Gamepads for Console/Arcade Emulators?

Mortimus asks: "I'm looking for a gamepad that is best suited for arcade and console emulators. The problems I've experienced with a previous gamepad like the Gravis GamePad Pro resides in the directional pad not being precise enough and misinterpreting directions, even with proper calibration, which can be very frustrating. I'm aware of the X-Arcade joystick, but that isn't what I'm looking for. I'm more interested in gamepad like the Logitech Dual Action, Guillemot Thrustmaster Dual Analog Gamepad, and perhaps even an original Sony Playstation gamepad with a USB adapter. What have you all found works best with most emulators (MAME, FBA, ZSNES...) and the most precise without being finicky?"

Comments

PS Joypad the way to go

[Anonymous Coward]

I got a PlayStation joypad adaptor from RadioShack a while back. It works beautifully. With it I was finally able to clear Snatcher for the SegaCD (using GENS), something my Gravis Gampad Pro couldn't handle. It works great, and the new ones are around $10. Very precise control in ZSNES, SNES9x, GENS, NESticle, FCE Ultra, and Nestopia. Not sure about MAME but I see no reason it shouldn't work there.

USB adapter and PS2 controller

[Calmiche]

Seriously, the best purchase I ever made was a USB adaptor for my Playstation controller. It functions perferctly. 99% of the games I've ever played find it perfectly. Both analog sticks work, and you can turn them off and on.

Make sure you get one that is recognised by Windows.

I use something called a Yobo game adapter, but I'm not sure if you can find them still. Mine is about 4 years old.

I can also hook in all kinds of other adapters, including my dance mat. (For dance dance revolutions.)

Calmiche,

Re:USB adapter and PS2 controller

[Xistic]

This one is about perfect. Windows XP even comes with the drivers for it.

I even use my PS2 controllers to play emulated N64 games. I just had to get used to where I moved my Z trigger to.

For games like Street Fighter and the like I recommend using an old PS1 controller as extensive use of the shoulder buttons on the anolog controllers tends to break the hinges making them less responsive.

SNES!

[nidx]

I found some directions somewhere on the net for modifying snes controllers to use the lpt /db-25 / parrelel port. not the most advanced solution but very funn for playing emu games

Resources:

mod instrustions
XP Driver


also psx with usb adapter is very nice ... espically for tony hawk games.

Re:Linux Compatibility ?

[EvilSporkMan]

My EMSUSB adapter works fine - it fits two controllers and gets mapped as one huge ass joystick - I just modprobe joydev and I'm good to go with ZSNES.

Re:Xbox controller

[iainl]

"It works like a dream, the only problem being that you have to either not use the trigger buttons or set them to digital - no PC games/emulators seem to support analog buttons. Which is a shame as I love driving games..."

Really? My Gamecube to USB adaptor (the bizarrely named Joybox 13) maps the analogue L/R buttons to slider axes, and so work as full-analogue accellerator and brake on my PC driving games. Mind you, I've also got my PS2 Logitech Driving Force installed as a force-feedback wheel and pedals, so its a bit pointless.