T-Pac | 7,588 Graphics Team · Posted March 1, 2022 Share Posted March 1, 2022 Different people perform best with different controllers, but this is largely the result of ingrained familiarity after frequent, extended use. But if we were to disregard baked-in familiarity and look at it scientifically (in terms of ergonomics, responsiveness, adaptation, intuitiveness, etc.), what would the ultimate controller be? (And as much as I'd love a definitive answer, the "ultimate controller" would vary by game-genre, so feel free to specify in that sense). -CasualCart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeatherRebel5150 | 1,056 Posted March 1, 2022 Share Posted March 1, 2022 Honestly I think the xbox got it about perfect in terms of configuration/button layout. Which is probably why nintendo moved to a the same layout with the pro controller. Everything makes sense in terms of location. When it comes to the ergonomics itself, like how thick the handles are, grip texture, etc. Thats all going to be completely dependent on the individual and their hands. If I ever get to try an 8bitdo Pro I may change my mind since it seems to be well likedand has a Playstation style configuration 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkTone | 988 Posted March 1, 2022 Share Posted March 1, 2022 PS4 or 5 are great. Prefer arcade sticks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reed Rothchild | 9,585 Editorials Team · Posted March 1, 2022 Share Posted March 1, 2022 Mouse + keyboard Or The Xbox 360/Switch Pro design. Cannot stand the dual shocks anymore. The DS3 was just so noticeably worse than the 360 controller. 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brickman | 4,014 Posted March 1, 2022 Share Posted March 1, 2022 Controller wise I think the 360 controller started the new standard of a good feeling controller and the Xbox X controller refined it to where I feel it is the best controller around. The Swith Pro controller comes in a close second but that's because they copied the 360. Console arcade sticks, hands down goes to the Saturn HSS-0130 but that's pretty hard to beat. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mega Tank | 974 Posted March 1, 2022 Share Posted March 1, 2022 XBOX Elite Series 2. You can add/remove paddles (extra buttons), adjust trigger stops, customize buttons. has 3 different layouts you can save, battery life is great... comes in a very nice case which doubles as a charger when plugged in. The biggest issue with it is, according to most people is that it just doesn't hold up as far as the quality is concerned. My controller had an issue early on in which the A button was sticking, so I couldn't double press A when I needed to and I gave it a couple of weeks to "break in" the controller. Thankfully it fixed itself. Other than that, just a minor issue with a trigger stop breaking as I dropped my controller, but a little gorilla glue fixed it, minor issue but I can see the quality concerns others have. It is definitely the best controller I've ever had, but I think at near $200 it better be. I may have gotten lucky with the quality build on mine as it's still running strong 1.5 years later. I have some friends that have returned theirs at least three times in the time I've owned mine. I didn't buy a warranty, but most people I know that have purchased this controller have. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMR | 522 Posted March 2, 2022 Share Posted March 2, 2022 It depends on what games you're playing, but for an all round good controller I like the Wii Pro controller. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fox | 1,673 Posted March 2, 2022 Share Posted March 2, 2022 (edited) SNES and PlayStation controllers which build on that template 360 and it’s trash d-pad can get out Edited March 2, 2022 by fox 2 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ifightdragons | 234 Posted March 2, 2022 Share Posted March 2, 2022 3 hours ago, fox said: SNES and PlayStation controllers which build on that template 360 and it’s trash d-pad can get out Pretty much spot on. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DefaultGen | 5,433 Posted March 2, 2022 Share Posted March 2, 2022 For just general 3D action games or something, the Xbox controllers are super ergonomic. I like the NES brick and all, but I mean, it's a rectangle that makes you hold your thumb sideways to hit both buttons. It's too bad Sony's controller design is stifled by the decision to tack on analog sticks in 1997 as if just kind of plopping them in the empty space below an SNES pad is still the best place for them 25 years later. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OptOut | 8,892 Posted March 2, 2022 Share Posted March 2, 2022 My personal favourite is the OG XBOX S controller, as I am not a huge fan of shoulder bumpers. I actually prefer the little ancillary black and white buttons on the OG S, as opposed to RB and LB on the 360. However, I will say the 360 is probably the best overall, even if it isn't my favourite! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj_robot | 546 Posted March 2, 2022 Share Posted March 2, 2022 I have always preferred the PlayStation line of controllers above anything else. The Xbox layout just never felt quite right for me, and consequently neither do the Wii U or Switch controllers. I guess it probably just has to do with the fact that I've spent way, way more time with PS controllers. