gamepad recommendations

[lumpen]

I'm looking for the best gamepad mainly for retrogaming on the PC via emulators. I have consoles with gamepads so i can use usb adapters.
I've tried N64, SNES, Master System, Mega Drive, Saturn, DC, GC, X360, Gravis PC USB, PS1 (basic and DS) and i liked the Saturn one (second edition with L/R buttons) the most. Second best are SNES, N64 and DC and the worst are the Master System and the 3-button MD pad. 3-button MD pads are even more comfortable than the Saturn's but the D-pad is very bulky and that leads to slower reaction times and imprecise controls.
I'd prefer long and soft wires, at least 6 buttons, tiny and precise d-pad and comfortable hold. Analog stick is a plus but they often placed against the dpad and the games i play the most are controllable without analog. However i found PSX DS controller fairly good when it comes to dual analog sticks (but not the dpad).
So these are my preferences and any recommendations are welcome.

[marurun]

If you don't need analog sticks, the Logitech Precision is pretty nice, actually. It uses the PS-style design with with a proper Dpad (not quite accurate enough for fighters, though) and the start/select buttons are higher on the controller and thus easier to hit. The triggers aren't bad, either. The bonus is that it can be had rather affordably.

[BurningDoom]

The one problem I have with Logitech controllers is the buttons tend to stick after a little bit. I know this is a common problem with most controllers over time. But it seems to be a lot more frequent on my Logitech controllers.

[marurun]

My Precision has served me well for several years now with no sticking. Sadly, we hardly constitute a representative sampling, however.

[fastbilly1]

Since you love the Saturn controller:


Or you could buy an official Saturn USB controller:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OFFICIAL-PLAY-S ... 4d1534a393
They pop up on ebay from time to time under the Play Sega header.

Personally, I have a variety of controller adapters for how the game feels, though recently I have moved mostly to playing with an arcade stick.

[jay_red]

Since you love the Saturn controller:


Or you could buy an official Saturn USB controller:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OFFICIAL-PLAY-S ... 4d1534a393
They pop up on ebay from time to time under the Play Sega header.

Personally, I have a variety of controller adapters for how the game feels, though recently I have moved mostly to playing with an arcade stick.

I dont get it, I have seen "official" saturn USB controllers go for hundreds of dollars, what is diffferent about the one you posted?

[fastbilly1]

Since you love the Saturn controller:


Or you could buy an official Saturn USB controller:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OFFICIAL-PLAY-S ... 4d1534a393
They pop up on ebay from time to time under the Play Sega header.

Personally, I have a variety of controller adapters for how the game feels, though recently I have moved mostly to playing with an arcade stick.

I dont get it, I have seen "official" saturn USB controllers go for hundreds of dollars, what is diffferent about the one you posted?

They were free with a VIP membership to the Play Sega service that is now dead. After that they gave them away for a stupidly low price for a while. Their form factor is the same as the Saturn Model 2 controller but the internals are not as good. Not bad, but not as hearty.

[Weekend_Warrior]

I use a PS2 to PS3 adapter since it works under standard USB protocol

It's nice because I can use all my PS1 and PS2 controllers

[lumpen]

Thanks for the input, guys. I actually have those Mayflash usb adapters, sorry if it wasn't evident (I just scrolled up and it's really not). So yeah, Saturn pad is the best so far and i am curious if there is any better than that. Have you tried both Logitech and Saturn, then Logitech comes out better?

[Lodestar]

Gonna hijack this thread a bit, since I was interested in getting another Saturn controller myself. I had a bad experience with the Sega USB model, so can anyone tell me if the second phase original is more durable? I figured I'd use a converter this time, since the USB models don't even last a year of regular use.