Game Controller for PC

Edgler Vess

I just got a Raedon 5870 video card (man its huge) and everything looks real nice. My problem is it came with a copy of Collin McRae's DiRT2, the game seems fun and the graphics sure do look nice but I cant win a single race controlling it with the keyboard. Obviously if I want to play this game Im going to need a controller of some sort. Ive heard Xbox 360 controllers work great for this sort of thing and Im willing to go with obe but I have a PS3, is it possible to use a dual shock controller on your PC or is it too much headache? Should I go with the Xbox 360 controller or is there something else out there similar in price thats better? Is it insane to pay 40 dollars for a controller to play one game (This DiRT2 is the only racing game ive owned in about 10 years).

TL;DR: Need a controller of some sort for my PC.

ecco the dolphin

You could always use your PS3 controller.

Plug in your PS3 controller via USB, run that programme, and you're set!

Stormwatcher

NO!
Get the wired 360 pad, it's not only recognized without any instalation, but most modern games actually show the 360 buttons when you have it plugged. You can't get more "native support' than that.

SmokeStacks

The compatibility with "Games For Windows" games is nice, but the wired 360 pad has one of the worst d-pads in the history of gaming.

This is something to keep in mind if you ever plan on playing any games that will use the d-pad (older stuff, generally).

Stormwatcher

SmokeStacks wrote: »

The compatibility with "Games For Windows" games is nice, but the wired 360 pad has one of the worst d-pads in the history of gaming.

This is something to keep in mind if you ever plan on playing any games that will use the d-pad (older stuff, generally).

Dirt 2 does not use the D Pad. And it has 100% compatibility with the 360 Pad.

GrimReaper

Has anyone used the "Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver For Windows"?

It plugs into a USB port and allows you to use a 360 wireless controller, i'm mulling over buying it because when I bought my 360 I also got a spare controller that i've never used. (it's still unopened in the packaging)

I've already got a USB dualshock adapter for my pc, I was thinking of buying the 360 wireless controller adapter for my HTPC.

Lord Jezo

GrimReaper wrote: »

Has anyone used the "Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver For Windows"?

That's what I use with my two 360 controllers. Worked fine for quite a while, couple years. I eventually had to fix it but once I did it started working fine again. Just bookmark this link in case it happens to you.

http://blog.chase.net.au/index.php/2009/06/broken-xbox-360-wireless-receiver-for-windows/

I even went as far as to map my mouse onto the gamepad using some tool I found somewhere so I could sit back and control Hulu from across the room.

SmokeStacks

Stormwatcher wrote: »

SmokeStacks wrote: »

The compatibility with "Games For Windows" games is nice, but the wired 360 pad has one of the worst d-pads in the history of gaming.

This is something to keep in mind if you ever plan on playing any games that will use the d-pad (older stuff, generally).

Dirt 2 does not use the D Pad. And it has 100% compatibility with the 360 Pad.

That's awesome... if the only game he ever wants to play is Dirt 2.

GrimReaper

Lord Jezo wrote: »

GrimReaper wrote: »

Has anyone used the "Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver For Windows"?

That's what I use with my two 360 controllers. Worked fine for quite a while, couple years. I eventually had to fix it but once I did it started working fine again. Just bookmark this link in case it happens to you.

http://blog.chase.net.au/index.php/2009/06/broken-xbox-360-wireless-receiver-for-windows/

I even went as far as to map my mouse onto the gamepad using some tool I found somewhere so I could sit back and control Hulu from across the room.

I take it the controller can be used on any game? I've read some conflicting stuff saying it only works on "games for windows" games.

As to hulu etc, well.. I control my HTPC with a Logitech Harmony remote, much better. (use it with XBMC primarily)

Lord Jezo

GrimReaper wrote: »

I take it the controller can be used on any game? I've read some conflicting stuff saying it only works on "games for windows" games.

As to hulu etc, well.. I control my HTPC with a Logitech Harmony remote, much better. (use it with XBMC primarily)

In Games For Windows games it is supported natively as in the mappings on the controllers are all exactly what is on the pad, like in Prince of Persia if a quicktime event popped up on the screen it would tell me to hit the red button or the yellow button, not Button 1 or something like that.

In non GFW games it works like any other pad would work, just that like mentioned above the buttons get generic names.

GMaster7

I went and grabbed a wired 360 controller a month or so ago and it works really well. You just plug it in and go, and as mentioned above, the fact that game controls correspond (in the options menu, on-screen, in QTEs, whatever) to the 360 buttons makes it very easy. I don't have a 360 either, but I highly recommend grabbing that controller.