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reed Rothchild | 9,585 Editorials Team · Posted March 2, 2022 Share Posted March 2, 2022 14 hours ago, fox said: SNES and PlayStation controllers which build on that template 360 and it’s trash d-pad can get out 1998 called. They want their layout back. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MegaMan52 | 2,461 Posted March 2, 2022 Share Posted March 2, 2022 (edited) The Wavebird deserves respect for being a first-party wireless Controller released as early as 2002. Wireless Controllers are standard now, but Nintendo was ahead of the game in the early 2000's. Edited March 2, 2022 by MegaMan52 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Count | 531 Posted March 2, 2022 Share Posted March 2, 2022 The PS3 is most ideal for me, but we must recognize the vaus controller for Arkanoid. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kguillemette | 1,547 Posted March 2, 2022 Share Posted March 2, 2022 I mean, the 360 controller is the modern gold standard in my eyes. It is ergonomically perfect. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammerfestus | 3,884 Posted March 2, 2022 Share Posted March 2, 2022 I have no idea what the most ergonomic fung Shui controller would be. I will say that my favorite is probably the snes controller. It’s a good one. I’d like to give the original PSX controllers some love too. It’s like they glued handles on a snes controller. Kind of. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesRobot | 5,829 Events Team · Posted March 3, 2022 Share Posted March 3, 2022 @Richardhead Xbox Nyko Air Flo is the GOAT. 1 1 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RH | 4,969 Posted March 3, 2022 Share Posted March 3, 2022 3 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDIRunner | 2,773 Posted March 3, 2022 Share Posted March 3, 2022 I know I'm in the minority, but I despise the GameCube controller. As far as good controllers go, I won't repeat any of the obvious ones that have already been talked about. What I will add is a controller that rarely gets mentioned but is way more comfortable than most people realize. The PS1 Dual Analogue controller (not the Dual Shock) is my personal favorite. When this controller was first released, it was made larger then the original PS1 controller which I always thought was extremely comfortable. About six months after release, Sony started offering the rumble feature and renamed it to Dual Shock. However, when they switched over to this model, they went back to the smaller controller configuration which was nearly identical to the original (they kept the larger L2/R2 buttons from the Dual Analogue. This smaller size became standard and was kept through the PS2 and PS3. To this day, I still believe the larger Dual Analogue is much more comfortable and I still use mine to this day. The Dual Analogue controller (the middle controller) is somewhat uncommon since it was replaced on the Dual Shock so quickly. Here is a size comparison. Interesting fact: The Dual Analogue is the only controller that can replicate the PS1 dual flight stick. This is done by hitting the mode button until the LED becomes green. This feature was dropped on the Dual Shock. 6 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RH | 4,969 Posted March 3, 2022 Share Posted March 3, 2022 17 minutes ago, TDIRunner said: I've never picked up a dual analog controller, but I've always wanted on . I admit, that looks comfortable. Specifically, part of why I like the GC controller is the shape of the handles. Longer ones like this look funny, but IMHO it does make a better grip. It just makes sense to me that if you're going to hold something in your hand, kind of like a bar, it should extend to the end of your grip. Most controllers, for larger/adult hands, end at about the middle, or 3/4ths of the way down your palm. That controller looks like when you hold it, the 99% of us will have something that extends fully across our hands. I like that. That feels much more ergonomic. Another controller I liked, though I wouldn't call it perfect was the Virtual Boy controller. I'm not being different, but it solved that problem as well. The flaired-out nature of this control is probably a bit more ergonomic then either the GC or the VB controllers, so yes, I could see this being my "favorite", if I ever even got to try playing with one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Californication | 1,490 Posted March 3, 2022 Share Posted March 3, 2022 I'm with Kguillemette the Xbox 360 controller is the most comfortable controller I've ever used. Really feel stupid for getting all my cross platform games on the PS3. #toolatetoturnback 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brickman | 4,014 Posted March 3, 2022 Share Posted March 3, 2022 3 hours ago, RH said: Besides the Switch Pro controller this is my second favourite Nintendo controller. I know this one has its haters and lovers but I’m definitely in the love camp. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Pac | 7,588 Graphics Team · Posted March 3, 2022 Author Share Posted March 3, 2022 2 1 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
croagunk | 798 Posted March 4, 2022 Share Posted March 4, 2022 I’m always the most comfortable with the GameCube controller. I really like my Horipad for the Switch too, though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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