Need recommendations - Want to buy a game controller for my PC

[luobinruidian]

Hi,

I have been using unofficial or cheap game controller to play PC games before, and even if some controllers are really nice, such as the DualShock(PlayStation) controllers, they are more unreliable and time consuming to set up and get working correctly.

Also the cheaper brands of controllers are often not very nice to hold, buttons are bad etc. So this time I want to buy some official and good/great controller for my PC. They buttonlayout eg. Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo doesn't matter. I don't care where they choose to place their buttons etc., just that the controller is comfortable and of good quality.

So which game controller(s) would you recommend for me to buy?

My only preferences are:
1. It should be wireless.
2. It should be well supported and work flawless(or as good as possible) with Windows 8.
3. It should be good or fairly good quality and comfortable.

 

[Rationale]

I believe Microsoft makes a 360 controller for Windows.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109243&cm_re=360_controller-_-23-109-243-_-Product

 

[a44arana]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?gclid=CPXL_6OHyb4CFWYV7AodnHoAdw&Item=N82E16826104403&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-PC+Game+Controllers-_-N82E16826104403&ef_id=U4LrkAAABChKnR-I:20140526072326:s

this is a little cheaper, plus it comes with a program to setup controller for games without native controller support. also, i like the way the analogs are setup like a ps3 control vs the xbox setup.

 

[luobinruidian]

Yeah, I have been thinking about that one, since it should work really well with Windows 8. But I am interested to hear from users which one they prefer and why. Perhaps there's a better alternative out there.

After some searching I came across this comparison with PC controllers, and judging by it the Logitech F710 seems to best the "best buy" to date. But, this comparison does not include the Xbox controller for PC, and perhaps more are left out.

http://gamepad-review.toptenreviews.com/index.html

 

[luobinruidian]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?gclid=CPXL_6OHyb4CFWYV7AodnHoAdw&Item=N82E16826104403&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-PC+Game+Controllers-_-N82E16826104403&ef_id=U4LrkAAABChKnR-I:20140526072326:s

this is a little cheaper, plus it comes with a program to setup controller for games without native controller support. also, i like the way the analogs are setup like a ps3 control vs the xbox setup.

Do you own this controller yourself, and have you tried the Xbox 360 controller for PC? If so, which one do you prefer out of those two.

This one you posted seems to be a good controller too from the reviews I have found.

 

[a44arana]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?gclid=CPXL_6OHyb4CFWYV7AodnHoAdw&Item=N82E16826104403&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-PC+Game+Controllers-_-N82E16826104403&ef_id=U4LrkAAABChKnR-I:20140526072326:s

this is a little cheaper, plus it comes with a program to setup controller for games without native controller support. also, i like the way the analogs are setup like a ps3 control vs the xbox setup.

Do you own this controller yourself, and have you tried the Xbox 360 controller for PC? If so, which one do you prefer out of those two.

This one you posted seems to be a good controller too from the reviews I have found.

i personally use a WIRED xbox 360 controller for PC and for games without support i use XPADDER to map keyboard functions to the buttons.

i would just use a WIRED xbox controller because wireless controllers always have some sort of issues with PCs...

 

[mickypheonix]

hi luobinruidian
i personally love the playstation type controllers , i dont believe spending large amount on a controller or gamepad
if you have a favourite game controller you like , eg. playstation controller you can buy adapters for the controller to usb
and still program all buttons for most games which i have done because with games like need for speed etc i am hopeless at controlling with the keyboard but a controller no problems , vice city with the playstation controller was so much fun
There are many alternatives out there for game controllers

 

[LucoTF]

I use a wireless xbox 360 controller with a microsoft xbox wireless controller receiver. It works perfectly, although first-time setup took about 10 minutes. These days I just hit the green X and off I go

Edit: Oh I forgot to add - most PC games have native xbox controller support too! for example in sleeping dogs / batman the correct buttons for actions appear on screen just as if it were on the xbox

 

[Rationale]

I use a wireless xbox 360 controller with a microsoft xbox wireless controller receiver. It works perfectly, although first-time setup took about 10 minutes. These days I just hit the green X and off I go

Edit: Oh I forgot to add - most PC games have native xbox controller support too! for example in sleeping dogs / batman the correct buttons for actions appear on screen just as if it were on the xbox

That is a big advantage, imo.

