Whether you’re playing retro games through an emulator on Windows, Mac, or a custom-built Raspberry Pi console, you need a controller. We tested some of the most popular options, from simple Xbox controllers to retro replicas and expensive Bluetooth-enabled gamepads, to figure out which are worth your money.
Best answers goes to the Best answer that actually helps The wireless controller will not work with a Mac/PC without the use of the wireless controller adapter, and as far as I know, that only works in Windows.
Whether you’re playing retro games through an emulator on Windows, Mac, or a custom-built Raspberry Pi console, you need a controller. We tested some of the most popular options, from simple.
The Xbox One Elite wireless controller is arguably the best option available on the market today. It has swappable thumb sticks, D-pads, and paddles, and comes with a cool case to carry them around in. In addition to wired PC connectivity, the Elite controller can also connect wirelessly via an optional adapter.
The Contenders
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There’s no replacing the feel of an original controller on an original game console, but if you’re building your own retro gaming rig, you still need something better than a keyboard to play those old games. After searching through forums, blog posts, and Amazon reviews, I narrowed down my search to a mixture of controller types, from new and modern to old school replicas. Here’s what I tested:
Buffalo Classic USB Gamepad ($20)
Retrolink Nintendo 64 Classic USB Enabled Wired Controller ($14.99)
8BitDo NES30 Pro Bluetooth Gamepad ($45)
Logitech Gamepad F310 ($20)
Xbox One Wireless Controller ($50)
PS4 DualShock 4 Controller ($50)
Tomee SNES Replica ($9)
Hyperkin Genesis USB Controller ($18)
Hundreds of other generic options are available, most serving as replicas for SNES, NES, or Genesis, but the reviews are so poor for the bulk of them that I decided to skip them. Most complaints about cheaper controllers come down to build quality and button actuation, both of which I’ve also found problematic on the generic controllers I’ve used over the years. You get what you pay for, and most sub-$10 options aren’t worth your money. I also decided to skip NES-replicas since the two button layout limits what you can play.
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How We Tested
For testing, I played a bunch of different games for several hours using each controller. I spent the bulk of those hours for 2D games with Ninja Gaiden III and Super Street Fighter II. I chose Ninja Gaiden because it requires fast response time from the buttons and the directional pad, while Super Street Fighter II is one of the rare games that uses all six buttons on a controller and requires dexterity with the d-pad. As for 3D games, I spend the most time with Super Mario 64for Nintendo 64, Crazy Taxifor Dreamcast, and Quake II on PlayStation 1.
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For software, I tested all the controllers with RetroArch on Windows, OpenEmu on Mac, and RetroPie on the Raspberry Pi. Every controller I tested worked with every operating system I tested it on, though I had some setup quirks with some of the Bluetooth controllers.
In the end, after considerable testing, I decided there was no such thing as the perfect do-all controller, so I’ve split my picks into two categories: a controller for just 2D gaming, and an all-purpose controller for both 2D and 3D games.
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Our Pick for 2D Games: Buffalo Classic USB Gamepad
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If you’re just looking to play 2D games from console generations like the NES, SNES, Genesis, or Turbografx-16, I found that less is more, and the smaller controllers built for retro games felt much better than modern dual-analog options.
Through all my tests, there was one controller that not only felt the best for me, but also comes recommended from a variety of sources: the Buffalo Classic USB Gamepad. The Buffalo Classic controller has stellar reviews on Amazon and comes recommended from both How-To Geek and Shovel Knight developer Yacht Club Games. It also often tops out lists from the likes of NeoGAF, Reddit, and Racketboy.
Scores are based on reviews from real software users. Best construction estimating software for general contractors. The Different Graphics Show Different Sizes of Vendors Small and Enterprise refer to the size of the software vendor company—not necessarily the size of customers they serve. We break vendors into two groups for two reasons: It’s a more equal comparison of products, and software buyers have told us it’s helpful. Only those with the top scores for Usability and User Recommended made the cut as FrontRunners. What’s the Difference Between the “Small Vendor” and “Enterprise Vendor” Views?
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$19
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The Buffalo Classic is a near exact size replica of the original SNES controller, though it opts for the Super Famicom style face button design. The buttons have been resilient and continue to work just as they did when I first opened the box. The feedback is also just as good as the original SNES controller, which means the d-pad has a pleasing “click” with each movement and the buttons bounce back immediately after pressing them. Since it’s USB, it’s easy to set up. Just plug it in and you’re ready to go.
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Bluetooth Controller For Mac
That’s a huge step up from the Tomee SNES controller we’ve recommended in the past. The Tomee controller feels poorly made and after a couple hours of use the buttons started to squeak and feel mushy. The d-pad feels like it’s held onto the controller with bubblegum and only responds when you press with a lot of force.
