Poll: Best Controller for a Console

[porous_shield]

SNES for me. I like its shape and feel and it still feels comfortable in my hands after hours of play. I like the PS3 controller too but it doesn't top the SNES. I hate the shoulder buttons and I dislike the feel of the thumbsticks and for some reason it feels like my hands are too close together that I don't get with the SNES controller.

 

[Mersadeon]

Gamecube. So many buttons, all have different shapes, sizes and orientation so that you can easily feel which one it is. Lots of different kinds of buttons, too - the normal shoulder buttons (L,R) are triggers that can be pulled very far, the Z button is this little bumper (kind of like the RB LB buttons on an Xbox 360), even the sticks are different. The left stick has great traction (PS sticks often slip away in my experience).

Only thing I didn't like was that the sticks kinda locked into those 8 positions, I would have preferred them to be perfectly round like PS3 and Xbox 360.


EDIT: Also, I don't know if anyone already said this, but the crappy D-pads on controllers other than PS are because they patented that. Yes. They patented that. Dicks.

 

[ScrabbitRabbit]

It depends. The 6 button Mega Drive/Sega Saturn controller is easily the best for 2D games, but the PS2 pad is my favourite for everything 3D. Actually, the PS2 pad is quite good for 2D games, too, so I guess that's my favourite.

I prefer symmetrical sticks the Xbox and Gamecube's asymmetrical ones, as well.

 

[The White Hunter]

I rather like the Wii U Pro Controller. Perfectly fits my hands, all buttons are easily accessible and the switched button/analogue stick placement doesn't feel so alien after using it for a while. While I think the Power Button is unnecessary seeing as they could have it so holding the home button gives you the option to power down the console, but I'm not particularly complaining. Also, it lasts me at least a couple weeks of continuous play before it needs recharging.

Comfort, ease of use, endurance and solidly put together. Definitely a winner, in my book.

I'd have to say the PS2 controller was my favorite, followed closely by the Gamecube and N64 controllers sharing 2nd place. Yeah, I'm an odd one, I loved the N64 controller. So sue me.

Special mention goes to the Wii-Mote and Nunchuck. I like that it allows you to sit relaxed, allowing your arms to rest comfortably to the sides rather than being brought in close like with a standard controller. Add in another stick, and a couple more buttons, and it would have been my choice.

That's my favorite part about the Wiimote/Nunchuck controller. I'd be playing in some intense battles in Smash Bros. Brawl and my hands would be at my side while everyone else would have their hands close together(using the same controller type as me). I never noticed it until a friend pointed it out and how I can play such a hectic game in such a relaxed posture.

[sub]I also really liked the N64 and Gamecube controllers..[/sub]

I too find the Wii U pro controller to be my favourite input device for consoles at present, followed handily by a draw between dualshock and gamecube. Then Saturn and Mega Drive controllers bring up third place because those things are fucking brilliant, were easy to use with a PC of the time too.

 

[Verlander]

360 controller, best one yet. Shame about the console.

 

[Something Amyss]

I never loved a controller until I got my 360.

Well, the Wavebird, but that was mostly due to competent wireless for once.

The 360 fits almost perfectly in my hands, has nice weight and is all-around good except for the D-Pad. The XBone controller will likely become my go-to PC controller when it comes out (screw the Xbone, but the 360 controllers have given me a callous on one knuckle due to the battery well).

 

[Canadamus Prime]

Of all the controllers I've used I've found the Gamecube controller to be the most ergonomic and comfortable, but the 360 controller is pretty good too.

 

[Brian Tams]

The GameCube controller was the closest consoles got to perfection. I'm still incredibly pissed that Nintendo moved away from it with their Xbox knock-off controller.

 

[Foolery]

Gamecube. I do love the PS2 controller, seeing as I play a lot of RPGs, but Gamecube was ergonomically better on the hands.
Combine them and you'd truly have the best controller. Replace the analog stick with a d-pad, remove the Z button, add the L1 and R1 triggers, ABYX to Triangle Circle Square Cross, and put in analog sticks where the d-pad and C-stick were. I guess the Wii Arcade controller is part way there.

 

[Artina89]

For me it's a tie between the Playstation controllers and the Gamecube controller, however, if forced to make a decision, I would probably go for the Playstation controller because I have been using them for the longest. Both are really comfortable and easy to use. For me, the original Xbox controller was really difficult for me to use at the beginning as I only have small hands, but I got used to it through playing copious amounts of Jet set radio future and Psychonauts.

