I have the MSI FORCE GC30 V2, that one's wireless, but apparantly the GC20 version is wired, and I'm honestly pretty happy with it!
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If possible, Xbox style, just because it's what I'm used to, but also accepting other kinds.
I'd honestly recommend just forking the cash over for an Xbox controller. It'll meet your style/mapping requirements and they're on the more durable side of things to begin with. My Xbox has been collecting dust for years but the controller is being used multiple times a week. I've tried some third party controllers in the past and more often than not the quality and durability isn't all that great.
You are able to use it wired by connecting a USB cable if that is what you prefer. I enjoy wireless so I bought the official adapter($20) and a cheap EBL 2800mAh charger combo($13) that has two battery packs and a USB charging station. Still going strong with no noticeable decline in charge.
It might stretch the budget a bit depending on if you want/need the extras, but if you have a second hand market in your area that might be worth looking into as well. Or bundle it up if possible. I'm not sure what all the options are these days tbh.
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Somehow I'm still using an ancient Genius MaxFire that I bought almost a decade ago, and I'm pretty sure it was old stock already, yet the thing is working perfectly fine to this day and it looks remarkably well for a controller that has seen so much use. Although for a few years I was using a generic PS3 controller as my main controller, it still works but it's slowly turning into dust so I switched back to the older one about two years ago.
My suggestion would be to buy something that looks solid and has a decent weight to it, if it's wired better, and go for a brand that at least has some reputation. If you can go for an official Microsoft controller budget-wise I've heard they're built to last. Other than that Logitech has some nice ones but they can be tricky to find, or at least I was never able to find them in stock the times I went looking for them.
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I love the Xbox Series X/S controllers. I originally was a purely console and playstation guy, so when I migrated to nearly 100% PC gaming I obviously started using the dualshock 4 controllers I had on Steam. While they are fine enough for normal use, there are issues with several games not properly supporting them (and the battery life was awful). Weirdly enough even some Playstation PC games had minor issues with dualshock 4, like the launch version of God of War not displaying PS button prompts if the ds4 was connected via bluetooth.
Switched to only using Xbox controllers since the past 2 years and am super satisfied. The battery life on them is great and the fact you can swap and use normal AA batteries easily if you need is a gamechanger. Compatibility with all games is fantastic too. I often connect 2-3 controllers when playing local co op games with my friends and even that is super easy, all it takes is a single press of the xbox button and instantly they're all connected via bluetooth. Had no issues with durability or wired connection too. At this point I have 3 xbox controllers, a normal black one, a green one and the Starfield special edition one (mediocre as that game is, the controller actually looks neat).
Not to mention the niche use case of the xbox controllers being compatible with even my phone and iPad. Great if you want to play games like Stardew or Terraria on the go :P
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I am voting for simply going with xbox controller as well.
Have been using it for about 2 years, works perfectly fine in racing games. Plus I haven't even inserted batteries in it once. I simply plug it in with USB-C and it works fine, so that's not an issue. Build quality and button quality IMO is great as well.
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Get something with hall effect joysticks. I have Gamesir G7 SE and I'm very happy with it, but I'll also be buying the newest Gulikit's one https://www.hlplanet.com/gulikit-kingkong-3-controller/ KK3 Max, which has pretty much everything. 1000hz out of the box, back paddles that can be adjusted, hall effect sticks and triggers etc.
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I will check a few select recommendations, but right now I'm keen on an official Microsoft XBox controller. The question is, which one? Xbox One controller? Xbox X/S controller? I know there are several, I guess newer generations = better, but I guess I should ask.
Complimentary giveaway for Twin Mirror (replace the question mark with the proper lowercase letter): https://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway/?cvG9/?win-mirror
It runs until monday 15th, a whole week.
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There aren't really any big differences with regard to functionality between the the Xbox One and Series X/S controllers. I think the newer one has textured grips and a share button, but I don't think it's enough to get me to upgrade.
On another note, I was kinda like you in that I insisted on wired controllers, I decided to get 4 rechargeable AAs instead and no longer lose time playing because of dead batteries. I decided that I prefer not having to deal with cable management. If you ever consider trying wireless again, get the Panasonic Eneloop batteries, they're usually considered the best batteries you can get.
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That is good info, thanks a lot (the rest of you, also thanks, but I can't thank everyone individually).
