Is the x360 Controller any good for PC gaming?

[Droid party]

Well the title kinda speaks for itself. Basically I was playing Bioshock last night and noticed that I could use a 360 controller which struck me that it specifically noted the the 360 controller.

Now the fact that asks specifically for that controller made me think that maybe the game has been somehow optimized to use that controller. Gamepads on the PC have very much been hit and miss for me so I thought I'd get some opinions before I wasted money on the controller and wireless reciever.

Now does anybody use the one for pc gaming and what do you think of them?

[lordofduct]

I have my XBOX360 controller hooked up to two of my PCs. I don't do a lot of FPS gaming, so I can't judge there... but anyone will tell you, mouse and keyboard a much more responsive for FPS games.

As for other stuff, I like it. It's a nice controller and it has a really good response time. A lot of games that are on both just tote the "360" controller use just because it is on 360 and has the default game layout set from the 360 version of the game, and you know the game was optimized to use the 360 controller so that it played well on the console... so playing it on PC with it will feel pretty much like it would on a console.

Unlike say if you used a analog controller with a game that wasn't coded with analog thumbsticks in mind. You're basically just imitating mouse movements with the thumbsticks... which isn't as effective.

[GSZX1337]

Now the fact that asks specifically for that controller made me think that maybe the game has been somehow optimized to use that controller.

That's one of the features of Games for Windows. Any game with the Games for Windows Tag 'should' support the Xbox 360 controller. (some developers choose not to support the controller) Personally, I like the mouse mouse and keyboard setup much better than a gamepad.

[Droid party]

A lot of games that are on both just tote the "360" controller use just because it is on 360 and has the default game layout set from the 360 version of the game, and you know the game was optimized to use the 360 controller so that it played well on the console... so playing it on PC with it will feel pretty much like it would on a console.

Unlike say if you used a analog controller with a game that wasn't coded with analog thumbsticks in mind. You're basically just imitating mouse movements with the thumbsticks... which isn't as effective.

That is pretty much what I was wanting to know and the whole keyboard and mouse thing I completely understand, but I still prefer fps's on a gamepad. Blasphemous I know but it probably comes from the fact that I have always been a console gamer.

[f3likx]

as long as you don't ever try to play online, a gamepad is ok for PC FPS

also check out the XBCD drivers if you want to adjust basic settings that microsoft massively screwed up, like deadzone and force feedback

if you don't use them, almost every old racing game will constantly wander to the last direction you pushed the analog stick

if you do use them, Games For Windows games will not recognize it as a 360 controller and you'll have to bind the controls yourself (no biggie)

[lordofduct]

A lot of games that are on both just tote the "360" controller use just because it is on 360 and has the default game layout set from the 360 version of the game, and you know the game was optimized to use the 360 controller so that it played well on the console... so playing it on PC with it will feel pretty much like it would on a console.

Unlike say if you used a analog controller with a game that wasn't coded with analog thumbsticks in mind. You're basically just imitating mouse movements with the thumbsticks... which isn't as effective.

That is pretty much what I was wanting to know and the whole keyboard and mouse thing I completely understand, but I still prefer fps's on a gamepad. Blasphemous I know but it probably comes from the fact that I have always been a console gamer.

YEY! There's more then one of me.

I agree with you... but then at the same time, I don't play many FPS games.

[racketboy]

A lot of games that are on both just tote the "360" controller use just because it is on 360 and has the default game layout set from the 360 version of the game, and you know the game was optimized to use the 360 controller so that it played well on the console... so playing it on PC with it will feel pretty much like it would on a console.

Unlike say if you used a analog controller with a game that wasn't coded with analog thumbsticks in mind. You're basically just imitating mouse movements with the thumbsticks... which isn't as effective.

That is pretty much what I was wanting to know and the whole keyboard and mouse thing I completely understand, but I still prefer fps's on a gamepad. Blasphemous I know but it probably comes from the fact that I have always been a console gamer.

I'm there with you.
I've played a number of FPSs with mouse and keyboard, but I'm really bad at looking where I should be.
I think I get less motion sickness with gamepad controls.

[samratty]

Apart from D-Pad (which is a god awful abomination), and making sure you use it with games that suit it, the 360 controller is great for using on a PC

[Mozgus]

Apart from D-Pad (which is a god awful abomination), and making sure you use it with games that suit it, the 360 controller is great for using on a PC

Agreed. I am so disappointed with the d-pad on this thing. It really makes it absolute shit for emulated classics. The analog stick also has too slim of a deadzone, and a lot of games will slowly move to the right no matter how I calibrate the stick. It seems to be a common flaw, and I cant be bothered to install a third party utility to fix it.

Yes, it's a very nice feeling when you use it on a Games for Windows title, but there aren't many of those that are worth playing so far. You may be better off going with one of the extremely popular logitech pads, which tend to be $10 cheaper than the wired 360 pad.

[philipofmacedon]

I've had good luck using the Logitech Precision Pro for emulated games on my PC. They aren't very fancy but durable as anything.



I always use mouse + keyboard for FPS. Maybe a gamepad will work but I can't imagine you'd be competitive online.