fire buttons don't work and which one just shorts out and freezes the game at given intervals. I don't bother ever using one for modern PC games because the keyboard and mouse is really all you ever need. That and the "hardcore gamer PC controllers" look so crazily designed.

I don't really care for the Wiimote, to be honest, because it puts me at the total mercy of the game developer. If you manage to get a game that was made by someone halfway-competent, the motion sensing and controls are fine. But if you get a game that was obviously just pushed out the door, then the sensing is more hit-or-miss and more than likely no one tested it to see if it was comfortable or not. I can do certain things with a 'mote, like flail around and punch people, with no trouble, but then if you ask me to point and shoot for long periods of time, I start to cramp up. The Wiimote just doesn't feel... I dunno, dynamic? It feels a bit too narrow, and the buttons are sort of erratically placed. Not to mention that since there's no start button, no one can agree on what button should pause the game. Sometimes it's 1. Sometimes it's plus! Sometimes it's nonexistent!

Posted: Aug 25 2008 02:46 pm

Bluey wrote:

The Sega Genesis controller, I think, is my favorite, because it just... it always works for me. It fits in my hands very comfortably and it's no hassle to get to a certain button in a hurry. Those stupid quick-time press-a-button reaction events? I could do those no problem with a Genesis controller. Throw a PS2 controller in my hands and tell me to press X, well then now that's a problem. (Yes I know the Genesis controller only has three buttons so it's idiotic to think it's so well-designed because you could press any button you wanted at any time because your fingers are basically over all three of them all the time but work with me here)

I also liked the Sega Genesis controller myself, but I always have preferred the 6-button pad over the classic Genesis controller for various reasons:

1.) It's a bit smaller than the original Sega Genesis controller and it seems to fit better in your hands as well. Don't get me wrong now, the original Genesis controller was comfortable, but it was also quite bulky while the 6-button pad was a bit smoother and better to hold in your hands.

2.) It worked a lot better for certain games, mostly fighting games. For example, you always had a high punch and a low punch button in games like Street Fighter II and Mortal Kombat while you had to press up and punch to get a high punch on the classic Genesis controller. Then there's Comix Zone and its item system, which worked perfectly with the 6-button pad.

Bluey wrote:

I kinda miss using a joystick. Like an honest-to-God joystick. I used them all the time for Commodore and Amiga games, but they all started breaking, and now I never know which one has a broken stick and which one's fire buttons don't work and which one just shorts out and freezes the game at given intervals. I don't bother ever using one for modern PC games because the keyboard and mouse is really all you ever need. That and the "hardcore gamer PC controllers" look so crazily designed.

I love joysticks myself. Although, the only joysticks we have are either the Atari 2600 controllers (which I also love a lot) and that Hori fighting stick Wii (which I use for Neo Geo games on the Virtual Console).

Actually, I did have a joystick for the PC. It was a Microsoft Sidewinder 3D Pro, which I really didn't use too much, except for a brief period where I downloaded emulators like crazy into the family PC. Those were some good times there. Very Happy

Bluey wrote:

I don't really care for the Wiimote, to be honest, because it puts me at the total mercy of the game developer. If you manage to get a game that was made by someone halfway-competent, the motion sensing and controls are fine. But if you get a game that was obviously just pushed out the door, then the sensing is more hit-or-miss and more than likely no one tested it to see if it was comfortable or not. I can do certain things with a 'mote, like flail around and punch people, with no trouble, but then if you ask me to point and shoot for long periods of time, I start to cramp up. The Wiimote just doesn't feel... I dunno, dynamic? It feels a bit too narrow, and the buttons are sort of erratically placed. Not to mention that since there's no start button, no one can agree on what button should pause the game. Sometimes it's 1. Sometimes it's plus! Sometimes it's nonexistent!

I can see where you're going with this, and honestly, I can easily understand what you're saying. I have read a lot of bad reviews of Wii games that have been coming from companies I haven't even heard of until I've read about the game itself. However, all of the first-party and a lot of third-party titles really work well with the Wii remote.

