I want to find out which is the best gamapad controller for gaming in Win2k & Win98x series. Win2k does not support my serial Logitech Thunderpad Digital anymore and I would to get a new one.
How does a USB controller do as far as gaming is concerned and will the perormance will be better or the same with a serial one?
I used the Logitech Thunderpad digitals on my old box. When I sold the box my buddy got the gamepads.
On my new box, I've got USB Microsoft Sidewinder gamepads. I'd say performance is better, but thats because I like the feel of the buttons on the Sidewinder more. Nothing jumps out about the USB interface except that it works fine and its very convenient.
My main game for the gamepads is NHL2001, which is very fast and twitchy so I think its a good test of any gamepad.
If you like the Thunderpad Digitals (like I did) you might want to get the Sidewinders too. They have the same shape and button config, and they're very inexpensive because they don't have any fancy features.
The BEST GamePad ever is the Logitec RumblePad... Man I love it, you can play any type of game with it (Flight Sim, Space Sim, Sport, etc). It has 2 analog sticks and a throttle (that's 5 axis, really nice to have), plus a hat trigger and 9 buttons... I love it!
Personally I like the Gravis Xterminator series, partially because they resemble the Dreamcast controller. (Which I've always found _very_ suited to my tastes.) And they have enough buttons, knobs, sliders, flippers and triggers to suit any game. Especially the analog flippers are VERY nice for racing games, since you get analogue gas and brake control.
I've had about a dozen gamepads so far, plus a few other weird controllers. (Like the Strategic Commander.) So far, Gravis seems to be the one which I get along with the best.
What I disliked about a lot of others was that they had the X and Y axis tilted, presumably out of some misguided attempt at ergonomy. Unfortunately, for me that is totally uncomfortable and counter-intuitive. I want forward to be, well, exactly forward. It's not that much to ask, is it? I had to keep the pad twisted in the opposite direction to be able to control anything at all. That goes for both Microsoft and Logitech pads.
Whether or not Gravis pads work well under W2K, though, I couldn't tell. Never had W2K.
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Moraelin -- the proud member of the Idiots' Guild
Moraelin, the Gravis Xterminator looks tempting and since it has the force feedback, I will take it into consideration as well. I'll check out two of them. Thanks for the reply guys
Moraelin, the Gravis Xterminator looks tempting and since it has the force feedback, I will take it into consideration as well. I'll check out two of them. Thanks for the reply guys
I use the Dual Shock Analog Controller of my Playstation on my PC games. I built my own parallel port interface and used the Directpad Pro drivers. It works perfectly with all DirectX games.
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Hmm... Actually I have the older Xterminator, which has both an analogue stick AND a digital pad. The new one seems to have merged them into one single pad. Also the old one had yet another POV knob (sort of like the 8 direction coolie hats on joysticks) where the current one has the precision switch. It also had an analogue slider above the 6 buttons, for example for setting the throttle in flight or space sims. And in addition to the analogue flippers, it had a second set of triggers on the back.
It did not, however, have any force feedback.
Looking at the current line of Gravis products, I would get the "Eliminator AfterShock" instead of the new Xterminator. Never actually had that one, but the layout and features look just right to me. Maybe I'll just order one and see for myself.
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Moraelin -- the proud member of the Idiots' Guild
I guess the best game pad for you will really come down to what kind of games you want to play with it. I recommended the Microsoft pads because they're very similar to the Logitech Thunderpads -- a d-pad and 6 buttons. For my game thats all I need, so I didn't want to spend 2-3 times more for a pad that has a bunch of features I wouldn't use. Heres the pad I use: http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/si...ay/default.asp
Originally posted by Weapon: I use the Dual Shock Analog Controller of my Playstation on my PC games. I built my own parallel port interface and used the Directpad Pro drivers. It works perfectly with all DirectX games.
Weapon,
is the Dual Shock Analog Controller supported by Win2k? I doubt it will work since it has the parallel interface or I could be wrong. I have seen the devices here especially the PS game shops.
I don't mind if I can get more buttons for my pad, the M$ Sidewinder looks ok but I would prefer to have buttons that represent the Select/Start button on it. I played some emulator games sometimes.
Well, actually for what you get it's not that much. E.g. down here you can get that Gravis AfterShock for 63 DM, which is less than 30 bucks. Compared to most other stuff that went into this computer, it's the least expensive component.
The MS may be cheaper (at only 37 DM), but completely lacks analogue controls for example. If you're into flight or racing sims, that's one big minus. Frankly, if all I wanted was digital control, I'd be using the keyboard. I also see no mention of rumble or anything.
The closest MS pad which would come close to the Gravis is the Sidewinder Game Pad Pro USB, which still has no rumble and has less buttons, but at least has analogue controls. And it costs 69 DM. I.e., it's marginally more expensive than the Gravis, but has LESS functionality.
And even if you only want the cheapest thing with a D-Pad and 6 buttons, I still wouldn't say the MS Sidewinder is the best choice. E.g., I spy with my little eye something called Gravis Destroyer, which fits that bill and only costs 21 DM.
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Moraelin -- the proud member of the Idiots' Guild
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