this post was submitted on 02 Sep 2024
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170
How to decide what kind of controller one should purchase? (lemm.ee)
submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
100 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

I have a question(s) regarding the various types of game controllers.

I need a wireless controller which supports PC (Steam Linux mainly and maybe Windows someday). While searching online, I see various types

  1. xbox/ps5/switch controllers : These are for their respective consoles
  2. Mobile/PC controllers : These usually connect via wire/bluetooth/2.4 GHz

Source: https://www.gamesir.hk

However, I see in the product specifications page of the console controllers that they also support PC. And the PC controllers sometimes support some of the consoles. The only real difference between controllers, from a technology perspective, is that is some of them support bluetooth/2.4 GHz.

So I have two questions:

  1. If they are already cross-compatible, why even bother having different types?
  2. How should I decide which type of controller I should buy? It should support PC, console-support is not essential.

Note: I am a novice in game controllers but aware of different network stacks.

Edit: Thanks for the amazing response! These are my key takeaways from all the comments

  1. Hall-effect sensors are a must
  2. Default console controllers usually have stick drift
  3. If you need trackpad, take PS5
  4. 8bitdo is a reliable brand, as per multiple responses
  5. Most controllers have good support on Linux. But haptic feedback can be a hit/miss as it can be platform/game dependent
  6. There are various connectivity wireless standards. Dongles are the most reliable but you lose a USB port.
  7. Keep track of handsize/comfort and button layout
  8. PS controllers have excellent support on Linux/Steam
top 50 comments
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[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Easy? Xbox Series. Fancy? DualSense. Comfy? Switch Pro. Beeg? Duke.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

Hotel? Trivago.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

Ps5 controller is Bluetooth, works for me without any special drivers. Has native support in some games for the haptic triggers and touch pad. It’s a fantastic general purpose unit. The Nintendo switch classic NES controllers are awesome for retro emulation too- also Bluetooth. They make NES/SNES/N64 variants- but really the ps5 will handle all those use cases and feel just fine for any modern gaming.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

I've been really happy with my gamesir g7 se.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I refuse to buy anything without hall effect sticks. So that's limiting enough.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

Which one(s) have you got? Do you like them?

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I would just go for a PS5 controller. You get type c charging, great haptics and good compatibility (either via Steam or ds4windows). Only issue is the stick drift

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

Yeah I use a DS5E and it's a really well engineered controller, and I've always preferred the DS ergonomics. Just gotta use DS4Windows tool for some games remapping. But basically really whatever design ergonomic you prefer and buy that, they all support Windows now even Switch Pro.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

I didn't care too much about controllers until I used one of those. Fucking amazing controllers. I was playing Cyberpunk 2077 the other day on it and when driving you felt it shift gears on the R2. Fantastic use of the haptics.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Yeah the trigger haptics do not work on PC though, although it’s great on PS5.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Trigger haptics can work on PC but it is game by game/implementation by implementation. Returnal works when connected via USB but not wirelessly (unless you enable Steam Input for DualSense, but that completely removes haptic trigger capabilities, turns the touchpad into buttons, and switches to Xbox button glyphs), but Ratchet & Clank works wired or wirelessly (without Steam Input enabled for DualSense). The DualSense support on PC is kind of hit or miss, I wish they'd just standardize a library that offers the base features wirelessly -- the controller is really nice.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

Flydigi Vader 3/4 Pro. Been using one for a couple months. Hands down best controller I have used. Hall effects, trigger locks, rear buttons, mechanical face buttons, glorious d pad. The not so fun is the crap software and joystick defaults. Once you update on pc it is great. Under $100 for either model.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

For PC, I would personally suggest looking for a controller with two things. Number 1, Hall effect sensors. Eliminate stick drift entirely with that alone. Number 2, replaceable joysticks. If the sticks last a long time, then the controller is expected to last longer. I just think having a way to replace work rubber is a good thing. Personally, I have loved Gulikit. My controller also happens to work on switch as well. Here is a link of you are interested in checking it out. Note that that is the controller I have, but you should definitely look at the different models. My controller has lasted about 3 years now. I used to go through PS5 controllers in about 6 months.

https://www.gulikit.com/productinfo/925509.html

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I’m personally looking for a Hall effect joystick, ps5 style layout, wireless capable, plays nice with Linux game controller. Seems like I’ve seen flydigi as a potential option, and maybe some 8bitdo ones. Maybe scuf?

