Gears of War

[A Black Falcon]

You disagree that I prefer the GCN controller? Because that's what I said, and I DO prefer it. I'm not saying it's an absolute better, and I agree that the Z button is terribly placed and that 4 button layout is a nerfed 6 button layout, but other than that, I find the GCN controller way more comfortable, and every button is right there instead of having to switch hand styles to reach the D pad or stick (though the d-pad on the GCN controller isn't as good as the d-pad on the n64, it's placement is fine to me). I also much prefer the sticks, as they have soft rubber grips and are "smoother" to me. They don't dig into my fingers nearly as much. Admittedly, they still aren't the best. I actually think MS got it right with their thumsticks. I have NEVER got a sore thumb from those sticks (and actually, not from the PS2 sticks either), but I got gamer's thumb all the time from the N64 stick, and still occasionally with the GCN stick. Those ridges are pointless!

And the number of N64 games that use both the analog stick and d-pad is... erm, do any for any function you ever need to use? L or the d-pad once in a while get mapped to "turn on/off map" (Zelda) or "horn" (some racing game I think) but that's about it, so I don't see the point of that complaint... as for comfort, I'd say the N64 one is more comfortable. On the left side your hand is always right on the controls, no need to switch between a lower d-pad (the location of which I've gotten somewhat used to but still find worse than the normal upper location) and upper analog stick, and no big fat shoulder buttons you need to press far in to get to register in many games; simply hit the trigger button under your second finger. On the right? The R buttons are equal I guess (N64 easier to press, GC slightly better placed); Z in the GC is awful of course; and the GC has a better face button layout. No contest, N64 wins... and it wins in design too. I definitely prefer its design and style to the GC one by far.

your main point is the analog stick one, obviously. Hmm... I guess N64 analog sticks are less "rubbery", but I think that's what I like about them. Sure, they might be slightly less comfortable for long play sessions, but I really liked the feel of using them, and there's no other controller out there that's like it. Everything else tries to be like the Dual Shock to varying degrees, and that's too bad... I really do prefer the feel and design of the N64 analog stick to the Dualshock. Sore thumb? Maybe once in a while from the N64, but the benefits are worth it, and it's no worse than any d-pad controller.

Oh yeah, and the ridges do have a point: to help your grip. PSX analog sticks have no ridges so they're slipprier... Nintendo has the better idea overall.