Controller Wars

[Cuddly Knife]

<b>PS2</b>
It's not too big, and not too small. Best response out of any controller, and great analog control. When I press the buttons soflty, I get a soft response, and when I gradually increase the pressure, the reaction is accurate. Also, the D-pad is a perfect set-up. I'm not really into having the whole D-pad showing. It doesn't affect my gaming any, but I just don't like the way it feels. The way that the PS2 one has the middle of the D-pad not showing is the way I like it. Don't forget about the four shoulder buttons and L3/R3. That makes for more combinations.
<b>Game Cube</b>
This has to be the most innovative controller that's come out(and sturdiest), and then it's even more so with the Wavebird wireless. At first, I thought that the GCN controller was a horrible design, but after playing with through a few games, I changed my mind about that quick. The only gripe I have with it is the D-pad. The analog control stick is the best feeling analog of the BIG 3. Maybe it's because I like how it is in an octagonal shape, and that makes for easier handling of characters. The C-stick is also the same, but without the mushroom tip. Also, each of the four main buttons(or thumb buttons, as I like to call them) have their own feel to them, making it easier to get the feel for a game's control scheme. They are also spaced in just the right places. R and L buttons have two separate settings(above and below click), and there's no missing the Z button.
<b>XBOX</b>
The only real gaming that I've done on the XBOX controller was on a third-party controller, so I can't say much about this one without bagging on it, as I hate all third-party controls. The thumb buttons felt to slick and seemed to be too close together(I've played a little on the S control on a demo, and the buttons seemed to be even closer), and the L and R buttons handled like ass. The analog sticks seemed clunky and maybe too responsive. The shape of the controller was also too bulbous.

[tekbit]

I agree with you about the gamecube controller. I like the way the "thumb buttons" as you call them all have their own feel. Making them easily identifiable during game play. Yes, the d pad is annoying though, its way too small, but actually i also have one of those cheesy generic "superpad" controlers (I got for 10 bucks) and the D pad is amazingly superb on it. They made it much bigger. the gamecube controller fits my hands nicely and I don't have any real complaints.

The ps2 controller, I dont have any complaints about either. My friends come over, bring their ps2s and we game, everything is cool. It almost has a similar shape to the gc controller imo. i guess thats why i like it.

The xbox controller is hideous. Actually the very week the xbox came out, i went down to my local Best Buy to check it out, and the controller was what turned me off in the first place. Because everything else that I saw i thought was pretty good (graphics, etc). It has a very odd shape, and i can't help but feel uncomfortable holding it. The buttons are also too small and like you said peanut, slick. Poor design altogether. :(

[no.1gamer]

PS2:
tried and true.
GCN:
innovative and fresh.
Xbox:
worst controller ever conceived.
PS:
what are these shapes doing on my buttons instead of letters?
N64:
analog control is back!
SNES:
wow look at all these buttons!
Genesis:
this needs more than 3 buttons! Hey, problem solved!
NES:
hey, no analog control stick?
Atari 2600:
one control stick and one button. simple yet effective.

the winner is......the Atari 2600!

You can use one hand for the control stick and you have an entire other hand to push the one friggen huge button! This controller is so perfect I could use it effectively after downing a 5th of Jim Beam!

[Tappy_Tibbons]

PS2:
tried and true." So it was confusing shapes with PS but now you like it?

"GCN:
innovative and fresh."..for a 3 year old to use, otherwise your hands will buckle the frail plastic into oblivion.

"Xbox:
worst controller ever conceived." - some reason, I just can't agree here...the Xbox controller is excellent for all genres except fighting, especially racing and FPS. Only either a complete idiot, or a kid with tiny hands couldn't handle the Xbox controller.

"PS:
what are these shapes doing on my buttons instead of letters?" - because Sony is anti-American

"N64:
analog control is back!" - AKA the LAST good Nintendo controller

"SNES:
wow look at all these buttons!" - starting to confuse you eh little boy?

"Genesis:
this needs more than 3 buttons! Hey, problem solved!" - Decent, but male to female connections resulted in bent pins

"NES:
hey, no analog control stick?" - the NES controller was perfect for the times

"Atari 2600:
one control stick and one button. simple yet effective." - of course what you meant to say is "dumbed down for me so it's effective"

"the winner is......the Atari 2600!" - yes, for simple minded morons!

