Which Video Game Controller Is Best? No, Seriously. Which?

Kotaku - For this week's Burning Questions, Jason and Kirk talk about video game controllers. Which controller is better, Xbox or PlayStation? What do touch-screens like the Wii U and the Vita hold for the future? Is the Kinect good for anything except pausing Netflix videos (and is it even that good at that)? What is the difference between "Effect" and "Affect"?

[Rockefellow]

Oh, God. I can just see this hitting 100,000,000 while people argue over the Gamecube VS. 360 controllers.

[Hufandpuf]

It's funny that you say that. At first I didn't like the gamecube controller, having been a PS2 gamer, because the controller looked very odd. But after getting a gamecube and getting accustomed to it the controller worked really well. IDK how, but the controller was just flawless.

Then when I got the Xbox 360, I felt that it was the best controller of the current gen, after having ill comments about the OG Xbox's clunky controller design. I think MS improved the Xbox 360's controller in every way from the original, but it still wasn't perfect.

That's when I found the Razor Onza. A 3rd party 360 controller that I feel is the best controller out there. And it costs the same as a stock 360 controller too.

PS: I don't know why I'm getting disagrees. I mostly play shooters and fighting games and feel that the Joystick layout is perfect for the thumbs. Also the triggers are nice and accessible so pulling off clutch shots or moves is easier. The D-Pad sucks, but who uses D-Pads in fighting games? And the D-Pad in shooters are reserved for switching items.

[Snookies12]

I agree that the Gamecube controller was amazing, though it had it's one major flaw which was the D-Pad. That thing was horrible and rarely used because of it.

However I don't like the 360 controller because honestly the triggers are awful for long-term use. I tried playing "Quash"? I think it is on Castle Crashers and it ended up cramping my hand for over an hour on one little round of having to press the trigger over and over.

The PS3 controller is relatively the same as the previous gen, but with triggers that aren't that great either... Your finger constantly slips off the back of it, but at least it doesn't cramp my hand.

Honestly, those are the "most" decent ones, but I don't think any come out on top as none are/were perfect.

[Rockefellow]

I agree with your sentiments. Why are people disagreeing with pure speculative opinion? Welcome to the internet.

[LOGICWINS]

Its not all entirely subjective. Certain controllers are more ergonomic for the human hand in certain situations. Taking opinion out of the scenario, most informed gamers will tell you that aiming is quicker with a mouse than a 360/PS3 controller.

[crxss]

I've been saying this forever, the best controller would be a mod between the 360 and DS3. Have the triggers of the 360 to the DS3, the button pressure sensitivity of the DS3, the d-pad of the DS3, analogs of the 360's with a deadzone of the ps3's sticks, and the shell being a mix of the two (I'm fine with both controller sizes so why not have one somewhere in the middle?). What would be awesome is if a first party controller allowed the d-pad and left analog stick to be interchangeable.

In the end the ps3's DS3 is a better quality controller (every 360 controller I've owned has something wrong with it, usually the sticks getting loose and its over sensitivity causes my character to move) but the 360's are better for certain games (e.g. shooters) while the DS3's for others (e.g. fighters).

Then again it all comes down to personal preference.

[showtimefolks]

I like ps3 controller but i also like 360 controller. Ps3 because i been playing with the controller since ps1. But it comes more down to what games are you playing

shooters maybe xbox360
fighting maybe ps3

[Bowzabub]

For me personally it's a toss up between Dualshock & N64 controllers.

[user5467007]

It has to be the DualShock controler, I liked the Gmaecube one aswell though it's a shame that they don't offer a gamecube style control for the Wii U especialy if they bring out a Super Smash Bros sequel.

I like the 360 one but the only thing I feel like it does better then the Dualshock is when your playing on FPS, I'm not saying the DualShock is no good with FPS games, in fact it can play them pretty well, it just feels like for me the 360 controler is better suited when playing on those types of games. It feels it was made just for that one genre.

However the reason I like the Dualshock control the most is because it's the opposite...it's flexiable, it dosen't matter what kind of genre your playing the controler feels like it had been designed for it...third person shooters, first person shooters, platformers, racing games, fighting games you name it, the controler is a good all round.

[Kratoscar2008]

i like the dualshock the best too, the joystick of the N64 is awful i dont get how people liked this the best.

[metsgaming]

yep the one that hasn't changed its general form generation after generation because it just works.

[xursz]

"However the reason I like the Dualshock control the most is because it's the opposite...it's flexiable, it dosen't matter what kind of genre your playing the controler feels like it had been designed for it...third person shooters, first person shooters, platformers, racing games, fighting games you name it, the controler is a good all round."

That's actually a very good point, I've never thought of it like that but it makes sense.

[ufo8mycat]

Thats a good point, but the majority of games out there are FPS, TPS and the 360 controller is the better controller for these type of games, including racing games as well.

THe 360 controller shines for FPS,TPS and racers, whereas the DS3 isn't as good as the 360 controller for FPS,TPS and racers, but STILL good, while also being better for platformers and fighers.

