Recommendations for PC gaming controllers?

The Game Room
1

I’ve been doing a fair amount of gaming lately on a gaming PC. I found using keyboard / mouse as controllers kind of awkward at first, though I’ve mostly gotten used to it. Still, I’m wondering if a more classic controller might make the gaming experience better / more enjoyable / more ergonomic. But then, I wonder, is the experience worth it to have to relearn controls?

I’m thinking of something like this one:

I’ve read different things: that some PC gamers PREFER the keyboard / mouse combo every time, or that it depends: some games played on PC are better with keyboard / mouse, but others are better with a controller.

How’s the latency with a wireless controller? I’m not dead-set against a wired controller, but I’d like the freedom to be able to lean back from my desk without being tied to a cable.

So what say you, PC gamers-- keyboard / mouse, controller, or it depends? I’ve been playing a lot of Fallout 4 lately, to give an idea of what type of gaming I like. What about factors I might not be considering, like haptic sensing-- the controller vibrates if I get shot or something nearby explodes, right? Does that add to the game, in terms of adding immersiveness or helpful feedback, or is it just a gimmick really?

2

That Xbox wireless controller looks funky and expensive. How about a much cleaner looking one for $10 cheaper? This is the one I have and would enthusiastically recommend for you:

Xbox Core Wireless Controller – Carbon Black Amazon.com

I’ve never used it wirelessly. Does your computer have Xbox wireless? (Unlikely but possible.) Does it have Bluetooth? (More likely but higher latency.) You can add either to your computer if you like.

I plug mine in with the following cable:

10FT USB C to USB C Cable,100W/5A,Type C Fast Charging,PD Charger Cord for MacBook Air/Pro,iMac,iPro Pro/Air,Samsung Galaxy Note 20 10 S20,OnePlus 8T,Google Pixel 5/4a/4/3 XL,Switch,Asus Dell Laptop Amazon.com

This is also the cable I use to charge my Google Pixel phone. When I first got the controller and realized that my computer had neither Xbox wireless nor Bluetooth, I plugged it in with my phone charging cable and it worked fine. So I just bought a second cable exactly the same for the phone and have been good ever since.

(If you go this route, of course make sure your computer has a USB-C port in the back.)

If you really would prefer wireless – less responsive and constantly changing batteries would drive me insane, but reasonable people can disagree on which is better – it seems like this might be a good choice:

Microsoft Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows 10 Amazon.com

I wouldn’t use Bluetooth, unless someone else joins the thread with a positive testimonial. Xbox wireless is supposed to be pretty good, and if you’re really strongly leaning that way, it is worth a shot. Worst case scenario? It annoys you so you spend another $10 on a cable. Done and done.

3

I use Xbox controllers with the wireless adapter. I’ve never experienced any noticeable lag with it. If you do go that route, I’d highly suggest getting the rechargeable battery packs too. Wireless controller batteries tend to die at the worst possible time.

Also have a wired one for backup, but that’s just the one that came with my Xbox.

Most games I’m fine with, or prefer, KB&M, but some things, like racing or flying games, almost require a controller.

4

Recent thread.

My opinion is the same - I seriously dislike how the xbox controller feels in the hand and think the playstation design is superior.

5

Yeah, I use my regular Xbox One controller with the USB dongle. Works fantastically for the games I play with a controller, and if you already have a Xbox, you don’t need a new controller.

6

They were much bigger back in the day and much less comfortable. Have you held one recently? My carbon black feels like it was designed for my hands specifically. I just love it.

Back in the day I greatly preferred PlayStation 2 controllers to the original Xbox, but I did not love the PlayStation 2 controllers. I just disliked them less. By contrast, I love the Xbox wireless controller.

7

Xbox wireless controllers are also wired controllers if you plug it in with a USB-C cable.

But your point is a good one. Having a backup cable you can plug in in a pinch wouldn’t be a terrible thing to have on hand just in case.

EDIT: I misread. I thought you were saying “you should have” but on reread I think you were saying “I also happen to have.”

