What PC gamepads / joysticks do I need if any?

I'm just about to get back into PC gaming after a long while (many years) away. I have quite a few games gathering dust on the shelf, that need playing at some point. I have no gamepads or joysticks, but I suspect that most of the games I will want to play won't need them, as I /generally/ have multi-platform games I want on the Gamecube or failing that, some inferior console. ;)

I assume most FPSs and strategy games, which is what my PC collection mainly consists of, are best with mouse and keyboard? But is something like GTA III best played with mouse and keyboard, or do I need a gamepad or G-d forbid steering wheel? Steering wheels are more for pure driving games, right?

When I decide to unwrap Falcon 4.0 Allied Forces, I will of course have to buy some HOTAS thing, and never play any other games for about five years, I'm guessing. :)

For flight sims a good joystick (and HOTAS is the best) is needed. But you can also get by with a sub-hundred dollar Saitek or even the classic Microsoft Sidewinder (ebay). Flight sticks with rudder pedals are the preferred style, but when they lack pedals the joystick has a twist function that substitutes for them.

For sports games and platformers (ex/ Psychonauts - pretty much only recent PC platformer) game pads perform well. Other than those kinds of games you won't need a gamepad. Stay away from Logitech game pads as they suffer the same defects as Logitech steering wheels (see below).

For driving games a steering wheel with forcefeedback is a must. Many people will recommend Logitech G25 or Logitech MOMO. However Logitech has numerous hardware and software issues with their game controllers and I would recommend instead that you go with a Saitek 660GT.

For GTA games you really want to use just the mouse and keyboard with the exception of flying in GTA: San Andreas where a gamepad is a little easier. But whenever driving or walking around a mouse and keyboard is far superior.

FPS games require a mouse and keyboard. You will see a handful of people yammering on about their XBOX360 controllers for FPS on their PC. But they are quite delusional.

Strategy games of course just use the mouse and keyboard. In fact, mostly just the mouse with the keyboard relegated to shortcuts for the same buttons and such you can click.

Xbox 360 controller is what you need if you want to play console style games.

Alternatively you can buy the logitech rumblepad 2.It's got a better d-pad than the 360 one but square ended analog sticks and it also has no triggers.

These 2 are the best supported gampads for PC games.

This is a link to a good pad that I've been trying to buy at future shop and never got (I payed for it a year ago). That pad has many buttons witch is useful for PC.

http://www.saitekusa.com/usa/prod/p2900.htm

Thanks all, it looks like I was on the right track, but some really useful advice there.topperdoggle

useful advice? get a controler like me and end up trowing it in the corner beause you can't find a use for it.

[QUOTE="topperdoggle"]Thanks all, it looks like I was on the right track, but some really useful advice there.Angry_Bosmer

useful advice? get a controler like me and end up trowing it in the corner beause you can't find a use for it.

I've got Saitek's wired version of that same controller you mentioned upthread. It doesn't go as far when you throw it because of the USB cable. ;)

It has been useful for FIFA games, Psychonauts, and a handful of shareware side scrollers. That's about it though. I'd gladly buy more games like Psychonauts though, if only a developer would be willing to take a risk on the genre on PCs.

When I feel like using a controller, I generally use the Saitek P2500 (wired version of the link you showed), it works well on most games, but for some you can not beat the keyboard/mouse combination.

As for racing games, like the Need for Speed series and similar, I eventually would like to try a racing wheel, but they are so expensive for just one type of game, I will look for used somewhere.

For flying type games, a flight stick of anykind does add a certain "realism" to the game (I think that is why I would like to try a racing wheel).

But the racing and flying are better suited for use with a controller of "some" kind, a little difficult to control via keyboard/mouse combo IMO.