#My Xbox controller has stick drift

[acroagoraphobe]

I think god is punishing me for being a Joshua Graham simp, All my cords and chargers are breaking

[rivaiin]

i finally sold my old tablet that i didnt use anymore and got 85€ for it so guess who has money to get armored core now. hehe

[noellevanious]

what sonic game should i play first, and which ones should i avoid, if there are any

hmm... depends on what you want!

If you want a more 2d platforming experience, Sonic 1, 2, or CD are my go-to recs! just stick to the IOS/sonic origins versions that support widescreen! Sonic 3 & Knuckles/Sonic 3 A.I.R. can also be good, but you should play through at least 1 or 2 to really appreciate just how much went into it comparatively!

if you want 3d platforming with focused and refined gameplay, i'd recommend sonic adventure 2! if you want 3d platforming that's less polished, with a splash of a bunch of different gameplay experiences, sonic adventure 1 is super diverse thanks to its hub worlds and how differently every character plays (big is a charming change of pace for example, ignore the idiots that call all sonic fans furries and say Big sucks)! (i'd also recommend emulating Sonic Adventure 1 on dreamcast over playing the DX port on steam/gamecube, but the PC/steam SA2/SA2B Port is fine!)

If you want "Boost" gameplay, which is essentially a 3d platformer if it was more like a racing sim (think Forza or Need for Speed), I'd recommend Generations or Colors! There's drifting, and generally the stages are more like giant race courses with simple obstacles that rely more purely on reflexes than controlling the character in a space!

Lastly, if you wanna try some open world stuff, apparently Frontiers is considered pretty good! It still mostly plays like a "Boost" game but considering the reception of most sonic games since 06, the fact that I've never really heard bad things about it since its release is nothing to sneeze at!

Avoid Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) (unfinished, and the gameplay between the 3 characters is boring and stuck between platforming and the future "Boost" gameplay), Sonic Unleashed (has good Boost gameplay but you have to deal with the Werehog Beat Em Up stages which are Not Worth It), and Shadow the Hedgehog (not as tightly designed as SA1/SA2/Heroes, a lot more Grungy which may or may not interest you)! I will say though, if you get into the Sonic series, you can enjoy pretty much any game released outside of purely unfinished or poorly made ones like 06 and Sonic Boom! The core focus of "Platforming but Fast" is pretty consistent!

Ooh and highlights for spin-off games for me are Sonic Riders (absurdly good mascot racer/snowboard hybrid game and a sort of precursor to Sega All Stars Racing) and Sonic the Fighters (really fun and simple 2d fighter that can be bought and played on the Xbox Live Arcade), and Sonic Robo Blast 2/Sonic Robo Blast 2 Kart (SRB2 is a fanmade 3d platformer that's been actively worked on for 20+ years, and SRB2Kart is a fanmade mod of that platformer that's super popular for being a rly good mascot racer!)

I'll also pass it on to followers if they have personal reasons for recommending some games!

[tenma-the-mad]

GamingOnTheSpectrum: GameSir Kaleid Review

As an autistic gamer and a dedicated PvP player, I’m VERY picky about my controllers and peripherals. I’ve been rocking the (unfortunately now discontinued) Xbox One model controller for the past ten years, which has become my gold standard for feel.

After researching, buying, and returning multiple different pro controllers from a variety of companies, the Gamesir Kaleid (pronounced “collide”) might just be my new daily driver.

And it isn’t just because I can set the RGB to pulse the Bi Pride flag colors.

TLDR:

Pros - affordable ($50) wired Xbox controller with Hall Effect sticks to minimize the chance of stick drift, mechanical ABXY face buttons, two programmable rear buttons, good hand feel, and cool RGB options

Cons - no wireless option, only two back buttons, no mechanical trigger stops, and the faceplate is a soft plastic that can scratch easily

Mechanicals:

- Sticks: magnetic Hall Effect units with standard tensioned sticks that are compatible with PlayStation-sized KontrolFreek toppers.

- Face Buttons: super responsive mechanical switches rather than the cushy membrane switches that fail as soon as the membrane wears out.

