What’s the best gaming controller?


A controller I “designed” during Art class, 1994

I think I’ve used every game controller that has ever existed. The first one I used was a handle with a knob on the end which you twisted to move the bat in Pong up and down.

What about today’s 3 controllers? They all have such major pros and cons. If someone could put all the good features into one controller, it would be amazing.

Xbox

I owned the Duke, and I didn’t mind it, but I have decent sized hands and it still felt like a bowl with buttons so when they brought out the newer controller I felt it was a good move. Ever since then Xbox controllers have been the most natural, comfortable controller out there, without question. I had a 360 controller for over a decade and a half across the Xbox 360 and PC, and it just worked.

I love the concave thumbsticks. None of this slippery nubs like the Playstation. I’m cool with the offset sticks, the buttons have always felt solid and the triggers get smoother with every release. It’s a solid controller in every way, the D-pad on the new Series S|X controller is clicky but robust, the whole thing is comfortable and high quality. I love the Xbox controllers. They are now, however, missing some significant features.

Switch Joycons

What can I say. They are clunky, laggy, and overpriced, but you have to love them. It’s the compromises that makes the Switch so charming, and you really can’t complain about the joycons given what they contribute to the Switch’s portability. It’s a shame that the motion sensors are so underused.

Switch Pro

It‘s fine, but it can’t compete with the Xbox and Playstation and doesn’t seem to want to try. It’s much better than the the joycon but it’s still just a cheap Xbox imitation (but with added motion sensors).

PS5 Dualsense

I was always a fan of the Playstation controllers and enjoyed their skinny form. The PS5 controller however is a little bulky and it surprised me that they would do that after 4 generations of the skinny form factor. It’s not the worst thing in the world but I did find myself distracted by its thickness from time to time.

My other major complaint with the Playstation controllers, and it’s a big one, is the convex thumbsticks. I don’t know if it’s the material or just because I sweat 😅 but I found myself slipping off them often, frequently causing me issues in game. No such issues with the concave Xbox thumbsticks.

A minor but significant complaint is the positioning of the D pad. I realise this is a long standing Playstation custom, but the reality is, in this day and age, the D pad feels out of place where it is, because it’s something that’s no longer significant in games. Maybe it’s just me and my 15 years playing with an Xbox controller, but hey, Nintendo (the inventors of the centre stick N64 controller) decided to follow Xbox for a reason.

All that said, the innovation in the Dualsense is unmatched. Playing Astro’s Playroom was one of the most significant moments in my gaming life — because of this controller.

The tactile triggers are literal game changers. I’m not sure what it is, but they’re a magical addition to the gaming experience that I think need to be in every game from now on.

The way that they tense up, and then release, and how that adds to the immersion, is an absolute joy. Maybe because its paired with some vibration and joypad sound, I’m not sure, but they make the game seem more real, more physical.

If you haven’t tried the Dualsense triggers, you are missing out on a whole other dimension of gaming. I’m sure the other controllers will copy this feature soon. Until then, the PS5 will have a huge advantage.

On top of this, the sound, light and vibration all genuinely add to the immersion of the game. No other controller out there uses the sound and light to such immersive effect.

Oh, it also has a touchpad, and motion sense. It’s the one controller with absolutely everything.

I sold my PS5 because there were no games for it in 2020. To be honest I’m still waiting. But you can’t fault those controllers.

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