New controller advice

[jack_the_beast]

Hi everyone, so my 10-years-old x360 wired controller it's finally dead :'(

I'm considering buying a new one but I'm really struggling to choose the right one for me. I'll try to point out pros and cons of each possibility:
1)another x360. Pros:I know that it works and I'm used to it. Cons:I can only find the wireless one atm. Price:34-40€
2)xbox1 controller: pros: a possible better controller (?). Cons: must buy battery pack, must buy wireless adapter?(I play on laptop) , must buy a wired version as I read on the internet it needs its own USB cable to work with pc (not sure). Price: 50€ + accessories
3)ps4 controller. Pros: i like the form factor more that Xbox's, i will possibly get a ps4 at some point, no need for batteries etc. Cons: I'm a bit worried about compatibility with both games and windows in general (can someone say something about that?). Price: 55€
4) steam controller: pros: I don't know. Cons: I mostly play actions and driving games, don't know if it's confortable with those; does it work reasonably well with games from other platforms like origin or uplay?
Price:38€ including steam link (!!!)
5)generic Logitech controller or similar :pros :price probably. Cons: possibly compatibility, can't use with console

can anyone confirm or deny any of the aspect I have listed or just give me some advice based on experience?

Thank you

[Supafly]

Not on your list but you could try finding a second hand controller. Quick example if you were over here

Wired xbox 360-£20 https://uk.webuy.com/product.php?sku=S360VALUE15
Wireless xbox 360-£15 https://uk.webuy.com/product.php?sku=S360VALUE144

Odd wireless is cheaper than wired.

If you prefer DS4 layout and feel I'd say go with that. Never had an issue using my DS4 or even my DS3 though I used third party software. My only issue that takes a little getting used to was seeing XYAB button prompts in stead or Circle,Square, X and Triangle....doesn't take long to get used to though.

I know Steam added support for the DS4 but I have yet to try it. Was quite happy with using SCPToolkit as it was working......Why change something that works

I can say the DS3 and DS4 work prefectly well using Steam Link too. Currently the only time I use my DS4 recently.

[Cathulhu]

2) I have a XBox One S controller and can chip in regarding it. First, it feels a lot better than the classic 360 gamepad, espeically the D-PAD is no longer an atrocious abomination.
Additionally, a battery pack is not necessary as you can use it wired with a standard USB -> MicroUSB cable.
You can use it wireless with a battery pack and Bluetooth (One S only) if you want, or get a wireless receiver.

[ᴠᴀʀ]

The latest XBOX controller[www.amazon.com] (S and above series) has Bluetooth , basicly means it doesn't need a wireless receiver like with the old ones. It still does need a BT receiver, but that should be very common nowadays.

Same also goes for the Dualshock 4 (Playstation)[www.amazon.com] and the Steam controller

Bluetooth is available on most devices, but if you don't have it, it's just 10/15 bucks at the PC hardware store (BT 2.0 or >4.0) Amazon link [www.amazon.com]

Drivers can be found by installing the general xbox drivers or let steam handle the Dualshock control scheme. Otherwise you can still use SCP drivers for the playstation controllers.


If you want opinions on what controller to use, I would buy a steam controller AND then choose between xbox and playstation. I have a Steam controller and Dualshock 4 (Playstation 4 controller both on bluetooth) and have a Steam Link connected to my TV.
Maybe look for reviews on internet for a comparison between controllers and how well they work for each of the games you play?

Steam controller works really well with PC games with mouse/keyboard configuration
But i suck at Fifa with steam controller, so for simple controller games i prefer a simple controller. Hard to say wether to go with Steam or other controllers, but I use them both on a daily basis.

[jack_the_beast]

שคг の投稿を引用：

If you want opinions on what controller to use, I would buy a steam controller AND then choose between xbox and playstation. I have a Steam controller and Dualshock 4 (Playstation 4 controller both on bluetooth) and have a Steam Link connected to my TV.
Maybe look for reviews on internet for a comparison between controllers and how well they work for each of the games you play?

How does it work outside steam?
On second thought i don't think driving and actions would be a huge problem as the controller as a analog lever and triggers, but I'll check it out. If you can give me a feedback on non steam games it would be great.

Cathulhu の投稿を引用：

2) I have a XBox One S controller and can chip in regarding it. First, it feels a lot better than the classic 360 gamepad, espeically the D-PAD is no longer an atrocious abomination.
Additionally, a battery pack is not necessary as you can use it wired with a standard USB -> MicroUSB cable.
You can use it wireless with a battery pack and Bluetooth (One S only) if you want, or get a wireless receiver.

So any cable will do?

[Cathulhu]

Any USB -> Micro USB cable will do. There is no special cable needed for XBox One and XBox One S gamepads.

[jack_the_beast]

Cathulhu の投稿を引用：

Any USB -> Micro USB cable will do. There is no special cable needed for XBox One and XBox One S gamepads.