Other games that automatically recognize a 360 controller and show correct buttons are:
-Skyrim
-Enslaved
-Dark Souls
-Dark Souls 2
-Hunted: The Demon's Forge

And I'm sure others I'm not aware of.

 

[luobinruidian]

I use a wireless xbox 360 controller with a microsoft xbox wireless controller receiver. It works perfectly, although first-time setup took about 10 minutes. These days I just hit the green X and off I go

Edit: Oh I forgot to add - most PC games have native xbox controller support too! for example in sleeping dogs / batman the correct buttons for actions appear on screen just as if it were on the xbox

That is a big advantage, imo.

Other games that automatically recognize a 360 controller and show correct buttons are:
-Skyrim
-Enslaved
-Dark Souls
-Dark Souls 2
-Hunted: The Demon's Forge

And I'm sure others I'm not aware of.

Yeah that sounds like a big advantage actually! And kind of the thing I am looking for. So if I would buy the Logitech F710 it might give me some trouble playing games that are native with the Xbox controller, right? So that's a minus.

I went to a local shop today and they recommended me the Logitech F710, and it has great reviews on the internet. The Xbox 360 PC controller also has great, but not as great reviews and many people recommend it too. Also it seems and should be native with more games so it might give me less trouble trying to use.

One plus I find with the F710 is that the D-pad(I think this is the correct name) is on the far left like an SNES controller, so it makes it a bit more comfortable playing retro games, which I like.

When it comes to price they seem to be about the same, the X360 controller is just a bit more expensive here in China at 350 RMB and F710 at 250 RMB. Probably because PC sell better here.

So it's a difficult decision to make, they seem to be really good both. And they both have their advantages.

 

[luobinruidian]

I ended up with the Logitech F710, basically because the store I visited only had this out of the two controllers that I was interested in. Or else I would have asked them which they recommended and let them pick it for me.

But I do like this controller very much, and it seems to be native with games in Windows 8 as well. I have only had time to try DuckTales: Remastered but the controller/game had native support.

At times the input is lagging a bit, but I suppose this is due to it being wireless.

I am very pleased with this controller so far, it has very good quality and feels great in my hands. The only downside is that the D-pad feels of less quality as it is not so sturdy. I do wonder why?

So all in all this seems to be a great controller.

 

[a44arana]

make sure you go to manufacturers website and download the newest software for it.

if the controller came with a disc with drivers, they could be outdated by now.

 

[Rationale]

I ended up with the Logitech F710, basically because the store I visited only had this out of the two controllers that I was interested in. Or else I would have asked them which they recommended and let them pick it for me.

But I do like this controller very much, and it seems to be native with games in Windows 8 as well. I have only had time to try DuckTales: Remastered but the controller/game had native support.

At times the input is lagging a bit, but I suppose this is due to it being wireless.

I am very pleased with this controller so far, it has very good quality and feels great in my hands. The only downside is that the D-pad feels of less quality as it is not so sturdy. I do wonder why?

So all in all this seems to be a great controller.

For whatever reason, directional pads never seem to be very solid. I have several PS3 controllers and a 360 controller, and the d-pad is the loosest part of those as well. Maybe it's just part of how they're mounted into the controller, idk.

 

[hammerbro64]

If you are looking for a Play Station Type controller, there is a controller called the SteelSeries GamingPad. This controller looks almost identical to a PlayStation controller. Unfortunatley, this controller has a wire that you have too plug in. Another controller that may work is the Logitech Gaming Pad which also looks like a PlayStation controller. This controller is wireless and is said to work with PC. The SteelSeries GamingPad costs $19.99 at a US Best Buy and the Logitech Gaming Pad costs $43.47 at a US Best Buy
*All Controllers, information and prices found on the Best Buy Website*

 

[LikeABossNT]

If you like the ps3 controller you should use the ps4 controller. It doesn't need any software or anything, just plug it in and start playing. I'm currently playing Dark Souls using it and I just love playing with it.

 

[numanator]

I just bought a gamestop wired 360 controller and it works just like the official xbox controller for the PC. Needed the controller for dark souls since the PC port was atrocious. http://www.gamestop.com/xbox-360/accessories/gamestop-xbox-360-controller/43229