PC Gaming Controllers

[TheEvilCheese]

If you like the PS3 controller I would advise spending the extra on a DS4. It's just that much better and going to be supported more and more going forwards. If you want max compatibility a 360-like is your best bet, but cheap and a good Dpad? That's a lot to ask.

I do think the 360 controller is plenty 99% of the time. but if you play a lot of games where the Dpad is an issue I can see not liking them. That said, you can't beat the 360 controller on price reliability or support.

 

[Something Amyss]

I've got a couple wired Afterglow Xbox 360 controllers. I like 'em, they've lasted a long time, and they feel good in my hand. They are as plug and play as the 360 controller, but they also have a 360 D-Pad.

Still, they're usually about 20 bucks online and They're very handy. Just don't hit the light button my accident. You can blind yourself.

 

[Zac Jovanovic]

I use a Mad Catz FPsPro PS3 wireless controller on PC with x360ce,I don't even own a PS3.
It works flawlessly in 90% of the games, some lower budget and indie games have compatibility problems where the keys wouldn't be rebindable or it just wouldn't recognize it at all.

It cost me like 30$ so it's ridiculously good for the price but it probably wouldn't be a good solution for you since the D-Pad is not that great.

But honestly, if you don't care about analogs and you're on a budget there is a huge choice of generic wired controllers for under 10$. The analogs are crappy but a lot of them have really good D-pads and triggers, and(here, at least)everything tech comes with a 2 year warranty so you can replace it when it eventually pisses itself and dies.

 

[DarkhoIlow]

I use a Wired 360 controller that cost me around 25euro and I have used it for the past few years and it hasn't failed me yet.

It's quite good when playing platformers mainly.

 

[Ratty]

A program called Xpadder which allows you to map keyboad keys (and even the mouse) to a controller works great for me. I feel bad for not buying the latest version to support the dev, but the older freeware version has worked wonderfully on every controller I've tried it with. I recently used it to beat Volgarr the Viking and Ys I & II Chronicles+ with a USB adapted PS2 controller.

 

[GundamSentinel]

I use my old Sixaxis PS3 controller for my PC, as I've got a Dualshock 3 for my PS3 now. I use Better DS3 (Motioninjoy reeks of malware to me) and keep it wired. Easy enough and I haven't had a single problem with it yet.

In general I'd recommend getting an Xbox 360 controller. It works very well and is easy to use and install. Personally I still prefer PS3 controllers, as they feel better to me, but that's just personal preference.