I think I prefer analog sticks over dpads for retro games

[Fahrenheit]

Am I crazy? Was just messing around with emulation for the first time in a long time. I was testing out a few gamepads to see what I liked best. Really looking for a wireless option so that took out SNES pads with an USB adaptor. Anyways, I tried a DS4 and while I do like the dpad on it my thumb started getting sore after an hour or so of Secret of Mana. I switched over to my Xbox One bad and tried out the analog stick and it feels more comfortable.


Am I just going crazy in my old age?

[Sarge]

It depends on how well you have your deadzones and such set up. I don't think analog is quite as good for games that require very quick changes of direction, like Contra, but it's pretty decent for RPGs and lower-stress action games. I can see it working pretty decent for Secret of Mana.

My biggest issue as of late is that my thumb seems a little strained at times, so d-pads, if they don't have significant "rock" to them, can start to wear me out. I've actually been thinking about getting a nice arcade stick and some adapters to hook up to my older systems. Wouldn't be perfect for everything, but for some games it'd be a godsend.

[Fahrenheit]

It depends on how well you have your deadzones and such set up. I don't think analog is quite as good for games that require very quick changes of direction, like Contra, but it's pretty decent for RPGs and lower-stress action games. I can see it working pretty decent for Secret of Mana.

My biggest issue as of late is that my thumb seems a little strained at times, so d-pads, if they don't have significant "rock" to them, can start to wear me out. I've actually been thinking about getting a nice arcade stick and some adapters to hook up to my older systems. Wouldn't be perfect for everything, but for some games it'd be a godsend.

Yeah I know what you mean, I really like the Dpad on the Xbox One pad but it's in the wrong place for extended use.

[Anapan]

Analog deadzones have plagued me for most of my gaming life. On a PC there is no easy way to adjust the analog sensitivity except inbuilt 0-255 on certain games, or similar hidden settings in .ini files or system registry. I completely hate any Microsoft (xbox) controller for exactly that reason - the position of the analogs and the inbuilt deadzone means my trained idea of the cardinal directions is skewed and I can't even play Pacman well.

I have several premade profiles for the various joystick emulators programed for different gamepads.

I recently started trying to use the full capabilities of the ChronusMax - incredibly cool intuitive control of any controller device. Combined with a Blissbox, the control adjustments are completely available for any input device and console.

Still, I have a personal favorite controller that I found back in the mid 90's that has such a perfect deadzone calculation for digital or analog, and is fully PS1&2 compatible so it will work for any console with cheap adapters:
Madcatz!
The MicroCon especially, buy also Dual Force 2 Pro & original Dual Force. These are my go-to controllers for analog perfection. Fully 1/2 of the ones I buy are DOA, even in package! The rest are worn out and have no center deadzone. Luckily, if you ask on any popular marketplace, someone's still got CIB (a bit too expensive). I still use a Microcon for a lot of my gaming simply because the analog deadzone is so perfectly mapped. My supply is running out buy is not too bad.
Give one a try, and see what you think. PM me if you cannot find one for under $20 and I'll gift you a decently working one for cost of shipping from BC, Canada.

edit: I'm drunk. I don't think I even read the OP correctly. Wireless? Get a ChronusMax and download/build a profile for your controller. The scripting language is incredible and so easy to learn! If you have specific needs, you can make it do anything.

[ElkinFencer10]

Am I crazy?

Yes.

[Xeogred]

You monster.

[Fahrenheit]

I completely hate any Microsoft (xbox) controller for exactly that reason - the position of the analogs and the inbuilt deadzone means my trained idea of the cardinal directions is skewed and I can't even play Pacman well.

Never had an issue with dead zones. Maybe in some hardcore 2D fighter but I don't play a ton of them. I can't stand using analog sticks on Sony controllers because of how low they are. Xbox controllers is set up perfect for analog stick/button use. DS4s are great for Dpad + face buttons. Just so happens on the games I play I think the analog stick is better for them. Maybe it's cause I haven't played in a while with a Dpad but damn, shit hurts my thumb after a while.

[Sarge]

I've played on so many different controllers that the analog position doesn't really affect me. Now, how tight the analogs are does. I much preferred the 360 analog sticks, they've got a nice, stiff resistance to them that the PS3 (and prior) DualShocks don't. That being said, the PS4 controller is much, much better. Even the sticks are nice.

I also love the Wii U Pro Controller, although I don't get as much chance to use it, and occasionally have issues with reseating on the correct buttons after I've used the stick. I tend to end up resting on X/A instead of Y/B at times.

[TSTR]

i played Ys I with an analog stick and it felt good to my body

[noiseredux]

I was playing Castlevania over the weekend, and the PC port does not recognize the 360 controller's dpad. Playing with the analog stick was brutal. Luckily when I plugged in my Indie Box SNES-style pad the game worked fine with that dpad.

Crisis averted.