8

Thanks, hadn’t noticed that thread.

What about the playstation controller do you prefer over the xbox? Looking at pictures, they don’t seem all that different in terms of ergonomic shape, at least.

9

My biggest issue is button placement. I hate the offset joysticks and the way the triggers and shoulder buttons are distinct from one another (I’ve had trouble getting used to the PS5 controller for the same reason). I also prefer using the d-pad to the left joystick when it’s an option, but the d-pad on the Xbox controllers feels pushed out of the way. To me, PS controllers feel simpler and more efficient.

The original PS controller took the hugely effective SNES controller, added two extra shoulder buttons, and called it a day. Every model since then has iterated and refined that basic design. The Xbox controller feels like their starting point was “let’s not be Sony” rather than “let’s make an efficient controller.”

I think the last one I used was for the 360.

10

I’ll always pick the gamecube controller as far as ergonomics go, but can’t be bothered to get a PC adapter. But I only really play with a controller on PC for a couple games, either the ones that recommend it or the ones I grew up playing on console (like Halo or LEGO). For those I use an old XBox One controller from my high school days, and it does the job.

Some nice things about the XBox controllers is that they are well integrated with Windows, supported by all the controller-friendly PC games out of the box, and you can remap the buttons through the OS without installing more software.

~Max

11

IMHO the Dualshock series has (or at least had) too much of a dead zone on the analog sticks, so if you’re used to using them it only makes sense that you would prefer the d-pad.

~Max

12

I second the PS5 controller, unless you’re on Windows and like the plug-and-play support for the Xbox controller (on my Mac, the PS5 controller is flawless and fully supported).

13

Nah, I prefer the d-pad because my formative gaming years were on the NES and SNES. The d-pad just feels “right” to me. I prefer it (no doubt to my detriment) even to high-quality fight sticks that Serious Gamers use for fighting games.

14

Controllers are great for fighting, driving, and most arcade/platforming games. Some games like GTA V I actually will run around and shoot with mouse/keyboard and use the controller for flying/driving.

My general feeling is use Playstation controllers if you like smaller controllers and Xbox controllers if you like larger ones. I have small/medium hands but still like Xbox controllers, and their triggers normally have a longer pull which I also like.

I have a Xbox 360 wireless controller that works great for Windows gaming, I use rechargable AA batteries with it and only need to change them every month or so. I also have a third-party wired Xbox 360-style controller that also works great, I can hardly tell the difference other than the wire.

15

Is Bluetooth terrible? If the OP really does want to try using a controller wirelessly, is Bluetooth the only option for a PlayStation or any non-Xbox controller? And would that make it terrible even if it fit his hands better or had better button placement or whatever?

16

Trigger pulled on these two items; ETA tomorrow!:

I would have bough this one and saved the $10 but shipping was a month out for some reason:

Will look into battery packs for it going forward, thanks!

I’m hoping this is just your personal preference and I won’t share it, especially since I don’t have a ‘formative’ controller I grew up with, as I wasn’t really much of a gamer at all in my youth. If I hate it I’ll report back here and give you a chance to say “I told ya so”. :wink:

It just sounded like the xbox setup would be more compatible with my PC, and for less than $100 investment, if I hate it, eh, I can go back to keyboard / mouse.

17

Nice, you will probably love it.

I didn’t notice about the shipping on the carbon black, sorry about that. I wouldn’t have recommended it if I noticed. I actually bought mine at my local Walmart on impulse while I was shopping for other stuff, not from Amazon. (But it was $60, not $50.)

18

I went back and bough the rechargeable battery packs too-- only an extra $22.

19

This is probably why you prefer the PS button placement. The Xbox has the left stick in roughly the same place the PS has the D-pad, so for someone who prefers using the stick the Xbox layout is essentially the same.

20

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller also has the stick in the upper left. I find that to be a vastly superior location. As I hardly ever use the D-pad having it where your thumb usually rests is a waste, IMO.

I have a PS5 and I’ve gotten used to the sticks being on the bottom of the controller, but I don’t think it’s as good a placement.