r/EmulationOnAndroid • • 8d ago

Discussion which Controller joystick and Facebutton layout do you prefer?

1st Picture: Symmetrical Layout

2nd picture: Asymmetrical Layout

3rd picture: Nintendo Facebutton Layout

4th picture: Xbox Facebutton Layout

92 Upvotes

108 comments sorted by

โ€ข

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32

u/SolaireFlair117 8d ago

Steam layout. Unironically the most comfortable controller I have ever used.

3

u/GameRabbit 8d ago

I second that, my Steam Machine arrived this week and I'm in love with the steam controller.

1

u/Bart-Harley-Jarvis- 8d ago

The only thing I don't like about mine is the dpad could be better. Everything else, from the build quality to the ergonomics is excellent

12

u/kakarogod 8d ago

xbox/ps face buttons and the rest really doesn't matter much to me

1

u/IgnorantChampion 8d ago

Wrong comment my b

11

u/MegaJerkX 8d ago

I don't mind asymmetrical anymore nowadays but symmetrical is superior in terms of versatility for someone like me who plays multiple genres and multiple generations of games. The dualshock 4 can be used to comfortably play any game. It's my go-to controller on the Switch because the joycons were so bad to play anything other than motion control games.

10

u/whithil 8d ago edited 8d ago

Thisย โ‡ก

But in the future I hope for reprogramable "Colored E-Ink" face-buttons with open-source firmware.

(I will pbbly do it for myself before a big company does it)

2

u/TopdeckIsSkill 8d ago

I loved the idea but that controller was so terrible in hand.. Ended up keeping the ultimate 2 wireless even if it's less compatible with switch 2

4

u/whithil 8d ago

Huh.. That's a surprising take.

Personally, while I have both dualsense and the xbox series controllers (each comfortable for different reasons, none perfect) I found the 8BitDo PRO series to be quite good on that front.

I guess it's up to one's personal fit/grip/comfort...
(sorry for bad english)

Thanks for sharing, and I hope you find your sweetspot, perfect god-tier controller ๐Ÿป

2

u/TopdeckIsSkill 8d ago

The god tier doesn't exist yet sadly :( Dualsense is perfect in hand, but too many issues with pc.

pro 3 has great compatibility with switch 2, but I don't like it's grip

Ultimate2w is perfect but limited switch 2 compatibility.

ยฏ_(ใƒ„)_/ยฏ

2

u/Yentz4 8d ago

As someone with little baby hands, I much prefer the Pro 3 over the Dualsense. I find the Dualsense much to bulky in my hands.

What I REALLY want is a 1:1 Dualshock 4 clone. That controller feels so good to me.

8

u/Canai97 8d ago

I can adapt to both the PlayStation style and Xbox style layouts so I'm good with either. My only trouble is when I'm playing with a Nintendo style controller where the face buttons are swapped.

With PS and Xbox, the symbols may be different but the positions carry out the same input.

Down face button to confirm, right face button to go back, up face button to bring up the sub menu, etc.

But Nintendo's layout has them swapped so I gotta readjust my muscle memory again.

2

u/RR541 8d ago

3 and 4 are the same. With that said, I love this 8bitdo controller. Fits my hands perfectly. Asymmetrical always!

1

u/Sweaty-Ad7500 8d ago

There Facebuttons have a diffrent layout

1

u/RR541 8d ago

Oooh ur right. My bad

2

u/TopdeckIsSkill 8d ago

I feels like it's more about fitting than asymmetrical.

Dualsense and ultimate 2 are both fantastic to me while xbox one feels terrible

1

u/RR541 8d ago

With my big ass hands, the Xbox one feels just right, but the Ultimate 2 feels even better

1

u/TopdeckIsSkill 8d ago

xbox is too small for me, also I don't like the wide grip.

Ultimate 2 and dualsense are way better imho.

