Need a good PC game pad for simple emulation

[StanJr]

Hey, can anybody point me to a relatively inexpensive, but sturdy game pad I can use with VCS or NES emulation. Everything out there now that I can find looks like a damn XBOX controller or some kind of mega insane alien space ship stick.

 

Are there any good simple ones out there for just old fashioned gaming?

[MCHufnagel]

Hey, can anybody point me to a relatively inexpensive, but sturdy game pad I can use with VCS or NES emulation. Everything out there now that I can find looks like a damn XBOX controller or some kind of mega insane alien space ship stick.

 

Are there any good simple ones out there for just old fashioned gaming?

I use a Logitech Precision pad for emulating systems that don't need analog controls. It looks like a PSX controller. It is sturdy and I only paid $9.99 for it at Target a few months ago. Alot better than the no-name pad I bought at EBGames a few years ago.

[NE146]

What's wrong with the Xbox controller.. that's one of the best around!

 

Anyway for pc emus I still use my old-ass original Microsoft Sidewinder pad. I think it rocks. Although these days if you can even find it it's usually the USB version. Mine however, plugs into my gameport. I think these are pretty easily found in Goodwills.. at least I always see them there.

 

[JB]

Personally, I use a Saitek P880.

 

If you're looking for something with a pre-Playstation design, you're better off buying or building an adapter.

[SomeGuyWithDSL]

Gravis Game Pad Pro USB (eBay link, not mine)

 

The old standard for simple gaming, now with USB goodness. Unfortunately, the original Game Pad was darn close to a SNES pad but is 15-pin joystick only ... maybe that would suit you, though?

[JB]

Gravis Game Pad Pro USB (eBay link, not mine)

 

The old standard for simple gaming, now with USB goodness. Unfortunately, the original Game Pad was darn close to a SNES pad but is 15-pin joystick only ... maybe that would suit you, though?

Except the Gravis Gamepad Pro has the single least-accurate d-pad in the history of mankind.

 

Was my first gamepad, and I couldn't get rid of it fast enough. I was falling back to the keyboard for anything I needed precision for.

[+remowilliams]

The Xbox (or 360) controllers make nice PC controllers as well.

 

For the truly old school digital stuff, it's the gameport Sidewinder for me, or the Stelladapter

Edited July 21, 2006 by remowilliams

[AussieAtari]

Gameport Sidewinder or USB Logitech. The Sidewinder is great for the old MAME games, bullet proof, good weight and accurate.

[+FujiSkunk]

Another vote for the Microsoft Sidewinder. For anything that doesn't require analog control, you will not find a better controller, in my humble opinion (unless you move up to controllers built from arcade parts, but then those aren't exactly gamepads).

 

For stuff that needs analog, I have a PS2 (that's PlayStation2) to USB converter that I make good use of.

[SomeGuyWithDSL]

Except the Gravis Gamepad Pro has the single least-accurate d-pad in the history of mankind.

Was my first gamepad, and I couldn't get rid of it fast enough. I was falling back to the keyboard for anything I needed precision for.

 

Wow, really? Mine's been great for many years. Maybe I had a fluke and got a good one.

[Lord Thag]

I gottcha a better idea. Most people don't know this, but an XBOX controller is really USB. It has a funky connector, but you can build or buy an adaptor for $5.

 

They are a hell of a lot more durable than the usual PC garbage you buy now, and have better play control to boot. Plus, if you really want to go cheap, you can usually pick up third party controllers at Wally world for dirt cheap on clearance

 

Pretty cool, eh?

[Pixelboy]

I have a Logitech Precision, and I like it a lot. It's getting a little hard to find, though...

[stellar 2600]

I personally use a Saitek P220 gamepad. It's not bad at all with games. I bought it for $10 at Gamestop a few years ago and it's held up really well. I like how it's a usb plug and play controller. I used to take this thing to school and play my emulators on their computers.

