Game Sack

[Joe Redifer]

New video!

[Nuxius]

...terribly uncomfortable Sony pads... ...the grips are uncomfortably small -they fixed that on the original dual analog but then dropped that design and never used it again... ...I just hate the way Sony did it and has continued to do it for 3 generations -with the exception of the dual analog, which was a step in the right direction that turned into a dead end)

I can't see how people can complain about the N64 controller being "made for kid hands" and not totally freak out about the even worse grips on the Sony pads.

Agreed on all the points I've quoted. I can use the original PSX pads if I have to; but the Dual Shock pads are completely unusable for me (they give me massive hand cramps). To date, the best replacement pad I have found for the original PSX analog pads is the Interact Barracuda (original version).



Like the original X-Box controller, this thing is huge, which makes it perfect for me. It also has the best analog sticks on any controller I've ever used. Instead of being like ordinary analog sticks, it's built more like a tiny joystick, which allows more precise control. Of course, it also has a concave top, which helps (their are plenty of other analog sticks that offer that as well, though).

With that said, one thing it does not have is vibration feedback (which is a HUGE plus for me as I can't stand that "feature"), however, the Dual Analog didn't have it either (for NA and EU at least, the JP version has vibration), so I doubt this would bother you. Also, the d-pad is a bit too stiff for my liking, but it's not unusable or anything.

However, considering you're balking at purchasing a original X-Box controller, I already know these are out of your range. Heh, the original X-Box controller is as common as flies compared to these things.

For PS2 games that require the pressure sensitive buttons, I have to use a Mad Catz Dual Force 2 Pro. It's quite a bit larger than a standard Dual Shock 2, and it has longer grips like the Dual Analog, which makes it great for my hand. It also has a rubber back for the handles, which I like. To be honest, it's probably the most comfortable controller I've ever used. Unfortunately, I couldn't recommend it to anyone unless they were desperate for a large controller, as everything else about it sucks ass. As typical with Mad Catz products, the build quality stinks. Not the worst I've used from Mad Catz, but that's not saying much.

Oh, also: the original Xbox pad ROCKS!!!
Damn, I wish I had 2 or 3 more of those . . . especially since the one I have has under-sensitive buttons that I haven't been able to fix. (they aren't especially cheap due to the high demand relative to availability)
Of course, I have big hands (about a 10" span), so I can appreciate the large controllers . . . and have more problems with the small ones.

Oh come on, they aren't that bad. I've found several for around $10+shipping on eBay.

[Barone]

New video!

IMO Mobil 1 Rally Championship (a.k.a. Rally Champioship 2000) is still the best Rally game ever made...
Arcade feeling + simulation, and loads of fun...
Of course I'm talking about the PC version, PS1's lame.

[kool kitty89]

Agreed on all the points I've quoted. I can use the original PSX pads if I have to; but the Dual Shock pads are completely unusable for me (they give me massive hand cramps). To date, the best replacement pad I have found for the original PSX analog pads is the Interact Barracuda (original version).

Like the original X-Box controller, this thing is huge, which makes it perfect for me. It also has the best analog sticks on any controller I've ever used. Instead of being like ordinary analog sticks, it's built more like a tiny joystick, which allows more precise control. Of course, it also has a concave top, which helps (their are plenty of other analog sticks that offer that as well, though).

With that said, one thing it does not have is vibration feedback (which is a HUGE plus for me as I can't stand that "feature"), however, the Dual Analog didn't have it either (for NA and EU at least, the JP version has vibration), so I doubt this would bother you. Also, the d-pad is a bit too stiff for my liking, but it's not unusable or anything.

Some of the logitech pads seem OK. A shame that Thrustmaster is gone. (and Gravis for that matter) I'm not sure if the firestorm was ever made in a Sony compatible format, but the PC version is probably the best sony-layout derived gamepad I've ever used. (the d-pad is pretty good -better on some models than others, the analog sticks are also good though I don't love the hard texture that much and the satin finish tends to wear over time, the buttons are more convex than Sony's but they're still more comfortable to press IMO, the shoulder buttons are good and the added buttons on the underside are also OK though tact switches feel a bit odd; the best feature is just the pure ergonomics: it's not a huge controller, but it's very comfortable to hold -the grips are shaped a bit like the N64 pad's, but significantly longer and slightly beefier -better than the Wii classic controller pro too)

I haven't seen any 3rd party PSX pads really like that, but some logitech ones seem somewhat close.

