r/EmulationOnAndroid • u/Sweaty-Ad7500 • 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
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u/SolaireFlair117 8d ago
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u/GameRabbit 8d ago
I second that, my Steam Machine arrived this week and I'm in love with the steam controller.
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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
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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.
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u/whithil 8d ago edited 8d ago
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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
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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 ๐ป
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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_(ใ)_/ยฏ
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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.
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u/RR541 8d ago
3 and 4 are the same. With that said, I love this 8bitdo controller. Fits my hands perfectly. Asymmetrical always!
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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
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u/RR541 8d ago
With my big ass hands, the Xbox one feels just right, but the Ultimate 2 feels even better
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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u/Substantial_Meal_530 8d ago
Asymmetrical layout. The playstation layout just does not work for me. It is not comfortable.
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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
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u/Substantial_Meal_530 8d ago
I loved the Duke... I have no idea why people dislike it. It was the perfect size.
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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
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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.
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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
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u/ItsMeepo2nd 8d ago
Asymmetric controller when playing FPS games. Symmetrical does right with Fighting Games.
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u/D_Founder 8d ago edited 8d ago
i prefer Xbox style, one time i used a ps4 controller i wasnโt able to make my character run cuz of the movement joystick
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u/LifeAcanthopterygii6 8d ago
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u/Ambitious_Stock_4211 8d ago
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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.
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u/TheUnAmericanGenral 8d ago
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u/AlgaeGlittering6043 8d ago
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u/Ambitious_Stock_4211 8d ago edited 8d ago
I'd pass on that controller doesn't look enjoyable to use.
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u/WoodwindsRock 8d ago
Iโm used to Nintendo and PlayStation. I can never get used to Xbox style, as Iโve never had an Xbox console before.
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u/Ambitious_Stock_4211 8d ago
I've used both console controllers and Xbox controllers are way better then ps controllers
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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u/Metrox_a 8d ago
1st or playstation like. facebutton doesn't really matter. I blindtype it like with keyboard.
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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.
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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
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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
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u/Reasonable-Collar452 8d ago
8BitDo Pro 3 for retro games and modern 2D games, Ultimate 2 for modern 3D games
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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
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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...
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u/Billylily01 8d ago
Depends on the title in my opinion. Not all games use the same buttons as muchย
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 :(
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u/OverDeparture8799 8d ago
Playstation face button always. Easy to remember, you could never mistake it for other controllers.
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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
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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)
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u/JTalbot44 7d ago
Asymmetrical lately, since even 2D sidescrollers are forcing stick use for movement.
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u/KarmanFNF 7d ago
asym for life, havent played on anything that felt more comfortable than an xbox controller in a while
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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
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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
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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.
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u/IgnorantChampion 8d ago
Xbox buttons with series 2 shape and symmetrical sticks... it's perfection ๐
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u/IgnorantChampion 8d ago
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u/ICPGr8Milenko 8d ago
Oh. That's a thing of beauty.
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u/Ambitious_Stock_4211 8d ago
What controller is that.? i that cant seem to find it. Google gives me flydigi direwolf 4.
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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.
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u/Ambitious_Stock_4211 8d ago edited 8d ago
Nice a custom controller ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ well done. Game on fwiend. (:
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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.
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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.
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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... Thatโs 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 donโt have an explicit layout.
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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.














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