Good third party 360 coontrollers

Post by **Gamerforlife** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:28 pm

We all know the standard controller is pretty much made for ONE genre(first person shooters). Stupid Microsoft. For retro games like Golden Axe, Streets of Rage 2, Street Fighter, Castlevania what's a good alternative?

I only have one 360 controller(the standard one). It never hurts to have two, and I might as well go for something better.

Also, a question about headsets. Are they really necessary? I don't have Xbox Live Gold, but if I ever get it I wonder if the headset is something I should spend money on. I'm not one for chatting when I'm gaming, so I wouldn't need it for that. And if I get Gold, it'll be more for co-op gaming(like maybe playing beat'em ups with forum members for example)so I wouldn't need to discuss complex strategies about capturing flags or any of that other FPS nonsense.

Post by **Flak Beard** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:30 pm

I use a MadCatz 360 Pro for anything that requires using the d-pad like XBLA games.

Also, how exactly is the official 360 controller "only" for FPS games? Yeah it needs a better d-pad, but it's just fine for action, platformers and RPGs as well.

Post by **Gamerforlife** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 4:06 pm

Flak Beard wrote:I use a MadCatz 360 Pro for anything that requires using the d-pad like XBLA games.

Also, how exactly is the official 360 controller "only" for FPS games? Yeah it needs a better d-pad, but it's just fine for action, platformers and RPGs as well.

Well, I think ANY controller works for rpgs and platformers. Pretty simple gameplay they have. That doesn't really say much for the 360 controller. As for action games, I'd take a PS2 controller over a 360 one for Devil May Cry 4 any day of the week. I still think Sony's got the best controller on the market right now.

You said a MadCatz 360? I'll look into that.

Post by **RadarScope1** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 7:06 pm

Flak Beard wrote:I use a MadCatz 360 Pro for anything that requires using the d-pad like XBLA games.

Also, how exactly is the official 360 controller "only" for FPS games? Yeah it needs a better d-pad, but it's just fine for action, platformers and RPGs as well.

So the d-pad is pretty decent on that? I modded a controller with the sandpaper trick and while it's much better, it still doesn't cut it for games like PacMan CE.

Post by **Flak Beard** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 7:33 pm

RadarScope1 wrote:
Flak Beard wrote:I use a MadCatz 360 Pro for anything that requires using the d-pad like XBLA games.

Also, how exactly is the official 360 controller "only" for FPS games? Yeah it needs a better d-pad, but it's just fine for action, platformers and RPGs as well.
So the d-pad is pretty decent on that? I modded a controller with the sandpaper trick and while it's much better, it still doesn't cut it for games like PacMan CE.

I wouldn't say it's worlds better, but it did the trick for me especially on PacMan CE. I also used it to play a lot of THP8. The only other 360 controller with a better d-pad is the Hori one, but those are becoming quite costly to import. I'm actually going to try and get my friend in Japan to bring a couple with him when he visits next month.

Post by **RadarScope1** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:07 pm

I've looked at the Hori one and it seems pretty good but haven't convinced myself to get one. How do the two prices compare right now?

I feel like I've reached a bit of a plateau in my PMCE skills. I HATE blaming the controls but I feel like the stick just doesn't cut it after a certain point when you're scoring high and flying around the last minute or so of Champ mode.

Post by **Flak Beard** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:09 pm

I bought my MadCatz for $20 at Blockbuster, and I think a Hori fetches about $40+ on Ebay.

Post by **Gamerforlife** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:27 pm

Shame there are so few options, but forty something doesn't sound too bad for that Hori one. What's bugging me with the standard 360 controller is pulling off spells in Castlevania:Symphony of the Night which I seem to get off about 70% of the time, when I want them to come out EVERY time. Plus, I found doing running attacks in any game is a bit annoying on the 360's controller. I've been thinking about downloading Pacman:CE for some time now, and it seems like doing those quick turns would be annoying without a great d-pad.

It's always the most annoying thing about retro gaming, getting a perfect controller. Whether it's finding a good arcade stick for console fighting games, or trying to find something to play those MAME games with other than a mouse and keyboard

Post by **RadarScope1** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 10:11 pm

Let me say this about PMCE - you can certainly play it and do very well with the stick. It was designed with the stick in mind and works quite well it overall. Check out the demo if you haven't already. I am at about No. 450 on the leaderboards, and I've used the stick the whole time. It's a blast and I would recommend with or without a d-pad.

Back on topic...

You know what my dream solution is? A third party who recognizes the resurgence of 2D and retro gaming on download services and who would come in and make a controller just for that use, like the classic Wii controller only even better. It would a quality piece, not some plastic turd. It would be from someone who has experience with hardware and who also happens to own lots of great patents for controller parts. Someone like .... Sega. Imagine a modern Sega "retro pad" that's basically a wireless version of the Genesis 6-button controller or model 2 Saturn controller for use with the 360 and PS3. How freaking popular would that be? Do it, Sega!

Post by **Gamerforlife** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:50 am

RadarScope1 wrote:Let me say this about PMCE - you can certainly play it and do very well with the stick. It was designed with the stick in mind and works quite well it overall. Check out the demo if you haven't already. I am at about No. 450 on the leaderboards, and I've used the stick the whole time. It's a blast and I would recommend with or without a d-pad.

Back on topic...

You know what my dream solution is? A third party who recognizes the resurgence of 2D and retro gaming on download services and who would come in and make a controller just for that use, like the classic Wii controller only even better. It would a quality piece, not some plastic turd. It would be from someone who has experience with hardware and who also happens to own lots of great patents for controller parts. Someone like .... Sega. Imagine a modern Sega "retro pad" that's basically a wireless version of the Genesis 6-button controller or model 2 Saturn controller for use with the 360 and PS3. How freaking popular would that be? Do it, Sega!

That would be nice. The Genesis and Saturn really had some of the best controllers ever. The Saturn one in particular.

You're right, Pacman:CE is quite playable with the analogue. Though it took a little getting used to at first. I downloaded it a few hours ago and got 11/12 achievements already(to my surprise). I fell just shy of the 400,000 points achievement. Awesome game.