8th May 2022, 10:42 AM
I should start by saying that I've never held a PS5 controller, but I doubt that affects anything here.
Controller parts, huh? That's tricky. If we're talking controllers as a whole it's easier.
My favorite non-analog controller is the 6-button Sega Genesis controller. The regular Sega one, not the inferior one Majesco had or such. It's an absolutely exceptional controller, so comfortable and well designed.
My favorite analog controller is the N64 controller. I really like the concept of having different ways to hold it for digital-control games versus analog-control ones.
My favorite modern controller is the Xbox Series controller. It's very comfortable and very well designed. All it needs is a tilt sensor and it'd be just about perfect.
For a handheld, Neo Geo Pocket Color. It has the best-feeling A and B buttons on a handheld, and the clicky stick is amazing.
As for parts... hmm. For dpads, I'm not sure. My favorite might be the Genesis 6-button dpad, though Nintendo's classic dpads (NES, SNES, original Game Boy) are in some ways better. The Xbox Series controller dpad is definitely the best by FAR in a current-gen system, I agree about that; it's quite good, far better than the Switch's or Sony's always-awful missing center junk. The clicky digital stick of the Neo Geo Pocket Color is also AMAZING.
Face buttons - my instinct is for the Genesis 6-button, though I can see the argument for the Saturn; it does have larger XYZ buttons, which is nice. I just really like the feel of the Genesis buttons...
Shoulder buttons - I don't like shoulder buttons much and definitely don't like dual-shoulder-button designs, so probably N64 since one is a trigger. Or the Microsoft Sidewinder Gamepad for PC, which has two digital trigger buttons on the shoulders. The Switch (and Wii U Pro controller)'s are functional but aren't the best or worst of anything, and the triggers should be analog on that controller, it's just bizarre that they aren't.
Analog triggers - Hmm... maybe the Xbox Series X? I mean, the Gamecube's are great, but they have such strong resistance that holding them in makes my fingers tired after a while. Xbox ones also have resistance, but it's not quite as strong as the GC's.
Analog sticks - before they break down, the N64's are my favorite. They do break down unfortunately quickly, but I love them anyway. For modern controllers I do agree that the Switch is far behind the Xbox Series controller in this category as well.
Start and Select? Offhand I'd say probably the NES. Simple and good.
Handles? Hmm... I'm not sure. The N64, Virtual Boy, Xbox Series.. all pretty good.
Hand comfort - Xbox Series wins for this one. You can tell how much money Microsoft put into the controller's form.
Controller parts, huh? That's tricky. If we're talking controllers as a whole it's easier.
My favorite non-analog controller is the 6-button Sega Genesis controller. The regular Sega one, not the inferior one Majesco had or such. It's an absolutely exceptional controller, so comfortable and well designed.
My favorite analog controller is the N64 controller. I really like the concept of having different ways to hold it for digital-control games versus analog-control ones.
My favorite modern controller is the Xbox Series controller. It's very comfortable and very well designed. All it needs is a tilt sensor and it'd be just about perfect.
For a handheld, Neo Geo Pocket Color. It has the best-feeling A and B buttons on a handheld, and the clicky stick is amazing.
As for parts... hmm. For dpads, I'm not sure. My favorite might be the Genesis 6-button dpad, though Nintendo's classic dpads (NES, SNES, original Game Boy) are in some ways better. The Xbox Series controller dpad is definitely the best by FAR in a current-gen system, I agree about that; it's quite good, far better than the Switch's or Sony's always-awful missing center junk. The clicky digital stick of the Neo Geo Pocket Color is also AMAZING.
Face buttons - my instinct is for the Genesis 6-button, though I can see the argument for the Saturn; it does have larger XYZ buttons, which is nice. I just really like the feel of the Genesis buttons...
Shoulder buttons - I don't like shoulder buttons much and definitely don't like dual-shoulder-button designs, so probably N64 since one is a trigger. Or the Microsoft Sidewinder Gamepad for PC, which has two digital trigger buttons on the shoulders. The Switch (and Wii U Pro controller)'s are functional but aren't the best or worst of anything, and the triggers should be analog on that controller, it's just bizarre that they aren't.
Analog triggers - Hmm... maybe the Xbox Series X? I mean, the Gamecube's are great, but they have such strong resistance that holding them in makes my fingers tired after a while. Xbox ones also have resistance, but it's not quite as strong as the GC's.
Analog sticks - before they break down, the N64's are my favorite. They do break down unfortunately quickly, but I love them anyway. For modern controllers I do agree that the Switch is far behind the Xbox Series controller in this category as well.
Start and Select? Offhand I'd say probably the NES. Simple and good.
Handles? Hmm... I'm not sure. The N64, Virtual Boy, Xbox Series.. all pretty good.
Hand comfort - Xbox Series wins for this one. You can tell how much money Microsoft put into the controller's form.
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