Controller for PC help?

[Yopaz]

Corded Xbox controller is by far the easiest to use. Plug and play, literally.

The best gamepad to use with PC for gaming is keyboard & mouse. Therefore it is logical that i suggest you use that.

Come now, even a hardened PC user as myself know some games feel more natural on controller, as long as you don't have to do real aiming a controller is great for games like Darksiders/Dark souls/DMC series/The Lara Croft games/Legacy of Kain.

There are no games that feel mroe natural on a controller, only games that are poorly ported to PC.

There are fighting games and platform games (Psychonatus to mention one example) that are more enjoyable with a controller.

OT: If you can get a wireless receiver for Xbox 360 controller I'd recommend that. It works great for multiplayer too for those games that support that. I've used it for Street Fighter a lot and it works with Rayman Origins (also something that's hard to do with mouse and keyboard). It also has the benefit of being set up to work with most games that have controller support.

 

[Not Lord Atkin]

get the wireless receiver. 360 controller works surprisingly well with PCs and if you already have a controller, just getting the receiver should be relatively cheap.

as for the other argument, yes, you're probably going to want to use keyboard and mouse combo the most but some games just plain feel better with a controller. For me, those were Assassin's Creed games, Devil May Cry games, Darksiders and a few others, as well as some poorly ported shooters such as Splinter Cell Conviction.

The D-pad's... ugh. competent. works for weapon switching and similar stuff that it's mostly used for nowadays. What it's NOT good for are games that require specific button inputs with exact timing - think fighting games or earlier Tony Hawk games. I was better off using the keyboard with those and even then it felt extremely awkward.

 

[Frank_Sinatra_]

The best gamepad to use with PC for gaming is keyboard & mouse. Therefore it is logical that i suggest you use that.

You do realize some games like Shank and Mark of the Ninja are absolutely wretched to play with a mouse and keyboard, right?

 

[Zac Jovanovic]

Im really curious on how you would bind the keys on Dark Souls to make it a confortable game to play on the PC, its not about the fact that it was poorly ported.

OT: The wired Xbox controller is probably your best option like many already said.

I'm not sure how Dark Souls can be an argument in your favor.
The issue with it isn't in binds at all, as long as you have an option to set them manually it's all well and good.

Dark Souls is borderline unplayable on KB/B because it was simply implemented poorly, mouse behaves like you're running it over your balls ,there is a massive input delay, mouse cursor always on screen etc.

Personally I find RPGs much more enjoyable on KB/M than on the 360 controller, granted the controls are properly ported. Which it saddens me to say is quite rare these days.

Nothing breaks immersion like having to press a key to draw a skill wheel to pick a skill from (up yours AC3) when you have hundreds of keys and key combinations available.
And the use of the same key for a ton of different actions because of the controller's limited number of keys, for example mass effect 3 press-space-a-lot. AC3 comes to mind again for this too (i know it's not an RPG), "FFFFFFFFFFUUUU I want to jump over that fence, not hop onto a nearby horse!! Why would put those on the same key!:X"

 

[Strazdas]

There are no games that feel mroe natural on a controller, only games that are poorly ported to PC.

But they ARE poorly ported, so we deal with it from there which leaves controllers.

True enough, if you take ibuprofen you wont feel the pain from the cancer you have.

I'd much rather play GTA or Saints Row with a controller, since driving and walking with analogue controls gives you much more finesse when turning corners. You don't need to jam the wheels all the way left or right.

GTA is one that that should never ever be played with controller....

There are no games that feel mroe natural on a controller, only games that are poorly ported to PC.

Uhm surely analogue steering >>> WASD steering any day of the week?

Also: Yeah, well.. you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man. How about for once we don't turn this into a KB&M vs. controllers debate and simply answer the OP's question?

Only in driving simulators.
Yes, it is my opinion, just like controllers choice is your opinion. and i merely suggested a KB&M setup for a PC (you know, the thing they are made for) and was met with a shitstorm

The best gamepad to use with PC for gaming is keyboard & mouse. Therefore it is logical that i suggest you use that.

I wondered how long it would take for an elitist to come in here. In case you didn't read it properly I said I have a laptop and I don't want to sit hunched over it to play games like saints row 3 or other single player games when I can lay in my bed and play them with a controller.

Anyway, thanks to everyone else for the serious answers. I was kind of hoping to avoid buying another controller (that would make 5 which is a bit pointless haha) but It would help save money on batteries and one of my controllers is stuffed I think.

You asked for a gamepad suggestion. i suggested Keyboard&mouse. i gave you what you asked for.
I too have a laptop and have no problem with keyboard and mouse. and if you have some mania to sit far away from your screen there are usb/wireless keyboards for that. I play games laying on my bed perfectly fine with keyboard and mouse, so i think the suggestion is fair. and while were at it lets get rid of the stereotype of peopel being hunched over computer. if anything they are half-laying in their chairs.

Also, if you already had 5 controllers, why not just try the ones you have and see which one works the best?