"You can use one hand for the control stick and you have an entire other hand to push the one friggen huge button! This controller is so perfect I could use it effectively after downing a 5th of Jim Beam" - I'll bet you couldn't down a 20th of Beam with your tiny hands.

[Cuddly Knife]

<div class=\"smallfont\">
for a 3 year old to use, otherwise your hands will buckle the frail plastic into oblivion.</div>
This sounds like a comment coming from someone who hasn't picked up a CGN controller very often. I just did the comparison after I read your post, and the Game Cube controller is very, very close to being the same size as a PS2 controller, and may be even a little bigger. Does that mean you think the Dualshock is also kiddie? If you do, then disregard this part of the post.

<div class=\"smallfont\">
"Xbox:
- some reason, I just can't agree here...the Xbox controller is excellent for all genres except fighting, especially racing and FPS. Only either a complete idiot, or a kid with tiny hands couldn't handle the Xbox controller.
</div>
I know this isn't directed at me, but I thought to comment on it anyways. IMO, it's not that people can't handle the XBOX controller, I think it's more that it doesn't handle well as a controller should. Maybe it's because I'm used to having the pressure-sensitive buttons on the Dualshock. If memory serves me correct, there was nothing like that on the XBOX controller. It's also too Dreamcast-ish; very un-original. And before you give me the kiddie speach, I've been gaming since the 2600, and I'm also 6'+, so I've no problems with size, it's all about handling.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

PS2 Controller - Everything is good on it except for one thing: The placement of the left analog stick. For me, it's too close to the right analog stick, making my thumbs hit each other frequently while playing games that use the right stick to control the camera. More annoying than painful, but I'll live. With more games using analog-only controls, I hope they change the position of the left analog stick and the d-pad for the PS3.

Xbox Controller (Duke) - It's pretty big, but the main problem was the X,Y,A,& B buttons were too close together, plus the placement of the black and white buttons are horrible. Nice Trigger buttons though, great for Halo and Max Payne. Score

Xbox Controller (Controller S) - The 4 buttons that were placed too close were fixed, but black and white buttons are still not in the best place. Love the placement of the left analog stick, though.

Gamecube Controller - The actual controller is comfortable, but the button layout is horrible. The actual button should have been the same size...that and the button layout are the reasons why I wouldn't want to play a sports game on the system. D-pad is too small for me, but there aren't too many games where I need it. L & R buttons are actually designed better than the ones on the PS2 controller. Less buttons than on the other 2 controllers, which isn't good when a game needs a good number of buttons.

Overall, I like the Controller S the best. The left analog stick location is great, and the trigger buttons are better for first and third person shooting games. The only complaint is the placement of the black and white buttons, which makes a difference for me in Madden 2004.

[Gadfly2317]

<div class=\"smallfont\">

"GCN:
innovative and fresh."..for a 3 year old to use, otherwise your hands will buckle the frail plastic into oblivion.

"Xbox:
worst controller ever conceived." - some reason, I just can't agree here...the Xbox controller is excellent for all genres except fighting, especially racing and FPS. Only either a complete idiot, or a kid with tiny hands couldn't handle the Xbox controller.

</div>

I personally love the xbox controller. The small slick buttons are kind of stupid, but over all very comfortable, and as you say, great for racing games.

But come on, how many hours have you spent using a GC controller? Have you even held one? 'Cause I'm sorry, what you said sounds really uninformed, like you're not being serious, but just trying to bash something you've never used. I've used a hell of a lot of controllers, and my hands are big--can stretch seven frets in the middle of the neck on an acoustic guitar. The GC controller is perfectly shaped--a masterwork of ergonomics, and it fits hands of all sizes. And its very sturdy, especially the wavebird. Easily the most comfortable controller ever, even the shoulder buttons conform to the natural bend of the fingers, unlike the oddly angled PS2 shoulder buttons. And one large A button centered amidst the other buttons is the most logical thing ever--you can always be right there with your main action button while easily rolling to the surrounding distinctly shaped buttons. It's not without flaw--the D-pad is just the GBA d-pad (to save money for Nintendo) and the Z-button is pointless. But considering the poor ergonomics of the PS2 control, the silly little slick buttons on the Xbox controller, I think the GC controller flaws are pretty tolerable.