And as for the missing start button situation, in just about every Wii game I've played so far, the "start" button was always the "+" button. I've yet to play a Wii game where "1" was the start button, especially when "1" and "2" always represented "A" and "B" quite well when the Wii remote was tilted on its side.

Docinsano's Channel 63 · Posted: Aug 25 2008 03:22 pm

I thought if you didn't have a 6 button controller on Street Fighter, you had to hit start to switch from punches and kicks or something like that. I could be wrong.

Ah, the Wiimote. Personally, I see it as a double edged sword. On one hand it offers an innovative and ingenious way to play games. On the other hand, games almost seem to have to be developed around the input device. I have no idea if there are any games that require the use of the classic controller aside from the VC, but the Wii really does need a standard game pad for some games.

Posted: Aug 25 2008 04:37 pm

I think the GC controller is the most comfortable. The SNES and the PS controllers were/are the best in the way they have the buttons.

The N64 one is fucked up, (ever have to rotate the analog stick? well if you want blisters on your hand try it) and it looks retarded but that's the only thing I like about it.

The NES controller unless in mint-condition is a pain usually the control pad or buttons are fucked up and it isn't very comfortable.

The Wiimote is pretty retarded as a controller, well I mean that nunchuck thing. It is just weird though it works in some cases; such as: old NES games from VC.

The DS though not a controller some games require three hand (I only posses two). Using the control pad, the buttons, and the touch screen all at once is rather difficult.
I know; most games don't require you to do this.

I like the GC controller the best personally. It allow(s)(ed) me to beat people up in SSB Melee and Brawl.

Posted: Aug 25 2008 05:07 pm

I'm not very fond of the sega controller. Three buttons is not enough for fighters, and many simple platformers only two were really necessary.

Super nintendo had an excellent controller that to some degree has been copied ever since. Four buttons in a triangle is very good, although I've always had a hard time pushing buttons on opposite sides.

Fighting games play better with an arcade array, particularly street fighter and other six button entries.

Wiimote does not make me happy. There, I said it.

Posted: Aug 25 2008 08:31 pm

RobotGumshoe wrote:

I'm not very fond of the sega controller. Three buttons is not enough for fighters, and many simple platformers only two were really necessary.

Hello!? Have you ever heard of the 6-button pad? I think that might help a little bit there, at least for the fighting games, anyway.

RobotGumshoe wrote:

Super nintendo had an excellent controller that to some degree has been copied ever since. Four buttons in a triangle is very good, although I've always had a hard time pushing buttons on opposite sides.

Yeah, Super Nintendo had one of the best controllers and had been copied to a certain degree, especially with the button alignment. I think it's because it really works.

RobotGumshoe wrote:

Fighting games play better with an arcade array, particularly street fighter and other six button entries.

Yeah, they do. I especially love the joystick. Although, Neo Geo cabinets worked really well for fighting games.

RobotGumshoe wrote:

Wiimote does not make me happy. There, I said it.

And I know the Wiimote isn't perfect, but I like it. Even if it doesn't immerse you into the game as much as Nintendo hoped, it feels a hell of a lot more comfortable than a regular controller for just about anything that isn't retro. While you have to have both hands really close together on an XBOX 360 controller, you could just rest your hands wherever you please with the Wiimote and nunchuk attachment.

Joined: Apr 09 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3112

The Neo-Geo arcade stick was so perfect for its games

The original Xbox controller. If you relaxed your hands and laid your thumb diagonally, it's a hell of a lot better. It just felt like it was fitted to the default "relaxed" position that my hands are usually in.

Posted: Aug 25 2008 11:05 pm

Knyte's Offical Controller picks:

(In no particular order)

Xbox 360

This is not only a comfortable controller for playing the Xbox 360, but is also the best PC controller I have ever owned. The only con, is the D-Pad, that could be more comfortable and knows when I am pushing Up-Right instead of Just Up.

**

Dreamcast

In it's time, I thought that the Dreamcast controller was the perfect controller. Comfortable, precise, and the introduction of analogue triggers, which made driving games such as Sega GT absolutey awesome to play.