One major issue I’ve had is my ps4 controller doesn’t have multipoint, meaning it will only Bluetooth pair to a single device at a time. Wanna use it on your phone? Gotta pair it. Wanna use it again on your pc — yep, gotta pair it again. Reaaaaallly annoying.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

My PS4 controller doesn't even pair to my Linux desktop, I've tried just about everything you can think of but it only works via USB cable. My Xbox 360 controller, Xbox One X, and Xbox Series X controllers all work on Linux just fine and work better on Linux than they would on Windows thanks to xpadneo.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

Didn't a Japanese company make a controller with native steam input? Is that controller any good? The thing with 8bitdo and the like is you can't map back paddles to unique inputs via steam and they only can duplicate face buttons by programming the controller iirc.

I have a gulikit kk3, but I don't love the dongle and don't love the lack of native steam controller configuration for back paddles. Other than that, the hardware has been good for me.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Hori just made one but I think it's Japan only and I don't think it has back buttons. The KK3 is my current favorite. You don't have to use the dongle. Bluetooth and wired work as well but Bluetooth is slow compared to the dongle.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

It does have back buttons, which is why it's unlikely to launch in the west as Scuf (owned by Corsair) is a major patent troll when it comes to those. That's also the reason for the original Steam controller no longer being released.

The Hori one is launching at the end of this month, if I recall correctly. I might look into importing it once it does.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 months ago (4 children)

8BitDo Pro 2 is one of the best controllers I've tried.

  • PlayStation Analog Stick Placement
  • New version has hall effect sticks.
  • Compatible with everything.
  • They offer replacement parts.
  • Decent battery life.
[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

Unless they upgraded them recently, the triggers feel awful and cheap

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

When I was looking, 8bitdo seemed like a major recommendation online in all the forums. You're like the first person that recommended it in real time.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

Their support sucks though. I had one of their controllers die on me after only 8 months of moderate use and after a way-too-long back and forth they demanded $15 to send me a new controller. Eventually we settled on $5, which is still $5 more than it should have been.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I'm not a PS layout kind of person. I looked at the more Xbox designed ones, but don't folks say the ergonomics aren't great? They have yours wrists or hands almost at parallel angles instead of a more open position based on the grip design? I almost went

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

You're exactly right, it's uncomfortable to keep my hands in that position. The whole 8bitdo controller feels cheap, imo.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

My current focus:

  • hall effect sensor to avoid stick drift
  • i prefer the xbox layout for sticks
  • abxy button layout, because not all pc games support ps buttons
  • cabel, cuz lighter and no sudden loss of input
[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago

I game on PC every day, and I always use a controller. I've tried many different controllers over the years, and most of them have had issues right out of the box. Only one controller has been perfect. The razer wolverine v2.

https://www.razer.com/ca-en/console-controllers/razer-wolverine-v2

It is super well built, and has a nice heavy feel that feels great if your hands are slightly larger than average. The thumb sticks are very grippy, have uniform resistance in every direction so you can be super accurate, and have zero stick drift after years of intense gaming. The face buttons have a mouse click feel to them, which I love. I always hated the face buttons on other controllers, including the genuine Xbox Controller, because they felt mushy and have inconsistent press and release.

I've tried 8bitdo, they felt cheap and uncomfortable. I've tried the Xbox Elite Controller, but it had tons of quality issues. I haven't tried Scuf, so I can't comment on that. But this razer controller is by far the best. Once you've used these clicky face buttons, you'll never want to go back to a normal controller.

I highly highly highly recommend it. The only downside is that it's wired, but they have a more expensive version that is wireless.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

I was debating buying an official Xbox controller with back buttons/paddles, but the price of the pro controller + quality issues were a turn off.

Ended up picking up a Flydigi Vader 3 pro and I’ve loved it, especially since I got it on sale up for <$50.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

I recommend this one too. Has hall effect joysticks as well as tons of buttons. If you get ReWASD then you can do some crazy mapping.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Never buy a PS4/5 or switch controller they are all overpriced garbage they intentionally make for ewaste landfills in 2-4 years.

I really like my gulikit king Kong 2 and they made a elite controller style one with the 3rd version so I'd recommend that. They're hall effect joysticks which feel real nice and are easy to repair and customize.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Using my dual shock 4 controller since 2013 on PC but sure buddy

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

You're right, Im attacking you directly

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Bullshit is bullshit.

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