Stormwatcher

SmokeStacks wrote: »

Stormwatcher wrote: »

SmokeStacks wrote: »

The compatibility with "Games For Windows" games is nice, but the wired 360 pad has one of the worst d-pads in the history of gaming.

This is something to keep in mind if you ever plan on playing any games that will use the d-pad (older stuff, generally).

Dirt 2 does not use the D Pad. And it has 100% compatibility with the 360 Pad.

That's awesome... if the only game he ever wants to play is Dirt 2.

It is, so far. I mean, I actually read the OP.

The 360 pad is really a hell lot better for any modern PC game, anyway.

SmokeStacks

I'm just saying, it's better to spend less and keep your options open than spend $40 and get a pad that is great for certain games, and terrible for others.

If Dirt 2 is the only game he ever plans to play with a gamepad, then sure, the 360 controller is a great idea. But once he starts using a pad there is a chance he's going to want to look into other games that would play well with it.

travathian

SmokeStacks wrote: »

I'm just saying, it's better to spend less and keep your options open than spend $40 and get a pad that is great for certain games, and terrible for others.

Yeah dude we get it, you think the gamepad is terrible, get over it already. How many games do you play that rely solely or mostly on the gamepad versus the joystick? I've had mine for quite a few months now and the answer is none.

Yeah if you're playing 8 and 16-bit era games in an emulator then go get yourself a dedicated controller for those, but for everything else the 360 controller works great.

edit: And FYI, it is less than $30 new at Amazon, no tax, no shipping charges.

SmokeStacks

You're right, how dare I attempt to make sure the guy knows what he is getting into, as opposed to just a blind recommendation. Go fuck yourself.

That said, $28 for a 360 controller is a really good deal.

Stormwatcher

I have literally hundreds of PC games, and the only one I have trouble with the dpad is Street Fighter IV
And I suck at that game anyway.

I can guarantee he'll be fine, unless he has a fetish for PC fighting games.

corky842

Or, he could put up with changing the controls manually (while using something he already has) instead of spending $28 on a new controller. Especially when he only wants to play one game with it right now.

travathian

SmokeStacks wrote: »

You're right, how dare I attempt to make sure the guy knows what he is getting into, as opposed to just a blind recommendation. Go fuck yourself.

Or here's a concept, back up your piss poor argument with some actual data. Name all of these games that are just terrible with a 360 controller. Because, you know, there are a few hundred Xbox and 360 games that use the same controller and they all somehow play fine.

exis

GrimReaper wrote: »

Has anyone used the "Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver For Windows"?

I bought one of those and I'm really happy with it. Was a real pain in the ass to get too, apparently they stopped making them/shipping them to New Zealand or something.

If you go through with the 360 controller, check out Xpadder. It basically lets you map your keyboard to your 360 controller. Which is great for games that don't natively support it, but also means you can use your controller for things besides games. I got a few hours gaming out of my adapter, but I got a lot more out of being able to use my controller as a media remote so I can watch movies and TV in bed.

Zell

You can set up other controllers to pretend they're 360 controllers too, meaning automatic button mapping on newer games works, but imo that automatic button mapping idea is horrible as in the games I've seen it in it usually means the exact same thing as console controls: no way to remap buttons.

And yeah, sure if you go with that way the controls you'll see on screen won't correspond to what's on your controller, but really, it hardly matters, it's four buttons...

Or here's a concept, back up your piss poor argument with some actual data. Name all of these games that are just terrible with a 360 controller. Because, you know, there are a few hundred Xbox and 360 games that use the same controller and they all somehow play fine.

That the 360 controller's d-pad is horrible isn't an argument that needs backing up, it's an opinion lots of people agree on.
That there are lots of games where you can use the d-pad is a fact.

If you always opt for analog controls over the d-pad and/or if you don't have a problem with the 360 d-pad then sure, all those hundreds of games do play fine, but for people who aren't like you and are considering controllers, mentioning the main weakness of the 360 controller is important.

Stormwatcher

Zell wrote: »

You can set up other controllers to pretend they're 360 controllers too, meaning automatic button mapping on newer games works, but imo that automatic button mapping idea is horrible as in the games I've seen it in it usually means the exact same thing as console controls: no way to remap buttons.

And yeah, sure if you go with that way the controls you'll see on screen won't correspond to what's on your controller, but really, it hardly matters, it's four buttons...

Or here's a concept, back up your piss poor argument with some actual data. Name all of these games that are just terrible with a 360 controller. Because, you know, there are a few hundred Xbox and 360 games that use the same controller and they all somehow play fine.

