What is considered the best controller/gamepad option for PC

I have only used keyboard and mouse for PC gaming and one thing i found difficult was not being able to sit back on my favourite sofa with a controller.

So for PC is the best option to get a logitech/other brand gamepad or is it to use a console controller?

Wireless would be proffered, but not if it means the controller is shoddy.

Cheers

360 Wireless

@PredatorRules:

had a feeling that would be it

how does one go about setting that up (peripherals needed etc)

And is there similar options for next gen console controllers?

360 is plug and play

@James161324:

if i want wireless i take it a windows wireless reciever is needed

but do i need any software or anything else?

I think if you get the official Microsoft brand its just plug and play. I know you can get 3rd party ones on Amazon and some reviews talk about people having issues with drivers.

I like the DS4 controller. Unlike the Xbox 360 controller, which is a popular choice for PC, it has a great D-Pad. It's great for new games and retro games alike. Super comfortable, too.

@KHAndAnime:

Yh i do like the dualshock 4 but i have no idea on how i would get it working wirelessly on PC or even wired as i dont believe its supported by any official programme

I have the wired Xbox 360 controller and it comes with a disk for drivers (for Windows). I'm not sure, but you could probably get it working without the disk (by downloading the drivers [Microsoft's site probably has them], or by using another controller program). But the disk only takes a few seconds to install the drivers!

I'd like to try the Dual Shock 4's D-pad for sidescrolling games some time. Played Call of Duty with a friend and it seemed pretty good for that.

I'd like to get more controllers for computers eventually so there's that one and the Steam controller that I'm thinking about.

I have the wireless 360 controller and it works flawless, comes with everything you need except the charging station for the batteries.

Wireless 360 controller = make sure you grab the wireless adapter

Wired 360 controller = plug and play. You can either install drivers from the disk, let Win7 automatically download it for you, or google search.

Other options: Razer Onza and generic brands.

Get a 360 controller for now for ease of use. Most games support automatic detection of an Xbox 360 controller and many will automatically swap button prompts in game when an Xbox controller is detected to be in use.

The dualshock 4 is certainly looking to be the best option in the future, but since official drivers are not out yet, and only fanmade drivers are available, it would require a lot of custom mapping for each game you play.

With an Xbox controller, all you have to do is plug it in and then start playing the game with it like your PC was an Xbox, for the vast majority of games. Other controllers usually require some custom fiddling per game.

There are a few options of using the DS4 for games, easiest way is to just download a program that makes games think the DS4 is a 360 controller. Only took me a couple of minute - probably the same amount of time it took me to find drivers that worked with my wireless gaming receiver.

I have 360 controllers and a wireless gaming receiver, but I much prefer the DS4 due its comfort and superior handling (IMO).

I use my DS3 (PS3) with a £5 bluetooth adapter. I installed some software and now it is recognised as a 360 controller so has identical compatibility.

Probably the 360 controller but that's brainwashing for you....

Dualshock 4

Best controller i've ever used

@SEANMCAD: Because a gaming mouse isn't very helpful for driving games. Or flight sim. etc

@SEANMCAD:

that aint the problem, im gonna have a mouse

but when i game im not always wanting to sit up straight at a desk with a monitor and mouse and keyboard

gotta let myself slouch down on the sofa, have a controller so im free to have people round who can actually play too, i mean unless you are hosting a lan party who on earth invites friends round to take turns sitting at your desk?

what about the xbox one controller?

@SEANMCAD: ha

and as far as this goes im seeing a massive thumbs up for 360 so i think for ease of use ill pick one up

Make sure you get yourself some rechargeable AA batteries if you're going with the wireless one. (unless you already have some) Avoid the overpriced play & charge kits at all costs since there's really no value there.

AA batteries are the only way for someone to remain truly wireless and they become even more useful if you have some other appliances that could put them to use. A pack of Eneloops would completely destroy the craptastic integrated battery that the DS4 uses. 8 hours is nothing if you've got multiple people playing your PC. And I doubt you'd want ANY wires going from a couch to your PC if there's going to be some traffic.

I love my Rumblepad 2, but it's only compatible with I'd say less than half of games - whereas the x360 controller is compatible with probably over 80% of games with controller options.

The Rumblepad F710 seem to be a mix (PS layout with Xinput), but I don't have it so can't really recommend.

The 360 controller is the right choice simply because it is compatible with the majority of games on the market.

I just use an old PS3 controller I had lying around with a $2 Bluetooth adapter I bought on eBay. Works perfectly!

best i've found is the 360 controller for pc. but you do need a wireless receiver unless you use it plugged in. I also use a ps3 controller but it requires a bluetooth adapter with custom drivers which will mess up any other bluetooth device, so make sure you dont care about using any bluetooth after installing custom ds3 bluetooth drivers. but a ps3 controller is almost required if ur using any game that requires a good d-pad like snes or a fighting game.

hopefully the playstation 4 controller will work good in windows without needing to use custom made drivers.

The Razer hydra http://sixense.com/hardware/razerhydrapage , well it would be if microsoft hadn't screwed up gamepads on the PC to accommodate the 360.

This is what you want and it comes with everything you need (except batteries).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004QRKWKQ/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use a wired 360 controller. It seems to be a pretty solid option.

the ds4 to xinput wrapper

http://forums.pcsx2.net/Thread-DS4-To-XInput-Wrapper

it works good, you have touchpad support, rumble and customisable colors......

I have a green light set for splinter cell chaos theory

I find 360 controller to be best option and DMC is probably the best game for a controller (at least in my opinion).

My Logitech F310 does me fine (and I have used a DS3, too).

buy a wireless usb receiver. then you can use your wireless xbox 360 controllers on your pc, simple. No button input, everything is set up already.