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Of course, the Super Nintendo inspired design isn’t your only option. I also tested the Hyperkin Genesis controller. This was the only Genesis-inspired controller I could find with decent reviews. The six face buttons feel good, but the d-pad is stiffer than the original Genesis controller. It also doesn’t have the nice rolling action that set the Genesis controller apart from the SNES and made it perfect for games like Street Fighter II. If you’re only playing Genesis games, the Hyperkin controller does the job, but I found the SNES style works a little better for general use, especially when you consider how few Genesis games actually used all six face buttons.
If you want or need to go wireless, then the 8BitDo line of Bluetooth gamepads are well constructed, albeit luxury options. While the SNES30 Pro was the gamepad I tested the most here, I also got my hands on a couple other 8BitDo models, including the NES30 ($35) and SNES30 ($35), and they’re all similarly built. Despite their appearance, the controllers aren’t exactly replicas of the original Nintendo controllers. The buttons and d-pad are much more clicky than the originals and they all feel more like a modern controller. 8BitDo’s entire line of controllers are customizable, include firmware updates, and even support key remapping. It’s overkill for the majority of us, but if a ton of advanced options is what you want, then 8BitDo’s extensive line of controllers will suit your needs. From my experience the quality of controller extends to all their options.
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However, the SNES30 Pro and NES30 are both tiny, measuring at about the same size as an original NES controller (which is not as big as you remember it being). If you have large hands, these are uncomfortable to hold. The Bluetooth also adds quite a bit to the cost, especially with the SNES30 Pro. If you don’t need wireless, this is totally overkill, but 8BitDo makes a quality, stylish controller provided you have smaller hands and you don’t mind paying extra.
I also gave the Nintendo 64 inspired Retrolink controller a shot for regular old NES, SNES, and Genesis games, and it’s truly awful. The controller itself is well made, but the bizarre button layout of the Nintendo 64 means it’s next to impossible to use this controller for anything but Nintendo 64 games. That includes the awkwardly placed and weirdly sized analog joystick, which bounces back into place with a satisfying, but odd, rubber band effect, just like on the original controller. The same can’t be said about the d-pad, which feels mushy at best. The slow response time on the d-pad makes it hard to get through a single level in a game like Ninja Gaiden.
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I’ll get into this much more in the section below, but after hours of testing, I found modern controllers, like the Logitech F310, Xbox One, and DualShock, far too cumbersome to use for 2D gaming exclusively. That’s not to say they don’t work, but they’re heavy and the additional analog inputs are unnecessary if you don’t plan on playing anything beyond the SNES generation. For that, the $20 Buffalo Classic USB gamepad is all you need.
Our Pick for 2D and 3D Games: Sony DualShock 4 Wireless Controller
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If you’re looking for a catch-all controller to work with both 2D and 3D games, the Sony DualShock 4 is what you want. The directional pad is well suited for 2D games, while the analog sticks are perfect to 3D games as well. It’s far too bulky and expensive to recommend for just 2D games, but if you’re looking to play everything from the NES to the PlayStation One, the DualShock has you covered.
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The DualShock 4 wins for me for a variety of reasons, but the main one is the d-pad. The buttons are responsive and the spongy click of each individual pad feels more like a classic controller than the other options I tested. The face button placement, size, and style also feels natural when you’re playing older games. If you already have a DualShock 4, you’ll likely be happy with it for retro games. It’s also a favorite among the likes of The Wirecutter and PC Gamer. You will need some additional software to pair the DualShock 4 with a PC, though it’s not terribly hard to use. On the flipside, it pairs with RetroPie on the Raspberry Pi and with OpenEmu on the Mac out of the box. If you’d prefer a cheaper option, the PS3’s DualShock 3 is just as good as the DualShock 4, but sadly doesn’t just work out of the box and requires, extra set up compared to the DualShock 4.
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The squishier d-pad of the PS4 controller is in direct contrast to the XBox One controller’s clicky d-pad, which felt horrible for most retro games. Where the DualShock’s d-pad softens its click like a classic NES controller would, the Xbox One feels and sounds more like you’re pressing a key on a keyboard. While the d-pad style is a matter of preference, if you’re looking for the same feel as older controllers, the Xbox One doesn’t fit the bill. Aside from that, the d-pad placement in the center of the controller is also awkward and doesn’t work well for long bouts of play. The same goes for the cheaper Xbox 360 Controller, though the d-pad on that controller is basically unusable for most retro games because it’s so unresponsive.
