PC Game Controllers... dumb question

[AstaLaVista]

I used to enjoy playing Gran Turismo on the PS and PS2 but that was a long time ago... playing racing games or simulators on the PC with KB+M and even with Joystick is almost as pleasurable as banging your head on a beer bottle just to see if you can break it

Anyways, I only do shooters for the most part but lately, shooters are letting me down and I want to see if I take on some driving simulators or even arcades to change my bad mood but I really don't want to spend a mortgage payment on them game controllers if I don't have to.

I have plenty of Xbox Controllers and/or PS2 controllers in the house and even though I know the plugs won't fit on a computer, I was thinking I could easily be able to buy a plug converter or am I just fooling myself thinking this is possible?

If the answer above is NO, I must buy a dedicated PC game controller, OK... I am not looking to become a Millionaire by competing in the world of pc racing so No on top of the line stuff but something I can be comfortable playing the Campaigns. Again, NOT for MP play.

I know asking this question is asking for trouble but at least I will get First Hand info and not Hyped-Up info from the likes of Amazon or any of the other retailers out there.

So, what do you folks use and why?

 

[ganjiry]

Ere you go chap, If you already have a wireless Xbox 360 controller then you can just use one of these wireless reciever's http://www.amazon.co.uk/Xbox-Wireless-Gaming-Receiver-Windows/dp/B000MGVAAQ
Download the driver drivers from here Software Downloads | Microsoft Hardware
This thread explains all you need to know if you have any issue's while installing http://www.sevenforums.com/drivers/...ver-windows-7-connection-driver-problems.html
I hope this helps

 

[AstaLaVista]

Whoooooo Hoooooo... Thank a lot Ganjiry, so it is possible then. I wasn't so way off!

Now, wireless? isn't that a No-No for Race Sims? I remember having a few issues with my Wireless G7 mouse when in a heavy battle?

Again, just asking more dumb questions here!

Another thing is that I am going to have to look for a website here in the states as bringing it from the other side of the pond might be a bit pricey for me

 

[ganjiry]

No mate wireless with the xbox controllers is sound. I've never had any problems with them losing connection or anything except if the battery pack runs out. Easilly sorted though by having a spare

I have no clue about the site's/seller's in the USA but here's a wireless reciever on Amazon.com You can pick them up cheap anywhere really. Just search for Xbox 360 wireless reciever

Edit: No such thing as a dumb question.

Here's another guide to the install. http://support.xbox.com/en-GB/games/pc-games/xbox-controller-for-windows-setup

The main advantage of using the wireless controller is that it won't jump all over your desk when it vibrates while not in use as the wireless one turns off after a period of not being used.

 

[AstaLaVista]

Thanks a lot again ganjiry, you have been a lot of help...

Now that I see that device, I believe my kids own one of those devices as they have wireless controllers for the Xbox... I will check it out when I get home and I will rent Grid or Grid 2 just to see if it works well enough; otherwise, I will go to my friend's house, I am sure he owns those games already.

 

[ganjiry]

No probs mate your welcome
I play Grid 2 with the lads from the community i'm part of and we have a good laugh racing
Rather than buy it through Steam you can get it at a reduced price from CJ's keys. They sell all games lol and are very reliable. You get the product key at then activate via Steam,Origin or whoever it is at the time Buy Company of Heroes 2 CD Key for Steam and GRID 2 Steam Key only at CJS CD Keys
Edit: I believe it works best with the Xbox controller as my mates have tried keyboard,mouse, steering wheel's and xbox controllers.

 

[sdadamo]

In my personal opinion, I too have been coming to people with questions as to which controllers I should use for certain games such as PS2/Gamecube/N64/ETC. ones. You COULD get a wireless receiver but be careful because there are so many fake Chinese ones on the market and they break down fairly simply. What I did(which was really dumb on my part but was worth it) was drive for 2 hours to and back to a Wal-Mart and I bought a Wired 360 Controller; my dumb father ordered it for it to be avail at the nearest store...

Now, if you're used to Xbox, I strongly recommend using this but you can go along and trust the people here because I'm sure they're nice and helpful. I have but little knowledge of the PS controllers being wired so you can look it up. The downside of Wired controllers is normally spending 30-40 dollars so make sure it's what you want. Well, another downside of Wired controllers is if you use it with your 360 too(you can really wear out your analog on it).

I say just go with whatever you can fully control to make sure you get what your money's worth. You can use my suggestion, Ganjiry's or anybody else's.

Hope you have a nice gaming experience!