- Triggers: normal triggers with some added texturing & no mechanical trigger stops, though hair trigger mode is an option

Customization:

Via gamesir app:

- Remap any button, with up to 3 saved button profiles

- Adjust stick deadzones & responsiveness

- Hair trigger setting

- Adjust or turn off trigger and handle rumbles

- Customize full-spectrum RGB lights

- Overclocking to 1000Hz (future update, matching the G7se capability), unfortunately disables the headset port

Physical (via “M” multi-function button)

- Remap buttons on the fly

- Adjust audio levels/balancing

- Swap between RGB profiles

Ergonomics:

Very similar to the Xbox One shell design but with the addition of some stippling in the rear plastic for grip, similar to the Xbox Series controller. Personally the stippling is much less offensive to my texture sensitivity than the Series controller, but could be an understandable non-negotiable for some. Weight is comparable to a stock controller.

Overall:

8.75/10 an affordable pro controller that has replaced my old reliable Xbox One model and feels better than many more expensive pro variants.

Now if only Gamesir would come out with a high-end version that had the same feel and some additional customization options like trigger stops and 4 back buttons.

[0m3g45n1p3r4lph4]

Whats the deal with Bionicle Heroes (Wii)?

Okay so everyone here knows Bionicle Heroes, probably by either the GameCube or Playstation 2 releases. Maybe even the Xbox release (of which all 3 are pretty much just ports with the input graphics changed) or the PC version (mouse and keyboard controls being the most drastic difference). It's many people's favorite (or at least most nostalgic) Bionicle game, competing with or right after Mata Nui Online Game.

The game itself is already quite repetitive - if you're the type to go for 100% completion, you're gonna be hearing the Hero Mode song A LOT. Even the DS version makes better use of unique mechanics by having Hahli use her Kanohi Elda to detect secrets, but that's a different tangent.

When I learned there was a Wii Version I was so excited to play what could very well be the Best version. To preface, I know a lot of people have a stigma against motion controls, but I've always found that the Metroid Prime Trilogy works so excellently with a Wii Remote and Nunchuck in ways that no other control scheme can match! Movement with an analog stick is more precise and comfortable than keys, and aiming with an analog stick is always wonky and imprecise. Mouse is okay, but Prime's pointer controls make those games really slick - just point where you wanna shoot, you can adjust the zones on the edges of the screen for turning your view, I really like it. I play on a close approximation of that style on Prime Remastered, but Joycons even have Gyro Drift so it doesn't always feel great.

So I go into this expecting similar - to be able to point at anywhere on screen and shoot at that. To point at an enemy and have the targeting lasers aim right at them.

Nope. Targeting is locked to the center of the screen.

Despite constantly having your pointer visible, THE ONLY INTERACTION IT HAS WITH THE GAME IS TO ROTATE THE CAMERA. You can't point at anything. Only moving the cursor towards the edges of the screen to turn your view, and whatever is closest to the center of the screen becomes your target.

You can't even adjust these zones.

Prime Trilogy showed me how WiimoteNunchuck can be one of the best control schemes, but I underestimated how it can also be one of the worst. What's the point of having a pointer if you're just gonna treat it as an analog stick????????

Not to mention it's clearly a rushed port of the GameCube release, including any prerendered cutscenes being much more compressed (though including new dialogue in the opener?) and even some missing textures revealing open skybox (luckily just minor stuff).

Like sure, I've got my gripes with every version of Heroes (the dumbing down of the most intense part of the story thus far, turning the Piraka into bumbling fools, you could at least make them intimidating in the part where BALTA TALKS ABOUT HOW INTIMIDATING THEY ARE CMON) but the control scheme makes the Wii version easily the worst. All the DS hand cramps are at least balanced out by the unique content, rahi variety (THEY HAVE FROST BEETLES), etc.

At least it's still got the good soundtrack.

[echoalias]

My Xbox controller has had stick-drift issues for a while. So I've just treated myself to a new one! To play The Last Chapter of Valhalla! :D

#regrets XD

(I haven't actually played it, but seeing the general reaction from our little side of the fandom it's safe to say I may just skip over it and remain blissfully ignorant and happy in my own headcanons!)

[allsonicgames]

Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed

Original Platform: Xbox 360, PS3

Original release: 18th November 2012

Version Played: PC

Available to buy: Yes

From a singleplayer perspective, I think this is the best kart-style racer, and also one of the best from a multiplayer perspective. 

In Sonic Racing, Sonic and some classic SEGA characters like Danica Patrick, Wreck-It Ralph and Team Fortress Spy/Heavy/Pyro race around evolving tracks with transforming vehicles in car, boat and plane modes. The handling and controls feel extremely smooth, drifting around corners at high speeds. 

