What controller for a PC?

Associate
Joined
11 Sep 2010
Posts
436
Location
Brighton
Having just finished building a new PC I'm wondering what controller(s) I should look at getting. I'll be playing some FPSes and RPGs, and hopefully the odd driving game. I already have wireless xbox controllers, so maybe it's worth getting something for that for RPGs and a bit of fun driving (don't think I can get a decent wheel), but for FPSes I'm thinking I'd be better off with some kind of gaming keypad, so I can use the mouse too.

Has anyone tried one of the gaming keypads, like these:
Razer Nostromo
Belkin N52TE
Logitech G13

I don't know if I'll end up needing both a gaming keypad and xbox controller, or if one is enough, as I could do with saving the money.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
 
Never understood why anyone in their right mind would buy those things. You've already got a device in front of you with over 100 keys on it that does just as good/an even better job. Spend your money on something more useful.
 
Never understood why anyone in their right mind would buy those things. You've already got a device in front of you with over 100 keys on it that does just as good/an even better job. Spend your money on something more useful.

Really? so a racing game is better on the keyboard :rolleyes:

360 controller /thread.
 
Having just finished building a new PC I'm wondering what controller(s) I should look at getting. I'll be playing some FPSes and RPGs, and hopefully the odd driving game. I already have wireless xbox controllers, so maybe it's worth getting something for that for RPGs and a bit of fun driving (don't think I can get a decent wheel), but for FPSes I'm thinking I'd be better off with some kind of gaming keypad, so I can use the mouse too.

Has anyone tried one of the gaming keypads, like these:
Razer Nostromo
Belkin N52TE
Logitech G13

I don't know if I'll end up needing both a gaming keypad and xbox controller, or if one is enough, as I could do with saving the money.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

I've been looking at similar keypads to use with my laptop, think I'm going to go for the Razer Nostromo as I don't think I need the number of keys that the Logitech G13 has.
 
+1 for the 360 controller, great for racing games, and it's plug and play. For fps, id still reccomend the mouse and keyboard. A lot nippier than the xbox controller.
 
Thanks for the replies.
Never understood why anyone in their right mind would buy those things. You've already got a device in front of you with over 100 keys on it that does just as good/an even better job.

For fps, id still reccomend the mouse and keyboard. A lot nippier than the xbox controller.

There just seems to be so many keystrokes I'm not sure I could do them without looking down or making mistakes. I just had a quick play with Battlefield.
So you've got wasd, which are in an awkward position because you can't use the bottons nearby, like Capslock, Tab, Start, Alt.
As well as wasd, things you want to do in a hurry are run, crouch, throw grenade, melee option, switch weapon, reload, etc.
I found trying to run or crouch quite uncomfortable with wasd, and I know some people use these gaming pads, which I'd expect to be better.

So do you setup all games to use the same keys, and do you use wasd, or change them to something that works better?

Thanks
 
If you use WASD you can easily reach Ctrl, Shift with your little finger and Space or Alt with the thumb, after a few hours it will just feel right.
Also you can always bind some movements to the mouse if it has side buttons, i have Melee and Crouch on the mouse.
 
Last edited:
As im mainly playing bc2/moh theese days, the keys used are virtually the same. There are slight variations for other games i play, such as the cod series. It can take a little bit of getting used to, but after a very short time it becomes second nature, i use my little finger for sprint in bc2, melee is bound to my mouse side button, switch weapon on the scroll wheel, c for crouch with my thumb, i have pretty small hands but can easily reach any required key without having to look for it. Stick with it and with a bit of practice youll soon get the hang of it.:)
 
WASD can't be beat, stick with it, it doesn't take long at all before it becomes second nature, you will be ducking n' diving, jumping n' sprinting in no time, seriously, you will not have to look at the keyboard at all.
 
Sounds good, thanks for the replies :)

Now I just need to choose something to make my 360 controllers work for a few driving games. Do I want one of these? They're available without the controller for £13
 
I wouldnt recommend a G13 unless youre playing an MMO. the Belkin looks like a cheaper version, though never tried it.

I use the G13 and the Razr Naga, but when im playing CSS just switch over to a MX518 mouse and the keyboard. Would recommend an illuminated keyboard if youre going to be playing at night.

Never understood why anyone in their right mind would buy those things.

MMOs. Its simply a lot easier not having to look down every time you want to do something especially when its out of reach of one hand, like the whole right hand side of the keyboard. Theyre just not designed with mmos in mind, unlike the G13 and the Naga.
 
Last edited:
I bought myself a 360 controller from OCUK just the other day.

I don't understand why I didn't sooner, It has completely converted some games for me.

I feel keyboard & 360 controller would cover any gamer for pretty much every game. Bar racing sims obviously.
 
yeh GFWL/360 controller is all you need, even for most racing, I even use it for some shooters, wen I can't be arsed to use my mouse+ KB and kno I won't play it online
 
I bought myself a 360 controller from OCUK just the other day.

I don't understand why I didn't sooner, It has completely converted some games for me.

I feel keyboard & 360 controller would cover any gamer for pretty much every game. Bar racing sims obviously.

This tbh.

The fact that so many games nativly support the 360 pad including replacing the buttons on the screen makes it a no brainer.
 
WASD can't be beat, stick with it, it doesn't take long at all before it becomes second nature, you will be ducking n' diving, jumping n' sprinting in no time, seriously, you will not have to look at the keyboard at all.

can easily be beat, i never use WASD :P

i use PL:@
 
Back
Top Bottom