Poll: which is the best controller

[Scrustle]

The 360 controller. The D-pad is pretty bad and the RB & LB buttons aren't the best either, but they're okay. But the controller has a really nice ergonomic design and the triggers are excellent. When I first saw it I thought it looked slightly odd, since I'd never seen a controller with it's design so focused on ergonomics, but after I got over that it looks very handsome, I think.

I used to really like the PS2/PS3 controller back in the day, but since getting used to the 360 controller it just doesn't feel that great. It's still good, but I think that most of the reason people like how it feels is because the design of it has been around for so long. People are just really used to it. I still like the controller, and it's become iconic, but as far as usability goes the 360 controller beats it.

I think the Gamecube controller is a bit over-rated. It's not bad, but it's far from the best. It feels okay in your hands, but not as good as the 360 controller. But the buttons don't feel great, and the triggers are odd. Don't really know how it compares against the Playstation controller, it's been too long since I was using them both regularly. Overall the controller is good, but I don't think it deserves it's reputation for having a perfect feel and button layout.

The Wiimote is awful. I don't think I need to talk about the patchy motion controls, but it also had pretty big issues with ergonomics and button layout. The rectangular shape can be irritating and hard to get a grip on, and the 1 and 2 buttons are in an awful position. While holding it longways the buttons are really hard to reach and generally a pain in the arse. While it's sideways things aren't much better. They're still not in the right place, and they're far too small. The feel of the buttons are pretty good though. They feel sturdy and have a really nice tactile feel to them. I especially like the B button. The buttons on the nun-chuck aren't so good though. Their placement is fine but they feel a bit tacky in comparison.

 

[Don't taze me bro]

If the 360 had the D-pad of the Dreamcast controller, it would be the best controller ever.

 

[Vault101]

You do realize saying a mouse and keyboard is definitely better kind of makes you come across as a PC elitist, right? In my opinion, different genres lend themselves to a different control scheme. While say an RTS works better with a mouse and keyboard, something like a fighter really doesn't need that many keys. Ultimately, it's more about how you use the controller, rather than the controller itself.

comapred to that guy I sound like a console sympathiser

and yeah, I can see what you mean...somtimes games I'm perfectly fine with a controller

but generally I prefer keyboard for everything...including stuff like arkham asylum or even darksideres

personal preferance I guess, as with everything

 

[Starik20X6]

Clearly the pinnacle of controller technology.

Honestly? Only one of those controllers can claim to have completely and utterly changed the industry, for better or worse.

 

[JediMB]

Gamecube, Xbox 360 and Wii controllers all have their great merits. (I can't say the same about the DualShock 3.)

Ideally, I think, there'd be a controller with the 360 controller's shape, the Gamecube controller's face button layout (where there's a clear primary button surrounded by secondary and tertiary ones), and... definitely an IR pointer function like in the Wii Remote, which (for the most comfortable aiming experience) would require the controller also being split into two halves.

 

[MasochisticAvenger]

You do realize saying a mouse and keyboard is definitely better kind of makes you come across as a PC elitist, right? In my opinion, different genres lend themselves to a different control scheme. While say an RTS works better with a mouse and keyboard, something like a fighter really doesn't need that many keys. Ultimately, it's more about how you use the controller, rather than the controller itself.

comapred to that guy I sound like a console sympathiser

and yeah, I can see what you mean...somtimes games I'm perfectly fine with a controller

but generally I prefer keyboard for everything...including stuff like arkham asylum or even darksideres

personal preferance I guess, as with everything

Yes, it's kind of my problem with the whole question of "best controller" since what it's really asking is what controller a particular person predominately uses. While I did own an SNES, my first real experience with gaming came from the Nintendo 64, so the weird design of the controller never really bothered me.

At the same time, I've never been a fan of gaming on the PC. It's mostly because I've always owned a laptop, and now I own a Mac, so a lot of games just won't run well for me. Also I'm kind of lazy; when I want to put in a new game, I don't really want to be thinking about whether or not I need to update the drivers or if I need to search the internet for some patch. I remember when I tried to play Knights of the Old Republic on my PC, and the only way I got it to work was to delete two movies files (containing the Bioware and LucasArt logos when you first loaded up the game). I kind of like just being able to put in the disc, and the console going "dude, don't worry, I got this".

