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The Lands of Meeriad - Gaming
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Your favorite/least favorite first-party console controller?

Out of every first-party video game console controller ever made, which one is your favorite, and which one do you hate the most?

I have to say the official Xbox 360 wireless controller is my favorite, as long as you have the rechargable battery and charger. The controller itself fits my hands perfectly, and the buttons are arranged just right to make them all easily accessible. (The hard to find black and white buttons from the original Xbox controllers have been replaced by another set of shoulder buttons--but they're just buttons, not triggers). I can say I did like the start and back button placement on the original Xbox controllers, but they're not that big a deal since they're never important for actual gameplay.

It took me a while to warm up to the wirelessness, but after I got used to it, it's great. I've never used a wireless controller before the 360, so I guess now I know why everybody's so crazy about it. There's just something nice about not having to worry about wires getting wrapped around you, your chair, your legs, or your stupid 300 pound dogs walking straight through the tripwires and pulling all of your consoles off the shelves and destroying them.

I want to say my least favorite controller is the ORIGINAL NES controller because it was a freaking BOX that cut into my hands, but... it's a classic, so I can't. Barring that... Well, I want to say the original full-size Xbox controllers, but if I've ever used a first-party full-size Xbox controller, I don't remember it, but I do have a MadCatz controller that I absolutely hate. But this thread is about first-party controllers, so I actually have to say the Playstation Dual-Shock (and, by proxy, the PS3's SIXAXIS (or is it SixAxis? Sixaxis? I don't know how they capitalize it--and I hate Sony)). I know Sony fanboys are going to hunt me down and murder me, but... so be it such as the truth be heard.  The Dual-Shock isn't BAD, it does its job, but it COULD be so much better. The "handles" are thin and short, meaning my hands hardly make contact with it, and though it's not like the controller's going to fly out of my hand, it's still not a very good design. For a controller for a console with such a focus on analog sticks, (the Dual-Shock was originally for the PS1, I know, but whatever) why would they place the primary stick toward the CENTER OF THE CONTROLLER? It just doesn't make sense. Heck, even when they were working on the boomerang, they put the sticks IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CONTROLLER. Sony is just retarded is all.

So what about you?
Stasis
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RE: Your favorite/least favorite first-party console controller?

I would also have to say that the Wireless 360 Controller is my all time favorite. It's just amazingly awesome and easy to use.

Like you mentioned above, the start and back buttons I think could have been easier, but they are still alright. The only time I ever had a problem with it was when I was first learning how to play GRAW. Since they use the back button as the map button.

I really haven't really had a whole lot of experience with controllers in the past, so I can't really say what is my least favorite. Though, I do remember thinking the Dreamcast Controller was really obnoxious. I also didn't like the N64 Controller, as it was really hard to position correctly in my hands and still be able to reach all the buttons.
Chris Storms
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RE: Your favorite/least favorite first-party console controller?

Wow! I was thinking about the Dreamcast controller, but I didn't remember it being that bad. Your mentioning of it, however, inspired me to go pick up mine.

Oh my gosh, that thing is a horrible design. The start button isn't exactly easily accessible, the whole thing is HUGE, and the handles (if you want to call them that) are like you're trying to hold the bottom of a steering wheel while you're driving. It's just all wrong. I might have to change my vote.

However, the N64 controller was never a problem for me. It was definitely a bizarre design, and not very smart to make it so you can't access the D-pad or left shoulder button when you're using the most common control scheme grip, but it wasn't actually uncomfortable and the D-pad and left shoulder button ended up basically vestigial.
Stasis
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1/8/2007 12:42:51 PM

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RE: Your favorite/least favorite first-party console controller?

I guess you're right about the N64 controller. I remember being aggrivated that I couldn't use the D-pad and the left bumper, but like you said... they weren't used that much.

I guess it wasn't too bad comfort-wise, but in terms of design, it had a couple flaws. The most glaringly being that you couldn't reach those other two buttons.

