You could try 3rd part Xbox controllers. They have never done me wrong in terms of compatibility. Durability on the other hand, is a whole other story.

Durability in terms of dropping them, etc? Or just in terms of how long before they wear out?

Xbox controllers are usually the best option. Most games that support controllers will have button prompts for them. As far as feel, can't go wrong with any of the Xbox controllers either. 360, One, or the Series.

I'll definitely have to broaden my horizons, never even owned an XBox of any kind so will need to do some looking at the different options. :D

They're also nice because they're recognized on Windows machines without requiring extra software. Simple plug and play.

Amazon currently has a black 'Core' controller with cable for about $58usd. They're affordable.

My gamepad of choice is a wired Xbox 360 controller. Games and emulators tend to be finicky around PS4 controllers, and an Xbox One controller had one button break down within a few months.

Are Xbox 360 controllers widely available still? o.o

Not too widely. Mine is third-party.

The current Xbox controllers have Bluetooth and are relatively easy to pair. Or you could plug in with one of those newer usb cables. A used 360 controller is another choice.

I've been using a 360 controller on my PC since pretty much the dawn of time. It's starting to get to the point where I've worn grooves in some of the plastic bits. I don't think it's in production anymore, but I'd have faith that whatever the latest gen controller would be just as good.

The newer ones also use BT rather than needing its own wireless dongle, so that's one less thing to worry about https://www.xbox.com/en-US/accessor.....ess-controller

I used to use the 360 controller, but changed over a couple years ago to Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.

I use an XBOX One controller and it works perfectly. Autodetects through the charging wire.

I use my switch pro controller, works great

Generally, Xbox, Switch and Playstation Controllers work well. If you don't mind fiddling a bit and need a cheap option, WiiU Pro controllers also work nice with some third party software (altho only via Bluetooth).

Third party Switch Controllers will work really well as well and can be quite cheap, like the USB-Connected Pokemon themed Power A controllers.

I'd be happy to help/chat about this at any point, too. I am a bit of a controller enthusiast. :D

Thankee! So far I'm thinking I might get a Switch Pro controller, as it's the only controller for a console I actually have, so it'd have use outside of PC gaming too. :3

Yep! That's a good choice! :D A very good (and a bit more universally useable) alternative if you have fairly big hands would also be a 8BitDo SN30 Pro 2. It's a tiny bit cheaper, but has all the functions of a Switch Pro Controller outside of "waking" the Switch remotely. Additionally, it can easily be switched into "Xbox" mode, which means it should even work with really old PC games without any finagling.

Interesting! I did some more googling and alas it seems that I'd need to use some 3rd party software to get DS: Remastered to work with a Switch Pro. So, I might actually hold off on that since that's the main reason I want it. (And while I'm sure the 3rd party software works well, I'm bad enough with technology to have that be a barrier XD)

As long as you use Steam, it should not be an issue at all. Steam includes a sort of "Translation" for PS4 and Switch controllers you can enable in the settings.

Hmm, I read a post from some folks who said that trying to play the specific game I want to use it for required an external piece of software to make it work. Weird!

I would be surprised if that is the case, but I unfortunately don't have it to try it out. So far I haven't run into any issues with a pro controller in any steam game tho.

Good to hear! For now I'll probably hold off on the Switch pro controller simply because the regular switch controller (the docking handle thing) works fine for me for the Switch itself. But, if I follow through on my plan to get an OLED switch later this year (assuming PS5's remain unavailable) I'll probably get one then so my Pokemon Gen 9/BotW2 experience can be maximum fancy. :3

What kind of controller will work depends on the game itself, not the platform it's distributed on, so it's not a Steam thing!

But to answer the question, you probably want an Xbox 360 controller. Virtually any PC game with controller support will work with that one. :3

They're not suuuuuper available anymore though, so if you can't find one you might have to get either a 3rd party Xbox one or one of the newer Xbox controllers. You might find the newer one is a liiiiittle finicky with some older games since the backwards compatibility isn't perfect, but it should work 99% of the time.

I use a PS5 controller, over Bluetooth but it works just as well when plugged in, currently using it to play Elden Ring

I was going to recommend any number of cheaper Playstation/Xbox knockoff controllers, because I've gotten them for as cheap as $10, or only $25 for a Logitech one (which have both lasted for... over a decade now?!)...

BUT -- I'm not sure the super-cheap ones always support the analog sticks correctly. Great for playing 30-year-old Game Boy games, maybe not so much for the precision needed for Dark Souls.

Just something to keep in mind if going the cheaper route.