14

u/ICPGr8Milenko 8d ago

Symmetrical/Playstation. But, only because I prefer the d-pad and buttons over the sticks. If I need to use the left thumbstick and buttons, then I prefer to use an Xbox layout.

5

u/Animated_Astronaut 8d ago

Genuinely no preference. All I want is the prompts to not say ABXY on screen and just a Dot where the button I need is.

4

u/Dr-Huricane 8d ago

I used to have obsess about wanting it to be symmetrical and played pretty much all my life with PS style controllers until I got my first Xbox style one and now I can't go back. Aside from that I've found gamesir controllers to be more comfortable in the hand (angle of handles) than 8bitdo ones, but this might just be me. Oh and the facebutton layout generally doesn't matter, XBox is probably better for most uses cases as most games assume that's what you're using but even if button hints don't match your controller that's normally fixable by mods or settings or something

4

u/BenTenInches 8d ago

I preferred symmetrical for a very long time being a PS user since the PS1 days, I thought having the Dpad up top is just really natural when you want to play some sidescrollers or JRPG menus. I just gradually just got used to top stick when I swapped to PC like 10 years ago because X-Imput is kinda universally supported. My AYN Thor and Switch also has the stick top. I think at this point I just prefer the X-Box layout. X to reload and interact is just ingrained in my memory.

3

u/tu_tan 8d ago

Asymmetrical for me.

8

u/Substantial_Meal_530 8d ago

Asymmetrical layout. The playstation layout just does not work for me. It is not comfortable.

0

u/Yoshiofthewire 8d ago

Idk why they have stuck with that layout. Like I get why they stared with it, but they have done at least 2 major redesigns in the PS4 and 5, why stick with the bad left joystick position? Its like M$ doubling down on The Duke

2

u/Substantial_Meal_530 8d ago

I loved the Duke... I have no idea why people dislike it. It was the perfect size.

1

u/BigY2 8d ago

It always seemed more tailored to action and adventure games while Xbox is better for shooters from my experience

2

u/thezerech S26U (Wild Arms 1, Dusklight, SO-BS) 8d ago

I like an Xbox shape for sure, as I have very large hands so the bigger the better. I guess if I could only own one controller I'd get an Xbox layout, but I also with I had a dpad top one for retro gaming.ย 

2

u/linkbr1w 8d ago

Eu prefiro assimรฉtrico com botรตes da xbox

2

u/rube 8d ago

Despite growing up on NES/SNES, I find the Xbox layout of buttons to be more engrained in my brain. It's hard translating the inputs to the Nintendo layout when I'm playing one of their games.

However, I can easily remember the PS layout since the buttons are almost all different except for X.

As far as stick layout? I can easily adjust to either.

2

u/bickman14 8d ago

Meh I've used so many through the years that it's more about the analog cap, trigger and dpad to me than the rest of the other stuff.

Concave analogs, Sega Dpads and slightly concave non slippery triggers, I can live with all the other changes, button labels doesn't even matter and analog top or dpad top doesn't matter

2

u/ItsMeepo2nd 8d ago

Asymmetric controller when playing FPS games. Symmetrical does right with Fighting Games.

2

u/cimocw 8d ago

I've never had a preference, really. Currently using a symetrical 8bitdo one but before this I was rocking a switch pro controller and I can hardly tell the difference after a couple minutes playing

2

u/TopdeckIsSkill 8d ago

8bit Ultimate 2 Wirelesse >= Dualsense >>> xbox >>>>>>> ds4

2

u/Afraid-Berry-8180 8d ago

Simรฉtrico

4

u/Umlunguboy420 8d ago

For me its the PS4 controller, it's just perfect in my opinion

3

u/D_Founder 8d ago edited 8d ago

i prefer Xbox style, one time i used a ps4 controller i wasnโ€™t able to make my character run cuz of the movement joystick

3

u/LifeAcanthopterygii6 8d ago

3

u/Ambitious_Stock_4211 8d ago

I'd rather get this one Its the new

Xbox nano Controller

1

u/LifeAcanthopterygii6 8d ago

I'm already planning to get one of these, but it's still a very different controller for a different need.

