I had a Saitek p990. I mostly used it for emulators, and it was good because the button layout reasonably approximated pretty much all gamepad layouts. If it had select/start buttons in the center it would have been perfect, but it wasn't much of a big deal to map those to the keyboard/analog sticks/shoulder buttons depending on which emulator I was using. However, after... ten to fifteen years, I don't remember exactly when I bought it, it stopped working and I was unable to repair it. No big deal, I thought, time to upgrade! I'll get something newer, and wireless! Also, hopefully with proper select/start buttons. So, I started browsing gamepads and... they're all modeled after the DualShock or Xbox360 controllers now. They don't make them with six right thumb buttons anymore, only four button. It would probably be fine, except for the Genesis/MegaDrive, Sega Saturn, and Nintendo 64. So, I have four options: 1: Get a DualShock clone and play Genesis/N64 games with extremely awkward button mapping. I don't like this option. 2: Get a wireless Saitek with the same button layout off eBay. I found a few that are reasonably priced, but they're all 10+ years old, even if they are still in the original, unopened box, and they might suck. 3: Get a DualShock clone for two- and four- button systems, and a wireless N64 controller clone for 6-button ones. An N64 controller would work reasonably well for Genesis/Saturn. However, I wanted one controller, not two. 4: Build my own controller exactly how I want it to be (probably within my skill set), and get it to work with my computer (definitely not within my skill set.) Suggestions on other options are welcome, but I'll probably end up going with option two or three, or possibly two and three. As for now I dug my ancient Gravis GamePad Pro out of storage, and anything would be an upgrade over that. Luckily that one still works for the time being.
I'd be happy to just find replacement OEM controllers for my PS3 that aren't shitty counterfeit knock-offs.
Got my PS5 a few days ago and its controller is amazing. Expected the haptic triggers to feel sorta gimmicky, and I'm sure in many games they will be, but when they're implemented well....man it feels good.
I have a ps3 but I only use it to play planet minigolf. otherwise I’m a big fan of N64. That’s the controller that feels the most comfortable to me.