Official Wireless Xbox one controller that comes with a usb receiver

I use the XBox one but it’ll take a while to get used to. I too am a PS controller guy, and the placement of the movement stick and D-pad took me a while to acclimate.

I've used PS4 and Xbox 360 controllers for playing various games on steam and they all work much the same! If you can get your paws on a secondhand 360 (or Xbox one, I imagine they're much of a muchness in terms of design, just might be a difference in price) that'd do you perfect!

Edit: I just remembered, Xbox one controllers that are wireless would need an additional USB receiver. I'm in town tomorrow so I'll have a look in the local CEX if you like?

Thanks for the offer, but I've been looking around online including CEX and omg old gen controllers are still so pricy. I'd be as well getting a new 3rd party one.

Dang D: I wonder if Elden Ring coming out has anything to do with it? I’d heard it’s much better using a controller than mouse/keyboard.

I think that's true of the Soulsborne games in general. Though, since my controller failed I've been playing a couple of hours of DS: Remastered with mouse and keyboard and it's been fine so far. I really wanna get Elden Ring but I dunno if my PC will play it. 1.5 years old at this point and it was only mid-range spec when new. Might save up and try to get a PS5 later this year if they're finally not so rare by that point.

I've heard it's still fairly buggy at the moment so waiting a while will ensure it's patched so not a bad plan all in all!

I've seen folks play on PC without issue, and others talking about massive frame-rate woes, etc. It's unfortunate that it's so variable, but yeah, definitely another reason to hold off. I'm watching a streamer do a full playthrough of it anyway, but I'll still wanna go back and play it myself at a later date. :3

Yeah Sam was saying he's holding off on playing til it gets patched, same with Jake, but I think Tom has been lucky to avoid any weird glitches so far haha

Had a look in cex and the cheapest ps4 controller they have is £52!
I had a quick gander on ebay for secondhand 360 controllers and they're around £20

Yikes, that's even pricier than CEX online. And yeah, I looked at ebay too. I might just go with a 3rd party "360" controller. Some come pretty highly recommended. :)

I picked up the eSwap X Pro Thrustmaster, and it's been super nice to use. https://eswapx.thrustmaster.com/

The modular stuff is a pretty neat addition, and also means a stick wearing out just needs the module replaced instead of the entire controller. Plus you can use whichever layout you prefer.

I use a wired Xbox one controller which go for around £30 new from Game with no added drivers and that works for me. Might be able to find one on offer from them at £25, which I paid for mine

Certainly a good option! I might look in Game next time I pass by one of their stores.

I was lucky enough to snag a wired Xbox 360 controller off the shelf at Sears many years ago, and it still works almost perfectly. Not having to worry about batteries is something else I'll always be grateful for.

I use an XBox One controller, myself. They come wired, and they're super comfortable in my hands.

Any wired xbox controller past xbox 360, probably anything third party for the xbox'll work too but I've never tried em. Right now I'm using a PS5 controller but they're about as expensive as the PS4 ones you're looking at :T

I actually want to get a PS5, but the chances of that happening any time soon are... slim. XD

I'm using a PS4 controller I got on the cheap. Works more than fine, though most controller button prompts on PC default to the Xbox button layout.

That being said, you shouldn't have trouble using any kind of typical two-stick controller-- Steam has something called "Steam Input" that either automatically recognizes most common controllers, or allows you to assign the buttons yourself, then have Steam automatically apply that to any game with any form of controller support.

I don't think anyone has recommended a wired Logitech controller yet. Partner and I have used these for years and they're incredible! Very durable and they have both "D" and "X" connection modes via a switch on the back for compatibility with different games.

While the PS4 controller is pretty darn expensive, with the right software to reinterpret the touchpad interactions, i couldnt see myself using another controller for PC gaming, having quick save and quick load just a tap away on the touchpad, along with a load of other useful hotkeys is pretty invaluable, especially when im gaming on the laptop and its across the room hooked upto the tv, means i dont have to get up to quicksave or quickload using the keyboard as i have those keybinds bound to the touchpad on the PS4 pad, tried using a xbox controller and really quickly missed having the useful hotkeys that i had gotten used to, though there are a decent chunk of third party ps4 pads for around the 30 pound mark online, wouldnt go much cheaper than that cos quality really suffers,

but if you want dirt cheap but still good quality, could just get dual shock 2 controllers and a DS2-USB adapter, the whole thing would only set you back about 15 pound and would do pretty much everything you would need with the bonus of the DS2 longevity as it doesnt have a battery or wireless to fail on you after 5 months

Thanks! Since I posted this journal I got myself a (off brand) X-Box 360 controller and it's treated me great. Played through all of Elden Ring three times with it. :D