I’m often close enough to my PC while playing games that wireless seems a little unneeded, but more than that, I just want fewer batteries to manage.
Adjusted title to mention preference for no batteries.
An 8bitdo Ultimate 2 or Gamesir Cyclone 2 are the best options, they have built in rechargeable batteries and they’re the best in every other regard. they also work wired, just like nearly every other wireless controller nowadays.
I’m surprised I haven’t seen this mentioned yet. It’s a database of tested controllers and their latency.
I’ve had an old Xbox 360 style controller for PC for like 15 years probably and never had any problems with it. Just plug and play. I personally have always preferred Xbox style controllers, though having tried the bells and whistles like adaptive triggers on the PS5 controller does make me consider upgrading at some point.
Yeah in hindsight I’m kicking myself for not having gotten one like that, but I had trouble finding wired ones at the time (and didn’t think I’d get tired of the battery maintenance), which surprised me.
If you’re on linux, DualSense controllers are awesome. I got mine for ~ $20 from a /r/buildapcsales post.
They’re great on windows too, and the extra features like the triggers are really nice for the games they work in
I’ve had troubles on my windows machine with the controller not registering in-game. I have to use a third party program DSX to make it work.
For steam games? Steaminput’s translation layer seems to work pretty well
There are some games that it doesn’t seem to play nice with that I end up using DSX for myself, also it’s nice for non Steam games.
Pacific Drive and Returnal are completely different experienced with a Dualsense versus a normal controller!
I use a ps4 dual shock. While it’s great, i dont like how many games refuse to show PS buttons on screen even though they recognize that’s the controller im using.
I’ll get an xbox controller next time i need one just because of that annoyance
1,5 years back I ordered a Gamesir T4 Kaleid. It’s a Xbox style controller without batteries but with hall effect joysticks, mechanical buttons, gyro, hair trigger (without lock), 2 mappable back buttons and a pretty nice design IMO. Haven’t played a ton but easily 300hours + over the time without any issues.
I use DS4 pads plugged in, but I’d love a newer model that didn’t have a battery, but had the same layout. So many of the cheaper gamepads come with terrible dpads.
I wouldn’t. I can’t imagine wanting to go back to a wired controller, especially when they have built in rechargeable batteries now.
I absolutely love the 8BitDo Pro 2. Supports both wired/wireless, I just never unplug it.
Honestly, a Dualsense wired up. The special haptics and triggers only work when plugged in, so I plug mine in all the time. Some games, like Pacific Drive, Metro, and Returnal are COMPLETELY transformed by the triggers and haptics. Even the lil speaker makes a difference. My partner and I both use Dualsense controllers but we will never have a PS5 hahaha
If you do the Duaksense Edge you get the nice locking USB connection too, which would reduce wear on the USB port compared to other controllers. It’s easily my most used controller.
Alright I’ll preach from high places about the dualsense but
250+USD for a controller
money isn’t really a problem but nahhhhh this insane hahaha
Quick edit: not even Hall effect laaaaawl
It’s $199 I think, but yeah I understand entirely. I used an Astro C40 before so this was actually the cheaper option of the two.
Ahhh I think it’s cuz I was looking at Canadian prices. That’s quite a lot still! I love my regular Dualsense.
Steam Controller
All hail the mighty steam controller
There’s a discord community for building your own DIY azeron controller best of both worlds, joystick movements with mouse camera controls.
I like gamesir’s controllers and have had several. the g7 series is nice for what you describe. they have a wide array of options so check for some reviews to see the festurrsfeatures fully.
I have had a Power A Fusion for around 5 years now and I love it. Replaced the sticks after a couple years cause the rubber wore out, but no drift issues or anything. Though it depends how hard you are on controllers. I have some friends that basically destroyed theirs in a year or two.
Any XBOX style controller that uses TMR sensors for the sticks, so you don’t ever have to worry about atick drift.
