Current Events > Gaming controllers for PC use

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What do you guys use for controllers when playing games on PC? I have games like The Witcher and Bound by Flame in my backlog but it feels like they'd be better played with a controller. From what I understand XBOX and Playstation controllers could also work? (Hadn't kept up with consoles, my last one was a PS2)

Idk my bff Jill?

DS5

I just use an Xbox controller...it works fine.

Every major gaming controller works with Steam, and it even has a custom input menu where you can fine-tune controls on a game-by-game basis. It's a matter of what you prefer, and features you want.

If you own a Steam Controller or DualSense (PS5), you can take advantage of motion controls. That said, the standard Xbox Series X/S controller is fine for most people.

Use whatever controller you like the best. Most modern game will allow you to use whatever controller you feel like, and if not, you can just run the game through Steam and use your preferred controller. I think modern Xbox controllers are probably the best universal controllers. I do like the Swtich pro controller, but can't use it for 2D games or fighting games since the d-pad sucks ass.

DS5 and the Switch Pro. No problems with either for the most part though most games aren't set up to recognize the Switch Pro so it shows up with the wrong prompts (usually PS ones) in some games.

ellis123 posted...

DS5 and the Switch Pro.

The Switch Pro controller lowkey sucks. It has an awful D-Pad and doesn't have analog trigger support.

i use DS3 and vastly prefer it over DS4... haven't tried DS5 yet.

anyways, i still think W3 is best played with m/kb because of the vast amount of menu navigation and shortcuts + aiming working better especially since the camera tends to fight against you. there's apparently a lock-on mechanic in the game which i never used and i'm sure would again screw up the camera in enclosed areas.

wired Xbox 360 controller is still the defacto standard

I use a Steam Controller for Souls games, but that's it

8bitdo SN30 Pro + is what I use

It's my all around controller for Switch, PC, phone

Questionmarktarius posted...

wired Xbox 360 controller is still the defacto standard

It is probably the best controller ever from a simple plug and play perspective.

Questionmarktarius posted...

wired Xbox 360 controller is still the defacto standard

This hasn't been the case in years outside of ergonomics.

Most controllers from the last few generations are plug n play, iirc. Any xbox controller since 360 works just fine, in my experience.

CRON posted...

This hasn't been the case in years outside of ergonomics.

As long as you don't have to use the 360s shitty d-pad, the controller still works very well for almost any modern game.

CRON posted...

This hasn't been the case in years outside of ergonomics.

If you don't need analog, and still have a serial port for some reason, a Microsoft Sidewinder is the greatest controller ever.

Gwynevere posted...

8bitdo SN30 Pro + is what I use

It's my all around controller for Switch, PC, phone

Yeah, I use one of the 8bitdo ones. Works great

Thanks for the feedback guys - would buying an used DS5 or 360 controller off Ebay work? Or do they generally have limited lifespan and buying a brand new controller would be better?

Ruvan22 posted...

Thanks for the feedback guys - would buying an used DS5 or 360 controller off Ebay work? Or do they generally have limited lifespan and buying a brand new controller would be better?

buying a used pad is like buying a used condom.

I would never buy a used controller without being able to test it first. So many people abuse and ruin their controllers.

YellowSUV posted...

So many people abuse and ruin their controllers.

Every analog stick will drift eventually, even the really nice optical ones.

If you like paddles, the Razer Wolverine series (I use the TE) is a great Scuf alternative. Battle Beavers are supposed to be solid, too.

hold on... paddles still exist?

Xbox Elite V2. Best controller I've ever used.

Yea you can't buy good new 360 controllers anymore. They look good on amazon, but then you realize the joysticks aren't really analog and have a HUGE deadzone.

The best controllers for PC are 1st-party Microsoft controllers. They are 10 bucks cheaper at walmart than anywhere online.

The Xbox One/Elite controller is a direct improvement over the 360 for those still using them

Robot2600 posted...

Yea you can't buy good new 360 controllers anymore. They look good on amazon, but then you realize the joysticks aren't really analog and have a HUGE deadzone.

The best controllers for PC are 1st-party Microsoft controllers. They are 10 bucks cheaper at walmart than anywhere online.

You wouldn't happen to have a link would you?

Is there an easily-available wired X1 controller? USB is vastly more reliable on PC for some reason.

You actually have to get them in the brick and mortar stores, they use video games as a loss leader to get you in the building.

o also switch pro controllers are good too

360 and DS4, both wired

360 works out of the box, DS4 needs a special program

I usually use the Series X controller(or at least I think the Xbone controller with the new share button is a Series X controller), but connected via USB-C.

teep_ posted...

360 and DS4, both wired

360 works out of the box, DS4 needs a special program

do NOT even bother with Dualshocks on a PC if you play steam games.

I just want a controller that actually works with Wowowow Korone Box.

I use Xbox S controller .

Robot2600 posted...

do NOT even bother with Dualshocks on a PC if you play steam games.

I'm using it to play Neo TWEWY and it works great so far. It's the only game I've used it for, though I may use it for older games that don't have controller support and where I can use the pad as a mouse

admittedly the last time i tried a D@4 was to play FF13 on PC and it didn't work, even with additional software. I couldn't believe it.

Robot2600 posted...

do NOT even bother with Dualshocks on a PC if you play steam games.

Erm um what? Steam makes Dualshock controllers work with just about every game. The ONLY game I had issues with is One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 and that was because Koei Tecmo sucks ass with PC ports. But there are user templates that work very well to mitigate the issue anyway

But on topic, I went from Dualshock 4 to the Dualsense..

Robot2600 posted...

admittedly the last time i tried a D@4 was to play FF13 on PC and it didn't work, even with additional software. I couldn't believe it.

Steam has built-in support now for PS controllers (and just about every other controller). If the game doesn't have native DS4 support, Steam will have it emulate an Xbox controller. No need for additional software. I've never used any additional software for the DS4.

Robot2600 posted...

do NOT even bother with Dualshocks on a PC if you play steam games.

Okay so I just checked - I seem to have an even split between GoG and Steam games that might use a controller.

The Witcher 1 and 2 on GoG
Batman Arkham series on Steam
Bound By Flame on GoG
Crimzon Clover on Steam
etc

So I guess it's a mix between action/RPG/bullet hell, I don't play much FPS or fighting games though

mainly the DS4 but i have a ps5 now and haven't tried that on pc yet.

have a snes 8bitdo and n64 and gc adapters for pc so could probably get those to work as well. haven't tried yet and only really think i'd use the snes one if i need a great dpad.

Questionmarktarius posted...

hold on... paddles still exist?

Uh, yes. They're very common. They're really good for nades/heals/etc in shooters.

Xbox Series controller works fine for PC.

PS4 controller.

I bought another Xbox controller just for this purpose

Someone on here recommended me the 8bitdo pro+ 30 or whatever it's called. It's great. The only bad thing imo is that I can't get it to properly sync to my Switch, so I need to start the system with another controller and then do the "connect controllers" bit. But that doesn't affect a PC player anyway.

Yeah 8bitdo's stuff is great

scar the 1 posted...

Someone on here recommended me the 8bitdo pro+ 30 or whatever it's called. It's great. The only bad thing imo is that I can't get it to properly sync to my Switch, so I need to start the system with another controller and then do the "connect controllers" bit. But that doesn't affect a PC player anyway.

https://www.amazon.com/8Bitdo-Sn30-Pro-Bluetooth-Gamepad-mac/dp/B07TDTXHJP?th=1

So it looks about 50$ - I take it this is normal for a controller? Again haven't bought a console (or any parts) since the PS2!!