Also, I'm kind of a fan of simplistic control schemes. Quite frankly, I tend to get a little lost when I have to push a button on the keyboard I haven't already preassigned a finger to (if that makes sense). Don't get me wrong, I can type quite well, but for some reason when it comes to a game I become a total spaz with the keyboard.

Of course, as you said, it all comes down to personal preference. For me personally, I prefer a handheld much more than I prefer a console, even if it is exactly the same game. I bought BlazBlue on the PS3, and played maybe five minutes of it before getting bored. I bought BlazBlue on the Vita, on the other hand, and I'm about half way through the story and already I'm learning a second character to go along side my first. I have no idea why... I think it's because with a handheld it's easier just to pick up and play. Turn 3DS on, play one mission of Skylanders, turn 3DS off and put it down.

Anyway, slightly off topic there. To answer the original question, the Kinect is the best controller because YOU are the controller.

 

[xPixelatedx]

I honestly don't know how anyone pick anything but the Play Station controller.

You people must have giant hands! The PS1/PS2/PS3 controller is the most snugly fit, light and nice feeling control pad I have ever used, and I have owned basically every home-console since NES. There is a reason why I use the PlayStation pad as my PC controller. Nintendo's controllers where great up till the N64 era, then they just got convoluted and weird. And every iteration of the Xbox controller has always been fat, heavy lacking with the cross pad.

 

[theSteamSupported]

To me, there is no best controller. There won't be one until haptic feedback multi touch screens are available for consumers.

 

[Pr1ns]

I had no problem with the n64 controller design, but my problem with it was that the thumbstick would wear out, and playing zelda and only being able to walk can be quite agitating and I got a similar problem with the NGC controller, the ruber on the stick will rip. I've never had the same problem with xbox or playstion or my great dreamcast *cuddles*. but did had to fix up a xbox controller because the wire got fucked up and had to glue the rubber of my ps3 controller once...

my #1 controller will be dreamcast although the wire is connected at the bottom of the controller >.< and the wire clip in thing on the back wasn't optimal. but I like how it fits, survived the many hours of play and i'm biased towards the Dreamcast =]

 

[Lt._nefarious]

As someone who plays both a PS3 and 360 I have to say I prefer the 360 as I find it's triggers more responsive than the flap things on the PS3 controller and think it is a better size.

 

[The White Hunter]

I've grown up with playstations, so that's the controller I find more comfortable.

Same with me, though I personally loved the early PS3 concept controller. The 360 one is justbit too chunky for my tastes.

Though I'm oddly enamoured with the dreamcast controller.

 

[Andy Shandy]

Has to be Xbox 360 for me. Felt comfortable in my hands since the day I started using it, and the only other controller I can say that about is this one.

And perhaps the PS2 Dualshock, but that would be cheating since I'd been used to the PS1's version for so long.

 

[Major_Tom]

PS2. I still use it (with a cheap USB adapter) whenever I play racing games on my PC.

 

[renegade7]

I would say the Gamecube has the most comfortable controller, just barely ahead of the Xbox 360. I hate the D-Pads on both of them, gotta say.

Playstation controllers I'm not an incredibly huge fan of, but I'm ok with them (I don't like having to stretch my thumbs).

The Wii remote/nunchuk setup is a joke, since I can't rest my hand and let it lie slack while I'm using it, it must be pointed at the tv AT ALL TIMES lest whatever character you are controlling have a shitfit. The classic controller is great though. I never use the sticks on it since I use a gamecube controller for N64 games, so basically it's just a throwback to the SNES controller, which was also great.

The N64 controller was a bit uncomfortable, but held a place near and dear to my heart as being my first gaming console, and once I was used to it I was ok.

NES, SNES, and Sega Genesis are all very good controllers. The Atari 2600's joystick was also pretty good, though having to grip it could be a pain.

The worst controller ever would have to go to the Colecovision and Intellivision. I regret the day we found those in my cousin's attic and thought it would be fun to play with them. It wasn't. I feel phantom pains in my hands to this day.