Recommend A Controller

[Danny]

Hey everyone, I'm looking for equipping my gaming PC with a wireless gaming controller, just for the sake of playing emulators and certain games like Super Meat Boy. I also want to get one so I can get a feel of how a controller performs before I dive into the world that is console gaming (something I'm not a big fan of). Not only am I looking for emulator and game compatibility, but I also want one that is compatible with SMBX itself.

I'm not looking to spend over $60-70 on a controller, and I would prefer something under $50. I was looking at wireless XBox 360 controllers, but I'm not really that knowledgeable on them enough to actually put it on my wishlist. I was wondering if there was anything better than a wireless XBox 360 controller, or if I should just go with purchasing it.

So, if any of you use controllers for PC gaming, can you recommend one to me? It would be much appreciated.

[XerX]

If you have Bluetooth on your PC/Laptop, then I definitely recommend a XBox360 Controller. If you don't, you'll probably have to spend money on a wired one or one that comes with it's own Dongle. Most games on the PC that are controller compatible are made for the Xbox360 controllers. I personally use a controller called Afterglow PS3 Wireless controller, which comes with it's own dongle. It's not the best, but it was affordable and works with a lot of games I play. The ones that don't work, I use an Xbox360 controller emulator to simulate the keys with my controller.

[Danny]

Alright, I'll look at getting a wireless XBox 360 controller, I'm pretty sure I have Bluetooth compatibility, I'll have to check just in case. Still looking for suggestions in case anyone has something better in mind.

[Magician]

I got a wired Logitech gamepad, the F310 I believe, and I got it after turning in a wireless one that I couldn't trust not to go out of sync.
I don't know if the XBox 360 controller would fare better, but I have no 360 and thus no use for one, and I prefer a button map that appears closer to that of a PS3's than an XBox's anyway, so I got the logitech one.
It was enough of an issue for me to want to caution you about wireless controllers, though. As someone who has enjoyed seamless, lagless input for my entire life, I wouldn't give it up for the minor convenience of a wireless controller that gets me killed because of how unpredictably it stops working.
I suspect that consoles that have been using wireless controllers for a while now have synchronized the technology perfectly because they're designed with a more focused purpose, whereas with Windows and a custom build PC there may be the occasional unknown or unaccounted-for glitch with certain software builds or hardware that would have you ripping out your hair. It wasn't worth it for me; I gave it up immediately.
(If could also have been something to do with all of the wires and other equipment around my PC affecting the signal, but since there's little I can do about that, the necessary action was still to switch to wired.)

And yeah by the way this gamepad is plug and play with SMBX. I have it on the direct input setting and I choose gamepad and that's pretty much all I needed to do.

Downsides to the controller: Functional but not all that well-designed D-pad, cheap feel (mainly and especially the D-pad), and the shoulder buttons might be a deal-breaker for some. It works well enough for my purposes though.

[Julia Pseudo]

I use a PS3 controller as a laptop gamepad. You have to install some drivers IIRC but it's pretty easy to connect. If you have access to one already I'd suggest that. An Xbox 360 controller honestly though is probably better, I don't have much experience with them myself.

[Shadow Yoshi]

Xbox wired controllers work perfectly with SMBX, so I'm assuming a wireless one will do the same.

[qig]

I use a Logitech f310, it's not perfect, but i was able to get it for relatively cheap compared to other controllers on the market.

[Danny]

I've heard a lot of good things about the F310, but some reviews criticized it for it's fragile cord? Seeing as the F310 is cheaper, I might get it over an XBox one.