 

[Poetic Nova]

Gamecube controller, fits perfectly in the palms of my hand and the larger buttons make sure that you don't accidentally push the wrong one.

 

[The Artificially Prolonged]

Dual shock controllers or controllers using the same layout have always been my favourite, they just feel right in my hands and the layout of the buttons makes perfect sense to me. The positioning of the Xbox 360 controllers analogue sticks just feel unnatural in comparison.

Close second would be the Gamecube controller which was ridiculously comfortable to use. Though the different sized buttons sometimes made certain games confusing.

 

[Roxas1359]

My vote goes to the almighty GameCube controller, which fits so snug in my hands and has an excellent D-pad and the C stick is nice. The only thing that was really wrong with the GameCube controller was the extremely loud clicking that they'd produce, which is a pain when you are recording because the mic could pick it up easily.

Special mention goes out to the Sony Dualshock controller, which also fits nicely in my hands and has a nice D-pad as well and a could second analog stick, but unfortunately the PS3's triggers were just plain awkward really.

 

[Naeras]

GameCube, easily. The most comfortable controller to use by far. Both of the thumbsticks are probably the best I've tried, and the d-pad is up there as well. The controllers also have great ergonomy, and the regular buttons feel amazing. The somewhat loose shoulder buttons were my only criticism, but that's only when you compare them to Xbox 360-shoulderbuttons.

There are other obvious contenders, but they just don't match up to the GC. Dualshock has placed the left thumbstick uncomfortably, which makes an otherwise good controller drop far down on my list. The Xbox 360 is another strong contender, but it also has one of the worst d-pads on any controller I've ever touched, and I don't think the regular buttons are all the comfortable either.

 

[Arakasi]

Uh, the N64. Is this really a question? Why was it bundled with the Dreamcast?

Considering only .8% actually took that option, my post poll estimation of the popularity of such controllers was correct.

Edit: Also, since this is no longer the OP, my favorite by far was the GameCube. Although the 360 controller was a close runner up, the GameCube's controller is just so damn comfortable in my hands.

 

[PFCboom]

The Gamecube controller, IMO, is the single most comfortable controller I've ever known. I'll admit, the 360 controller has nice trigger and bumper buttons, but it's simply not the perfect fit for my hands, like the GC controller.
Special mention goes to the Wiimote. No, it's not perfect, but I felt like a flippin' god when I played Okami. I remember, very clearly, at the very final boss, when all hope seemed lost. I muttered to myself, "My will be done," and raised the Sun. That lead to the absolute greatest final boss sequence I've ever known in the history of all games ever.
Hrm... okay, I take back that special mention. The GC controller and Wiimote are tied for 1st place.

 

[Kyrian007]

As much of a nintendo fan as I am of controllers, I have to give it to the PS. Even though they went away from the longer handles (which I liked) when they went to dual shock, there's something good about a comfortable and familiar design. 2 things are wrong with nintendo control. No matter how good one was (GC in particular) it was completely re-designed every new console. And as good as that GC controller was, it just needed 2 of the thumbsticks as opposed to the "c-hat" thing.

 

[OneCatch]

Probably Gamecube or 360.

I've voted Gamecube because ergonomically it remains by far the most comfortable one to use, and the buttons/sticks themselves are even better than the newer 360.
But the 360 controller is probably more flexible in terms of control schemes, and it's what I use with my PC for 3PS.

I hate Playstation controllers. The analogue sticks are awkwardly placed, which I find limits me in-game (I'll find myself standing still to use items for example), and I always end up with aching thumbs after using one for a while.
The GC and 360 controller don't seem to cause that so much, and because they aren't symmetrical it's easier to mentally map controls.

 

[Megacherv]

PS2/PS3 are my favourite. The original Dual Analog/Dualshock for the PS1 not as much because of the shorter analogue sticks. I prefer the Sixaxis over the DS3 because of how nice and light it is (also less likely to break something/itself when I end up dropping it). Also, the d-pad is perfect.

The 360 controller is alright, I don't mind it. Bumpers don't feel as good as L1/R1 and the triggers are nice. However, the D-pad is fucking awful. I'm a Tekken fan, so d-pad needs definite directional presses, and with often multiple presses in the same direction. The 8-way d-pad on the 360 fucks this up, and using the analog stick slows you down. Also, playing 2D platformers? Most of the time needs a d-pad.

Looking forward to the DS4. If it's as good as the Vita's controls are I think I'll like it.

 

[WanderingFool]

the playstation controller. Dont know why, but it just feels right.