[Jess Ragan]

Don't monkey around with PC controllers! The only way to fully enjoy emulation on your computer is with a controller converter. You'll get the familiar button layout and responsiveness of your favorite console joypad, rather than having to settle for some lame knock-off that doesn't work half as well.

 

You'll find controller converters for the modern systems here:

 

http://www.jandaman.com/Merchant2/merchant...;Category_Code=

http://www.jandaman.com/Merchant2/merchant...;Category_Code=

 

And there are converters for the oldies as well, which you'll find here:

 

http://www.retrousb.com/

 

To put it simply... if you want console-quality control, use a console controller. Never settle for anything less.

 

JR

[JB]

To put it simply... if you want console-quality control, use a console controller. Never settle for anything less.

 

JR

But what if the console in question has crappy controllers?

Who wants to play INTV games with an INTV controller, for example?

[Lord Helmet]

I'll sound like a broken record and vote for the sidewinder. I have the USB version and it works great for my purposed (emulators).

[Jess Ragan]

To put it simply... if you want console-quality control, use a console controller. Never settle for anything less.

 

JR

But what if the console in question has crappy controllers?

 

Then you don't buy that converter. Some of those converters are available for the sake of completists and the nostalgic. You just know that someone out there has to play his games with a 3DO joypad; the same thumb-busting controller that practically nobody wanted to use when it was new.

 

Personally speaking, I love the Sega Saturn pad. I absolutely adore it, and don't like playing video games without it. That's why I went straight for the original PC Joybox. Stan might want a different converter, but that's cool... he's got over a dozen different options, and one of them is bound to fit his playing style. Most of these options are a good sight better than cheesy PC joypads, which tend to favor ergonomics over what's really important... responsive control.

 

JR

[Lemmi]

To put it simply... if you want console-quality control, use a console controller. Never settle for anything less.

 

JR

But what if the console in question has crappy controllers?

 

Then you don't buy that converter. Some of those converters are available for the sake of completists and the nostalgic. You just know that someone out there has to play his games with a 3DO joypad; the same thumb-busting controller that practically nobody wanted to use when it was new.

 

 

JR

 

unless you bought a 3DO Goldstar system they look like Genesis pads, the original FZ1/FZ10 controllers suck ass

i bought a goldstar first then i got the FZ10 and put away the controller and used the Goldstar, and ive used the same goldstar controller i bought back in 1997 to this day

 

does the adaptor work with the nights controller?

[Jess Ragan]

Let's find out!

 

...

 

I'm afraid the answer is "no." The test screen goes berzerk with the NiGHTS controller plugged in, regardless of whether the pad is set to + or O mode.

 

It's got me wondering if I can make the pad work with my Saturn to Dreamcast controller converter. My suspicion is that it won't... it looks like it uses an entirely different I/O system from the Saturn's stock controllers.

 

JR

[Tan]

i use a gametec playstation to usb converter, doesn't need drivers under xp and analog calibration is minimal

[JB]

 

Most of these options are a good sight better than cheesy PC joypads, which tend to favor ergonomics over what's really important... responsive control.

I thought the point behind asking for advice was so you could easily find the gamepads that DIDN'T reek. They do exist.

 

And ergonomics are pretty important. A responsive controller that hurts your hands is just as bad as a mushy inaccurate mess that fits your hands perfectly.

Edited July 23, 2006 by JB

[Jess Ragan]

Well in that case, let me put it in simple terms. You get a PC Joybox, then you pick up a Saturn pad for 2D games and a Playstation Dual Shock for 3D games. It's pure gaming goodness, whatever you decide to play!

 

JR

[JB]

Well in that case, let me put it in simple terms. You get a PC Joybox, then you pick up a Saturn pad for 2D games and a Playstation Dual Shock for 3D games. It's pure gaming goodness, whatever you decide to play!

 

JR

I still like my P880. Good all-around controller.

Considering upgrading to a P990 for the second set of shoulder buttons on PS emulation, though. I just don't know how the "FPS" button behaves if you don't install drivers.

 

I also hate the DualShock.