Best controller for a poorfag?

[AspieNextDoor]

I recently pirated Need For Speed: Underground and was thinking about buying a controller to play it, but I don't know which one. I don't have money for brand new Xbox Series X or PS5 ones, but I don't want some chink garbage either.

I was thinking of something like Logitech F310, but I'm not set. Does anyone have some recommendations?

 

[Judge Dredd]

I can't help with the recommendation, but I'd like to know what you think if you do go it. I want to get a cheap controller for my brother to play retro games.

 

[MrTroll]

I have an F310. It's an excellent controller, one of the best I've ever owned on any platform honestly. The only downside is it's not wireless.

 

[Deadly Autism]

Xbox Series X or PS5 ones

Largely overrated. The perfect controller has already existed for over 28 years, and I'm talking about the Sega Saturn Control Pad (in Japan since Saturn's launch, meanwhile the rest of the world got it in 1996). Originals and quality clones from the 90s seem to be best overall, but an adapter is needed to connect it to the PC. I've got a Mayflash converter for two controllers and they work pretty well.
There was a run of officially licensed USB ones, but they may not be easy to get. Finally there are Chinese ones on eBay and Aliexpress, but I can't vouch for their quality. I got one myself very cheaply more than half a decade ago from eBay, and while it's OK, who knows if the same can be said for those that are sold now.

 

[JULAY]

I've got a wired Xbox 360 controller that I use on my PC, you can get one fairly cheap on Ebay. Works with every game I ever tried, including every emulator I've ever thrown at it.

 

[BlueSpark]

I have the F310 and it's a good controller. It's a shame that it doesn't have rumble but it's great aside from that. I've used it for several years without issue.
I'd say go for the F310.

If you do ever get the money for a more expensive controller you'd be better off staying away from the official Xbox controller anyway: the modern ones are built like crap despite being expensive. A higher-end controller that won't break in a year would be something made by Hori.

 

[DumbDude43]

keyboard+mouse only
everything else is bloat and gimmicks

 

[Shiawase]

Like JULAY, I have had no problems buying gently used 360 controllers for the PC situations requiring analog functions. I've been having great experiences with a near-mint Rock Candy edition controller I bought from a US seller for about ¥2K/$15 (before shipping & fees).

Largely overrated. The perfect controller has already existed for over 28 years, and I'm talking about the Sega Saturn Control Pad (in Japan since Saturn's launch, meanwhile the rest of the world got it in 1996). Originals and quality clones from the 90s seem to be best overall, but an adapter is needed to connect it to the PC. I've got a Mayflash converter for two controllers and they work pretty well.

Yes to this. I also recommend the Saturn's "3D Control Pad" although I am not sure how it performs with a USB adapter. The analog stick has a nice feeling to it.

 

[MrTroll]

I've got a wired Xbox 360 controller that I use on my PC, you can get one fairly cheap on Ebay. Works with every game I ever tried, including every emulator I've ever thrown at it.

Sure, but watch out for cheap knockoffs. Also, every single 360 controller in existence will start to suffer from obnoxious thumbstick drift issues after about a month, that will gradually get worse over time, until it eventually gets to a point where you need to manually calibrate deadzones to achieve any level of playability. That's one of the things I like most about the F310: no drifting whatsoever, even after 2+ years of use.

 

[Judge Dredd]

The real problem with the Xbox 360 official controller is the d-pad sucked. I have a Xbone controller and it's lasted years no problem.

It's a shame that it doesn't have rumble

The only downside is it's not wireless.

These are features, not bugs as far as I'm concerned.

 

[The Evil Midnight Bomber]

PDP Afterglow pads are pretty good if you don't mind your controller lighting up in rainbow colors.

 

[Whatevermancer]

I got a Thrustmaster Dual Analog 4, and it's garbage. The d-pad feels spongy and the triggers are not analogue. The only reason that I don't get anything else instead of it is the fact that I almost never use it.
So if you think about buying it, don't.