That the 360 controller's d-pad is horrible isn't an argument that needs backing up, it's an opinion lots of people agree on.
That there are lots of games where you can use the d-pad is a fact.

If you always opt for analog controls over the d-pad and/or if you don't have a problem with the 360 d-pad then sure, all those hundreds of games do play fine, but for people who aren't like you and are considering controllers, mentioning the main weakness of the 360 controller is important.

There is ONE important modern game in which the dpad's quality matters: SFIV. I'd rather know that A means A than trying to remember if A is X or O.

I've used a dualshock 2 pad with an adapter for ages, and I find the 360 pad to be far superior in all aspects of confort and usability, except of course the dpad, which also happens to be the least important thing in the controller. Analogs are better, the shape is better, the buttons are better, the triggers are a lot better.

And It was a fucking pain in the ass trying to remember what button did what in each game, because not only the button symbols didn't match, but each game mapped the controls almost randomly in each game, and I had to remap it.

The only "less than 15 years old" games I would use a dual shock over the 360 pad would be the PS2 generation GTAs, but even in that case, Xpadder does a good job.

Unless a dude is gonna play nothing but fighting games or NES games, he is definitely much better off with the wired 360 pad.

GrimReaper

Stormwatcher wrote: »

Zell wrote: »

You can set up other controllers to pretend they're 360 controllers too, meaning automatic button mapping on newer games works, but imo that automatic button mapping idea is horrible as in the games I've seen it in it usually means the exact same thing as console controls: no way to remap buttons.

And yeah, sure if you go with that way the controls you'll see on screen won't correspond to what's on your controller, but really, it hardly matters, it's four buttons...

Or here's a concept, back up your piss poor argument with some actual data. Name all of these games that are just terrible with a 360 controller. Because, you know, there are a few hundred Xbox and 360 games that use the same controller and they all somehow play fine.

That the 360 controller's d-pad is horrible isn't an argument that needs backing up, it's an opinion lots of people agree on.
That there are lots of games where you can use the d-pad is a fact.

If you always opt for analog controls over the d-pad and/or if you don't have a problem with the 360 d-pad then sure, all those hundreds of games do play fine, but for people who aren't like you and are considering controllers, mentioning the main weakness of the 360 controller is important.

There is ONE important modern game in which the dpad's quality matters: SFIV. I'd rather know that A means A than trying to remember if A is X or O.

I've used a dualshock 2 pad with an adapter for ages, and I find the 360 pad to be far superior in all aspects of confort and usability, except of course the dpad, which also happens to be the least important thing in the controller. Analogs are better, the shape is better, the buttons are better, the triggers are a lot better.

And It was a fucking pain in the ass trying to remember what button did what in each game, because not only the button symbols didn't match, but each game mapped the controls almost randomly in each game, and I had to remap it.

The only "less than 15 years old" games I would use a dual shock over the 360 pad would be the PS2 generation GTAs, but even in that case, Xpadder does a good job.

Unless a dude is gonna play nothing but fighting games or NES games, he is definitely much better off with the wired 360 pad.

I've never understood how they can screw up the d-pad so much on the 360 controller, it's not exactly rocket science. Do Sony/Nintendo hold patents on them or something?

Stormwatcher

I think nintendo owned the original cross shaped dpad, that's why people needed to make slightly different dpads... But I can't remember if they still own it. Anyway, I think MS just doesn't care.

Zell

Stormwatcher wrote: »

Zell wrote: »

You can set up other controllers to pretend they're 360 controllers too, meaning automatic button mapping on newer games works, but imo that automatic button mapping idea is horrible as in the games I've seen it in it usually means the exact same thing as console controls: no way to remap buttons.

And yeah, sure if you go with that way the controls you'll see on screen won't correspond to what's on your controller, but really, it hardly matters, it's four buttons...

Or here's a concept, back up your piss poor argument with some actual data. Name all of these games that are just terrible with a 360 controller. Because, you know, there are a few hundred Xbox and 360 games that use the same controller and they all somehow play fine.

That the 360 controller's d-pad is horrible isn't an argument that needs backing up, it's an opinion lots of people agree on.
That there are lots of games where you can use the d-pad is a fact.

If you always opt for analog controls over the d-pad and/or if you don't have a problem with the 360 d-pad then sure, all those hundreds of games do play fine, but for people who aren't like you and are considering controllers, mentioning the main weakness of the 360 controller is important.

There is ONE important modern game in which the dpad's quality matters: SFIV. I'd rather know that A means A than trying to remember if A is X or O.