The aforementioned SNES30 Pro also fits into this section just as much as the previous, but falls short with 3D games. It’s too small for most people to use for any game that requires dual-analog sticks because they’re tiny and jammed too close together. Likewise, the four buttons on the top of the controller are horribly placed, so it’s difficult to use them. Even despite all that, if you’re looking for a gamepad primarily for 2D games that can also handle the occasional 3D game, then the SNES30 Pro is fine, just don’t expect it to be comfortable for long.
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If you only plan on playing Nintendo 64 games, the RetroLink controller does an admirable job of replicating the feel of the weird Nintendo 64 controller, though the single analog stick makes it completely useless for games on any other console. It’s impossible to recommend this controller for anything but Nintendo 64 games.
If you’re looking for a cheap option, the Logitech F310 (and its wireless counterpart, the F710) are big sellers, but even at the $20 price point of the F310, it’s hard to recommend. The analog thumbsticks feel tight, the face buttons are a little too big, and the input drop is too deep. This means it requires a little too much force to press a button in, which causes problems with any game that requires precise timing. The controller itself is also oddly shaped, feeling something like a mashup of both the Xbox controller and the DualShock. Most reviewers, including Polygon and The Wirecutter have pointed out the F310 feels weird to hold and I’m inclined to agree. The d-pad on the F310 has a satisfying clickiness about it, but that doesn’t translate to responsiveness on the game’s end.
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A game controller is a personal thing, and which best suits you depends a lot on the size of your hands and what you’ve used in the past. If you’re happy with what you have right now, there’s no reason to change anything up, but if not, there’s an option out there that’ll suit your needs.
Illustration by Sam Woolley.
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Let's face it, some games are better off with the best PC controller in-hand. As is apparently the case with Rage 2, certain games have garbage default keybindings. Others like, say, most third-person action games just aren't cut out for that mouse and keyboard life. I know it's not ideal to play a fighting gmae with anything other than a fight stick, but can you imagine how awful it is playing Mortal Kombat 11 on a keyboard? We've tried it, and it sucks.
Likewise, you can't tell us every Grand Theft Auto or Far Cry game isn't enhanced when you switch over to the best PC controller 2019 can deliver. Driving controls simply do not work well without it. But how do you determine what is the best PC controller for you? Well, turn your head to someone who's tested them all, that someone being the PC Gamer hardware collective. In all our favorite games, we've tried our hand at everything from the PS4-intended DualShock 4 to its third-party superior, the Astro C40 TR.
Of course, assuming you want the best of both worlds, you'll almost certainly want the best gaming keyboard and best gaming mouse to go with it, as ideally you'll still have a desktop you can use as a server for streaming to a Shield TV or Steam Link. But for the optimal experience AFK, always up to date, we've thoroughly tested a variety of potential candidates for the prestigious title of best PC controller. After narrowing them down to the finest picks, you'll find our definitive rankings below.
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PlayStation DualShock 4
Weight: 7.4oz (210g) | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Battery: 1000mAh rechargeable
Great analog trigger feel
Requires unofficial software for PC use
It isn't intended for use on the PC, but the DualShock 4 is my favorite controller anyway. I've used each of its predecessors, the two current Logitech controllers, the Mad Catz C.T.R.L.R., the Razer Sabertooth, the Xbox 360 and Xbox One controllers, and just about every console controller from the NES to present day. The DualShock 4 isn't superior in every way to every one of these competitors, but it's the superior all-around choice.
It doesn't look as durable as the Xbox One controller, but it's durable. When I squeeze the handles with as much force as I can, I can barely hear the strain. I also pushed each of the buttons, triggers, bumpers, and analog sticks down with as much force as I could, and each sprang back as if untouched.
The biggest caveat, which doubles as a positive, is that the DS4 is not designed with Windows PCs in mind. Whereas it's very easy to get an Xbox 360 or Xbox One controller working, and most PC games will use their ABYX button prompts, you have to purchase Sony's expensive USB adapter or use the free unofficial DS4Windows software. The software essentially tricks Windows into treating the DS4 like an Xbox 360 controller, so just about any game which supports an Xbox 360 controller (basically any game with controller support) should work with the default profile. It also allows for a ton of customization (I love messing with the LED settings). If you're willing to do a little bit of setup work, the DS4 is a fantastic wireless PC controller with all the customization you could want.
Microsoft Xbox Elite Wireless Controller
Weight: .85 lbs (348g +/- 15g) | Connectivity: Xbox Wireless | Battery: 2x AA (included)
Easy to swap out components
Triple the price of a normal gamepad
The ‘Elite’ nomenclature is typically marketing nonsense, but in this one instance, I think it applies. For those who like their PCs state of the art, clean, and beautiful; for those with Swedish headphones made of volcanic glass; for those who make their PB&J from scratch, the Xbox Elite controller is for you.
