Poll: mouse vs. controller

[ElArabDeMagnifico]

Controller by far-tried to play CoD online the other day on the PC, and found I'm so much better playing on a console controller than mouse + keyboard, though that could just come with practice

Well durr! Don't want to sound rude or anything since text isn't the best form of communication, but c'mon, you said "tried to play CoD online the other day" - obviously you didn't have enough time to get use to it if you are a long time controller user...

 

[shatnershaman]

I as a self proclaimed stereotype of an xbox owner will say controller i bought the Halos for PC for online and map making (Halo 1 and Halo 2 respectively) and plug in my wired 360 controller heck i like C&C 3 on 360 more o well I feel no shame I'm proud of where I came I as born and raised on the controller (yay obscure song reference)

 

[the monopoly guy]

I like the 360 controler, or any controler for FPSs but I prefer the mouse, and the Wiimote is a bloody gimick

 

[mGoLos]

Mouse control. Sens should be extremely low to better maintain aim as most enemies demand more than one bullet. Almost every console FPS game seems to have some sort of auto-aim which really defeats the question all together ...

 

[standokan]

controller for adventure games and mouse for shooters.

 

[johnman]

Mouse for pretty much everything except for flight sims, which you should buy a joy stick for.

This, cant stand a controller, slower, less accurate and uncomfortable to use.

 

[BoxCutter]

I prefer a controller for everything that isn't an RTS

 

[lostclause]

I'm surprised no-one's brought up free-running games which are miles better on a controller. RTSs require a mouse (though I wonder if a wiimote could do it) and FPS's are just a matter of opinion (I still go with controller)

 

[Credge]

FYI: Trackballs you control with your fingers/thumb are terrible for the same reason joysticks are terrible for FPS games. You're using your fingers.

The only time a controller has a real advantage versus a mouse and keyboard is in a fighting game and SOMETIMES sports games. In everything else it's either a tie or the keyboard and mouse completely dominate it in ways incomparable to the dominance that a controller has over fighting games.

 

[Credge]

I'm surprised no-one's brought up free-running games which are miles better on a controller. RTSs require a mouse (though I wonder if a wiimote could do it) and FPS's are just a matter of opinion (I still go with controller)

What is a free running game? Do you mean games like Mirror's Edge? If so, why? They're FPS games with an emphasis on movement... and keyboards and mice are far superior for movement than consoles.

*Hint* That's the real reason why a mouse and keyboard is preferred.

 

[The Maddest March Hare]

With enough practice a controller can be as good as a mouse, and I've spent my entire gaming life on a controller. I even use it with my PC sometimes, and I've won my fair share of matches.

Neither is better, it's up to the player really. I voted controller because it's what I'm better with.

 

[lostclause]

I'm surprised no-one's brought up free-running games which are miles better on a controller. RTSs require a mouse (though I wonder if a wiimote could do it) and FPS's are just a matter of opinion (I still go with controller)

What is a free running game? Do you mean games like Mirror's Edge? If so, why? They're FPS games with an emphasis on movement... and keyboards and mice are far superior for movement than consoles.

*Hint* That's the real reason why a mouse and keyboard is preferred.

Yes mirror's edge is an example but not the best one. There's assassin's creed (sort of) and the prince of persia games (neither are fps, mirror's edge is a welcome exception).
Now I can understand the appeal of for increased accuracy (something I've never found necessary but whatever) but for a free-running game I like a controller for two reasons.
1) Whenever I take a stab to hit a key in midair I will always hit the wrong one on a keyboard. That's no problem with a controller since you have a smaller, more accessible layout. It's easier to find everything (I know you can remap a keyboard but that doesn't help much)
2) The movement feels more natural on a controller. Maybe that's just me but the ability to strafe in 360 (no pun intended) helps a movement based game.
Interesting that you bring up mirror's edge. I lent a pc gamer friend my 360 controller to play mirror's edge with and he liked it so much he bought one for himself even though he doesn't have a console

 

[A Raging Emo]

For me, it depends on what controller it is. I'm trying not to sound like an XBox Fanboy here, but I do think the 360 controllers are a hell of a lot more comfortable than the PS3 Controller or the Wiimote.

I do enjoy playing some PC games aswell, though, but if I like using the mouse depends entirely on what game I'm playing. For example, when playing, say Fallout 1, FAllout 2 or Fallout Tactics, I think the mouse is a good way to control everything; but I dislike playing games like Halo or Mass Effect on the PC because I feel games like those can't function properly without a dedicated conrtol system.

 

[Firenz]

Mouse for everything except sports (controller) and flightsims (joystick), I still use my keyboard (set up in the old Carmageddon controls) for driving games.

Anyone know whether there has actually been any studies or anything into this? Surely they could get a group of progamers to have a controller vs mouse and keyboard session across various genres or something.

 

[DazZ.]

Can't wait until a FPS comes out that's PC/Console multiplatform, the mouse is just so much easier to aim with. I've tried playing with a controller in FPS games and I just feel so limited compared.

Anything other than FPS/RTS/MMO normally doesn't make a difference.

I prefer Super Mario 3 with a controller...

 

[Cowabungaa]

I don't prefer one over another.

 

[tenlong]

Mouse is better for percision aiming, but sticks are better than keyboards for movement.

I agree with that statement. It is my opinion also.

 

[Pimppeter2]

Controller, I'm just more used to it. I still like the mouse still