The 3 Best Gaming Controllers

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Just figured I'd see what everybody else likes in a controller. I have monster hands, and thus, usually prefer a monster controller. I'm also partial to a dpad, and 6 face buttons plus a start button. I'm a huge fan of analogue control, but, often times the sticks just don't feel right or are uncomfortable (such as the Dreamcast's). If I had to pick 3...

1. Saturn 3D Control Pad: Conforms nicely to my giant hands, I love the analogue "stick" as well (more of a ball isn't it?). I don't have much to say about this pad, its like the model 2 one, except it's enormous, has an analogue stick, and the buttons are convex rather than concave. It also has triggers. Who doesn't love triggers?

2. Saturn Model 2 Pad: I think this will be in most of the lists here, especially with the amount of people who love SHMUPS and fighters. It's hard to explain what makes it so great. Everything just feels fine tuned in your hands. The button resistance, the dpad rock, everything just feels right about it. However, for me, it's small, and lacks an analogue stick. Which isn't inherently bad, I just like having one when playing 3D games, and in particular, arcade ones.

3. Playstation 3 Sixaxis: I'm sure a lot of you will wonder "Why not the DualShock/2?". Simply because, although the triggers might be some of the worst I've ever used (although at least they have texture to help), the controller has one thing I absolutely love for 3D games. Huge analogue range. I don't remember if Sony increased the length of the sticks or just made the range a bit bigger by trimming the plastic around them. It makes a huge difference though, and the slight increase in size, as well as the fact it's bluetooth and gets great battery life, make me feel it's one of the best.

Honorable Mention: I originally put number 3 as a keyboard and mouse, but the more I think about it, beyond RTS and FPS games, its not really all that much better. In fact, in some games, the only advantage is the large amount of buttons, but that can be a disadvantage and inconvenient as well.

[Flake]

You should never have to start your defense of a controller as one of the best with 'Yeah, this one important feature is the worst but...

3) SNES / SFC controller
2) Saturn 3D controller
1) Wavebird

[alienjesus]

1. Gamecube: The buttons are laid out nicely, made hitting two buttons at once easier in Soul Calibur than on the PS2 and XBox versions. The grip size is just right, the analogue triggers feel really nice (I love the click) and the control stick is one of the comfiest there is imo.

2. Saturn 2D controller: Probably my favourite 2D controller, the buttons all feel nice, the triggers are nice to use and the pad fits really comfortably in my hands. I hate the 3D controller though, it's just too big, and it feels quite cheaply produced overall.

3. This is a really hard one, as I have no other thoughts on a best controller. So instead I'll just list other controllers I like that could potentially be the 3rd best. Panasonic 3DO controller, Wii remote (+nunchuk), Virtual Boy controller, Sega Mega Drive (6 button). I'm not a fan of the SNES controller unlike most, and I hate all the playstation controllers - the grips are too small, the control sticks are too close together, and on the PS3 the triggers are horrible. I kinda like the N64 control, but it's certainly not 3rd best. The NES and SMS controls are kinda nice to me too, I prefer them to SNES.

Honourable Mention: Because I'm a handheld fan, I'm gonna add the control scheme of the Neo Geo Pocket Colour here - I love that clicky stick.

[SwooshBear]

1. Nintendo Gamecube.
2. oXbox (those really big older models)
3. Either SNES or playstation controllers (don't hate )
I also prefer bigger controllers. I grew up with ps1/snes so those never got old. I really like the oXbox controller but I'm not a big fan of the black/white buttons. Gamecube is the perfect controller. No flaws.

[sevin0seven]

IMHO:

1. SNES Controller - the best in my book!
2. Wii Classic Controller Pro - i'm starting to love this controller even more, it's layed out like a ps2 controller, but more comfort on the d-pad and buttons.
3. PS2 Controller - very comfortable controller
Honourable Mention:
Sega Saturn Model 2 Controller - i'm not too big on Saturn yet, but i can definitely tell i'm going to like this controller once i get use to it more..

[RyaNtheSlayA]

You should never have to start your defense of a controller as one of the best with 'Yeah, this one important feature is the worst but...

One feature doesn't make the controller. It's better to acknowledge the problem then to say "pft its fine, this controller is perfect". It's not perfect, however, the rest of the controller is fantastic.

Gamecube is the perfect controller. No flaws

I like the GC controller as well, but really? You're telling me there is nothing wrong with it? Even that stupid right analog thing?

[ZeroAX]

1)Gamecube controller. Very very very comfy. And I love my A button. If only I didn't constantly mix X and Y

2)Mega Drive 3 button pad. It's wonderful for platformers and beat em up games (streets of rage namely), plus it has the best D-pad for 2D games of all time.

3)Dual Shock 3. I just like it, and as I don't play any FPS games I don't mind that the triggers are closer to a gas pedal than an actual trigger.

[Pichu]

1. Gamecube - Shape and button layout is very relaxed

2. 360 - See above, but smoother

3. CCPro - Also see above, but PS2 style


Yeah, weak reasons, but those are the best imo..

[SwooshBear]

Gamecube is the perfect controller. No flaws

I like the GC controller as well, but really? You're telling me there is nothing wrong with it? Even that stupid right analog thing?

I love the gamecube controller and I see no flaws IMO. It is really comfortable, really nice triggers/shoulder buttons, and by far the best analog stick I have ever had. The buttons are nice and the d-pad is the same as a GBA, which I'm very used to due to hours of pokemon. The C stick has not caused any problems for me. A ton better that the n64 C buttons (n64 = my least favorite controller.)

[alienjesus]

Gamecube is the perfect controller. No flaws

I like the GC controller as well, but really? You're telling me there is nothing wrong with it? Even that stupid right analog thing?

I have never found there to be an issue with the C-stick. The only potential issue with it for me is the d-pad(which annoys others far more than myself), but frankly there is about 3 games for the gamecube I'd want to use the d-pad for anyway, so it really doesn't bother me.