Current Events > I want to buy a new USB controller. Recommendations?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Quick backstory, I've been using SCPToolkit with a DS3 for the past few years and between commandeering my bluetooth driver and randomly deciding to not work while playing a game sometimes I'm getting pretty fed up with this software's shenanigans. I don't really know what's considered good though so I need recommendations, but I'm also gonna be a picky little bitch about it. So here's a short list of things I'm going to be picky about.

I don't want to use a 360 controller, I remember really hating the dpad. Actually, make that no Xbox controllers period. 360 is the most recent Xbox console I have and I'd feel weird about buying a controller for a console that I don't have.

I don't want to buy a Switch Pro controller, that's a bit pricier than I'm willing to drop considering I only use my Switch in handheld mode.

Aside from that I won't be too picky as long as it can plug and play without having to download any additional software, and use a wireless mouse at the same time. This topic probably wasn't too necessary, but I only recently bought my first Steam game and I've never bought a controller for my computer before, so I want to be sure I don't waste money on a bad controller.

Bump. Is this a good controller?

https://www.amazon.com/Controller-Gamepad-Computer-Windows-Android/dp/B00OAYHIRA/ref=sr_1_4?

crid=121HSIRFUOFST&keywords=usb+steam+controller&qid=

1648580319&sprefix=marvelous%2Caps%2C199&sr=8-4 (remove line breaks)

Having a PlayStation-esque design is actually a positive for me because I grew up preferring PlayStation in general. I don't trust Amazon reviews, anyone here try this controller specifically?

Check out 8BitDo's controllers:
https://www.8bitdo.com/sn30-pro-usb-gamepad/
https://www.8bitdo.com/pro2-wired-controller/

I have a different one they make that I really like, and I've heard nothing but good things about their whole line

Antifar posted...

Check out 8BitDo's controllers:
https://www.8bitdo.com/sn30-pro-usb-gamepad/
https://www.8bitdo.com/pro2-wired-controller/

I have a different one they make that I really like, and I've heard nothing but good things about their whole line

Shit dude, these look cool as hell! Why's the second one more expensive though? Cause of the button profile switch? I don't really see myself needing that tbh. The one from the first link looks cool, might get that one unless someone else recommends something cheaper.

Kircheis posted...

Why's the second one more expensive though? Cause of the button profile switch?

You'll notice it's more in line with modern controller design in terms of having handles, whereas the first is basically a slightly reworked SNES controller

Kircheis posted...

remove line breaks

You remove the line breaks!

And everything after it. Seriously, though. As Soon as you hit "ref" you've gone too far. everything else is unnecessary.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OAYHIRA

That's all that is needed. This goes for most websites too(but not all).

Edit: You can drop the middle text too.

You're doing yourself a disservice by not just getting an Xbox controller. If you're worried about not "owning the console", it's null and void since the Xbox service is on everything these days. Modern versions of Windows have native support for them, and you can even control various aspects of Windows with the controllers.

The Xbox One controller has a significantly better D-Pad. The Xbox Series controller has better ergonomics and a unique but very comfortable D-Pad.

If you insist on using a different brand, save your money and buy a DualSense.

CRON posted...

You're doing yourself a disservice by not just getting an Xbox controller. If you're worried about not "owning the console", it's null and void since the Xbox service is on everything these days. Modern versions of Windows have native support for them, and you can even control various aspects of Windows with the controllers.

The Xbox One controller has a significantly better D-Pad. The Xbox Series controller has better ergonomics and a unique but very comfortable D-Pad.

All of this.

King Rial posted...

You remove the line breaks!

And everything after it. Seriously, though. As Soon as you hit "ref" you've gone too far. everything else is unnecessary.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OAYHIRA

That's all that is needed. This goes for most websites too(but not all).

Edit: You can drop the middle text too.

Oh. Didn't know that. Thanks for pointing that out to me.

Kircheis posted...

Oh. Didn't know that. Thanks for pointing that out to me.

You should seriously consider just getting an Xbox One/Series controller for your PC.

It's been well over a decade since the 360 controller launched and obviously the controllers have changed so much.

Xbox controller

Okay I get it y'all like Xbox controllers. I still don't want to get a controller for a console I don't own, sheesh. I know it's a stupid thing to get hung up on, but I'm gonna get hung up on it dagnabbit.