 

[Shiawase]

Sure, but watch out for cheap knockoffs. Also, every single 360 controller in existence will start to suffer from obnoxious thumbstick drift issues after about a month, that will gradually get worse over time, until it eventually gets to a point where you need to manually calibrate deadzones to achieve any level of playability. That's one of the things I like most about the F310: no drifting whatsoever, even after 2+ years of use.

It sounds like you are describing the knock-off AfterGlow pad, mine drifted very badly from an early age.

Maybe I have been lucky but I haven't seen the drift problem even on my oldest (official) 360 controller. That one was damaged during shipping but the thumb-sticks work fine.

 

[JULAY]

Sure, but watch out for cheap knockoffs. Also, every single 360 controller in existence will start to suffer from obnoxious thumbstick drift issues after about a month, that will gradually get worse over time, until it eventually gets to a point where you need to manually calibrate deadzones to achieve any level of playability. That's one of the things I like most about the F310: no drifting whatsoever, even after 2+ years of use.

I've had mine since 2010 and haven't had any thumbstick drift at all. May be that I won the the QC lottery I guess.

The real problem with the Xbox 360 official controller is the d-pad sucked.

Yes indeed, the d-pad on mine is definitely subpar. Games like Street Fighter II and Mortal Kombat that require smoothly timed d-pad arcs are nigh unplayable with my controller. Still, all in all, it has served me well over the years.

 

[Shlomo XL]

Been using an F710 for I want to say close to a decade now (very much not every day, however; think couple of weeks of constant use then 3-6 months of pause); the left stick (most used) recently started acting up, which was fixed via disassembly and some alcohol cleaning. Also, the soft touch coating on the black plastic has fucked off, but only after this much time. Doesn't affect the experience.

It's a solid controller. Feels similar to a PS2, save for the battery compartment bulge (you get used to it). Can recommend it or the F310, especially if you can find one on sale. I'd even recommend the wired one over the wireless for better grip and less battery hassle, if you don't mind it not having vibration.

Edit: Based choice of game. Be sure to grab Undercover, too - it doesn't disappoint. I'm sure you already have Most Wanted.

 

[Epic Fail Man]

Whatever you do don't get anything from 8bitdo. They may look all nice and slick but their durability is shit and they crap out within 2 months or less.

 

[Dr. Isaac Kleiner]

+1 about the Xbox 360 controller.

I have a wired knockoff version (labelled "Banana King", lol), but so far so good. But you should look after the original one.

 

[Grub]

Whatever you do don't get anything from 8bitdo. They may look all nice and slick but their durability is shit and they crap out within 2 months or less.

I've had my sn30 for like 5 years or more now and it still works fine. Buttons are all working nicely none of them stick or anything. Sticks and pads are all good. I used to toss that thing into back packs and shit. Pretty sure it got soaked one time. I know I've spilled beer on it.

I can't say that about most of the other controllers I've owned over the years. Most of them have problems. Except maybe my nes and genesis controllers. Those things are still as good as they were when I was a kid.

 

[Epic Fail Man]

I've had my sn30 for like 5 years or more now and it still works fine. Buttons are all working nicely none of them stick or anything. Sticks and pads are all good. I used to toss that thing into back packs and shit. Pretty sure it got soaked one time. I know I've spilled beer on it.

I can't say that about most of the other controllers I've owned over the years. Most of them have problems. Except maybe my nes and genesis controllers. Those things are still as good as they were when I was a kid.

That's weird, I've had two nes ones from 8bitdo and with very light gaming the face buttons start to stick and the d pad craps out within 2 months

 

[Grub]

That's weird, I've had two nes ones from 8bitdo and with very light gaming the face buttons start to stick and the d pad craps out within 2 months

I wouldn't be surprised if the quality's gone downhill over the years. It tends to happen with a lot of products. I got mine when they were still pretty new. They only had a few different models of controllers at the time.

Controllers are pretty easy to take apart and clean though usually. I had a Logitech one with some fucked up buttons and I popped it open and cleaned out under the buttons and it worked like new. It took like 10 minutes.