The trick system is also a vital part of movement now. Performing tricks will give you a boost, but now the right analogue stick controls the direction of your roll. In car/boat modes, rolling left and right will move your car in that direction, while in the air it also applies to up/down. It’s always very satisfying to do, especially when you position yourself as well.

The tracks in this are amazingly well done. They all have varying amounts of “evolution”, so some will be the same for three laps, some will change gradually while others will be completely different. Focing on Sonic first, there are three tracks: Seaside Hill, Sky Sanctuary and Galactic Parade – interestingly one from the main “eras” of Sonic.

Seaside Hill is the basic level, but has multiple jumps, the large rolling disc from Sonic Heroes to dodge and changes to a water course on lap three (with a gorgeous looking coral reef). Sky Sanctuary swaps between plane and car-type laps and is heavily based on the Sonic Generations version. The Death Egg will also get closer and closer as you progress.

Galactic Parade is an absolute spectacle, with lots of ships flying in the background, you race on a section where robots are shooting lasers (it feels just like the Sonic Colours level it’s based on) and on lap three, a large ship waps into the way of the track and becomes part of it. It feels straight out of the game, and the same holds true for most of the tracks,

Other stand out tracks (although most are great) are the Skies of Arcadia, where there’s a massive battle happening with airships, which drastically alters the track as you race on it, the NiGHTS level which its surreal imagery and completely different segments each map, and the Burning Rangers (a game I know nothing about) level which takes place in a flooding underground base. They all have a great spectacle about them. 

On top of the cups, you also have a singleplayer to work through. Here you collect stars by completing challenges based on difficulty (with expert difficulty unlocking after finishing all but the final few challenges. There are some optional “paths” to unlock characters and “mods” for each character (which allow you to adjust a racer’s stats by increasing one aspect while decreasing another). I think a bit more variety in missions would be nice, but everything is still very enjoyable.

For Sonic characters, you have Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Dr Robotnik, Shadow and Metal Sonic alongside characters from other Sega games and some non-Sega guests. I really like some of the stranger choices like a football manager or General Winter and Willemus (WWII and Roman generals), although I think it’s strange that these characters are only on the PC version. Everyone has a unique vehicle that, for the most part, suits them. My only complaint is that Tails has a shiny vehicle very similar to Sonic’s, which seems like a strange choice when Tails literally has a transforming plane in the Sonic games. His vehicle needed to look more hand-made.

[maximuswolf]

Hall Effect Sticks

Hall Effect Sticks Unpopular opinion: Hall Effect sticks are just a marketing ploy and aren’t actually any better than regular sticks on a controller.I saw a post talking about what controllers to get and what to look for in a controller. So I’ve used just about every controller out there for competitive FPS games. Used them all a ton. I spent the money trying them, and I’m sharing my findings so yall don’t have to spend the money and time. What I’ve found is that Hall effect sticks actually do far worse over time than regular sticks. It’s hard to explain, but put simply, Hall effect sticks won’t have visible stick drift on the screen, they will just simply make themselves not responsive within a certain deadzone. So even though you aren’t getting stick drift, the controller itself will become really bad because it won’t be as responsive for fine aiming. This issue is especially prominent in the Xbox Elite controllers. If you’ve switched from an elite to a new controller, you may know what I mean, or at least have noticed that you were doing better on the new controller. Long story short, if you want a quality controller that will last, Hall effect sticks are not it. What you want is something that is quality, but you can also replace cheaply. The best example of this (and the controller I currently use) is the PS5 Dualsense edge. Quality sticks (mine haven’t gone bad after almost 2 years) and they’re replaceable too. It costs like $20 to replace the whole stick module and it’s very easy to do. If you’re on pc, you need to download an app called DSX (I use version 2) from steam to remap the buttons (it’s like $5) and run it in the background. The nice thing about PlayStation controllers too is they’re better than other controllers when it comes to overclocking.If you want a cheaper controller that has paddles and isn’t too expensive get a fusion pro. Won’t hurt the wallet too much if you need to replace it. If you’re on Xbox and want a good controller and don’t care about the price, get a battlebeaver.If you really like gaming a lot, controllers aren’t a one-time purchase, they’re a subscription, make your subscription cheap. Submitted July 30, 2024 at 08:54AM by NaderBlader https://ift.tt/cG27LBt via /r/gaming