As far as I'm concerned, its an irrefutable fact that the Wavebird is overall the best console controller ever created.

[Bob-the-Fish]

Juat to be different, I'll start with the GC controller :)

GC
I don't own a GC and I don't plan on buying one so my experience with this controller is somewhat limited. I have logged a couple of hours on one though at a cousin's house playing Super Samsh Bros. mostly. I didn't like it. The shape is good but the button layout didn't cut it for me. The D-pad is awful, the shoulder buttons, at least in the games I played, seemed unresponsive, the Z button is just weird, joystick felt small and lacked the L3 button on the other two (but it was in the right place unlike the PS2's). As for the weird shaped buttons on the right side, they worked for games like Smash Bros. where you only need two, but I can't see myself liking them for sports games, fighters, or FPS.

XBox
The first controller M$ released was just awful and thankfully they were willing to admit it and design a new one. They corrected most of their mistakes and made a decent controller. It fits my hands well and the left analog stick is perfectly placed. The only complaint I have is the bump feel of the buttons and the placement of the white, black, start and back buttons. Those four seem to be a little too recessed making it difficult to push them sometimes.

PS2
The most basic, no frills controller ever designed. Having gamed on this design for many years I feel most comfortable with it. The layout is good as none of your fingures are responsible for more the four buttons giving more combination options. The D-pad is the best I have ever played with. the shape is the least comfortable of the three and my thumbs slip on the analog sticks sometimes.

Out of the three, I'd pick the PS2 controller because it is just that: a controller. No frills attached.

[Tappy_Tibbons]

I don't see how anyone could diss the old Xbox controller, I've been using it since launch and have grown completely accustomed to it.

[slade]

The following opinions take into consideration how comfortable each controller felt to me the first time I picked it up.

The Worst: X-box original controller. It was just frikkin' horrible. Especially the buttons which were oversized and entirely too close to each other.

Now, the following three controllers end up in a tie.

X-box Controller S: Pretty decent controller, not much of a learning curve but the geography of the face buttons should be horizontal, not vertical.

PS2 Controller: Another decent controller but what were they thinking putting the analog where it is.

GC Controller: Possibly the best controller comfort wise but it has such a miniscule d-pad.

Conclusion: You can get used to just about any controller if you take the time to learn it.

[JMix]

Ok, here goes:

PS2: No complaints here, well, perhaps the placement of the top buttons, but not really. Good size, easy enough to pick up and play with, though this is owed ot the fact that it was no change from the PS.

GC: No real complaints here iether. alough it sorta made my hands feel a bit cramped after being so used to the Xbox controller. I love the wireless option, truly kool. Now if only they could extend the battey life... Haven't had as much xperience w/ this one so I dont have much specific to say about it.

XBOX: Picking it up, I felt no more difficulty in getting used to it than with any other new controller. I honestly have never experienced any of the problems other people say they have with it. On the contrary, I like the fact that its larger and rounder than the others; It lets me hold it w/o bending my fingers as much, wich makes sure my fingers wont get tired very quickly. The only buttons hard to reach are the "Back" and "Start" buttons but those are not used in gameplay anyway so that doesnt really matter. The white button is a liitle high but most games dont make regular use of it anyway so that also is more or less insignificant. The smooth texture of the buttons and joysticks makes lets me play for hours and hours w/o developing a rash (you woulnt believe what the N64 joystik did to my left thumb!!! :( )
The little emergency disconecting thing is great. ;) Almost as cool as the wireless thing GC has goin for it. I cant tell you how many controllers I lost due to some moron tripping over the cord and mesing up the connection where the wire comes out of the plug.

XBOX S Controler: :mad: I really hate this controller. Quite an abomination: Its too small and the black and white buttons are virtually impossible to reach without feeling an unpleasant stretch in my thumb.

Miscellaneous "Hulk" and "Spiderman" controllers and other such nonsense for all systems: The horror!!! THE HORROR!!!! :eek:

I completely agree w/ slades concluson.