What's the Perfect Gamepad?

Could someone recommend a gamepad that would be every gamer's dream? So far I have been dissapointed with the 1st one I got, an HammerHead FX (InterAct), a few years ago. What is a good, widely-compatible, solid, and easy to callibrate/customize/use joypad for the PC/laptop gamer?

 

Good question.

A great alternative is to just use a Smart Joy (use Xbox or PS2 controllers on a PC) device from lik-sang.com. I used to own one and I used it and it worked fine.

I'm waiting on the Madcatz Xbox 360 microcon controller to come out. I won't dare pick up the new Tomb Raider until I get a new controller.

 

What an incredible invention, this Smart Joy! Compatibility-wise, I would also like to use my gamepad to play emulated retro titles on my PC, such as those from SNES, NES, Genesis. When it comes to compatibility, are the latest gamepads well-matched to work with the programming of emulator programs for games?

 

well if you are absolutly loaded go with the Dell XPS m1710 it just came out and it starts around 3500 i believe. It is a pretty righteous setup i have the XPS m170 and that new is just out of this world. (as far as im concerned)

 

A USB adapter and a Playstation or PS2 dual shock controller.

 

LOL! What are you talking about? He's asking about gamepads, not gaming laptops.

 

jeez relax. i assumed that because he was on "notebookreview.com" he was talking about notebooks. no need to freak out. im so sorry that i misunderstood you i hope you didnt go out and buy an XPS just becuase i said so.

 

If you like the Xbox cntrollers, the official Xbox360 wired USB controller works on Windows PC.

 

Logitech Rumblepad 2 is a good choice if you're looking for more of a PS2 controller feel. Same number of buttons and layout as Sony's Dual Shock.

....actually, I think I like the feel better than the dual shock. Humble opinion, of course.

 

I know lol. I just felt like teasing you. It just sounded really funny.

How well do the 360 controllers work on the PC? I've heard conflicting sources about it. Like something with calibration?

 

There's a customizable keyboard at www.frozencpu.com that you may want to take a look at:

http://www.frozencpu.com/kbd-44.html?id=VQX38QEp

Not exactly a game pad but you could make it fit your needs perfectly with a bit of unstrenuous work ^^

 

Whatever you do, don't buy Gravis, their d-pad sucks balls.

 

I'd give virtually anything by Logitech my vote. I've owned several Logitech mouses, keyboards, gamepads and joysticks... never had a problem with any of them.

 

Personally, I like console pads more than any other gamepads released by a third party for the pc. That is why I use a converter for the dualshock2 and for the nintendo64 controller. The xbox360 controller is also very good and its compatible with windows.

 

Not yet but I'm aiming for one -- darn eBay is a warranty killer despite good prices!

 

I went to BestBuy to check out this claim, that is, that it's compatible w/ Win/PC. The package did not state that the product is PC-compatible!

 

I just got Logitech Rumblepad 2 from BestBuy for $33 as a birthday gift for my brother. So far it's holding up well in Need for Speed 2. I've tried it out myself in the same game and must say I am pleased with the results. However the rubling, I think, could've been more powerful in this controller. Overall, it's a worthy product.

 

Really? Man, I got freaked out the first time it rumbled on me; I thought there might have been an earthquake going on! My girlfriend could literally hear the controller shaking from across the room.

I'm unfortunately not able to check, but isn't there a setting to control the amount of rumble the pad puts out? I may be wrong, I'll try to play with the settings later.

 

Still on the hunt, I went out and got myself an Xbox360 controller w/ a USB connection. This is the most comfortable controller I have ever held in my hands! Got it for ~$46 from Buy.com.

I would really like to get some opinions about the aforementioned "Madcatz Xbox 360 microcon controller" http://www.madcatz.com/Default.asp?Page=251 How does it compare to the official Xbox360?

In regard to lik-sang.com and -like converters. Why in the world would you have an extra gadget laying around if you have a notebook? That would simply decrease the mobility of your whole setup. Perhaps I am a minimalist when it comes to the whole notebook concept, but I feel that converters may raise incompatibility issues and are unnecessary when you have a USB controller like the comfortable, Xbox360. Am I correct?

 

I gotta go with the Xbox 360 controller. If you get the right drivers the thing is a dream. Best controller for PC ever.

 

All right. Let's now refine our search. What are the pro/cons for each of the following three: Mad Catz Xbox 360 microcon ($35), MS xbox 360 ($45), and Xbox 360 Game Pad Pro ($35)?

Here's a comparison of all three: http://gear.ign.com/articles/698/698632p1.html Seems like the new Xbox 360 Microcon controller wins out. Here's a review of it: http://hardware.teamxbox.com/reviews/xbox-360/51/Mad-Catz-MicroCon-Game-Pad-Pro/p1/

Please correct me if I am wrong...I have to know before I buy. Thanks!

 

None of those gamepads work for PC. Only the wired Microsoft Xbox 360 Controller for Windows is supported by Windows XP:

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?pfp=BROWSE&No=20&N=200078&Ns=mfg%5Fname%7C0&product_code=339848&Pn=Xbox_360_Common_Controller

 

Impossible. All controllers listed are certified by Microsoft. MS' original Xbox 360 is compatible with Windows PCs. Why shouldn't Crazy Catz's be?