[mokuknight]

I just set my MacBook down and it scraped along my xbox controller and ewgwghwhwg it has an ugly scratch nowww. I know it's not a big deal, but it's a nice controller and honestly I find it so dumb that these controllers for newer consoles aren't that durable. This is just STUPID. Screw you, Microsoft. Our 360 controllers were thrown at the wall, and they never broke. They're so old, the rubber on the sticks have been warn so much it's just coming off, BUT IT MAKES SENSE BECAUSE WE'VE HAD THEM SINCE I WAS A BABY. Never once did we experience drift or easy scratching or ANYTHING and our cabinets are DUSTY.

[vanilladaises-rp]

So with both the Playstation and Xbox showcases having wrapped, along with a few others, I thought that I should share some gaming news:

Star Wars Outlaws

I seriously did not expect this game at all. And it looks phenomenal! I'm thrilled that they're turning away from the usual Rebellion-Empire, Jedi storylines that we've seen recently and are going towards a gunslinger, smuggler point of view this time around. And from the gameplay shown, this is basically Red Dead Redemption 2 in Star Wars form. The only concern is that this is developed by Ubisoft, which has a reputation for downgrading their games after post-production and hasn't done a lot of innovation in their latest games.

Starfield

I know there is a lot riding on this game, especially for the current Xbox generation. But this game isn't going to make me buy a new Xbox any time soon, mainly because this game looks and feels generic at best. And it has the same game mechanics as No Man's Sky, a game that you could get for 50% when it goes on sale frequently. Or if you just want a Space RPG, then just get The Outer Worlds for $20.

I honestly don't know why people preordering this game in droves, particularly because Bethesda has released really buggy games while also having absurd microtransactions. But since Microsoft owns them now, I'm also having my doubts since one of Microsoft's studios just released perhaps one of the worst disastrous launches in gaming history a little over a month ago. Also, it's locked at 30 frames per second, so if I get a Series X, it's not going to take advantage of the hardware. So, I'll wait until the reviews come in, or at the very least, it goes on sale.

Xbox Series S Carbon Black

It's simply the Series S, just in black. However, it has 1TB of storage instead of 512GB. And it only costs $350. So $50 more for an extra 500GB? This is a really great budget deal in my opinion if you want to upgrade to the current generation of consoles without breaking the bank.

CRKD Nitro Deck

So this is a Switch accessory, but if you want to make your Switch look like a Steam Deck, this is it. However, you don't have to worry about stick drift, it has reprogrammable back buttons, and you can customize the joysticks.

Also, it comes in a limited edition Gamecube colorway, which is really nostalgic for Nintendo fans.

Im gonna be honest i don’t know either game so i hade to research lol 😂 but they both do look really cool I’ve only every played Star Wars Fallen Order but outlaws looks pretty fun, i would definitely like to check it out. Star Field looks sick!! Omg the graphics, but from the trailer it looks like a shooting game am i wrong? I don’t play games like that anymore i used to play stuff like gta san andres or cod in high school but i wasn’t v good tbh 😂. Auto aim is my bestie is all I’ll say haha. I don’t know much about game mechanics or frame rates so i can’t say much there sorry. You can educate me if you want lol. Also I’ve heard of a steam deck and seen it idk what it does? I looked up the nitro deck and i love the gamecube skin, i still have my gamecube and controls 🥹 once i know what it is ill think about purchasing it lol

[reapersynth]

So here i am, sitting here just trying to play cyberpunk, but every single fucking controller in my possession (which is two) is suddenly broken! I hate it wtf bro

Both have broken bumpers and one of them literally destroys battery packs. I'm not even like rough with them or anything! I just use them normally.

ugh, thats the worst. all of my controllers fall victim of stick drift at some point and that's frustrating enough D:

if you want some advice from an ex-gamestop-employee and you're not picky, you can find some decent aftermarket controllers pretty cheap (especially wired ones!). my current controller that I use for pc (but works on xbox too) is a wired PowerA controller that I got for 30 bucks and it has really cool programmable rgb/chroma lights!!! and it's treated me quite well, no stick drift so far 2 years in 🙏 which is a lot better than shelling out 60/70 bucks for a new shitty xbox brand gamepad

[asouthfacingfridge]

My Xbox One controller has stick drift in the left stick

The one I borrowed off someone else has a shitty left stick that doesn’t click in properly