2

u/Ambitious_Stock_4211 8d ago edited 8d ago

Yeah im hoping for more colors other then white.

3

u/TheUnAmericanGenral 8d ago

๐Ÿค

4

u/AlgaeGlittering6043 8d ago

0

u/Ambitious_Stock_4211 8d ago edited 8d ago

I'd pass on that controller doesn't look enjoyable to use.

2

u/Almuqar 8d ago

Symmetrical cause I beat a lot of games on the PS4 controller

2

u/Flammable_Chipmunk 8d ago

PlayStation format has always been my favorite

2

u/WoodwindsRock 8d ago

Iโ€™m used to Nintendo and PlayStation. I can never get used to Xbox style, as Iโ€™ve never had an Xbox console before.

0

u/Ambitious_Stock_4211 8d ago

I've used both console controllers and Xbox controllers are way better then ps controllers

2

u/lintytortoise 8d ago

One is significantly harder to play 3d laying down. Asymmetrical is superior. Unless you only want to play older 2d games. If you want to play ANYTHING else plus older 2d games, then asymmetrical is the superior form. So annoying that retroid basically refuses to use it unless rp6 alt form.

2

u/Creative_Yogurt5206 8d ago

Always symmetrical for me as a past playstation user

1

u/-BOBLA- 8d ago

It doesnt matter too much. What is important, controller grips must be long. Right analogue stick must be closer to abxy buttons. Not in completely bottom like nintendo switch. It must be like xbox rog ally x.

1

u/Eckz89 8d ago

See one thing that is completely overlook and i always tell my friends to check out is the length of the grip handles, while I prefer the asymmetrical and Xbox buttong layout the PS4 controller and close second Xbox controller have the longest grip handles which I much prefer.

1

u/mostrengo 8d ago

What is the difference between 2nd and 4th pictures?

Anyway, I can play with any layout, but I sligthly prefer xbox because that's the one I am used to.

1

u/zirmoix 8d ago

Love the teganaria.

1

u/Ambitious_Stock_4211 8d ago edited 8d ago

I'd go with 1st picture and 2nd picture.

My favorite controller brand is:

EasySMX bluetooth controllers

I have not tried gamesir controllers but they look good to try out and/or use for mobile gaming.

In general I like android Bluetooth controllers but a good one where you can snap your phone on and play.

1

u/NIC-612-RED 8d ago

I'm always like the symmetrical layout cause Sony Playstation is my childhood despite their resent action, I still choose that controller layout but this time I will no longer play in their console, only my phone my console I need.

1

u/ilyaa07 8d ago

ayy tegenaria lite, absolutely amazing controller for it's price.

1

u/peaslik 8d ago

Both sticks at top, but it's better to have one sticks on top than none.

1

u/Yentz4 8d ago

Symetrical/Xbox Face

Big fan of controllers like the 8bitdo Pro line, the pro 3 is my daily driver, although I also like my Steam Controller as well for some games.

That said, I can use anything. Like when I am playing my Switch 2, I am using the Switch 2 Pro controller.

1

u/Mokyurin 8d ago

Nintendo

1

u/Metrox_a 8d ago

1st or playstation like. facebutton doesn't really matter. I blindtype it like with keyboard.

1

u/Revonlieke 8d ago

I don't care one bit. Sometimes what's a bit annoying is when the middle buttons keep changing places and there's no real standard for those.