I prefer the 360 controller for the simple fact that I don't play many 2D platformers and fighting games.

[Oldman100]

The legendary boomerang, of course.

[MissAubrey]

man that would of been so comfy

[Acquiesc3]

Dualshock.

[thebudgetgamer]

It all depends on the game, shooters like cod that use L1/R1 for aiming and shooting are more comfortable with a dual-shock while games like Borderlands that use the triggers are more comfortable for me with the 360 controller.

I can make use of just about any controller, I guess that has to do with my level of gaming awesome.

[metsgaming]

i absolutely hate it when devs map aiming and shooting to L2/R2 on the ps3 its so dumb. That is not what they are for ! Seriously at least give me the option to change it !

[DragonKnight]

What's funny is that there really is only one controller design that has received multiple awards. So, we can all have our opinion but, the answer to this question (at least from a recognition standard) has already been given.

[hardandsloppy]

Which controller would that be?

[DragonKnight]

The Dualshock design. It has received multiple awards from within, and without, the gaming industry. People can disagree with that all they want to, but it's a provable fact. Google it up. You won't find the 360 controller winning any awards, nor the Gamecube controller.

This is an opinion piece; in that kind of arena there is no winner, but outside of that kind of arena there already is one.

[hardandsloppy]

I don't understand why I got a disagree, I was just curious. And I agree with your reply anyway.

[gtxgamer2]

All.

[MoveTheGlow]

They didn't really mention anything but the current-gen and proposed next-gen controllers on this one. Funny discussion, really. I liked their idea of having a mixed-control console with multiple options instead of focusing on just one, and the astute observation that the Wii U is basically just a giant, more powerful, TV-sourced DS system.

They really couldn't figure out what to do with Metal Gear using that Wii U controller??? Make it the scope, of course! Have it be the map w/inventory the rest of the time!

[AusRogo]

Dualshock or Gamecube controller.

[blackblades]

Dualshock hands down, all nintendo controllers sucked buttons all over the place, dreamcast and xbox controller are bout the same.

[xXxSeTTriPxXx]

i play alot of fighters so deamcast was the absolute best for fighters of any gen.

if you play alot of shooters then m/kd is but if console only, you can't do better then a 360.

ps3 is a multi tasker it's not the best for any one genre (like deamcast for fighters or 360 for shooters), but it's damn good for any type of game situation.

and b4 the 360 fans pounce on the disagree, playing fighters on the 360 is a true fight games fan worst nighmare turned into reality, it plays other games extremely will and i like the placement of the analog sticks better then any controller to date.

d

[Hufandpuf]

I used to think the 360 controller was horrible for fighters (because of the clunky buttons) but Razor, the guys that make PC gaming products, developed the razor onza which improves everything from the stock controller. Granted an arcade stick is best for fighting games, the onza had quick response buttons that are easier to press which is a godsend lol.

I've had the dual shock 2 controller and I loved it, but the D3 feels odd to me. I think it's a great controller for platformers and fighting games but when I play shooters, the analogues are too close which makes it uncomfortable to use. Also I don't like how they changed the R1 and R2 buttons as the have an odd feel to them. And most of all I hate how light weight it is.

I'm not bashing the D3 because I loved the D2, I just think there are some things they shouldn't have taken away from the D2.

[WeskerChildReborned]

I didn't like the original XBOX controller that much, the 360 controller IMO is better than the regular XBOX controller.

[WeskerChildReborned]

Dualshock is my favorite since it kept it's originality since PS1 and it's a solid controller though i dislike the R2/L2 triggers on the Dualshock 3. My second favorite would be N64's controller since it had a unique look compared to other controllers.

[123_321]

The best controller is the one you are used to using.

[Hicken]

The Dualshock. I hear lots of talk about how the 360 controller is better for shooters and all that jazz, but that doesn't hold water with me: how can it be more ergonomic to hold an asymmetrical controller with your nigh-symmetrical body?

That, and developers are encouraged to use the triggers for.. well, triggers. That wouldn't normally be so bad, but because of where the triggers are, you either use your trigger finger and then have to quickly shift them up to the bumpers, or you use your middle finger to do the task of trigger usage. I'm not exactly a gun nut, but I can't stress enough how weird it feels to use your middle finger that way.

The GC controller was better, in my opinion, but still not better than the DualShock... moreso the 2 than 3, as I HAVE had my fingers slip off the L2/R2 a few times.

[KMCROC54]

Always will like the Duke , but Duke jr is a vast improvement .

[Kran]

I like the Dualshock, but I honestly prefer the 360 controller. I've thought about getting a 360 style PS3 controller. I just love the way it fits in my hands so neatly.

[SecretPsycho]

I would say dualshock for me...Only because the 360 controller pretty much brused my thumbs x3 ...Thats what you get for having small hands..

[Bladesfist]

Keyboard and mouse for me

[MissAubrey]

sega saturn, 360, virtual boy

[mochachino]

I'd give 360 the clear win but the d-pad is horrible but I suppose for most games the 360 pad is still my favourite.