**

X-Box (Type S)

Thank god for the Japanese. The X-box was an awesome system, with the worst controller this side of the Jaguar. The "Type S", to me, was like the next revolution of the DC's controller. The only down sides, was the horrible placement of the "White" & "Black" buttons.

**

The Intellivision Game Pad

16 Way Directional Disc, and more buttons than you really need. Simple games, just used the side buttons, but most made use of the keypad, which gave you great control in everything from "B-17 Bomber" (Switch quickly between gunner and bomber posistions.) to "Major League Baseball" (Each posistion had it's own button. Switch and Throw to the exact person you want.)

***********************************

2nd Party Controllers:

ASCII Grip

I love this thing, and still use it. Perfect for RPGs, and turn based games. Comfortable, and you can Drink/smoke/eat/etc without having to stop playing your game.

**

X-Arcade

Look at it. Just look at it. It plays as good as it looks. Enough buttons. (Including side buttons for Pinball games) Tract Ball. And, it works on everything from PC to PS1,2,3/ Xbox & 360/ GC. This thing was made for MAME.

**

Logitech G-25

The Ulimate driving wheel. 920 degree rotation. All metal. Real Leather, 6 way "H" Shifter, Petals with a clutch, and Dual Force Feedback motors that could chuck a kid through a window. Downside: Costs more than a Wii.

Posted: Aug 26 2008 07:46 pm

My favorite controller is definitely the late-model Genesis six-button where all of the buttons were the same size. Great D-Pad, perfect number of buttons for fighters, it's great. The 360 controller isn't bad, either (although the D-pad blows a hard one). The PS2 controller would be great if the analog sticks were more durable and the D-pad didn't have that stupid crack in it. I've torn thumbskin using that thing.

Joined: Apr 09 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3112

I do agree with the Genesis ones. I love how the D-Pad and buttons "Click," in and out of place like they do.

Posted: Aug 26 2008 11:03 pm

Ky-Guy wrote:

And as for the missing start button situation, in just about every Wii game I've played so far, the "start" button was always the "+" button. I've yet to play a Wii game where "1" was the start button, especially when "1" and "2" always represented "A" and "B" quite well when the Wii remote was tilted on its side.

Godfather Blackhand Edition and Resident Evil 4 are my examples for this one. Godfather's actual "pause" button (as in brings up the menu) is 1. Plus I think does nothing unless you need a crew member to shoot out of a car, and minus... crouches, I think? I don't have my Wii with me right now so I can't check.

Then Resident Evil 4 is confusing because it has like three different ways to "pause" although only one is an actual "stop-the-timer" pause. I think 1 opens up your map and minus opens your inventory and then this time, it's 2 that's the actual pause.

And then there's Brawl and Metal Slug which don't count because I use a GameCube controller for them. (By the way, I prefer the Gamecube controller so much over the N64 one. It feels better for first person shooters... would've loved to play Goldeneye or Perfect Dark with it.)

Posted: Aug 28 2008 04:55 pm

Bluey wrote:

Ky-Guy wrote:

And as for the missing start button situation, in just about every Wii game I've played so far, the "start" button was always the "+" button. I've yet to play a Wii game where "1" was the start button, especially when "1" and "2" always represented "A" and "B" quite well when the Wii remote was tilted on its side.

Godfather Blackhand Edition and Resident Evil 4 are my examples for this one. Godfather's actual "pause" button (as in brings up the menu) is 1. Plus I think does nothing unless you need a crew member to shoot out of a car, and minus... crouches, I think? I don't have my Wii with me right now so I can't check.

Then Resident Evil 4 is confusing because it has like three different ways to "pause" although only one is an actual "stop-the-timer" pause. I think 1 opens up your map and minus opens your inventory and then this time, it's 2 that's the actual pause.

And then there's Brawl and Metal Slug which don't count because I use a GameCube controller for them. (By the way, I prefer the Gamecube controller so much over the N64 one. It feels better for first person shooters... would've loved to play Goldeneye or Perfect Dark with it.)