My conclusion: Xbox One controllers suck

[noellevanious]

hiiiiiii :3 you said you have controller wisdom

i kinda want something that has most of the buttons on the back so that i don't have to use my thumbs for everything

ideally itd be a layout where theres basically no reason to let go of the sticks

(one other thing ive been thinking about is using a onehanded controller with a mouse bc i prefer mouselook over stick cams but i have no idea if tgat even exists)

hmm well firstly the biggest factor is what platform youre playing on! i have the most experience with pc/switch (and thankfully most controllers that support one support the other cause) so i'll just go based off of that :)

i think the best you can do for a bunch of buttons on controller grips would be some "pro" controller, as those usually have 4 buttons, though i think there are a few that have more that i may not be aware of....

the one off the top of my head I can easily recommend is the FlyDigi Vader 3, it's a Chinese controller that has 4 back buttons and feel pretty quality, I use the Vader 3 Pro (the only difference between the two is the Pro has hall effect joysticks which means no stick drift) and it has 4 back buttons that are usable, though the placement isn't amazing (your ring fingers kinda sit between their two respective back/paddle buttons)

Honestly though? The controller with the best back buttons I've ever used are the Xbox Elite controllers. Its paddles are near perfect, but the issue with those is the cheap low-quality parts that make it entirely possible you'll have to refund or replace it within months, if not weeks, so I'd be wary

There are also services like Battle Beaver that make custom controllers and can do up to 4 unique remappable buttons on each of the grips of the controller, you'll have to pay a bit more (my custom from them was ~$200 back in 2020 and it didnt have any grip buttons) but they use real parts, and the only downside with them is again, since they use the real parts, the controller might fail for reasons outside of your or their control (like analogue stick modules failing), but they have services that can repair them even outside of warranties!

You asked a tough question though... I mainly use mouse/keyboard for games that require twinstick action, aside from some games like Splatoon, and even then I tend to prefer gyro aiming and don't really use back buttons...

[amadeusgames]

The Best Simulators on Xbox

WRC 10

A wide range of classic rally vehicles from different eras is offered to choose from. It's awesome to have the ability to enjoy a wide variety of cars. The F1 video game titles are still leading the way in this regard, and you won't get a driver transfer market, animated characters from the press, or even rivalries in this game. However, playing through the Junior WRC, then WRC 3, WRC 2, and the main WRC class is just as enjoyable as ever. one that prioritizes resolution when playing at 30 frames per second, as well as a "balanced" mode that has the dynamic resolution of 4K but aims for 60 frames per second.

0 It's just as stunning as the previous video game, which is all great considering that WRC 9 was a significant leap forward for the video game series. Not unlike Milestone's Moto GP 21, the presentation of Career mode is a bit dull. Following the launch, we will receive free content from Belgium and Greece. Alternatively, you could select "Performance," a preset that allows for buttery-smooth 120 FPS gaming. The design of the stage at KT Racing is fantastic, though it is unfortunate that a lot of the great work it did for WRC 8 and WRC 9 was wiped out due to changes to the calendar. A much better term to spell out the video game would be "made." KT Racing has discovered the perfect balance between intense realism and the pure enjoyment of sliding across gravel. This may result in a perceived improvement in draw distance, and the greater the contrast, the better for racing. Have you been racing against drivers who aren't participating in the rally, and are the drivers you will be up against completely random in contrast to the times they established?

Buy cheap Xbox games with the best deals.

For those looking for realistic rally sims, complete with a rewarding learning curve, WRC 10's drifts and straight shots will give you plenty of entertainment. Quick play allows you to choose any rally stage and vehicle in a variety of weather conditions.The audience sustains RacingGames.Change the controls to analog sticks, and the game title is very good. The fact that additional stages are coming down the road leads to my final impression of WRC 10. You're competing in WRC 8 but with a new handling model for later events that use modern technology. Have you had a good time? And what does the newcomer offer? The ability to regain traction on a damp surface before the rear end of the car slams into the barrier could keep gamers returning. My peers are banned from my house until they have been thoroughly jabbed and have learned how to behave indoors (they may be wild boys). I've got only my partner and my five-year-old son to play with, and neither one wants to get into WRC 10, so I would not test it out.

Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge 2

TT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge 2's most memorable aspect is its realistic take on racing motorbikes. It's not a Grand Theft Auto online cycle racer. It's not even close. The physics used in TT2 is apparent in the way each bike handles, which is generally affected by the speed of the racers, circuit figures, and the position of the rider on the bicycle.

It is a requirement for riders to get more deliberate with their unique competition strategies. Make a quick getaway from a stop without positioning the motorcyclist ahead on the bike, and you should likely hit a wheelie, which could result in a fall in the direction of the ground. You will need to take a turn in a fast car, and you'll crash onto the ground. The TT Isle of Man: Ride for the Edge 2 is a smart racing game in this respect and does it without becoming too complicated or heavy, which is a great thing because being unrealistic is one of the traits that could result in a loss of an entire game. It's a TT Isle of Man: Ride to the Edge 2 includes the standard game modes found in most racing console games today. Quick-race, time-attack, and tutorial modes are available in single-player mode. Additionally, there is Free Roam, which permits enthusiasts to enjoy some of these landscapes and audio from the Isle or the surrounding countryside with no reputable target other than perhaps getting an understanding of each bike and/or custom configuration. Although it is generally logical that users will be automatically returned to the track when they veer to the dirt landscape, racing through the rolling hills of rural areas at speeds of up to 160 mph was a lot of fun.

Buy cheap Xbox games with the best deals.

Career mode highlights the single-player gameplay, taking gamers through the ranks to participate in competitions and races while achieving benefits, sponsorship, and brand-new accessories for their bikes. Career mode is truthfully especially enjoyable to try out because of the interestingly in-depth personalization attributes similar to Madden or NBA2K, enabling enthusiasts to decide their future by signing contracts and customizing their bike designs, of which there are plenty of choices to select from with all the big-name licensed brands that race enthusiasts or anyone else will instantly acknowledge. Online multiplayer races are enjoyable if you can participate in the race; however, there's no online user existence, at least at the moment of production. When you select a race, it usually means that no matches have been found and you must create your own. Once I was able to connect a web-based rendezvous, it ran as smoothly as a local multi-player session, with no noticeable hiccups or lag. However, unless you have several online friends who also individual TT Isle of Man: Ride in the Edge 2 and want to race, multiplayer mode is probably not worth the effort and time.TT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge 2 is a racing game designed for fans who enjoy logical gameplay. It's easy to acquire and have fun with; however, it's a lot more complicated, though worthwhile, and turned out to be a highly skilled racing game. While online multiplayer is a bit flat due to the present player base, this game's career mode is more than enough and also well worth the time. Strangely, hanging was the legal punishment for murder on the island until 1993. The Queen repealed the law if an emaciated chimp was executed after a TT game in which players dressed as monkeys to raise funds for Comic Relief accidentally decapitated a bin gentleman. Karma can be a bit erratic. The initial TT Isle of Gentlemen play (produced in the year 2018) ended up being adored because of its technical accomplishment in capturing the perfect island tour but criticized for its too-simple topic, uninteresting front-end design, and incredibly harsh handling companion. Since then, French creators of Kylotonn displays have added a slew of extras to the second version of Kylotonn's TT-accredited video game. Included in this are fully updated bike physics, enhanced controls, feedback to the controllers, and control, as well as numerous additional bikes, circuits, and a roaming-free option. However, how fun is it to relax and play? The solution to this real question is highly Provided you spend a few hours learning the controls and gaining a feel for the model of handling, which, at first, is an a-ball, The first few hours of rag doll disasters were depressing, with even the smallest bit of a curb bush pulling the bike's rider in ways that ticked both the humorous and painfully realistic boxes.

[yeonchi]

8BitDo Pro 2 Controller Review

Attached image from 8BitDo’s website is an accurate description of what I’m doing with this, save for the Switch.

Around the time I was planning to build my new gaming PC last year, I began looking into buying a game controller. A few years back, I borrowed a friend’s PS4 controller to play Dynasty Warriors 8 on my laptop and I wanted to replicate that experience, particularly since I would be playing Koei Warriors games quite a lot (actual releases and on emulators).

I had a couple main requirements for a controller - it needed to be a PlayStation layout and also be capable of connecting to my PC and my Android phone through Bluetooth. There were a lot of good options, but there were flaws in most of them; they had the Xbox layout, stick drift would appear after a while or they would look too generic to be good. I had considered buying a telescopic controller as well so as to replicate the PSP experience, but I decided not to for the above reasons, plus also because they were a bit too expensive for me. 

