Best PC Joystic/gamepad?

[Heineken77]

Hi everyone. My brother and I love playing xbox 360 games. Controller is great too.

But, now we want to try to get into the PC gaming arena. Is there any really good controllers that you can recommend that fit well with the various games out there?

Would love to hear some opinions and reviews.

Thank you so much!

[Karlsweldt]

Welcome to 3D Gamers!
There are many models of joysticks available, from the simple two-button design to a seven-button design with feedback. Your budget and needs would dictate the type of unit wanted. Check www.newegg.com/ for listings, and other sites.
There are many opinions about which is the desired type for gaming. Everyone's needs are different.
There are two choices as to connection to a PC: The older MIDI/joystick port, or the newer USB port type. Your PC would have two standard USB ports at the rear, but there would be headers on the motherboard for an additional two or three extra port pairs. A simple port adapter is all that is needed. Ensure that if the device is intended for USB 2.0 standards, and that the USB port is itself the USB 2.0 type.. or the device will not be recognized.

[OldsterHolster]

Hi there, Heineken77, and welcome to our little corner of the gaming world. If you've only used gamepads to play games, you might tend to not believe what I'm going to tell you; but the fact is that a mouse and keyboard is a much better control system for games, unless you are playing a dedicated flight sim, or possibly a racing game.

Not only is the input more precise, but virtually all games allow you to map the key bindings to whatever you find works best for you. I personally like to map "move forward" to "right mouse button," but you can map keys and buttons any way you like, and it really is a better control system that gamepads offer.

I'm sure others will weigh in with their opinions and advice, but you can't go wrong by using a mouse and keyboard, even if it seems new and uncomfortable at first. It's worth the effort in the long run. Edward.

[mx77]

there is an xbox 360 controller that is made for the pc, its from microsoft too.

[Joe Cool]

there is an xbox 360 controller that is made for the pc, its from microsoft too.


+1

[fraggmatic]

there is an xbox 360 controller that is made for the pc, its from microsoft too.

Better yet, if you already have wireless controllers for your Xbox, no need to buy new controllers. Just get the "Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows". It's a great and cheap ($20) little adapter that you plug on your PC's UBS port. After you install the driver, your Xbox360 controllers are usable on your PC.

This solution works great for me when I *must* use a gamepad (playing StarWars Lego with the kids as reward for listening to the teachers all week...). But I personally prefer the precision of my G5 mouse and the comfort of my N52 Nostromo keypad when playing PC games.

I just finished "Call of Juarez" in DX10, and let me tell ya I was glad I tried the PC version. Besides being IMO one of the best western shooters ever made (up there with Outlaws), I couldn't stop admiring the IQ and the realism of this game. Reminded me of hiking through Big Bend national park but without the ol' west 6-shooters...for those familiar with the Texan landscape :thumbup: