PC gaming controller

munster87 · 06-01-2013 12:59am #1

Can anyone recommend the best gaming controller for a pc? Mostly for games such as Hitman, COD and The Walking Dead etc

danthefan · 06-01-2013 1:02am

Wired Xbox360 controller.

munster87 · 06-01-2013 1:03am

Cheers where can I get one? Any games store?

munster87 · 06-01-2013 1:10am

So wait I can use my xbox controller on my laptop?

fl4pj4ck · 06-01-2013 1:11am

a wired one? yes. for wireless one you need an adapter (like this one)

Grumpypants · 06-01-2013 1:29am

munster87 wrote: »

Cheers where can I get one? Any games store?

PC world is your best bet they will have both the wired and wireless just make sure its the Xbox360 for windows controller not a normal 360 one.

dreamers75 · 06-01-2013 1:30am

Argos cheapest at 32.

ps3 works with spamware drivers, which i got a pain in my hole with and got the xbox wired pad.

ps3 works via bluetooth

Nollog · 06-01-2013 2:47am

I use a wireless 360 controllers, no fiddling, just install the driver for the wireless receiver and the games pick it up like magic.
Also, many steam games have a command if they don't pick it up "exec 360controller" in the developer console (valve games).

McSasquatch · 06-01-2013 3:33am

What kind of batteries does the wireless one take /\/ollog, and how long do they last?

Duggy747 · 06-01-2013 3:39am

360 controller, no substitute since most games accept it these days.

Got my 2 from Gamestop for €30. They were €19 each but they had a deal on at the time.

One of them has a dodgy analog on it now considering I wouldn't be harsh to them or even use them a terrible amount but they're sturdy enough for the price of them

abbir · 06-01-2013 4:16am

Grumpypants wrote: »

PC world is your best bet they will have both the wired and wireless just make sure its the Xbox360 for windows controller not a normal 360 one.

Eh? They're the same thing.

Nollog · 06-01-2013 4:49am

Darvich wrote: »

What kind of batteries does the wireless one take /\/ollog, and how long do they last?

I got a cheap 4800 mah battery pack from dealextreme.
It charges while playing if I want it to,
It takes 2 AA's I think.

5uspect · 06-01-2013 12:01pm

Hybrid Nimh AA batteries, since they don't lose charge when not in use. You can pick up the Uniross ones in Maplin.

marco_polo · 06-01-2013 12:21pm

Darvich wrote: »

What kind of batteries does the wireless one take /\/ollog, and how long do they last?

You can also get wireless controllers with a play and charge kit, so you can plug it it via usb to charge (and keep playing obviously as the name implies

).

Or if you have an existing controller pick up one of these in any game shop or even second hand.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 06-01-2013 12:23pm

youll still need the wireless adapter to use it though, the plug and play charging cable doesnt let you use the wireless controller as a wired one on pc

marco_polo · 06-01-2013 12:27pm

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar wrote: »

youll still need the wireless adapter to use it though, the plug and play charging cable doesnt let you use the wireless controller as a wired one on pc

That is true, in fact OP is are unlikely to ever be too far away from the PC (as would likely be the case if you have a smalish 20-24" monitior) it really is much cheaper to go wired.

Icyseanfitz · 06-01-2013 12:37pm

just get a wired 360 remote

munster87 · 06-01-2013 1:33pm

Cheers everyone. I have a wired xbox control, just never knew I could use it on my laptop!

Grumpypants · 06-01-2013 1:39pm

abbir wrote: »

Eh? They're the same thing.

No they're not, a wireless Xbox 360 controller doesn't have a USB dongle with it so it won't work.

igorbiscan · 06-01-2013 1:43pm

Hi,didn't know it would work with laptop,will it work with most games or is it hit and miss?

McSasquatch · 06-01-2013 1:47pm

igorbiscan wrote: »

Hi,didn't know it would work with laptop,will it work with most games or is it hit and miss?

There are a few lists on the web, but even if you have a game that doesn't support it, you can use something like Xpadder.

fl4pj4ck · 06-01-2013 1:52pm

Grumpypants wrote: »

No they're not, a wireless Xbox 360 controller doesn't have a USB dongle with it so it won't work.

we were talking about wired one. they're no different

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 06-01-2013 2:04pm

actually when he said that he was talking about the wireless one.....

Grumpypants · 06-01-2013 2:50pm

fl4pj4ck wrote: »

we were talking about wired one. they're no different

I was talking about the wireless one the op might not have known that they were different so I was giving him a heads up so he didn't end up with the wrong one.

abbir · 06-01-2013 4:59pm

Grumpypants wrote: »

I was talking about the wireless one the op might not have known that they were different so I was giving him a heads up so he didn't end up with the wrong one.

They market both an Xbox 360 controller for Windows and an Xbox 360 wireless controller for Windows. It wasn't clear from your original post that you meant the wireless one and I did not want someone reading that they must buy the wired one that says "for Windows" as sometimes they are dearer than the other ones.

Also the controllers in the wireless ones aren't actually different, the wireless for windows packet just includes the wireless adaptor.

animaal · 06-01-2013 7:19pm

I use a Logitech F710. I can't recommend it highly enough. It's a wireless job, takes AA batteries that seem to last ages.

It has two modes, one that makes it compatible with the XBox360 controllers (XInput) and a mode for compatibility with older games (DirectX). The DirectX mode also has a mapping app that allows you to map keyboard keys to the controller buttons, mouse movements to the analogue sticks, etc. I managed to get the original Max Payne working fine with it, even though that game wasn't written for controllers.

It has the same button layout as the XBox360, down to the button labels (X, Y, A. B - all the same colour as the XBox360 equivalents) However, the location of the D pad and sticks are more like the PS3 than the XBox360.

SillyIrish · 07-01-2013 1:53am

Do Ps3 controllers work if hooked up to PC? Or is it only xbox ones?

fl4pj4ck · 07-01-2013 2:05am

http://www.giantbomb.com/guides/ps3-controller-on-pc-via-usb/2437/

Overheal · 07-01-2013 2:12am

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar wrote: »

youll still need the wireless adapter to use it though, the plug and play charging cable doesnt let you use the wireless controller as a wired one on pc

They market the Xbox controller in some cases with the USB adapter you need.

Headshot · 09-01-2013 2:59am

I just used this method to get my ps3 controller going on my pc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffl-c5ibG9U

Granted I havent tried a game yet but the vibration test works a treat

Overheal · 09-01-2013 5:02am

Thanks Headshot you just saved me some googling I had penciled in for the weekend, I just got a lenovo yoga and I was going to have it double as a portable Emulator console using a PS3 controller

CastorTroy · 09-01-2013 11:41am

I tried the PS3 controller setup. Grand for things like emulators, but if playing modern games, it got a bit confusing. Think was when playing Prototype, it wouldn't pick it up as a game controller and instead just took the place of the keys. Probably just takes getting used to but got confusing when it would say what to pres on screen and trying to remember what was mapped to what.

So I just bought a wired 360 controller. Modern games are usually made with the controller in mind so the buttons they tell you to press are based on the controller.

Star Lord · 09-01-2013 11:50am

Being a bit of a Batman nut, I couldn't resist this one a few months back in HMV:

Being a wired 360 controller, it works great on PC. The left/right parts of the bat buttons are select/start, the middle one cycles through different LED colours, or turns them off. Not bad for around 35 squids (Around that mark anyway so far as I remember)

Professional Griefer · 09-01-2013 8:17pm

marco_polo wrote: »

You can also get wireless controllers with a play and charge kit, so you can plug it it via usb to charge (and keep playing obviously as the name implies ).

Or if you have an existing controller pick up one of these in any game shop or even second hand.

Just tried this and it didn't work.

Looks like I need to get one of the receivers.

marco_polo · 09-01-2013 8:23pm

Professional Griefer wrote: »

Just tried this and it didn't work.

Looks like I need to get one of the receivers.

Apologies I hadn't meant my post to imply that it was possible to play with just one of these

what I meant was you can still play while it is charging.

I was strictly answering the recharging question at the time (I have a wireless adapter so I did know

)

Professional Griefer · 09-01-2013 8:26pm

marco_polo wrote: »

Apologies I hadn't meant my post to imply that it was possible to play with just one of these:( I was strictly answering the recharging question at the time (I have a wireless adapter so I did know )

Ah. Sure its no worries, borrowed it from one of my friends. Gonna head into gamestop tomorrow in Cork and see if they have the thing, otherwise Amazon it is.

Fnz · 10-01-2013 1:17am

Official Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows & Wireless Gaming Receiver combo: [Link]

Price has been as low as £25stg with free 'Super Saver' delivery.

amazon.png?force=1&zero=0&w=725&h=440&desired=false&legend=1&ilt=1&tp=all&fo=0

amazon.png?force=1&zero=0&w=725&h=440&desired=false&legend=1&ilt=1&tp=all&fo=0

Seem a good price for both items when there are claims, on amazon, that the standalone (Microsoft branded) receivers are actually 3rd-party knock offs. [Link]

When my wireless gaming receiver (the dongle) stopped working I was tempted to buy another. I ended up getting a wired controller (even though I have a bunch of wireless 360 pads) as I've heard the receiver's fuse has a propensity towards blowing. The fuse itself is tiny and difficult to replace (some people simply bypass the fuse to get the dongle working).

10-01-2013 11:27am

/\/ollog wrote: »

I use a wireless 360 controllers, no fiddling, just install the driver for the wireless receiver and the games pick it up like magic.
Also, many steam games have a command if they don't pick it up "exec 360controller" in the developer console (valve games).

still need to buy the wireless receiver tho - so a bit of hassle compared to wired option...

Polar101 · 10-01-2013 12:13pm

I have the X360 wired controller for PC. While the controller itself is fine, if I was buying a controller now, I'd try to get a wireless option. I'm finding the cable really annoying after using a wireless controller on consoles for the past 5 years.

CastorTroy · 10-01-2013 12:20pm

I suppose it depends on the amount of foot traffic going between controller and PC. For me my PC and tv are in the corner of the room so no real reason for anyone to be passing between me and the tv.

Of course if someone did, I'd get worried since I live alone.

marco_polo · 10-01-2013 1:26pm

The battery pack is ****ed in my wireless controller so I have to have it wired in at all times anyway.

Korvanica · 10-01-2013 3:33pm

Was looking for a wired controller last week for my PC. This thread helped me remember that id bought a wireless receiver ages ago but couldnt get it to work! Had a crack at it last night and got it working. Happy days !!!

Wossack · 10-01-2013 4:16pm

Fnz wrote: »

Official Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows & Wireless Gaming Receiver combo: [Link]

Price has been as low as £25stg with free 'Super Saver' delivery.

..

When my wireless gaming receiver (the dongle) stopped working I was tempted to buy another. I ended up getting a wired controller (even though I have a bunch of wireless 360 pads) as I've heard the receiver's fuse has a propensity towards blowing. The fuse itself is tiny and difficult to replace (some people simply bypass the fuse to get the dongle working).

good to know about the fuse popping..! my original offical one died suddenly a few years back, and Ive only replaced it with a knockoff one (15e delivered), in the last few months

never that far from the monitor, so a wired one is probably a better idea for someone, but I had an xbox+controllers already, so...

Professional Griefer · 15-02-2013 6:03pm

Sorry for the bump..

fl4pj4ck wrote: »

a wired one? yes. for wireless one you need an adapter (like this one)

Just wanna get it right before I order. If I buy that^, and have a xbox remote, I'll be play able to play some games on my laptop?

Korvanica · 15-02-2013 6:08pm

Yes I use the same one at home.

Grimebox · 15-02-2013 6:17pm

Fnz wrote: »

Official Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows & Wireless Gaming Receiver combo: [Link]

Price has been as low as £25stg with free 'Super Saver' delivery.

Seem a good price for both items when there are claims, on amazon, that the standalone (Microsoft branded) receivers are actually 3rd-party knock offs. [Link]

When my wireless gaming receiver (the dongle) stopped working I was tempted to buy another. I ended up getting a wired controller (even though I have a bunch of wireless 360 pads) as I've heard the receiver's fuse has a propensity towards blowing. The fuse itself is tiny and difficult to replace (some people simply bypass the fuse to get the dongle working).

What is this sorcery? Where did you find those graphs?

Washington Irving · 15-02-2013 6:35pm

Grimebox wrote: »

What is this sorcery? Where did you find those graphs?

Says it in the top right corner of the pic

uk.camelcamelcamel.com

Fnz · 15-02-2013 7:01pm

SaulGoode9 wrote: »

Says it in the top right corner of the pic

uk.camelcamelcamel.com

Yep, pretty handy site.

Bumping the thread reminds me... saw a pair of the Wireless Controller & Wireless Gaming Receiver combo packs in PC World, Airside for around €33. Great price for a B&M store.

PC gaming controller

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