getting used to an xbox controller

[bliebblob]

So I've been working on a summer project where I try to use my laptop as a games console. So far it's coming together nicely but I'm having trouble deciding what type of controller to buy.

They seem to come in 2 general shapes: the playstation ripoff and the xbox ripoff. My original plan was to go with the playstation one because that's the one I'm used to, since I played a lot on my ps2 back in the day. However, I noticed this one xbox-style controller that has a design eerily similar to my laptop's casing. Even though they were manufactured by completely unrelated companies, it's almost as if this particular controller was designed as an official peripheral for my laptop. It's really uncanny.

So obviously I'd like to use that controller but the xbox-style layout of the buttons worries me. Especially the left thumbstick being all up high, as opposed to the playstation's symmetrical layout. And that is where you guys come in I'm sure there's nothing intrinsically wrong with the xbox style because every day millions of people are using it without complaints. But is it hard to get used to, coming from the playstation style? And which did you ultimately like better? Because the whole similar casing thing is nice but at the end of the day, playing pleasure > aesthetics.

TLDR: do you have significant experience with both the playstation controller and the xbox controller? If so, was it hard to learn to use the second one? And which one do you ultimately prefer?

Adittional remarks:
I heard it's possible to just use a playstation 2 controller, via some sort of extra plug. But no local stores seem to offer those and I'm not yet so invested in this endeavour as to start ordering parts overseas and such.
I also tried holding an xbox controller in the store in order to get a "feel" for it, but bulky packaging made it impossible to learn anything useful from this.

 

[Jamash]

The thing about the X-Box controller is, while the analogue sticks are asymmetrical, it's designed that your thumb placement and grip is symmetrical when playing a majority of games (or using the most commonly used controls), i.e. your left thumb is on the left analogue stick controlling movement and your right thumb is on the opposite side using the face buttons to perform actions (like if you're using the D-Pad and face buttons on a PS2 controller).

With the PS2 controller, while the analogue sticks are symmetrical and may be better for FPS and other games where you use both analogue sticks simultaneously (although they're too close together for my liking), if you're using the left analogue stick to move and the face buttons to perform actions, your grip will be asymmetrical and more awkward because your left thumb will be placed lower down and closer to the centre than your right thumb.

I went from a PS1 & PS2 to a 360 and it didn't take me any time at all to get used to the 360 controller's layout, in fact I immediately noticed the benefit of having my thumbs and grip symmetrical for most games and actually have a more difficult time going back to a PS2 style controller with symmetrical analogue sticks but offset movement and action controls.

The 360 controller, in principle, is objectively better and more well ergonomically designed, but there will always be some subjectivity as to how well it suits you depending on what you're use to, the dimensions of your hands, what type of grip you employ and what type of games you play.

From a PC point of view, a lot of PC games that use a controller will automatically recognise a 360 controller, while a PS2 controller may take a bit more setting up with the need for drivers and input program, but you should also be able to plug in a PS2 controller with a USB adapter, it just won't be as 'plug-in & play' as a 360 controller (which may be largely irrelevant if you're considering a 3rd party PC controller).

Don't be afraid of getting the controller with the 360 design if matches your laptop, it really shouldn't be that difficult to get use to and it shouldn't be any worse than what you're familiar with, if not better. If you can't find a 360 controller to try out (although a lot of game stores should have display consoles running demos), then try playing with a PS2 controller using the D-Pad and face buttons to approximate the 360 controller's layout.

 

[Aerosteam]

It wasn't that hard changing controller, but the first time I felt the second one I said: "Whoa. This is weird."

I prefer the Xbox controller because you wrap it round with your hands more easily. Weight is not an important factor because I rest it on my lap anyway and neither is looks because I'm going to be looking at the screen all the time.

 

[the doom cannon]

I'm just gonna go out on a limb and recommend you drop the cash for a real xbox controller with usb adapter...or ps3 controller with usb adapter. i've had too many problems with the knockoffs not working properly that I just sprung for the real deal. For example: I've had 2 logitech ps2 knockoff controllers have one of the analog sticks reversed, so when you press up it goes down and vice versa. Wasn't fixable from the software or from keybinds either. So yea I will recommend just getting the real controller.

As for which one, the xbox controller is better suited for pc games. I also like the more solid feel of the xbox controller over the flimsier feel of the ps3 controller.

 

[Zantos]

I moved from PS2 to 360 with pretty much no trouble, aside from X being somewhere different to what I was used to. I find it harder to go back to my PS3 now, once I got used to 360 the PS3 one just feels really off.

I do also own a USB adapter for the PS2 controller though. It only costs a few pounds and has it's problems but overall no major problems. You can get them on amazon easy enough.