Xbox 360 controllers for PC

[endtherapture]

So I've been looking into getting an Xbox controller for my PC.

I can either get an expensive official one for about £24 for the wired version, or a cheap £12 which isn't official (also wired).

Does anyone know if the cheap non-official ones are any good or is it worth paying extra for an official one?

 

[Shadowstar38]

In my experience, third party controllers tend to both feel weird in my hands, and fall apart sooner than the official ones.

The extra 12 is well worth it.

 

[GoaThief]

The official ones are usually of a better quality. I picked up a cheaper wired MadCatz 360 pad for my netbook and whilst it's perfectly usable it doesn't feel as nice as the official one and probably not as accurate on the triggers. It does exactly what I wanted though, a cheap, lightweight pad that's easily transportable - I wouldn't use it on my 360 or PC though.

Horses for courses?

 

[Smooth Operator]

Well the feeling nice and falling apart thing is a way of saying perception of price is the bigger part.
But what does happen with cheaper pads is they get less accurate sticks, which are already horrid for precise input so going lower can push the boat over to unusable (imagine a mouse that doesn't always want to move or stutters and jumps unpredictably).

So whatever product you do decide on make sure to check reviews that talk about precision.

 

[GoaThief]

Well the feeling nice and falling apart thing is a way of saying perception of price is the bigger part.

So weight, springiness, design and the type of plastic used has no bearing on how a controller feels? Instead it's all in our heads and related to price?

No.

 

[endtherapture]

Well the feeling nice and falling apart thing is a way of saying perception of price is the bigger part.
But what does happen with cheaper pads is they get less accurate sticks, which are already horrid for precise input so going lower can push the boat over to unusable (imagine a mouse that doesn't always want to move or stutters and jumps unpredictably).

So whatever product you do decide on make sure to check reviews that talk about precision.

I suppose I'll want the precision in the sticks then cos I'll be playing Dark Souls.

 

[Inconspicuous Trenchcoat]

If you can find a Logitech F310, F510 or F710 for less money, they're a decent substitute. They have Xinput and direct input modes. In Xinput they'll be treated the same by games that support 360 pads. In direct input, you set the buttons yourself and you can even use them on a PS3 (in some games; Walking Dead didn't work, Awesomenauts did). It's also in the shape of a PS3 pad[footnote]But still has the button labels and layout of the 360 pad[/footnote] if you prefer Sony's ergonomics.

As for the 360 pad, I'd go with the official version.

 

[bobajob]

I managed to find a genuine wired one for £15 about 18 months ago on Amazon.

That being said I only use it for most 3rd-person type games (Mirror's edge being the one exception - keyboard/mouse just felt wrong there).

Does what it says on the box.

captcha: "laugh at me"

Go on.

 

[Weaver]

Why does everyone hate wires so much? I love wires. There's no batteries or charge to worry about.

 

[unindexedsearchengine]

I use the razer onza tournament edition , and while it is indeed more expensive, i do believe it is worth it. the extras are nice, and it about as durable as one of those old nokias, so I think that would be the right choice. It is wired, but in my experience wired peripherals last twice as long as the wireless ones, so go for it.

 

[Something Amyss]

So I've been looking into getting an Xbox controller for my PC.

I can either get an expensive official one for about £24 for the wired version, or a cheap £12 which isn't official (also wired).

Does anyone know if the cheap non-official ones are any good or is it worth paying extra for an official one?

In my experience, third party controllers tend to both feel weird in my hands, and fall apart sooner than the official ones.

The extra 12 is well worth it.

In my experience, third party controllers tend to both feel weird in my hands, and fall apart sooner than the official ones.

The extra 12 is well worth it.

I'm nto sure about the pricing here, because I paid like 20 for mine, but:

http://www.amazon.com/Afterglow-AX-1-Controller-Xbox-360-Blue/dp/B003ITY98O/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1351630030&sr=1-1&keywords=afterglow+controller

Is a pretty damn good controller, but if these prices are accurate for your country as well, maybe not. Still, the Afterglow is worth looking at, even if you have no interest in glowy LEDs.

 

[Bigsmith]

Get a proper X-box one, stories I've heard don't put 3rd party ones in a fantastically good light.

Plus with a PC you can always use it with Big Picture mode on steam if you've entered the beta. :3

 

[Canadamus Prime]

Never go with 3rd party controllers. Sure they might be cheaper, but they never work as well as official controllers and will likely end up leaving you frustrated. There's a reason they're cheaper.

 

[Chicago Ted]

Go with the first party 360 controllers. While I haven't had any thirt party ones this gaming generation, I remember the one that I had for the Gamecube, as well as the ones my friends had, all from parents who felt they could save a couple bucks on buying the cheaper controller. None were ever good, and often times, we would find the controller more important than who got to be player one.

Anyways, that's my thought on it. You'll appreciate the few bucks more that you spend on the first party, especially if it's going to be the only controller you have. If you're still wanting to go third party, check any and all reviews you can find before you buy it to see if you're getting a decent product at least or something that is a glorified chunk of plastic and wiring. It'll make any third person or driving games you play feel that much smoother.

 

[raptorcut]

If you really want to use an xbox controller, you should consider just getting a wireless receiver.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HZFCT2/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00
I am currently using this and it works well with the official controller

Of course this is assuming you have a controller already...

 

[aceman67]

The First Party 360 controller ([font COLOR=red]!!!!GET THE WIRED ONE!!!!!![/font], the wireless ones tend to crap out due to a manufacturers flaw in the wireless receiver) are the best controllers for the PC. They make Cross Platform games (Sleeping Dogs, GTA IV, and others) easier to play with the control set up they were originally designed for.

Spend the money, its worth it, and on the plus side, you'd have an extra controller for your 360!