What is your favorite console controller?

[Ivo]

(...) it introduced shoulder triggers, probably one of the worst controller ideas in the universe. (...)

Not wanting to be obnoxious but I totally disagree with you there. Shoulder buttons are great in my book. I notice you're particularly biased against the Left shoulder button, which is a bit more understandable, but still...

Well implemented shoulders (or otherwise index operated) buttons are an excellent way of reducing the work your thumbs have to do, enabling simple access to more complicated moves.

A particularly good example of this (for me) is jumping with the thumb and using primary weapon with the trigger in GBA's Megaman Zero (for charging up then releasing). Try charging up the secondary weapon with the thumb, jumping and releasing and tell me which one you prefer.

Oh, also playing Halo. Can't imagine doing it without triggers.

Your index fingers (which are typically nimble enough for complex stuff) need not go unused while playing in your gamepad! Why overload the thumbs?

On a minor note, many central positioned buttons suck (start AND select, anyone? 1 is enough!)

Ivo.

[marurun]

I think I dislike trigger buttons because I can really only coordinate so many fingers at a time. The way current controllers are designed to be held, I can use the triggers for things like breaking and accelerating, but for attacks? No way. I had Megaman Zero and I couldn't use the triggers effectively. I got sore hands. The only way I can use multiple buttons well is with a joystick style layout (I sometimes even put the Saturn pad on my knee) where I can use multiple buttons with the fingers on my right hand.

The Saturn controller had the worst design for trying to make use of the shoulder buttons. The Dual Shock controller, Xbox S controller, and Dreamcst/Saturn 3D controllers are the only ones I've used that really offer any convenient access to the shoulder triggers, and then only for certain types of games.

I find that the majority of gamers feel the way I do. Shoulder triggers are just not useful for hair trigger reflex or combination timing functions. And I think relying on them for those functions does most gamers a disservice.

[lordofduct]

I semi agree with mararun... the trigger buttons on SNES controllers suck. Same with on the Saturn and PS controllers. You don't get enough support for holding the controller and it just feels unnatural having your hands up there.

The XBOX and DC (and saturn 3D pad) placed the triggers in a great spot though. And on those controllers I wouldn't know what I'd do with out them. The way the controller is designed your hands fit perfectly where the triggers are allowing easy access.

[ducktapevoodoo]

trgger buttons are great for fps style games tho

[Clockwork]

my fav-ctrller is and always will be the NES-ctrller. man, i think my hands really grew round this hard-cornered thing during my childhood.

[marurun]

I think I can agree that shoulder triggers are fine for FPS and racing games and that sort. But for shmups and 2D fighters they're icky icky icky.

[arion]

I like the Nes pad most of all its small and simple
Second would be the Saturn pad it..the 6 buttons are nice and the L and R buttons are very easy to use.
The dc pad is good but ive never really liked how they put the L and R buttons there but its nothing i couldn get used to.

Many might disagree with this but i really hate the Playstation pad..simply put why couldn they just mark the buttons A,B,C,D or just anything else than the X,Circle,Triangle and the Square

[Majors]

I vote for a Sega (Jap) Saturn Pad. May I be buried in my grave with one. If I'm playing a console, it should be the best or the console is just a poor imatation of mouse and keyboard.

[neohx_7]

If the DC controller had 6 digital face buttons, I wouldn't have lamented all those years without a proper adaptor...

[bawitback]

I am finding it really hard to understand the respect the SNES and original PSX controllers get. The SNES controller had an uncomfortable pad that tended to start rubbing off skin after playing for a while and it introduced shoulder triggers, probably one of the worst controller ideas in the universe. Do you know how many of my friends always customized the controls to make sure they never had anything important on L?

My best pick would have been the JPN Saturn controller. but i've never had one. But from what I hear, and seen from it, it looks really good.

RE-RE-EDITED : 8/29/06

Well after playing hundreds of hours of SNES games, blisters starting forming on my thumbs (especially when it came to fighters) back then.

The original NES was just not confortable at all, with the sharp corner edges. got pretty annoying fast.

The playstation controller was heading in the right direction, but the d-pad just ruined it. What was sony thiking when they made the seperate d-pad directions?? also gets VERY painfull from a few hours of tense gameplay (especially in fighters, ect) as well as PS2..

The genesis and US Saturn controllers were too light, they easily crack when dropped (US saturn controller)

Sega Dreamcast controller was okay, but once you added the VMU/Rumble carts, it got very heavy --fast.

I'm not even goin to start on N64/GC/XBOX.. didn't get a chance to feel the 360 much.

Overall I must admit, the Japanese version of Sega Saturn controller fits perfectly imo. its not too light nor heavy, perfect "full" d-pad, and it included 6-buttons mimicing a arcade cabnit. Not only perfect for arcade converstions, but it works for for most games too.