Oh yeah, Resident Evil 4 did have that problem. But it doesn't matter too much to me because relatively few Wii games have the pause function assigned to any button other than the "+" button.

In fact, the Classic Controller even has a "+" and a "-" button, and below them say "Start" and "Select" respectively.

And when you were referring to Super Smash Bros. Brawl, were you talking about the Wii and Nunchuk together? I'm just curious because with the Wii Remote tilted on its side and with the Classic Controller, "+" is considered the "start" button.

Docinsano's Channel 63 · Posted: Sep 01 2008 02:03 pm

I want that ASCII Grip controller, badly.Where are the X and O buttons? I think I may have saw an ad for that controller on the back of the Clock Tower manual. It looks sweet.

Posted: Sep 01 2008 03:24 pm

Docinsano's Channel 63 · Posted: Sep 01 2008 03:26 pm

Is that the PS3 prototype controller? Because if it is.....

Posted: Sep 01 2008 05:18 pm

docinsano wrote:

Is that the PS3 prototype controller? Because if it is.....

It looks like they were going for the whole dual functionality of a double dildo that could be utilized as a boomerang in times of crisis. Laughing

Joined: Sep 17 2007 Location: The Opium Trail Posts: 3475

I don't know if I'd call the N64 controller perfect. What was the purpose of having the D-Pad on the left side? I don't think I ever used that while playing an N64 game ever. And it's not like if you didn't like the control stick you could switch back to the pad. It's almost as if they just stuck it on the left side so it wouldn't look like a waste of 1/3 plastic.

Posted: Sep 01 2008 10:02 pm

JRA wrote:

I don't know if I'd call the N64 controller perfect. What was the purpose of having the D-Pad on the left side? I don't think I ever used that while playing an N64 game ever. And it's not like if you didn't like the control stick you could switch back to the pad. It's almost as if they just stuck it on the left side so it wouldn't look like a waste of 1/3 plastic.

Yeah not the best controller.

I think the ps2 was one of the best, it fits perfectly in the hand and the button layout requires none of that looking down to makes sure you're hitting the right button shit.

Posted: Sep 01 2008 10:46 pm

Syd Lexia wrote:

The N64 controller. Best controller ever.

I believe that thats an okay opinion to an extent, but once the stick wears out - its prettty irritating. And the D-pad being virtually pointless for the most part, Id place it near the bottom half of the spectrum of controllers in general.

Thats not to say a brand new N64 controller isnt amazing, because it is - but once the joystick gets all flimsy and hard to control its pretty much awful. And the variety of colors is nice too, thats something we havent seen in a while for the most part.

Id say my faves are Genesis six button, 360 and Atari 2600 joysticks.

Docinsano's Channel 63 · Posted: Sep 02 2008 01:29 am

I never liked the N64 controller because the Z trigger button basically forced you to use the stick. You needed to be pretty talented to use the Z button with the D-pad.

Posted: Sep 05 2008 08:14 am

The SNES controller, followed by the NES dogbone.

Posted: Sep 05 2008 08:48 pm

There's a WaveBird at GameStop for $17 bucks that I should grab.

Posted: Sep 07 2008 02:17 pm

Char Aznable wrote:

There's a WaveBird at GameStop for $17 bucks that I should grab.

Then go grab it. That thing is perfect for Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Posted: Sep 07 2008 04:44 pm

No controller has ever really been truly exceptional to me, but I guess I'll go with the six button Genesis controller since the Genesis is my favorite console.

Posted: Sep 07 2008 08:26 pm

The six button Genesis controller rocks. I love it. The three button on didn't have enough buttons for some really great games.
I also love in Genesis that not every button had a purpose. If the developers didn't need that button, they'd through and extra jump/shoot or just leave it blank.

I love the DreamCast controller. Fits so well in the hand and all of the joysticks I've run across seemed to work better than old N64/PS1/PS2 controllers.

SNES was great too. So great in fact that they used it again in the N64 controller. They just slapped some extra buttons on one side and glue a joystick on the bottom.