Im really curious on how you would bind the keys on Dark Souls to make it a confortable game to play on the PC, its not about the fact that it was poorly ported.

There are more keys on a controller than a keyboard? are you seriuos? controllers are often flamed for their lack of ability to bind shortcuts.

You do realize some games like Shank and Mark of the Ninja are absolutely wretched to play with a mouse and keyboard, right?

No? maybe you just dont know how to use a keyboard in those games? or is this another case of porting so bad that your have a PC tutorial telling you to press "x on your controller"?

 

[Ringo_Plumen]

I don't own a console, but bought myself a cheap Gamestop 360 controller just to try using it more in games like GTA/Saints Row, Dark Souls, driving games, emulators, testing Big Picture, indie platformers and so on, really it has a lot of uses.

If I had known how much I'd come to use it I would however have bought a better quality controller because the D-pad is horrendous on this thing, this could be better on an official 360 controller but I doubt it if its the same round 1-button design.

 

[fix-the-spade]

I own a xbox so there is the option of buying a wireless receiver for it or buying a third party controller.

Those are good options, although a wired official Xbox controller is better than both as it's easier to get running (no pairing needed etc), you can get one for about the cost of a wireless adapter too.

 

[SecondPrize]

There are no games that feel mroe natural on a controller, only games that are poorly ported to PC.

But they ARE poorly ported, so we deal with it from there which leaves controllers.

I use a wired xbox controller for nearly every non shooter I can on my pc because it certainly feels more 'natural' to be leaning back in a chair with a controller in my lap.
OP get a wired official controller. They're easily and cheaply available online, durable as fuck and you won't need anything else (like a 360) to charge them, ever.

 

[KingsGambit_v1legacy]

Hey everyone, recently I've gotten into PC gaming a bit more and I would like some help in choosing a gamepad to use with my laptop. I'm just stuck in choosing how to go about it. I own a xbox so there is the option of buying a wireless receiver for it or buying a third party controller.

I play all of my games through steam so I would like to know what would be a better option. If I was to buy a new controller I would prefer a cheaper one because I want to save a bit of money. So, what would you suggest I do?

I have a 360 controller I use for the odd PC game where a pad is useful. I highly recommend going this route. A wireless game pad is maybe £20, a play and charge kit between £5-10 (for the rechargable battery pack, though you can use two AAs) and the USB receiver is also about £10. You could also get a wired one and save on the battery/receiver.

The reason I suggest this is because almost every PC game now is shitty, lazy console port, and thus designed with the generic 360/ps3 controllers in mind. Other controllers with extra buttons and snazzy features I've found can be hard to configure (my old Logitech Wingman is a prime example) and a lot more hassle than they're worth. Also, if you have a console, you may already have a spare pad and/or find the 360 controller easy/comfortable to use. Further a 360 controller can double as both computer and console controller. You can resell it afterwards with ease as well.

Unless you're buying something for X3 or a Flight Simulator which might be more demanding, I wouldn't recommend anything except a 360 controller now.

 

[SSJBlastoise]

You asked for a gamepad suggestion. i suggested Keyboard&mouse. i gave you what you asked for.
I too have a laptop and have no problem with keyboard and mouse. and if you have some mania to sit far away from your screen there are usb/wireless keyboards for that. I play games laying on my bed perfectly fine with keyboard and mouse, so i think the suggestion is fair. and while were at it lets get rid of the stereotype of peopel being hunched over computer. if anything they are half-laying in their chairs.

Also, if you already had 5 controllers, why not just try the ones you have and see which one works the best?

I'm just going to leave this here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamepad notice how keyboards aren't mentioned?

And please try to read the original post, I said I wanted to avoid buying another controller so I wouldn't have 5 xbox controllers.

Edit: I also should point out I like emulating older consoles which is where a gamepad is easier to use.

 

[MysticToast]

I know the 360 controller is the popular choice here, and one I've been considering for a while. Has anyone had any experience with hooking up a PS3 controller to their PC? Is it fairly simple as well or should I just go for the 360.

 

[josemlopes]

Im really curious on how you would bind the keys on Dark Souls to make it a confortable game to play on the PC, its not about the fact that it was poorly ported.

There are more keys on a controller than a keyboard? are you seriuos? controllers are often flamed for their lack of ability to bind shortcuts.

No, its because the controls on Dark Souls were made for the controller in mind, the left bumper and left thrigger are the the controls for the left weapon and the right bumper and right thrigger are the controls for the right weapon. There are four buttons for the attack/defend functions and deppending on what you take it can also be four buttons just for the attack functions, while it is certainly possible to play it with keyboard and mouse I dont see it being better then with a controller because the game mechanics were very fine tuned for the controller from the start (and actually never intended to be played with anything else).

PS: I never said anything about the controller having more keys then a keyboard, I asked about how could Dark Souls be confortable to play with a keyboard, its a very different thing. Just because a keyboard can do all the actions it doesnt mean that its confortable.