Gradually, I decided to settle on the 8BitDo Pro2 for a few reasons; it had a removable USB-C cable and Bluetooth, the buttons and analog sticks were in the PlayStation layout and the phone clip (sold separately) could be reversed so as to not make it top-heavy when I put my phone in it, though after using it for myself, top-heaviness wasn’t that big of a problem for me.

I brought the grey version of the controller on Amazon for a discount at $69 along with the phone clip and the travel case. I had considered buying the clear purple colourway version, but my birthday was coming up and I didn’t want to have to wait for shipping from China. If the purple version was available on the Australian Amazon store, I probably would have brought that. When I saw the teasers on their Reddit, I waited until the launch of the Ultimate Controller to see if I should get that instead, but upon seeing that it was in the Xbox format, I decided to bite the bullet for this controller, just as I had planned. 

After using it, I realised that the reviewers were right about this controller, because it’s one of the best third-party controllers I’ve seen. While the buttons are in the PlayStation format, the D-pad is in the classic + format and the face buttons are in the Nintendo layout, however these were compromises that I could live with. If you really wanted to, 8BitDo has replacement buttons you can buy that are in the Xbox format, along with replacement parts for other components of the controller. This is another thing I like about 8BitDo because you can see that they clearly respect the right to modify and repair.

There are four modes on the controller that allow it to be used on PCs and Android phones along with Macs and the Nintendo Switch. They can be changed through a switch on the back which is really convenient as previous models had you press a combination of buttons while turning it on in order to switch modes. Integration on my PC and Android phone is superb, however when I first started using it on my PC, there were a few teething issues in that when I had the controller connected and I opened a game, it wouldn’t run until I disconnected and reconnected the controller, or rather switched modes. This issue disappeared soon enough for most of my games, though this continues to be an issue for RPCS3, though they acknowledge that this is a bug in the USB libraries that they use. An additional bug with version 2.01 is that the controller seemed to stop responding and disconnect itself at times, through downgrading to version 2.00 resolved this.

There are two buttons on the back of the controller that can be mapped using the Ultimate Software. This is perfect for when I’m playing Warriors Orochi 3 Ultimate (to summon my horse or the other characters in my team) or Samurai Warriors 4 (to switch characters or open the command menu). Additionally, the controller can switch between three different profiles in each mode so you can remap the buttons to each profile as you see fit.

The phone clip has also proven itself useful, particularly when travelling. I thought installing it onto the controller and the phone would be hard, but it turns out that it was easy, despite me having to take off the phone case and the hinges clicking quite audibly. Nonetheless, it is a snug fit and it does make a neat portable console on the fly.

Anyway, what else is there to say about this controller? Once you start using one, whether it be this controller or another, you’ll never want to go back to using a keyboard again.

[koppiki]

The Quality of Things

It's not a controversial take to say that things aren't really being built to last anymore. That they haven't for a long time, really.

Take, for instance, my Xbox 360 controller. It works! It works well! No stick drift, no stuck buttons. Plus, it feels right in my hands. While the last of those points could just be due to me being really used to it, the rest still hold true.

I know that my Xbox One controllers (the ones I had, at least) all broke. One got stick drift on the right stick, and the other had its L1 button stuck. I can probably blame the latter on dark souls (and spamming shield as a communicative method) but the former is honest-to-goodness product-being-bad-ness. Is it the shifting towards aesthetic over quality? Certainly stuff like fast fashion is an issue, wherein it's more about Getting Stuff Out than about making things that are meant to last.

Anyways, the Xbox 360 controller is finally starting to suffer. The rubber grip on the left thumbstick is almost completely rubbed off, to the point that the edge is gone. Thus, it's only a matter of time until I can't really use it anymore (hard plastic ain't the best, which is one of the reasons I never got the hype for the Gamecube controller).

What will I do when it finally becomes unusable? I can't buy a new one, and the modern replacements (e.g. xbox one controllers) are somehow simultaneously more expensive and lower quality. What's with that?

I don't think that I'm nostalgic for those times (I didn't like myself very much back then, after all), and anti-consumer practices have existed just as long as capitalism has. It's not as if that time was that much better (if at all, really). I'm also just more aware of these sorts of things now, being the radical little creature I am now.

I just feel like they should stop actively making things worse, you know?