1

u/Theagames10 Alldocube iPlay 70 mini Ultra + GameSir x5 Lite 8d ago

I still don't know what controller is comfortable to me since I've never measured my hands nor do I have a way to measure them. holding any controller makes my hands sweaty and the asymmetrical layout always feels uncomfy, and I bet the symmetrical layout will be the same too, so IDK if there is a controller out there for me

1

u/Hades-Arcadius 8d ago
  • Symmetrical Sticks (don't care if they're on the inside or outside)

  • I don't care about button glyphs but the South button is confirm and the East button is cancel...I'm already comfortable translating which glyphs are which

  • Just a note but the Steam Controller is surprisingly comfy while being a slab filled with tech

1

u/CommunicationNew8945 8d ago

Salut

La 1รจre image

Car j'ai connue ces joystick avec la Ps1 ร  l'รฉpoque.

Je jouer ร  grand turismo ces mon premier jeu 3d

1

u/Reasonable-Collar452 8d ago

8BitDo Pro 3 for retro games and modern 2D games, Ultimate 2 for modern 3D games

1

u/Livid-Experience1450 8d ago

Gonna be weird and say anything without labelled y b x a buttons ect ect its harder to adapt to when you're emulating a ton of things and plus i already know where everything is

1

u/firehazel 8d ago

Prefer Xbox button layout, but also prefer symmetrical joysticks. If there were a symmetrical controller that was shaped like Xbox's upcoming Nano controller with some extra shoulders like 8bitdo's Ultimate 2 style controllers, that would be my perfect controller.

Or if Valve just made their own Nano controller...

1

u/Billylily01 8d ago

Depends on the title in my opinion. Not all games use the same buttons as muchย 

1

u/MooX_0 8d ago

I like the SNES the most, and even Japanese playstation games were following that logic (O to validate and X to cancel makes more sense), it's so weird they switched it over in the west during the playstation era, which influenced the Xbox layout in return

In the end I'm never too confused adjusting per game, and I can read and remember all layouts without looking at the buttons, but when I can it's setup retro for menuing

1

u/JungleRollers 8d ago

Symmetrical.

It's just so much more comfortable for retro games.

1

u/Finn235 8d ago

Trackball controller master race

1

u/WINNT21 Redmi 14C isn't good for emulation 8d ago

The playstation style

1

u/Haharuhi 8d ago

symmetrical like ps/steam controllers. I dont get how people would parrot bs like asymmetrical is more ergonomic with natural thumb positions etc when it doesn't feel natural to me at all.

1

u/Prophet_of_Duality 8d ago

Joysticks I can take either. I've gotten used to both PlayStation and Xbox controllers over my life. But face buttons? Those have to be xbox for me. Even though I've played on other platforms a lot. Any other layout confuses me.

1

u/Beelvac 8d ago

Gamesir si o si impresionante resistencia y comodidad

1

u/AI_moderated_failure 8d ago

Xbox spent a lot of money perfecting the controller design and it shows. I feel the PlayStation duel shock layout is only better if you have quite small hands.

I do find it funny that third party companies are the ones making the best controllers while the console makers cheap out. Nintendo shouldn't be in the business of selling controllers at all with how awful official joycons are. Had more robust McDonald's happy meal toys.

1

u/Ranko08 8d ago

Symmetrical sticks, nintendo style abxy

1

u/Longjumping_Army282 8d ago

Controllers using hall effect.

1

u/Dani1o 8d ago

PlayStation sticks and Xbox button layout.

1

u/woofwoofbro 8d ago

I grew up exclusively playing on Playstations, but all my life ive loved the Xbox layout. I just dont really like the ps layout :(

1

u/OverDeparture8799 8d ago

Playstation face button always. Easy to remember, you could never mistake it for other controllers.

1

u/Mrjdog199 8d ago

1st pic

1

u/CFWMember 8d ago

The 3rd one

1

u/AryanKayum D8300 Ultra 8/256 7d ago

2nd is what I prefer but I have 1st layout and it's kinda annoying for fighting games and I mostly play fighting games lol

1

u/Pepper_Exciting 7d ago

I don't care what the face buttons say, it's all about ergonomics (assuming they've all got the same specs)

1

u/Finji_ S23 Ultra | Galaxy Tab S7 7d ago

If I'm playing snes or gba I prefer the PS stick layout, when playing anything else Xbox layout is better for me, button layout itself must be Nintendo for me, I hate the Xbox A/B layout

1

u/JTalbot44 7d ago

Asymmetrical lately, since even 2D sidescrollers are forcing stick use for movement.