It’s a sturdy, configurable, and gorgeous controller for enthusiasts of fancy. Best small business accounting software for mac canada. The shell and button layout don’t feel distinct from the vanilla Xbox One controllers, though it feels heavier than most pads I’ve used. I like a bit of weight in my controllers and mice, but it might not feel good on tiny wrists after a long play session. The face buttons are large and still mushy, the bumpers and triggers have a responsive click and pull—they just feel identical to using an Xbox One controller.
The addition of some slick software that allows for tweaking of trigger min/max values, stick sensitivities, button assignments, and profile designations makes it even more attractive for PC experimentation. Everything about the Xbox Elite controller feels precise and considered, so even though its familiar design isn’t stepping outside of what’s tried and true, the configurable, sleek design makes it an easy recommendation for those who can afford it.
Razer Wolverine Ultimate
Weight: .6 lbs (272g) | Connectivity: USB wired | Cord length: 10 ft (3m)
Swappable sticks and D-pad
No wireless mode
Although we'd prefer to have a choice in the matter, Razer does has a point with its Wolverine Ultimate controller. In a competitive setting, wired is better than wireless. Compatible with both PC and the Xbox One family of consoles, the Razer Wolverine Ultimate is similar in many ways to the Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller, customizable back paddles included. And for the price you may be wondering: why not just buy one of those instead?
Well, it's not for everyone, but the Wolverine Ultimate does have its fair share of unique, downright enticing features. For starters, the face buttons – the ones labeled A, B, X and Y – click in like a mouse. Coming from a standard Xbox controller, this seemingly minuscule detail makes a world of difference. It's like using nothing but membrane keyboards your whole life and abruptly making the move to mechanical switches. So while the enclosed 10-foot braided micro USB cable takes some getting used to, tactile button presses are a worthy trade-off.
Of course, no Razer product would be complete without a healthy dose of Chroma, the three-headed green snake company's signature brand of RGB lighting. However, rather than integrating it into the existing Synapse 3 app for Windows, Razer decided to develop an app specifically for Xbox One. So if you do plan on using this controller for your PC, bear in mind you'll need to tether it to a console for all your cosmetic personalizations.
Steam Controller
The controller for games that don't support controllers
Weight: .63 lbs (287g) | Connectivity: 2.4GHz wireless | Battery: 500mAh rechargeable or 2x AA
Can be used to control mouse-keyboard games
Design isn't very comfortable
Valve’s first attempt at making the living room a viable PC gaming space doesn’t feel complete yet. Sure, the Steam Controller can control games, but it still feels like an awkward midpoint between gamepad and keyboard-mouse control.
The grips are huge, part of an intentional convex design meant to arch your thumbs over the touchpads comfortably. Problem is, they’re too bulbous and jut out a bit too hard into the heel of each hand. My fingers tense up after a few minutes of play, which leads to a few too many accidental back paddle presses and thumb cramps. It’s not possible to outright recommend the Steam Controller, even though with enough tinkering and patience, it’s a completely viable way to control a ton of PC games from the couch.
So why is it listed here, instead of at the bottom with the rest of the controllers we tested? Because the Steam Controller does ultimately occupy a unique space: it's the only gamepad specifically built to let you play games that don't support controllers out of the box. For games that do support controllers, we prefer the DualShock and Xbox pads. But if you insist on playing PC games away from your mouse and keyboard and want to replicate their functionality as closely as possible, the Steam Controller is the best game in town.
It's a little known fact that, early in the development of the Xbox 360, Microsoft outsourced the chassis and controller to a pair of reputable industrial design firms at the time. One of those companies was Astro Studios, a tech lifestyle brand which later spun off into peripheral maker Astro Gaming. After creating one of the best PC controllers of its time, Astro was predominately responsible for developing some of the best gaming headsets. But the itch to make a new controller never quite went away. Thus, the Astro C40 TR was born.
Positioned as a premium alternative to the DualShock 4, you could say it's to the PS4 what the Xbox Elite wireless controller is to the Xbox One. However, we realize that, unlike the Xbox Elite, the C40 TR a third-party joypad, and for console players that's a tough sell. It doesn't matter as much in the PC space, where nothing is technically first party. And because most PC games now boast native support for the PlayStation button layout, the Astro C40 TR delivers on all fronts. To an extent, it's modular, so you can swap out the left thumbstick for the D-pad and rock an asymmetrical Xbox One-esque controller. Or you can be a complete anarchist and make it left-handed.