I have yet to use it, and Josh will kill me for saying so... but the Wii Controller looks fairly difficult to use as well. Of course, a lot of the movment and actions take place with just moving the controller, it still looks a bit bulky.

Going from the top "A" button, to the lower "a" button seems like it would be very difficult. Now, like I said, I have never used the controller before so I can't make true judgement on it... it just seems like it's a bit odd to use.
Chris Storms
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RE: Your favorite/least favorite first-party console controller?

Also remember that the Wii's D-pad would often be used as buttons rather than for some kind of directional control, so I would venture a guess that the "a" and "b" buttons aren't used much. It would depend on the game and how the developers set up the control scheme.

Back on the subject of the Dreamcast controller, it has its place in controller history; it seems to have started the pressure-sensitive trigger button craze.

Oh, and Sony fanboys: Don't even try telling me the Dual-Shock shoulder buttons are pressure sensitive. Pressure sensitivity on Playstation controllers is a JOKE.
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RE: Your favorite/least favorite first-party console controller?

Exactly.
Which is what most games are going to now. Even for GRAW, the D-pad is used to select units, and not for directional control.

So, I guess I need to go to Game Stop and try out the Wii on the console they have set up so I can further assess it and see how well it works.
I did see a guy playing Twilight Princess with it the other day, and it looked interesting... I think my hands and wrists would get tired fairly quickly though. There is a lot of movement in it.

About the Dreamcast controller: Yes, I had read a couple of months back that it started the "craze". I was quite suprised to read that. So, I guess it had one good thing going for it. Wink
Chris Storms
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RE: Your favorite/least favorite first-party console controller?

Nowadays, D-pads are usually used to select things from menus. What I meant is the Wii D-pad is probably often used for action buttons because of a lack of other accessible buttons. I seem to recall seeing a screenshot from Twilight Princess showing a control guide and it showed the D-pad used for action buttons, but then again, it could very well be my mind playing tricks on me. Somebody will be along soon to tell me how wrong I am. Grin

Originally posted by Xheis Storms
I did see a guy playing Twilight Princess with it the other day, and it looked interesting... I think my hands and wrists would get tired fairly quickly though. There is a lot of movement in it.
That's one funny thing about the Wii. Playing a video game, you'll probably exercise muscles you never knew you had. Happy Dead
Stasis
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RE: Your favorite/least favorite first-party console controller?

So the Wii can double as an excersize machine. It will make trillions if the mothers out there think it will make them get into shape. They need to make a full body controller that will make you work everything on your body.

Who do you think would be along shortly to tell you that you are wrong? Hardly anyone but us comes here. Even Rob barely frequents here any more.
Chris Storms
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RE: Your favorite/least favorite first-party console controller?

I'm here quickly to tell you you're wrong. You actually use the top secret Nintendo buttons to move the characters in Zelda. Swinging the controller around wildly whilst killing your friends is just to distract spectators.

My favorite controller? The SNES controller. Six buttons: more than enough to kill anything that moves... That was back when games weren't COMPLICATED and were FUN. Least favorite is also the SNES controller. It wears out quickly and they can't be found anymore it seems.
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RE: Your favorite/least favorite first-party console controller?

The SNES Controller was good for games back in the day, like you said.

So, you don't think that games like UT and Ghost Recon, etc. are as good as the games back then?
I personally think that some of the games back then were fun, but I would much rather be playing the games that are around now.

I don't know... maybe I am just spoiled, having my first console be the Xbox, and not really playing with much before then. So, I grew accustomed to the games of today before I really played any of the oldies. Truthfully, I have still yet to play with the SNES games/controller all the much, but I don't know as if I could.

After the 360 wireless, I think my preferences would be the Original Xbox S Controller, and then the good ol' Mouse and Keyboard.

Though with the Mouse and Keyboard, often the buttons are even harder for me. It's hard for me to find a good key combination, esspecially on newer games.

Which brings us back to your point, that the newer games require more buttons which I don't like, but it sometimes does add a bit to the game and makes it nicer. Sometimes... If the button layout is good.
Chris Storms
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