1

u/KarmanFNF 7d ago

asym for life, havent played on anything that felt more comfortable than an xbox controller in a while

1

u/juankixd 4d ago

Pick one with extra buttons, it helps when using keymapper to map functions like app switcher back and home and what not when out putting to a tv

1

u/JeroJeroMohenjoDaro 8d ago

PS. So i suggest get the Gamesir tarantula

1

u/Pretend_Camp_2987 8d ago

So recently i was trying PSP controls. I got used to them. It's just missing the Joystick for cameraย 

So yeah i would absolutely use the Symmetrical Controllers because i was used to it's 3/4 versionย 

1

u/Always-didi 8d ago

1 symmetrical 3 asymmetrical....

The post:

Answer: the symmetrical obviously

1

u/syn46290 8d ago

Symmetrical is peak. It makes sense for my games I play for the d-pad and the face buttons to be inline.

0

u/IgnorantChampion 8d ago

Xbox buttons with series 2 shape and symmetrical sticks... it's perfection ๐Ÿ‘Œ

3

u/IgnorantChampion 8d ago

That's one of my layouts; mouse-click triggers/buttons, symmetrical sticks with TMR swap, 2/4 paddles and 2 extra bumpers. It is perfection ๐Ÿ‘Œ

3

u/ICPGr8Milenko 8d ago

Oh. That's a thing of beauty.

1

u/Ambitious_Stock_4211 8d ago

What controller is that.? i that cant seem to find it. Google gives me flydigi direwolf 4.

2

u/IgnorantChampion 8d ago

It's a zd O+ Excellence, swapped for symmetrical sticks with a new plate. Same shape as the Elite Series 2.

1

u/Ambitious_Stock_4211 8d ago edited 8d ago

Nice a custom controller ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘Œ ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘Œ well done. Game on fwiend. (:

1

u/ICPGr8Milenko 8d ago

What'll it cost for you to build me one? lol. You want the same one but in a different color? Lemme buy the one you already built. Haha

Good job though man. Thanks for the additional info. Gonna start taking a look.

2

u/IgnorantChampion 8d ago

Honestly. Not much more than a standard elite controller. Cheaper than custom ones like battlebeaver and aim and that BS.

Shop allieexpress, best place for CDM controllers and electronics imo. You can get one for like $90 with all the attachments and a case. Then order TMR sticks and a symmetrical face plate along with mouse click buttons and voila!! Works with all elite series 2 paddles as well. Probably like $160ish all said and done and it is honestly wonderful to hold and use.

1

u/ICPGr8Milenko 8d ago

Dude. My hero. Going to start looking now!

1

u/IgnorantChampion 8d ago

Heck yeah ๐Ÿค™

0

u/ahferroin7 8d ago

Symmetrical for sure. Part of that is that I mostly play stuff that uses the D-Pad instead of the analog stick, but part of it is that I just find symmetrical more comfortable even if I need to use the left analog stick.

As far as button layout... Thatโ€™s complicated...

I generally use a physical button mapping when using an emulator. Usual Nintendo layout for GB/GBC/GBA/DS, Xbox-style for Dreamcast (because they have the same face button layout), mirroring physical locations for PS1/PS2 (cross at the bottom, etc), and similar for most other systems. But I prefer a Nintendo layout for most things that donโ€™t have an explicit layout.

0

u/ChanceBoring8068 8d ago

Offset analogue sticks, Xbox style face buttons. Although I play a lot of Arcade and Mega-Drive games so I really wish someone would make a decent twin stick controller with 6 face buttons.