So, thanks to figmentPez's Games on Sale thread, I now have acquired several PC games, where I have not gamed (on PC) for the better part of a decade. So, i was wondering if anyone knows of a good gamepad for PC? I thought about picking up an Xbox360 controller for Windows, but I figured I'd ask you guys first.
PC Noob
- Thread starter drifter
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Gamepads are basically worthless unless your trying to play an emulated console game or a game that was originally on the console and got a PC port. You'll need to learn to play WASD and Mouse. Don't worry, it's not hard once you do it for a bit.
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figmentPez
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I've been using an Xbox360 pad (Madcatz) on my PC for a while now. I've played Psychonauts, Dreamfall, Braid, Trine and Prince of Persia: Sands of Time with it. It's worked pretty well, overall. Psychonauts wouldn't let me map any functions to the analog triggers, so I had to be a little creative with button mapping (using the D-pad for psychic powers), but I could still play the game just fine. I ended up playing Beyond: Good & Evil with the mouse and keyboard, in retrospect that may have been because the right analog stick on my pad went funky for a while (and now seems to have fixed itself).
That said, the only other gamepad I've used on a PC is an old Microsoft Sidewinder, back before USB when the game port was still used. No analog stick, but it worked much better for playing Grim Fandango than the keyboard did.
What games are you going to be playing? FPS play better with mouse & keyboard, while platformers favor gamepads.
figmentPez
Staff member
Did you mean to link to the wireless version? I've heard conflicting reports on how well that works on PC. Some say it works great, others say the receiver has driver issues, and others say it kills USB ports.
Well, I picked up Bioshock, but that's the only FPS I bought. I suppose I'll need to use the keyboard/mouse for that, but the rest are 3rd person action/adventure titles, which I figured I would enjoy more with a gamepad. Also, I just don't like using WASD/Arrow keys to move.
Thanks for the tip Shego, I was thinking about that one.
Thanks for the tip Shego, I was thinking about that one.
Don't you need a wireless receiver for that as well? Or does MS' driver software let you use a generic IR receiver that comes on a lot of comps now?
figmentPez
Staff member
Keep in mind that the specific model Shego linked to will not work on a PC by itself. You'll either need to get a wired version, or this version which comes with a wireless adapter (that is reportedly power-hungry). I saved a few bucks off the Microsoft version by going with Madcatz and I haven't been disappointed.
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