Distinguishing itself from other primo controllers in the same price range—like the Scuf Impact, for example—the Astro C40 TR has its own Windows software, too, called the Astro C40 TR Configuration Software. In it, you can remap buttons, create and edit profiles, and adjust stick and trigger sensitivity, among other things. Of those other things, the fact that is has an audio equalizer for the headphone jack on bottom is perhaps the weirdest, most impressive aspect of the whole controller. It's too bad it costs so much because, after using ourselves, we don't want to go back.
Xbox Wireless Controller
A top-shelf budget controller
Weight: .62 lbs (281g) | Connectivity: Xbox Wireless; Bluetooth | Battery: 2x AA
Affordable
Still uses AA batteries
After a precarious relationship with the long-championed Xbox 360 gamepad, it is finally time to let go. The Xbox One Wireless controller has been available for quite some time now, and in addition to being cheaper than ever before, it boasts a vastly superior D-pad that you won't dread using in fighting games and platformers. In other words, friendship ended with Xbox 360 gamepad, now the Xbox Wireless controller is my best friend.
We capitalize Wireless for a reason, not because the word is a proper noun per sé, but because the Xbox Wireless controller of late leverages Microsoft's own wireless protocol it calls 'Xbox Wireless.' Though the name itself could benefit from some creative workshopping, you can take solace in the fact that, after 2016, the Xbox Wireless controller was graced with a much-needed helping of Bluetooth compatibility. And now it's practically standard fare for console transplants deterred by the learning curve mouse and keyboard gaming presents.
Logitech F310 Gamepad
Weight: .4 lbs (181g) | Connectivity: USB wired | Cord length: 6.5 ft (1.98m)
Very affordable
Stiff triggers
This controller is my favorite if you're on a tight budget—say, if you want two controllers for the price of one. At half the cost of a DualShock 4, you lose the wireless capability but still get a solidly-constructed gamepad, and it worked as soon as I plugged it in. The thing is light, but feels like a tank, so I have no fear of abusing it.
That said, the d-pad is nowhere near the quality of the DS4's—it feels loose and I had trouble accurately maneuvering in Super Meat Boy. The triggers and bumpers are housed on outcroppings that the knuckles of my middle fingers rub against uncomfortably, and the analog sticks, while pleasantly springy, have a convex shape that isn't great for sweaty hands. I also found that the triggers offer too much resistance. In Grid Autosport, my finger got tired from holding down for the gas, which I didn't experience with the DS4, Xbox 360, or Xbox One controllers.
How we test controllers
CONTROLLER SETUP GUIDES
How to use a: PS4 controller on PC PS3 controller on PC Nintendo Switch Pro controller on PC Xbox One controller on PC
Ignore those who seem to think every game is best with a mouse and keyboard. Grid Autosport is not best played with a keyboard. Super Meat Boy is not best played with a keyboard. Ultra Street Fighter IV is ridiculous with a keyboard. True, we play most games with a mouse and keyboard, but for PC gamers with ranging tastes, a good controller is a must.
Microsoft and Sony’s own console pads, the Xbox One controller and the DualShock 4, set the standards by being the default, first-party options for the two most popular consoles, while third-party controllers tend to mimic them. In this case, the standard is the best: I haven't found a controller better than the DualShock 4 for PC gaming, though the wireless Xbox 360 controller is very close.
It's a slightly surprising conclusion when the Xbox 360 and Xbox One controllers are the industry's accepted Windows controllers, and even contradicts a previous article I wrote in which I recommended the Xbox One controller over the DualShock 4. In that article I explain that I prefer the shape and layout of Microsoft's controllers, but after further testing I've decided that when I put aside my personal preference for offset analog sticks, the DS4 stands out. The older Xbox 360 controller is still great, but the DS4 is slightly better in a few areas, and the Xbox One controller can't currently be used wirelessly on PC, which is a major flaw.
Though I've done some testing with first-person shooters, I've largely ignored the genre. While it may be important for console gamers, we're almost always going to use WASD for any kind of shooter. That in mind, the games I primarily used for testing are the ones mentioned above:
Super Meat Boy: A game which requires excellent d-pad control and responsive face buttons.
Ultra Street Fighter IV: I've put a lot of hours into SFIV with both controllers and fight sticks, so I know how it ought to feel. If I can't crush an AI opponent as Cammy, something isn't right.
Grid Autosport: I chose Grid primarily to test the analog sticks, which according to my preferences need three qualities: springy enough to quickly snap back to center, sensitive and resistant enough to make slight steering adjustments, and comfortably contoured so my thumbs aren't bloody stumps at the end of a few hours.
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