I have this one by 8bitdo which works on both PC and Xbox:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P5K93ZN

I also have the non pro wired one which works on PC and switch.

I like using this one on my PC more often though since it has a 10 ft cable and my primary gaming PC is hooked up to my TV

I like both depending on what I'm playing

Kircheis posted...

Okay I get it y'all like Xbox controllers. I still don't want to get a controller for a console I don't own, sheesh. I know it's a stupid thing to get hung up on, but I'm gonna get hung up on it dagnabbit.

You own a Windows PC. You already own the platform. I'm typing this as I literally have the Xbox app open on my screen. I don't understand the logic. You already own the platform the controller is intended for.

i know you said you don't want an Xbox controller, but their newest one is awesome and the d-pad is great.

The Xbox controller is great, but I'd just note the 8BitDo is gonna be a good bit cheaper. (Also I've had weird issues getting my Xbox controller to work with my laptop, but that might be the app and not the hardware.)

Yeah, I'll shill for the latest Xbox controller too. That's my primary controller for my PC.

CRON posted...

You own a Windows PC. You already own the platform. I'm typing this as I literally have the Xbox app open on my screen. I don't understand the logic. You already own the platform the controller is intended for.

Yeah I'm not being logical here at all, I do get that. I'm kinda just being a stubborn little turd at this point. Plus Antifar already won me over with the SNES-looking controller. I didn't have an SNES growing up so I'm leaning towards getting that one just for aesthetics' sake.

Bryfang posted...

Why would you want a controller for a console you don't and didn't own?

It only looks like one, is how I'm rationalizing it. I think I'm just making up excuses to not get an Xbox controller though. I'll own up to that. *shrug*

I'm kinda the same way as TC, prone to buying gadgets on feel and ideas about aesthetics more than actual metrics and reviews.

I know my recommendation is technically an Xbox controller but at least with that one you'd have the correct button prompts too

Antifar posted...

I'm kinda the same way as TC, prone to buying gadgets on feel and ideas about aesthetics more than actual metrics and reviews.

Adding on to the aesthetics thing, I also kind of just don't like how Xbox has asymmetrical analog sticks. I'm a simple man, I like my sticks symmetrical.

Will_VIIII posted...

I know my recommendation is technically an Xbox controller but at least with that one you'd have the correct button prompts too

Didn't bother me for 2-3 years of using a PS3 controller, I'm already used to that lol.

I have an XBOX controller, and I haven't had an actual XBOX console since the 360 as well. It just has the most native support among PC games and you'll find it requires the least amount of work to configure in just about any game you play on PC with a controller, and most games on PC by default have XBOX icons.

Considering your main complaint is not having to configure it all the time, the XBOX controller is just going to be your best bet. And the whole "don't want a controller for a console I don't own" thing is kinda weird too since Microsoft makes XBOX and Windows so the XBOX controller is all but technically the default PC controller as well.

I just use a ps4 controller. You can use it for your PS3 as well if it makes you feel better

Kircheis posted...

Didn't bother me for 2-3 years of using a PS3 controller, I'm already used to that lol.

Well it's the same style as the one that works on switch at least.

Kircheis posted...

Okay I get it y'all like Xbox controllers. I still don't want to get a controller for a console I don't own, sheesh. I know it's a stupid thing to get hung up on, but I'm gonna get hung up on it dagnabbit.

Target has a generic Logitech Dualshock/Xbox controller knockoff (Buttons are Xbox but the analog sticks are Dualshock layout)
Wired, but it's only 20 bucks, and it's native XBox support, so you can't lose.

Shamino posted...

Target has a generic Logitech Dualshock/Xbox controller knockoff (Buttons are Xbox but the analog sticks are Dualshock layout)
Wired, but it's only 20 bucks, and it's native XBox support, so you can't lose.

There's a wireless version of this controller too. Haven't used the wireless one though. The wired one is pretty decent; it also supports DirectInput (the older standard used before Xbox controllers) which can be useful at times. Dpad is a bit weird tho.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

Because they don't like the aesthetics of some controllers, and for some reason don't want to buy an Xbox controller because they don't have the console, despite owning a Windows PC.

CRON posted...

Because they don't like the aesthetics of some controllers, and for some reason don't want to buy an Xbox controller because they don't have the console, despite owning a Windows PC.

