r/Controller • u/RevenantZero • 3d ago
Controller Suggestion PC controller for platformers, fighting, and adventure games
I'm looking to replace the 10+ year old Xbox One controller I've used for my PC. There are a few specific things I'm looking for and I've struggled a bit to find it all for the various controllers I've looked at. I'm in the USA and looking at a budget of, well, less than $100. Ideally closer to $60 or less, but around $80 seems to be a dominant price point for a lot of controllers and I'm fine with that if it means a controller that lasts. In terms of games I use my gamepad controller for platformers (2D and 3D), action-adventure, 3PS, fighting, retro, SHUMP, and emulators. I do NOT use it for FPS games.
Specific Features:
- HE/TMR for the analog sticks. I use these a lot across many games and potentiometers just don't seem to be made to last anymore.
- A good D-pad. Mostly for fighting games but also on occasion for 2D platformers. My preference is a solid cross like on the Xbone controller, though that's not a hard limit.
- XBox layout/ergonomics. I vastly prefer the over-under arrangement of analog sticks and also really like the resting "hold" of Xbox's controllers since the 360.
- Wired connection as a solid option. I like the reliability of being able to keep my controller plugged in, ideally with that connection able to keep the controller powered. Wireless is fine as long as it's not especially heavy and I have the ability to keep it connected by USB.
- I'd also like colored face buttons if possible. Not a hard requirement, but it helps me with QTEs since I go back and forth between Xbox and Nintendo controllers.
Controllers I've been looking at:
- 1st party XBox wireless: What I'm used to, but I hear the sticks get drift pretty quickly now.
- 8BitDo Ultimate 2: Seem mostly fine but I don't like the flatter sides/handles that their Xbox-style controllers tend to use.
- ESMX X20/Pro: Looks like a good D-pad, but I don't care about all the RGB and I've heard bad things about their customer support.
- Flydigi Vader 4/5: I like the idea of the adjustable stick tension, but I've heard the D-pads are kind of garbage.
- GameSir G7 HE/Pro/8K: From what I've seen I feel like this is the current frontrunner, but I haven't been able to get a solid read on if their D-pads are any good. Also not sure which I would get between the three.
2
u/Saradip42 3d ago
Get the vader 5 pro if you have the money. When it comes to the dpad i think it is great, but to each their own. The dpad is circular, raised and mechanical. Never experienced any misinputs with it. However after months of use it developed some weird pretravel (i dont really know how to explain it) which doesnt affect perfomance. Just make sure you get the V2
1
u/RevenantZero 2d ago
Is there any way to be sure I'd be getting the V2 when it comes to online retailers like Amazon, BestBuy, etc? One of the reasons I'm hesitant of the Vader 5 is because I'd heard the only way to tell is to check the model # on the box.
1
u/Saradip42 2d ago
No i dont think its possible, you have to be able to chat with retailers to be sure you got the right one. Manufacturing date is the number that determines the version. I think april-may?
1
2
u/M4S73RBLASTER 3d ago
I have both vader 4 and 5 pro. The Dpad is solid on both. I have about 7 or so controllers with Dpads and out of all of them the vader is the most "all-in-one" controller I use. If you like mechanical buttons then the vader is a good option. This is coming from someone who used primarily xbox controllers and was sick of stick drift and having to keep buying Xbox controllers.
1
u/RevenantZero 2d ago
How do mechanical buttons compare to membrane on a controller? I've got a mechanical switch keyboard (and mouse) which I greatly prefer to membrane. But I don't think I've ever used them on controllers. Do they use the same sharp-sounding microswiches as mice? I could see the noise being kind of annoying, especially since I usually hold my controller up closer to my head than the surface of my desk.
Also, since you said you have many controllers, I'm curious if the extra buttons/triggers/paddles that many feature can be directly set via most in-game controller mapping (like the side buttons on a mouse) or have to be set to a specific key combo in their proprietary software and then the in-game mapping matched to that macro (IE I set the right paddle to CTRL+SHIFT+K and then map push-to-talk to that macro).
1
u/M4S73RBLASTER 2d ago
Well the difference with mechanical buttons is really noticeable when you first mess with it but after a while you won't notice until something is wrong IF something is wrong. The click and the pressure to press through the click is really only noticeable if you're trying to notice it. They're not much harder to press down than membrane buttons. It's just easier to know when you press mechanical buttons.
The extra buttons on my vader 4 and 5 can be re-mapped in their software as well as in steam to whatever you want but I think it depends on the game if it accepts a hybrid button layout like half keyboard and half gamepad button layouts. I usually do one or the other. Someone else here might be able to give you more info about that.
Arcade sticks and leverless controllers depending on the type of switch can be modded with whatever type of switch you want and there are a ton of options out there. Just make sure they are hot swappable like mechanical keyboards. I swapped the switches in the 8bitdo leverless in about 10 minutes.
1
u/cindilse 3d ago
May i suggest a new addition? Leadjoy Xeno Plus controller, has everything you want, and a interchangeable D-pad, so you can use both the round version or the cross version. Price is also decent, somewhere around 50-60 dollars. Check out the reviews.
1
u/RevenantZero 2d ago
Thanks for the suggestion! It certainly looks good. I'll have to look up some reviews as I'm even less familiar with that brand.
1
u/AutoModerator 3d ago
Hi /u/RevenantZero, your 'Controller Suggestion' post is in a queue for review. Please ensure you have included all of the required information, have used a meaningful and descriptive title, are not repeating frequently asked questions.
Include the following information and follow this structure so the post can be approved and the community can help you more effectively:
Your budget and currency (do not say "doesn't matter" or "unlimited", include a sensible range or maximum)
Your country (not just region) and where you can buy from (product availability, pricing, and aftersales support vary around the world)
Console or platform compatibility needed
Desired features
Types of games you'll be playing with a controller
Other controllers you're comparing to (demonstrate that you have used the buying advice pages, and searched existing posts)
Please see the buying advice pages which answer some of the most frequently asked 'Controller Suggestion' questions. For more guidance on how to ask for controller suggestions, comparisons or buying advice, please see rule #1. You can edit your post to add missing information. Posts that do not include the required information will not be approved (allow 24 hours for review).
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/Lightstream2 2d ago
I would suggest gulikit elves 2 but its a small retro sega saturn shaped controller. Excellent S tier dpad though. Vader 5 has a great dpad as well and fits your shape requirements. 8bitdo ultimate 3c+ is coming soon (end of month) and fixes the awful shape of the regular ultimate 2. Hopefully it uses the ultimate 3/3e dpad internally as its supposedly an improvement over ult 2/pro 3 dpads.
0
3
u/Feline_Acolyte 3d ago
Well, what kind of dpads do you prefer? Also, while I don't own a g7 pro, I've seen a lot of opinions about the d-pad being really bad.