I've used a dualshock 2 pad with an adapter for ages, and I find the 360 pad to be far superior in all aspects of confort and usability, except of course the dpad, which also happens to be the least important thing in the controller. Analogs are better, the shape is better, the buttons are better, the triggers are a lot better.

And It was a fucking pain in the ass trying to remember what button did what in each game, because not only the button symbols didn't match, but each game mapped the controls almost randomly in each game, and I had to remap it.

The only "less than 15 years old" games I would use a dual shock over the 360 pad would be the PS2 generation GTAs, but even in that case, Xpadder does a good job.

Unless a dude is gonna play nothing but fighting games or NES games, he is definitely much better off with the wired 360 pad.

Or if he actually prefers the d-pad and chooses it over analog controls in which case the d-pad is suddenly very, very important which is why it should be mentioned in this topic. Also as I said, you can set up third party controllers to pretend they're 360 controllers, so all games won't map differently, for example on a PS3 controller "X" would always be "A".

Stormwatcher

Now you're just grasping at straws... Do you really think he's gonna play Dirt2 (which is the game he mentioned) on a dpad?

The whole point of getting a pad for the OP is the analog control... If he wanted to play a driving game with a shitty digital binary control, he could just keep using the keyboard on his PC.

Your stubborn insistence has ceased to make sense several posts ago.

Zell

Now you're just grasping at straws... Do you really think he's gonna play Dirt2 (which is the game he mentioned) on a dpad?

I'm saying he might, yes. I play lots of 3D games, racing games included with the d-pad. That said, it's very possible that in the future he's going to want to use the controller for other games. So mentioning the d-pad issue before he uses any money just makes sense. I don't see what's your problem with this.

The whole point of getting a pad for the OP is the analog control... If he wanted to play a driving game with a shitty digital binary control, he could just keep using the keyboard on his PC.

He didn't say the point was analog controls, maybe he preferred the shape/layout of a gamepad over a keyboard, maybe he just doesn't like using a keyboard, or has a shitty keyboard with ghosting problems.

SmokeStacks

Stormwatcher has made it very clear that if the OP doesn't buy a 360 controller, then the terrorists win.

Impersonator

This whole discussion is moot since the X360 controller is the de facto standard in PC gaming as far as gamepad support goes.

Come on, more often than not have I seen games support exclusively the X360 controller. It's crazy.

If you even care about gaming on a PC with a controller you just need to have it. If not, I hope you enjoy using your kbam.

Zell

You can get any third party controller to pretend it's a 360 controller. Which worked pretty well for the games I've tried that "exclusively" supported the 360 controller.

Impersonator

Which again, for someone who wants a hassle-free experience, ie plug and play, is not a satisfactory outcome.

Unfortunately, this is one of those situations in which you simply have to bend over and accept that you should buy an X360 controller.

Loki

eeccccoo tthhee ddoollpphhiinn wrote: »

You could always use your PS3 controller.

Plug in your PS3 controller via USB, run that programme, and you're set!

That's interesting. Not sure if I have any games at the moment that would control better with a pad, but if I ever get one, that's some great stuff. And I have a third Sixaxis lying around that never gets used for my PS3...

ecco the dolphin

-Loki- wrote: »

eeccccoo tthhee ddoollpphhiinn wrote: »

You could always use your PS3 controller.

Plug in your PS3 controller via USB, run that programme, and you're set!

That's interesting. Not sure if I have any games at the moment that would control better with a pad, but if I ever get one, that's some great stuff. And I have a third Sixaxis lying around that never gets used for my PS3...

Actually, was digging around for an H/A post on the same subject. Weird - two in quick succession! It never rains but it pours

a jug

As it turns out, someone's written drivers for the PS3 controller now, so you don't need to run the programme I linked earlier if you're happy to install drivers.

Zell

Impersonator wrote: »

Which again, for someone who wants a hassle-free experience, ie plug and play, is not a satisfactory outcome.

Of course not, but for someone who prefers another controller (with for example a better d-pad) using a few minutes to configure it is well worth it and not that much of a hassle. The 360 controller has its advantages but it's far from the only option.

DHS Odium

I'm going to suggest a wired 360 controller. Any answer besides the one I just gave is wrong.

corky842

All you silly geese suggesting he buy a 360 controller should read his post better.

Edgler Vess wrote: »

I just got a Raedon 5870 video card (man its huge) and everything looks real nice. My problem is it came with a copy of Collin McRae's DiRT2, the game seems fun and the graphics sure do look nice but I cant win a single race controlling it with the keyboard. Obviously if I want to play this game Im going to need a controller of some sort. Ive heard Xbox 360 controllers work great for this sort of thing and Im willing to go with obe but I have a PS3, is it possible to use a dual shock controller on your PC or is it too much headache? Should I go with the Xbox 360 controller or is there something else out there similar in price thats better? Is it insane to pay 40 dollars for a controller to play one game (This DiRT2 is the only racing game ive owned in about 10 years).

