For some games I like using a gamepad. I used to use the Xbox 360 controller but the batteries started flaking out on me and I switched to the Xbox one controller. But after only a couple of months the shitty micro USB plug seems to have broken and I don't have a dongle to use it wirelessly. So I'm in the market for a new controller.
Ideally wired, I don't like having to deal with batteries but if it's wired then it needs to have some mechanical strength, micro USB (and I'm going to say it, USB-C) are worthless for things which are not stationary on a flat surface. But I guess I could go back to wireless.
I don't want to have to set up any software for it, I want something which is plug and play just like the xbox controller is but I would be interested in something other than the standard xbox controller as the build quality is kind of shitty, especially the xbox one controller, if the USB port hadn't failed the analogue sticks surely would have.
To be honest, I bought generic 360 wired controller from a Chinese website retailer for 11$. No issues there... Well, there was one button, but after I fixed it it's all fine. If you are fine with the 360 controller just get a wired one.
The thing is, the 360 pad is basically made for Windows. It's been out for soooo long, that all issues have been fixed. You just plug it in and your pc says "hey, a 360 pad"... Third party in most of the cases means more problems, than there should be. PS: funk Microsoft for selling 10 years old technology for that much money. Get it from aliexpress for 10-15$ new from the factory... I mean Jesus Christ... New here it's like 40$... A 360 one... The Xbone pad is 50$...
Although not wired, you could check out the SteelSeries Stratus XL. Although by the sounds of things a 360 controller would probably be pretty good haha.
I hate the 360 controller so ended up using the SCP drivers (free software from somwhere, I forget) for my ps3 controller haha
Been using the wired 360 controller for 2 years now. No real issues.
The only downside for me is the round cutouts around the thumbsticks. You either have full reach on the X axis, full reach on the Y axis or half of both when pulling the stick diagonally. Being a former RC pilot, I'm used to having full reach on both axises simultaneously and I've crashed several planes in GTA as a direct result of being unable to do so. I'm considering filing away part of the enclosure to see if that solves it.
I like the look of it, but (as far as a I can tell) doesn't come with a Bluetooth dongle and doesn't have rechargeable batteries.
Does the PS3 controller work without bluetooth (don't have a dongle for it even though it's been around forever, go figure)? Because If I can find a mini USB cable that isn't 3cm long around here somewhere that may be a good enough option.
Yeah I'm currently using mine with a wired connection. There is a way to set it up with bluetooth which is a few extra steps, but wired is fine. After it's been setup it essentially acts as a 360 controller in the shell of the ps3 controller haha.
Luckily my PC is right next to me on the desk so even though I have a super short mini-usb cable it's fine haha.
Well that sounds like a good solution to the immediate problem of having a bunch of useless controllers. I gave my batteries and dongle for the 360 controllers to a friend when I got the xbox one controller and now she lives on the other side of the country.
I came here to recommend the Xbox 1 S controller using Bluetooth if you are on Windows 10.... but you crushed my dreams! My second vote would be the wired Xbox 360 controller. Did your wireless 360 not use AA's (just curious about batteries flaking out bit)?
I wish they made a wired version of Xbox 1 S controller.
I lost the covers so I can't use AAs, I had rechargeables but they kept coming loose (or maybe they were just getting old, I don't know) and the connection would drop all the time.
Ah, yes. I forgot about the packs. I had them ~10 years ago when I had the Xbox 360, but the wireless controller I bought a couple years ago for my PC didn't come with it.
I like how nobody has mentioned the Dual Shock 4 (I skimmed, but my skim is pretty in depth compared to other peoples').
The Dual Shock 4 is now supported by Steam the same as the Steam Controller. As long as the Steam is up, it will be plug n play. You can even customize it just like the Steam Controller.
I personally own the Steam Controller as well and enjoy it. You have to get used to touch pads, but once you do and configure whatever game you are playing to your liking, I think it's pretty great.