Yeah pretty much this. I was pretty upfront about being a picky little bitch lol.

I actually hate the Xbox controller too so when 8bitdo announced the one I linked I immediately pre-ordered it

CRON posted...

Because they don't like the aesthetics of some controllers, and for some reason don't want to buy an Xbox controller because they don't have the console, despite owning a Windows PC.

This literally makes no sense. Good luck with your inferior product.

Everyone pointing out how weird TC is being about getting a Series X controller is fair, it's the best option.

But he also has a Switch that he apparently never plays docked? The Pro controller is also excellent, I even bring it with me traveling sometimes to play Switch handheld because the Joy cons are awful.

MarcoRubio posted...

This literally makes no sense. Good luck with your inferior product.

I consider the Logitech superior to an XBox controller for two reasons.
I don't like the left stick position on an XBox controller
And I don't like the way the sticks are molded. The PS4 stick is more comfortable to me.
It's also 50 bucks cheaper.

TendoDRM posted...

Everyone pointing out how weird TC is being about getting a Series X controller is fair, it's the best option.

But he also has a Switch that he apparently never plays docked? The Pro controller is also excellent, I even bring it with me traveling sometimes to play Switch handheld because the Joy cons are awful.

It's not the best option if you don't like the design of the sticks or the layout of the controller.

TendoDRM posted...

But he also has a Switch that he apparently never plays docked? The Pro controller is also excellent, I even bring it with me traveling sometimes to play Switch handheld because the Joy cons are awful.

It's mostly just that I haven't bothered with setting up the dock yet. Playing in handheld mode suits my current needs just fine. I'm kind of needlessly stubborn about stuff like that.

As much as I like PS controllers, they suck for PC gaming.

Xbox controllers are xinput and basically just work with emulators and PC games.

Everything else is dinput and can require a ton of remapping.

Starks posted...

Everything else is dinput and can require a ton of remapping.

Most third-party controllers are XInput these days. Especially ones that mimic the Xbox controller's design.

I used the 8bitdo arcade stick before and it was great, I would assume the other products are similar quality and would be just as good to use

That said, for my PC controller I ended up just getting a PS4 controller, I always liked them and since apple added compatibility for it on iOS devices I pretty much use it all the time. And for things that it doesn't play well with I use DS4Windows so it can emulate an xbox controller and it pretty much solves any issues I have

OwlRammer posted...

I used the 8bitdo arcade stick before and it was great, I would assume the other products are similar quality and would be just as good to use

That said, for my PC controller I ended up just getting a PS4 controller, I always liked them and since apple added compatibility for it on iOS devices I pretty much use it all the time. And for things that it doesn't play well with I use DS4Windows so it can emulate an xbox controller and it pretty much solves any issues I have

Well I do have PS4 controllers so this is technically an option for me too I guess. Since you actually use it, I've been wondering about something. Does DS4Windows mess with your bluetooth driver even when you're just using your controller as a USB controller like SCPToolkit does, or does DS4Windows leave that shit alone?

@OwlRammer

Kircheis posted...

Well I do have PS4 controllers so this is technically an option for me too I guess. Since you actually use it, I've been wondering about something. Does DS4Windows mess with your bluetooth driver even when you're just using your controller as a USB controller like SCPToolkit does, or does DS4Windows leave that shit alone?

@OwlRammer

Not as far as I know, I don't have to reinstall bluetooth drivers all the time or anything everything's been working fine the whole time I've used it

Use a ps5 controller, they're very nice.

I use a PS4 controller and play it on my PC via Bluetooth

Kircheis posted...

Shit dude, these look cool as hell! Why's the second one more expensive though? Cause of the button profile switch? I don't really see myself needing that tbh. The one from the first link looks cool, might get that one unless someone else recommends something cheaper.

The vibration, longer grips, and better shoulder buttons. Those low profile shoulder buttons will be an annoyance.

Kircheis posted...

Well I do have PS4 controllers so this is technically an option for me too I guess. Since you actually use it, I've been wondering about something. Does DS4Windows mess with your bluetooth driver even when you're just using your controller as a USB controller like SCPToolkit does, or does DS4Windows leave that shit alone?

I've never tried to use the DS4 wired, but DS4Windows does seem really simple and straightforward, unlike the mess that is SCPToolkit.