 

[AstaLaVista]

But, wouldn't a wired controller come with that weird big plug? or do they now have a USB type plug?

Sorry, My kids have an Xbox 360 and you would think I would know this but honestly, I couldn't give 3 healthy # 2s about it

I guess I have some homework to do now when I get home

 

[sdadamo]

But, wouldn't a wired controller come with that weird big plug? or do they now have a USB type plug?

Sorry, My kids have an Xbox 360 and you would think I would know this but honestly, I couldn't give 3 healthy # 2s about it

Oh no no, hahaha you can buy a normal wired controller and it comes with a USB plug. Windows automatically reads the driver and you're good to go after that.

 

[AstaLaVista]

Then I should also be able to find one at home, I do believe they also have a wired one... So, just to understand:

Old Xbox ----- weird and big plug

Xbox 360 ----- USB type plug

Do I have that correct?

 

[sdadamo]

Then I should also be able to find one at home, I do believe they also have a wired one... So, just to understand:

Old Xbox ----- weird and big plug

Xbox 360 ----- USB type plug

Do I have that correct?

Yes you're spot on...but don't call my babies weird ;( I still play that console with the fat controller lolol.

 

[Contrabardus]

The Xbox 360 uses a standard USB 2.0 plug.

The thing is, you can't just plug the charging chord into a wireless 360 controller and hook it up to your PC that way because it's exactly that, a charging cable. Even though you can power the controller that way, it still uses a wireless signal to communicate with the 360.

You'll be needing a special dongle to use it with a PC, and it's just cheaper to buy a PC specific controller anyway.

It's a great controller, don't get me wrong, and it's natively supported by a lot of games. I personally think it's worth the money, but if you're on a budget or are only looking at using it with one or two games just get a cheap USB Windows game controller instead.

Also, regardless of what type of controller you get, you absolutely must get a key mapping program like Xpadder [which isn't free, but has a nice GUI interface] or some other key mapping software, some of which are free.

Even if you don't need it immediately, some PC games don't have controller support. It's just nice to have. Sometimes I even use it with games that support the controller as it allows more freedom with mapping controls to the various buttons on the controller. A lot of them limit how or even if you can map keys to different control schemes using native support. Having a key mapping program means you can set it up any way you want regardless. Just make sure you turn off controller support in the game either through the menu screens or an ini or config file in the game's folder.

If you go for the Xbox 360 controller, I honestly suggest that you hunt down a wired 360 controller rather than buying a dongle. It doesn't use a wireless signal to interact with the console/PC so just having the wire plugged in is enough. It's also more reliable. Even though the 360 isn't extremely prone to signal interference, the responsiveness is slightly better and it completely eliminates the risk of the signal interference issue coming up at all.

It's simply plug and play with most games once you have the driver installed. You don't need the wireless dongle at all and it's one less component that can be lost, broken, and eliminates the need for batteries or charging.

I use a wheel for driving games, but 3rd person beat em up actiony type games work best with a controller. I couldn't play Batman Arkham City with a m/kb at all. It would just be completely frustrating and not worth the effort.

Seeing as you're looking to play on PC a cable probably isn't too much of an issue as most people sit pretty close to their towers to play. It's actually more convenient to buy a wired controller for the 360, which is pretty much the best available standard controller you can get for the PC.

I also have an Xbox, but the only thing I ever play on it anymore is Steel Battalion, which is the most awesome controller of all time and the only reason I haven't retired my big black box. Anything else I might want to play from my original Xbox collection I just pop into the 360. I like that controller more as the black and white buttons on the old style controller are just in awkward places.

 

[sdadamo]

I also have an Xbox, but the only thing I ever play on it anymore is Steel Battalion, which is the most awesome controller of all time and the only reason I haven't retired my big black box. Anything else I might want to play from my original Xbox collection I just pop into the 360. I like that controller more as the black and white buttons on the old style controller are just in awkward places.

It took me awhile to adjust to that :/

I agree with you on the Wired controller part, it's a GREAT piece to have for gaming on a PC.

 

[ganjiry]

Just to confirm it is NOT a charging cable that i recomended and it has nothing to do with charging the wireless controller. The wireless reciever is for the soul purpose of wireless connectivity. The charger is a totally different item.
You will still need to charge the controller if using a wireless reciever and the only benefit of a wired controller is that you don't have to charge it. If using a wired controller you will constantly need to unplug it when not in use as it will vibrate all around your desk when playing other games that don't use it.

 

[AstaLaVista]

WOW, again... thanks everyone for all of that.!

 

[ganjiry]

No probs chap

 

[sdadamo]

No problem buddy.