Gamepads and Joysticks

[Smellincoffee]

I've been playing PC games for 13 years now, and I've never used anything other than the keyboard or the mouse. That may change, however. I recently purchased Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, because I enjoy its predecessor so much. When I installed it today I found myself almost incapable of playing the game, because the mapping was so different than what I've been used to for the past decade. Instead of using Enter or Space to jump, for instance, I'm supposed to use the 2 key on the numpad. I can't find a way to edit keyboard controls, either, even though the controller config menu. So, I'm thinking I may buy...a gamepad. I'd have to learn to replay the game, but I'm betting it would be easier than getting a handle on the new keyboard controls. I bought the game on eBay, and it came without a manual.

So I'm wondering: what kind of gamepad would be best for a newcomer like me, and in what other games could I use it? Are certain kind of games better with gamepads? I know flight simulators are supposed to be best with joysticks, so I may try that as well.

Do you use gamepads? Which ones, and in which games?

 

[Maniacal]

I don't know what a 10 year old PS2 game supports, but due to the large amount of xbox360 ports most of them support a wired xbox 360 controller the best. However, if you start to get into buying console ports of xbox360 and ps3 games you will probably need to plug your gaming computer into the internet since they generally require online activations afaik (especially the ones that use GFWL as DRM/netcode) and iirc you refuse to do so. Otherwise I don't really see the point in buying a controller for one game unless you find it dirt cheap (all of the wired xbox 360 controllers around here are $35 and up, plus taxes).

The only console ports I've played on the PC that had issues with the mouse & keyboard was any of the flying missions in the GTA games which was entirely due to the inexcusably poor choice of controls. All the others worked quite well with a keyboard and mouse, although in some of them it really just comes down to personal preference. Nothing yet to make it worth my money and if a console port actually doesn't play well at all with a K&M it probably isn't worth buying in the first place, certainly not when the controller will cost up to 9 times what I will end up paying for the game on sale.

As for a joystick, the only game I have that really uses it is IL-2 Sturmovik, so unless you are going to play a lot of one or more flight or older space sim games I wouldn't bother. X3: Terran Conflict doesn't need a joystick at all either.

 

[Smellincoffee]

Good memory! As much as I'd like to keep my gaming rig offline, though, I might be connecting it sometime this year, if only to play GTA IV before V is released. Seems like I'd be able to use a gamepad for first-person shooters, too -- I've never gone for the WASD scheme players seem to like for that, using the arrow keys and those around them instead.

 

[Maniacal]

GTAIV has everything you hate except Steam GFWl, RockStar Social Club, at least they have mostly fixed the bad stability issues iirc.

I don't recommend using a gamepad for shooters, it is awkward and you will just miss your mouse and if you try and play multiplayer you will probably lose horrible.Really not recommended at all. Although I know it can be hard to change habits like what keys you use, I've been trying to switch to ESDF from WASD and its been very confusing, but so many more keys!

 

[NBAfan]

I use a basic Logitech gamepad for NBA 2K12. You can find it for $20 on Amazon I think. It has a PS3 layout with XBox buttons.

 

[Rub'Rum]

I really recommend not cheaping out and getting the most used controller (xbox 360). Just because games that support controller seem to be finicky about what they recognize...

 

[Maniacal]

Yeah apparently there are a bunch of xbox ports that don't really support any other gamepad. Pity, since the xbox360 controller's d-pad is kind of crappy.

 

[MajKira]

Im using usb connected PS2 Pad. Used on Last Remnant PC Version, Kingdoms of Amalur and more.
What you need is there x360ce - XBOX 360 Controller emulator
http://code.google.com/p/x360ce/
when it only accepts 360 Controller
otherwise when the game accepts all pads, should work then

 

[Synobun]

Whenever I need a gamepad I just port my PS3 controller to my PC. Works like a charm, though it's annoying to make it work.