TL;DR: Need a controller of some sort for my PC.

Which would be the better solution here? Something that costs him $0 and maybe 30 minutes of his time at most or something that costs $30 and would likely be used for only one game (that he didn't even buy in the first place)?

Stormwatcher

I stopped reading after that dude said he plays modern driving games with a dpad. He clearly has some sort of irrational, filthy D-Pad fetish.

Well, the OP may choose whatever he likes, but D-Pad sexual deviancies aside, the Xbox Pad is just better in all other aspects. Better triggers, better face buttons, better analogs, all buttons are always correctly mapped (which doesn't happen with 3rd party programs and other pads). I also never got a dual shock 2 to work with ramble. No tactile feedback.

I know i stopped using a dualshock as soon as I got the 360 pad, it's the most comfortable dedicated controller I ever used. Now i just boot up games and play, instead of fiddling with xpadder.

Lord Jezo

DHS Odium wrote: »

I'm going to suggest a wired 360 controller. Any answer besides the one I just gave is wrong.

Wireless 360 controller with Windows receiver is a right answer.

General_Win

Stormwatcher wrote: »

I stopped reading after that dude said he plays modern driving games with a dpad. He clearly has some sort of irrational, filthy D-Pad fetish.

Well, the OP may choose whatever he likes, but D-Pad sexual deviancies aside, the Xbox Pad is just better in all other aspects. Better triggers, better face buttons, better analogs, all buttons are always correctly mapped (which doesn't happen with 3rd party programs and other pads). I also never got a dual shock 2 to work with ramble. No tactile feedback.

I know i stopped using a dualshock as soon as I got the 360 pad, it's the most comfortable dedicated controller I ever used. Now i just boot up games and play, instead of fiddling with xpadder.

The tactile feedback could be very very important.

TehSloth

Well, I'm not familiar with the PS3 controller unfortunately, but I would have to say if you're not opposed to picking up a controller for Dirt2 and don't want to get a ridiculous wheel or anything, I feel that the wired 360 controller is the way to go. I'm a keyboard and mouse man myself, but if you're trying to play something any more realistic than NFS: Most Wanted and don't want to be using every driving aid in the book, then having the variable control that the shoulder buttons gives you becomes pretty important. My old roommate had the wireless receiver so I would just borrow that, but since he's moved out I picked up a wired controller since I'm usually next to my PC when playing anyway and I don't have to fiddle with batteries.

However, as long as the dual shock provides something for variable throttle control, I'd say it'll definitely suit your purposes. If it doesn't you'd be just as well off fiddling with sensitivity and using your keyboard and mouse.

DietarySupplement

I like this thread. Now I don't have to go buy a 360 controller for my PC since I already have a PS3. I'm anxious to see if those drivers work as advertised.

However, if it doesn't, I will be buying the wireless controller and receiver, since I already have two wireless controllers for my 360... it'd be nice to have yet another controller for friends, yet the ability to play games (specifically battlefield bad company 2 beta) that have flight mechanics in them that do not lend themselves well to KB&M.

Zell

I stopped reading after that dude said he plays modern driving games with a dpad. He clearly has some sort of irrational, filthy D-Pad fetish.

Not really, I just prefer it for games where I feel full analog control isn't needed. I'm aware that you'll get better controls with analog, but for lots of people it doesn't matter. I think the weaknesses (and strengths) of the 360 pad should be mentioned without any assumptions about what matters to OP.

Well, the OP may choose whatever he likes, but D-Pad sexual deviancies aside, the Xbox Pad is just better in all other aspects. Better triggers, better face buttons, better analogs

All arguable really.

all buttons are always correctly mapped (which doesn't happen with 3rd party programs and other pads)

Sure it does. Bionic Commando Rearmed, Crysis: Warhead, Dead Space, Mirror's Edge and Serious Sam HD - The First Encounter all mapped the 360 controls to my PS3 controller without me having to do anything at all. I'm going to guess that will be the case for any other 360/PC game I try.

I also never got a dual shock 2 to work with ramble. No tactile feedback.

That you can't get rumble working on a dualshock 2 is a problem with your adapter, lots of controllers, the dualshock 3 included supports it perfectly. So far I've only actually noticed it in Crysis though (I usually don't notice it but was playing with sound off)