I would highly recommend the Xbox One controller over the 360 or PS4 - I think it's the best for PC.
The 360 controller has a terrible d-pad, while the XB1's is much better, and the 360's thumbsticks have a bit of drift to them while the XB1's don't. So as much as I love how it feels in my hands, I can't recommend it as the best choice as you'll hate using the d-pad and the thumbstick drift is annoying in games such as Metal Gear Solid Revengeance.
The PS4 controller (aka DS4) isn't as compatible with PC games - even on Steam. I've had Steam games that refused to recognize some of the buttons. Many games only offer Xbox button prompts, and you may need to use 3rd party software to get the DS4 to work - at which point I think it's easier and better to just get an Xbox One controller for the same price. I also find the Xbox layout is better suited to the games I play more often (3D games like Batman Arkham, Just Cause, Nioh), while the PS4 layout is best suited to games I play occasionaly (2D platformers, fighting games).
I use an Xbox One controller connected via a wireless USB dongle, with rechargable AA batteries which means I never have to plug it in to charge (and dead batteries is a very quick fix).
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Steam now supports DS4, so I often don't even need to start DS4 windows. Lately i just needed it to play AC: 4 on Uplay.
And fact there are no DS4 button prompts is due to lazy devs, not DS4 itself. I play with Sony controller for like 5 months now (Stories: Path of Destinies, Final Fantasy XIII, Firewatch, Figment, AC:4, Snake Pass, Aer: Memories of Old, Bit Trip Runner 2) and had problem only in FF XIII, but it's broken console port. So no wonder.
I know it was problematic when Steam didn't support DS4. But now it's enough to plug it in and play. Sometimes change emulation mode, but it's rare. As it's basically recognized like Steam Controller, and is fully configurable.
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I've tried a DS4 since Steam added support, and I've still run into issues where some games wouldn't recognize some of the buttons. For example, Shantae: Risky's Revenge would not detect the right shoulder button or trigger (I forget exactly which). I had no such issues with the X360 controller or the XB1 controller. The DS4 may work for most games, but I don't want to have to switch to another controller when I run across a game it doesn't work with.
The XB1 works with everything, the rumble works as it should, the button prompts match, the layout is ideal for 3D games, the wireless dongle works perfectly with no latency or issues and I can connect up to 4 controllers to the wireless dongle. And it uses regular AA batteries, so if the batteries are running low I can quickly pop in a new pair of rechargable AAs and go back to playing - nothing to plug in and charge, no built-in battery to degrade over time and discharge while you're not using it.
That's why I think the XB1 is the best controller for PC. Every other controller has some sort of compromise or issue.
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Xbox One controller is the best thus far, objectively seen. So get that one.
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Steam controller, cannot recommend this thing enough. Fully configurable and usable as both wired and wireless. :) I use mine to play just about anything that isn't an fps (I refuse to use anything other than a mouse for these) The only exception is when I need a solid D-pad and then I just use my SNES controller with a USB adapter or a wii classic controller if I also need sticks. I find the d-pad on the xbox and ps controllers to be totally unsatisfying.
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I hated the XB1 controller when I first tried it too, but then I realized that we were trying to use it incorrectly.
You're not supposed to hit the shoulder buttons with your index finger - you index fingers are supposed to stay on the triggers at all times. You're supposed to hit the shoulder buttons with the side of your finger. That way, you can hit the shoulder buttons without ever moving your fingers off the triggers. And it works, and works well, and in some games (Nier: Automata and Just Cause 3, for example) that's an advantage as you'll want to hit the shoulder button without letting go of the trigger.
Also, I believe you are using a 3rd party XB1 controller, as to the best of my knowledge Microsoft never made a purely wired controller (they didn't need to, all the wireless controllers support wired operation via USB cable). That may be why you find it unresponsive. I'm using the bluetooth XB1 controller with a wireless dongle and it seems perfectly responsive (I've also used it via bluetooth with a Steam Link, and it was responsive enough to play Cuphead).