I guess sooner or later I might try wireless again, since I plan to create a gaming station at the feet of my bed (my old 42" TV, with Deck & Dock obtained in november); the Eneloop name will not stick in my bad Write-only Memory, but I know where to find the info: in SG and its helping community.
I mean, looking at my discussions created history... ^_^
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Happy to help! If you ever need to ask again, I think we're already contacts on discord since I'm pretty sure you won one of my giveaways in GG Players :D
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Best would be a newer xbox gamepad, and keep it wired if you want to, make sure it's not one of the fancier ones with rubber sides for extra grip (those tend to decay after long use and a few years, so full plastic body), nothing will beat that.
If you want it to last even longer get those small grip covers for the thumbsticks.
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Since the ESGST pluggin remains bugged and I cannot see any comment, also it's possible it hasn't been named/commented so without further ado here it goes: Have you seen those Glikit king kong game pads? they are xbox-like (also nintendo?) but the better part is that these have magnetic sticks so they promise you'll never get annoying drifting! Now, I haven't tried myself but I'd love to, I'm saving up and waiting for taxes and import laws to get "steadyish" here in Argentina. (don't ask).
link
You can probably find YT videos going into detail on what's what and online offers too, another issue -I dont think it applies in/for Spain- you likely don't have to put up to like we do, is upto3months of waiting to receive your product.
Best of luck and update us when/if you find something you like, we can all benefit from this, just like you said.
oh final update? looks like it's settled then..
Cheers.
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This is one of the few selected to take a closer look at. But local prices for this stuff go way over my intended budget (this one is 80€ - no sales or anything). In Spain, gaming tech tends to be significantly more expensive than in other european countries. Well, IT tech in general. I'm talking from gamepads to GPUs, from RAM to mouses. I had a bad surprise when I was designing my rig back in sep 2020 (oh my it's it already 3 years old!) and some offers in France, Germany or UK would have saved me a couple hundred euro minimum... If it werent for the absolutely crazy S&H costs, even getting all components in one online store so they all go together. I also didn't find any with "free shipping if you spend more than..." which is common here; and I was faithful to the store guy who was helping me with all these new technologies I didn't know anything about. He also helped me to find a 32" good monitor for a more than decent price. All that alone was worth the final price, and 3 years later I can still run games at 4k with pretty high (not ultimate) settings.
All in all, it was a shorter adventure than when I asked about mechanical keyb and gaming mouse before, but I think it ended well.
Thanks for your post. Mate amargo, o mate dulce?
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My PC is much older than 3 years and I do understand what you mean by shipping & handling, lets not forget about import fees! but I digress, lets hope for a better future, cause the past and present seem a little grim..
Now, there's no way that answer doesn't raise eyebrows huh? if I have to mate, then dulce por favor XD
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I'm a fan of Les Luthiers, this question appears in a serenata from two guys at the same time, and they sing along when the verse ends in "mate dulce" for one and "mate amargo" for the other, and they start arguing "how come you say sweet, no way that's not even mate!" "mate amargo, eso es asqueroso!"
My grand uncle (tio abuelo) liked mate, but I don't know if he liked it dulce or amargo. We still have his wood vase and straw, whatever their technical names are.
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I've seen some videos of them a while back, my folks like them too. Mate is also that wood vase, and "bombilla" the (often) metal "straw" it's used. It's sometimes funny to see the reactions of those whom dont know about it, they'd think it's some kind of drug XD.
Think you can get yerba, mate and bombilla in Europe and USA, right?, just dont try that light green almost highlighter crap!
Take care man :)
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I've been using x360 wired for ages and a couple of years ago switched to xss/xsx. Honestly the only thing I'm missing for the peace of mind is Hall effect sticks.
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Over the years, I had been using the following:
Official:
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Xbox 360 wired: still going strong today, with just some damage on one of the analog sticks rubber, but works pretty much well. Face buttons are a little worn.
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2 Xbox One S: they didn't last as long as my 360 wired, but I enjoyed them far more with their few improvements. One got stick drift after over a year, the other got problem on the A face button from some games demanding to keeping it pressed for so many hours.
Third-Party:
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GameSir T4 Pro: while I loved some of its novelty features (2.4ghz dongle, extra back buttons), it was very lightweight and clearly more fragile compared to my previous ones, and in nearly 1 year of intense usage, got stick drift and some bad noise on springs of shoulder buttons.
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GuliKit KingKong 2 Pro: Using for about 14 months, still 100% intact. Decided to try it because of its hall effect joysticks, and ended up loving it for its easy to toggle turbos, but missed the extra buttons from the T4 Pro. Has some option to toggle motion sensor on PC, but doesn't work that well.