Thanks that's good news, I found one guy on the internet saying it didn't work with other cables and that was enough to give me doubts 😂

[ᴠᴀʀ]

Outside of steam doesn't really matter, because you can add NON-steam games and still have most of the (controller) features in steam. It doesn't work in Windows (out of the box), if that's what you're asking. You click the Steam controller button top right and that's how you start Big Picture. Or you can simply hit the START button on your controller while steam is active. As long you're in this environment, you can browse the web or community, store, profiles, and more as long you're in big picture (or Steam link/Steam OS)

Steam controller is more complicated to control, you need to get used to it. Even if you're a controller guy, you have to re-learn playing with this controller. It's very different and you need to adjust and try different settings to see what config works for you. Fortunatly steam has lots of user configurations you can download by the community.

Instead of 2 analog sticks , it has 2 haptic feedback pads. (and one Analog stick, D-pad is within the left pad) This can be very useful in FPS games or RTS games, basicly any building game on the PC. Games like Civ and Arma can be controlled with a steam controller, but the same games are nearly impossible to do with DS4 or XBOX controllers.. This because of mouse movements wich can be easily replicated by the haptic feedback trackpads, wich can also simulate the mouse movements. You can see the biggest selling points in any of the Steam Controller reviews.

The only real difference between the 2 controllers is that one is designed for simple controller gaming for their platforms (XBOX and playstation), and the other one is designed for PC games so you can have the same controller experience. This is the main reason why you probably need to have both if you plan on playing much games that rely on mouse/keyboard.

Third person action games : XBOX/Dualshock
First person : Steam Controller OR XBOX/dualshock (Depends if there's auto-aim or not)
Topview games (Prison architect, Old fallout games, Civ. old Diablo games, etc) Steam controller
Platformers : XBOX/Dualshock OR Steam controller
Sports games : XBOX/Dualshock OR Steam controller


Thing is.. It's really hard to say you only need the Steam Controller.. While it looks like it can do everything you need, the use of haptic feedback can be quite annoying with certain games that already are tailored to controller gaming.

Also, steam controller allows you to browse web very easy from couch, typing is much faster and more effective.

All games from Origin and Uplay (and GOG, or any game outside of steam) can be added as a NON-steam game. So you can use Steam controller features for games outside of steam. You can also get community configurations for controllers that are added as a non-steam game. I added Fifa 15/16 as non-steam game and was still able to get community controller configurations for both controllers.

Add a non-steam game
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=2219-YDJV-5557&


Playstations Dualshock hasn't really changed since DS1.. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.. The Trackpad on DS4 is still worthless, unless you have DS4Windows. This driver adds more features for LED + trackpad. Still a fine controller, and I'm pretty good at Fifa and MGS. Also, GTA 5 is a blast to play with DS4 controller.

[Hemloccoctail]

jack_the_beast の投稿を引用：

Cathulhu の投稿を引用：

Any USB -> Micro USB cable will do. There is no special cable needed for XBox One and XBox One S gamepads.

Thanks that's good news, I found one guy on the internet saying it didn't work with other cables and that was enough to give me doubts 😂

Actually that can happen with anything, where the cable doesnt provide the power needed to the device (Controller in our case). The reason, the cable that was said "not to work for the controller" while still having the correct outputs, is more than likely due to the person using a crazy cheap wire. I've seen people try to use charger cables that come with Vaporizers where the wire is noticably thinner, only to become dumbfounded when it wont charge a cellphone.

That being said, If you are accustomed to the Xbox, go for the smaller new one. Its' your call on wired or wireless: wired will more than likely last longer with less chronic issues, whereas having wireless is nice if you are playing on the couch. Xbox controllers are Microsoft products and will work natively with any windows machine. Maybe if you have a sony machine a playstation controller will interface with it?

Edit: You can use software to work as a buffer to get a playstation controller to work, it won't be plug-n-play native how any new xbox controller will be

[ᴠᴀʀ]

Hemloccoctail の投稿を引用：

jack_the_beast の投稿を引用：

You can use software to work as a buffer to get a playstation controller to work, it won't be plug-n-play native how any new xbox controller will be

Not sure if you know, but Steam supports PS4 (DS4) out of the box now (without drivers)
It does require Big Picture or Steam OS (&Link).

https://steamcommunity.com/groups/SteamClientBeta/discussions/1/282992646969555691/

[Hemloccoctail]

שคг の投稿を引用：

Hemloccoctail の投稿を引用：

Not sure if you know, but Steam supports PS4 (DS4) out of the box now (without drivers)
It does require Big Picture or Steam OS (&Link).

No, I wasn't fully aware.
However you can use a xbox controller for other games that don't go through steam, and it is still plug'n'play native.

[ᴠᴀʀ]

And if you add those "other games" you're talking about as non-steam game, they all work natively with the steam applications controller support. Basicly like a driver, as long it happens within the Steam environment.

And yeah, there's also community configs to download.. they're just hidden until you add the games.

[Muppet among Puppets]

You cant recharge normal rechargables with the controller. Only with the battery pack. But for that price you can get a good charger and some chargables. Better choice.

[Mikasa Ackerman]

i use a wired RGB Xbox one controller

[jack_the_beast]

Last question: do the triggers rumble feature of the x1 controller work on the pc?

[Mikasa Ackerman]

jack_the_beast の投稿を引用：

Last question: do the triggers rumble feature of the x1 controller work on the pc?

i sadly dont know i have rumble disabled in all games