Topic: Gamepads for PC games

I'm looking for a PC controller to play the GTA games I got in the bargain pack (specifically, the 3D ones). I already have a Logic3 pad, but the analogue sticks don't seem tight enough, and the D-Pad seems imprecise.

I had my eye on an XBOX for PC USB controller - does anyone have any thoughts on that? Otherwise, I'm open to other suggestions.

As for the Logic3, I'll probably give it in to a charity shop.

The Xbox 360 USB controller is a safe bet because it has a standard button configuration, dual analog sticks, rumble and is supported by Games For Windows Live and XNA. (While generic USB controllers can't be detected by GFWL and XNA. Darn you Microsoft!)

Logitech also makes good USB gamepads.

I use a generic unbranded USB gamepad and the face and shoulder buttons are unusually numbered. A lot of games lazily don't allow you to reconfigure your gamepad inputs so it can be frustrating if they're wrong. Best to go with a well-known brand like the 360 or Logitech pads IMO.

That sounds good. All I wanted to know was that the XBOX one wasn't going to be a mistake.

Now I have to find one. They're currently sold out at Game, so I'll probably get one from Amazon. Thanks for the advice. I hadn't made my mind up before doing this thread, so your input is appreciated.

I'll delete this topic on the hour.

I've played through Vice City on my PC using the mouse and keyboard and found it more satisfying than playing San Andreas on a ps2 with the dualshock, especially when it came to aiming/shooting. I do own a generic gamepad for PC gaming, but I never bothered to check if I could use it to play Vice City...

I'll leave this up for a bit longer.

I agree that a mouse is better for aiming with (especially in first person) and I got on quite well with the aiming in the 3D GTA games - from what I've played (after a little sensitivity tweaking).

My issue is the secondary controls, like entering a car and jumping - they seem so unintuitive to me on a keyboard, and I'd much rather have them mapped to buttons.

You compare Vice City (PC) to San Andreas (PS2), but if I remember correctly, San Andreas introduced a handy (some may say game breaking) targetting button. It's much more satisfying, i'm sure, to target enemies all by yourself (rather than tapping the black button (my experience is on the XBOX) to cycle through the enemies, and popping them all in 3 seconds) is much more rewarding, and if the PC version forgoes that function, I'd best stick to manual mouse aiming rather than manual analogue aiming.

But those seconday controls will still be an issue.

I've got Fable III on preorder (and Fable I/Expansion pack in mind) - maybe that'll be better suited to a gamepad (if it ever gets releasesd).

While the targeting system in San Andreas was handy, it was also a bit frustrating, especially when you can target any NPC around. I've gotten myself killed a few times because of the targeting system; by the time I was finished cycling through NPCs I didn't want to kill, those that I was trying to kill wasted me. I haven't played San Andreas on PC, though (I tried, but it ran like half a frame per second), so I don't know if you can manually target freely like you can in Vice City...

I found the secondary controls to work pretty well, especially since the keys on a keyboard are softer and more responsive than the buttons on the dualshock (at least on the ones I use, even after cleaning it). Plus, changing the radio stations is a breeze with the mouse wheel; I don't have to worry about running head-on into traffic while trying to find something to listen to. Not to mention that I've died/been injured quite a few times trying to bail out of a car that's on fire because the triangle button didn't respond on time, whereas on the keyboard I'd just hit "F" and immediately bail out. Different strokes, though...

I think the Xbox 360 Controller is the best controller for the PC. I bought mine even before I owned a 360 and have used it many a times. You cant go wrong buying that one.

I know no one will follow through on it, but I use the Wiimote!

You could always get a program to re-map the buttons, but the Xbox controller will probably be your safest bet.

I have the Logitech Dual Action USB controller, it's out for like $20. It's good for the most part but the d-pad is pretty poor.

I use my ps3 sontroller for all of my pc gaming needs. If you have one you can find a driver online somewhere and download. I use joytokey for mapping keyboard to controller.