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Flydigi Vader 3 Pro: Using for about 2 months, mainly to leave a good as backup, and decided to get it as a newer hall effect joystick choice. Loved the clicky sounds of the face buttons, has lots of extra buttons (4 on the back, 2 on the face), but didn't enjoy the fact that it doesn't allow toggle turbo on the fly.
I'd suggest a third party like GuliKit KingKong 2 Pro or Flydigi Vader 3 Pro depending on the features you seek, they're both very reliable, or either an official Xbox or Sony controller.
Most of these can be used wireless (either bluetooth, sometimes also 2.4 ghz), but you can always just put a USB cable or whatever and use them wired all the time if desired.
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I was going to bump but I see you already found and ordered a new controller.
Happy gaming!
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If you're on a budget, I bet you could pick up a Google Stadia gamepad for dirt cheap. Ever since they closed down the service, they made free software available to convert the gamepads permanently to USB/Bluetooth gamepads. I always liked the way they handled.
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I have found what you look for in the DualShock 4 (PS4 controller). I've used and abused them on my PS4 back in the day, and now I use them on my PC, connected through USB wire and configured through DS4Windows and they work as the first day still.
Sadly, I can't say the same about the DualSense (PS5 controller). Avoid those.
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I really dont know much about gamepads.😋 Few days ago I bought this one 8BitDo Ultimate, still have no time to test it on FH4. 😭
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I myself avoid any controller with micro usb. Tried two different gulikits, but their triggers had massive deadzones, and they were asymmetrical, also one had a stuck face button. Went through 4 new gen xbox controllers in a short span and currently having good luck with a dual sense. The ps controller feels premium compared all the others that i tried.
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Since I've restarted playing and ATM my most played game is Forza Horizon 4, I'm once again pondering about the importance of a good gamepad for my PC.
(I do have a wheel drive but neither I plan to use it for FH4, nor it's the subject of this post).
My current gamepads are two semi-old Xbox-style ones. I was happy with them, they have a good feeling, but they turned out to not be very resilient. The newest one has the triggers always on, making me put a huge dead zone so the car is not always accelerating. The older one has the left shoulder button not responding half of the time, but for now it's no big deal. The bad deal is that the left thumbstick tends to make small trembles to the left no matter what I do. When driving most vehicles, it just needs a small correction. When driving high-performance ones, which respond to twitch momements with precision, makes it hard to play in races with S2 cars (Ferrari FXX, for example), specially in the championship races in Edimburg; lots of narrow streets with sharp 90º curves = 2-3 crashes per lap just due to this. I also have a Steam Controller but I found it not fitting for half of the games I've tried, including FH4.
So as I did with my keyboard and mouse during 2023, it's time for a gamepad. I've never spent much money in a gamepad, my Steam one was a gift, the wheel was a gift too, and the two Xbox ones were like €10-12.
What I'm searching for:
I can't make the customary and "thanks in advance" giveaway but I will try to make one while the thread is still active. But really, thanks in advance for all suggestions and input on the subject.
Edit:
Thanks to GangsterJochen for this customary giveaway. And here you have one I just did for all participants as thanks for all the input and info.
Final update:
I found a 30% discount with free delivery for an Xbox One wireless controller with included USB-C cable. Just what I needed, under 50€; the Xbox original controllers are all €69,99 here (Spain) unless you find a sale like this one. I didn't wait for more answers for my final question: One or X/S? The One is still the most sold, I guess that's a good lead to follow with impressive ratings anywhere I look. I couldn't find any sale on series X. The Elite series looks so great, but €150 -no way- and I'll not wait for the new Sebile one (with supposedly the same price) to arrive here in who knows how many months. My current gamepad is driving me (pun intended) crazy, I can't even navigate menus normally. Btw, ETA this thursday, I already ordered it. I might make a lil 'first impression' review with another giveaway.
I also had a very shitty morning and I needed something positive. Kinda impulsive purchase, but I don't regret it.
When I get a job again and fulfill the important objectives in my life, maybe I'll spend 150 bucks in another keyboard, 150 in another mouse, and 150 in another gamepad. And, maybe, heavy, faraway maybe, 200 in a gear change lever for my wheel.
I'll also leave this thread open because I see a healthy and informantional talk between some users that will be useful for everyone.
Thanks to all participants!
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