Also, I've never had a problem with the positioning of the analog sticks on the PSX controllers . . . at least not to the point of extreme discomfort. (then again, I'm usually distracted more by the uncomfortable grips to pay attention to that)
OTOH, I have had problems with the analog sticks on the wii classic controller (and Pro to lesser extent). I really wish all classic controller supporting games had GC support standard as well. (that controller is SO much better; the CC should have been based more on that controller or the N64 controller IMO -take the best aspects of each of those, and you'd have a pretty nice controller -a layout close to the Alpha 64 wouldn't be a bad idea)

However, considering you're balking at purchasing a original X-Box controller, I already know these are out of your range. Heh, the original X-Box controller is as common as flies compared to these things.

I'd be willing to pay more, I just don't like to. (almost all my stuff I get on the cheap regardless of funds on hand; the same was true for pretty much all the stuff we got back in the day too: most consoles and games were used, our gaming PCs were pretty competitive but also made on the cheap with a mix of used and on-sale/good deal parts, got PC games when they were cheap -though they were usually a lot cheaper than console games anyway, etc, etc)

So in short, I'll complain about things being expensive, but I can afford a bit more, at least at times. (though budget is an issue currently too)


Currently, I end up using some dual shock compatible Intec turbo controller I got from goodwill (grips still aren't as long as I'd like, but it's OK and the D-pad is better too).

Oh come on, they aren't that bad. I've found several for around $10+shipping on eBay.

Yeah, but I'm cheap. (that and I keep hoping to find some locally cheap . . . all the ones to go through the local good will have been bundled with the consoles and not at very good prices)
I may eventually end up just buying some at the going rates though. (they don't seem to come up on craigslist much either)

They're definitely not as cheap as the controller S though.




Edit:
we should probably drop this off-topic tangent and let the thread stay on-track. (just PM me if you care to comment)

[Joe Redifer]

You guys will likely revisit the conversation when we do the second half of the controller special. At the moment we're trying to locate a Jaguar and 3DO to borrow for a video or two. We don't want to leave them out of the controller special, either.

[Kamahl]

The whole "Nintendo vs Sega" angle is great. Awesome videos Joe.

[SpaceFlea]

The whole "Nintendo vs Sega" angle is great. Awesome videos Joe.

I agree, and I absolutely those shirts.

[kool kitty89]

You guys will likely revisit the conversation when we do the second half of the controller special. At the moment we're trying to locate a Jaguar and 3DO to borrow for a video or two. We don't want to leave them out of the controller special, either.

Good luck getting hold of a Jaguar Pro controller.

The whole "Nintendo vs Sega" angle is great. Awesome videos Joe.

Yeah that makes me smile every time.

[Gamer101]

I enjoyed this interesting take on reviewing a game. It was fun watching you two pit two games against each other. I think panzer dragoon saga is a no buy though - horrible looking rpg, and sorely overpriced. Keep up the random battle vids because that's a great idea. well done, fellas

[zetastrike]

The whole "Nintendo vs Sega" angle is great. Awesome videos Joe.

That's the best part. Joe actually makes his bias sound reasonable, moreso than Dave. Joe seems to be more of the straight man while Dave is the buffoon.

[SpaceFlea]

That's the best part. Joe actually makes his bias sound reasonable, moreso than Dave. Joe seems to be more of the straight man while Dave is the buffoon.

Is that not a direct correlation to their greater fan communities...

[kool kitty89]

Is that not a direct correlation to their greater fan communities...

You mean Sega fans vs Nintendo fans . . . or, rather, Nintendo OFMG-itz-teh-awsum fanbois.

[Gamer101]

You mean Sega fans vs Nintendo fans . . . or, rather, Nintendo OFMG-itz-teh-awsum fanbois.

not half as bad as "I'm a technology geek"

[Joe Redifer]

New video again!

[SpaceFlea]

That new video is beyond excellent. Best one yet.