There have been 3 revisions of the official XB1 controller - the 2nd revision specifically made the shoulder buttons easier to activate with the side of your finger, and the 3rd revision (aka the XB1 S controller) added bluetooth support.
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Huh, I've never thought to hold a Playstation controller that way, but I can totally understand why you would. The DS3 triggers were oddly curved, which didn't lend themselves to having your finger rest on them - probably why many shooters on PS3 had you use R1 and L1, while the same games would use the triggers on the X360.
If you're used to Playstation controllers, the XB1 controller may be a learning experience. At one point I thought the DS2 was the best controller ever, because that's what I was used to - but now I see it for the un-ergonomic hunk that it is. ;) Even coming from a 360 controller, it took me some getting used to the XB1 controller (and I think the ergonomics took a definite step back compared to the 360).
Now if there was a 360 controller with the d-pad and thumbsticks of the XB1, now that would be a controller match made in heaven. :)
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I really wonder if there's some issue with your XB1 controller. I have the latest model, the one with bluetooth, and I have had no latency at all - over wireless to PC or bluetooth to a Steam Link. Can you get a new controller from a local store to try out?
PS2 was my only console for years, and at that time I felt the same as you - I actually got a USB adapter to use my PS2 controller on PC, and only switched to a 360 controller because I couldn't put up with games showing generic numbered button prompts (Press 7 to open the map? What button's 7? Press 13? WTF is 13?). The 360 controller took some getting used to since I was so used to the DS2.
I've since grown to love asymmetrical analog sticks because they result in more natural, symmetrical hands. When I hold an Xbox controller, my thumbs naturally fall over the left thumbstick and right face buttons, which are the controls I use most of the time since I'm mostly playing 3D games. My hands stay symmetrical. On the PS4 controller, my left thumb falls over the d-pad, but I rarely play games that use the d-pad, so my left thumb needs to move down to the thumbstick, which is less comfortable, and leaves my hands asymmetrical.
Now, having used all the major controllers extensively, I'm much less biased towards a particular controller and much more critical of every controller. None of them are perfect. Looking at the PS3 controllers now, it's like, "Yikes, who designed this? Who thought convex thumbsticks and triggers was a good idea?" The 360 controller feels the best to hold in my hands, but the d-pad is terrible, the face buttons are too hard and round, and the thumbsticks exhibit drift. The DS4 controller feels the next most comfortable to hold, and the face buttons are great, but thumbsticks aren't as nice and easy to use over time as the Xbox ones, and the symmetrical layout is less ergonomic. The Wii U Pro controller feels like a cheap 3rd party knockoff - the shoulder buttons and triggers are mushy and feel terrible, the thumbsticks are convex, symmetrical layout, ugh. The XB1 controller is the best compromise - best thumbsticks, good face buttons, best triggers, good d-pad, asymmetrical layout for symmetrical hands, and the best PC support. I just wish they hadn't changed the shape of the controller from the 360, as it would have been close to perfect then. As it is, it feels less comfortable to hold than either the 360 or PS4 controller. At least it's way more comfortable than the NES controller - surely that was designed by a robot and not a human. ;)
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my favourite is Xbox 360 wired, just heavy enough and big enough, PS3 and 4 are kinda to light for me
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I am not into ontrollers but what I know is to NEVER EVER get SteelSeries Stratus XL. I got it and it's a total piece of shit.
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For me it is a Logitech F710. Quite heavy in weight (compared to PS3 controller) but really good with Xinput and alternate layout.
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Hi all.
I am looking to finally buy a gamepad. My problem is that there are too many now and I have no idea which one is the best for PC games. An XBOX 360 controller looks like a good pick but I really don't know if it's still relevant after all these years. I want to hear what you have been using so far.
Also here's a GA (0+ Europe only) [Ended]
Thank you all for the recommendations. It looks like the 360 and the XBox One are the most popular. I will try to get a 360 wired controller but it seems there are no where to be found where I live. I will be going to Spain in a few weeks and will try to find one there.
Again thank you all for the recommendations.
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