 

[Something Amyss]

Xbox controllers are the easiest to use with a PC - just plug it in and it works. I'm not sure how easy adding a wireless receiver is, but I doubt it'd be different - Microsoft just has the drivers set up already so once a controller is added you can use it straight away. That's not to say a PS controller or [footnote]a generic one - I have something like this one [http://www.systo.co.uk/peripherals/gaming-controls/saitek-p380-dual-analog-pad-pp21.html][/footnote] is hard - it's just a matter of installing an extra piece of software [footnote]although, it could work straight away with some games - I didn't have a problem with Devil May Cry 3, for example - I plugged and played...well, and then returned to the keyboard because I was just more used to it[/footnote].

The wireless receiver is damn easy to use. to sync a wireless controller, you press a sync button on the controller and one on the receiver.

 

[Something Amyss]

I know the 360 controller is the popular choice here, and one I've been considering for a while. Has anyone had any experience with hooking up a PS3 controller to their PC? Is it fairly simple as well or should I just go for the 360.

It's fairly simple, but it's less recognised.

Even the programs designed to run it are sketchy.

 

[DoPo]

Xbox controllers are the easiest to use with a PC - just plug it in and it works. I'm not sure how easy adding a wireless receiver is, but I doubt it'd be different - Microsoft just has the drivers set up already so once a controller is added you can use it straight away. That's not to say a PS controller or [footnote]a generic one - I have something like this one [http://www.systo.co.uk/peripherals/gaming-controls/saitek-p380-dual-analog-pad-pp21.html][/footnote] is hard - it's just a matter of installing an extra piece of software [footnote]although, it could work straight away with some games - I didn't have a problem with Devil May Cry 3, for example - I plugged and played...well, and then returned to the keyboard because I was just more used to it[/footnote].

The wireless receiver is damn easy to use. to sync a wireless controller, you press a sync button on the controller and one on the receiver.

I thought so - I just haven't tried one myself but based on experience with the wired one this is exactly what I expected. So it's a matter of which one you can get cheaper - the receiver or a wired controller. And maybe which one you prefer, if any. I'm too lazy to look up prices but I'd suggest going for the cheaper option.

 

[ItsNotRudy]

I know the 360 controller is the popular choice here, and one I've been considering for a while. Has anyone had any experience with hooking up a PS3 controller to their PC? Is it fairly simple as well or should I just go for the 360.

The 360 one. Lots of games have actual ingame support for 360 controllers. They will show the actual press [button] with Xbox icons and the ability to config the controller from the ingame menu is pretty nifty as well. With a PS3 controller you'll need to look for custom drivers and use software to configure the thing.

 

[Lono Shrugged]

nthing the 360 pad. I rarely use it but it's great to have. And I did get it pretty much for poorly ported console games, because I don't mind playing Sleeping Dogs on a controller if I can get it 10 euros cheaper and run it prettier. Another reason why the 360 pad is a great choice is that nearly every game out is compatible and has the control scheme well thought out. Dead Space, Dead Rising, GTA and even indy platform games are just as satisfying on a pad.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

I know the 360 controller is the popular choice here, and one I've been considering for a while. Has anyone had any experience with hooking up a PS3 controller to their PC? Is it fairly simple as well or should I just go for the 360.

The 360 one. Lots of games have actual ingame support for 360 controllers. They will show the actual press [button] with Xbox icons and the ability to config the controller from the ingame menu is pretty nifty as well. With a PS3 controller you'll need to look for custom drivers and use software to configure the thing.

It's a really simple process, I use Motionjoy, it takes literally 5 minutes to set up.

 

[DoPo]

I know the 360 controller is the popular choice here, and one I've been considering for a while. Has anyone had any experience with hooking up a PS3 controller to their PC? Is it fairly simple as well or should I just go for the 360.

As I said just a bit above - I have a generic controller that I use. It's not as easy as setting up the Xbox 360 one but that's not saying much - you just need an extra piece of software, maybe. Mine worked fine with Devil May Cry 3 but I had few buttons swapped around in Dark Souls - it was a matter of using x360ce [https://code.google.com/p/x360ce/] to emulate a controller. You can also use xpadder [http://www.xpadder.com/] but the difference is that with xpadder you simulate using the keyboard and mouse keys to the controller (so, it's pretty much like binding WASD to the direction keys and so on), while with x360ce you simulate using an actual controller.

EDIT:

It's a really simple process, I use Motionjoy, it takes literally 5 minutes to set up.

Or use that, I guess.

 

[mattaui]

I use a Razer Onza, works with any game that offers native support, and mimics a 360 controller. It's also got a nice long cord on it for when I'm using it with my TV PC.

However, a quick search indicates they may no longer make it. Perhaps the 'Sabertooth' is the newer model? I know they're more expensive than standard Xbox controllers though, at least at standard retail pricing. When I bought mine it was about the same price on sale.

In the past I had trouble with the Xbox wireless adapter for my PC, but I know others who've gotten it to work just fine.