Recommended controllers

Here, you can use this.

Sometimes our controllers aren't the best for the game we wanna play. If you're looking to get the absolute best control and play the games they were meant to be played you might want these.

Standard Game Controllers

Generic Ass Controllers. Sticks, D-Pads, and whatever ships with the console goes here.

Image	Name	Platform	Description
	Xbox Series Controller	Xbox Series S/X, Xbox One, Windows, MacOS, Most Linux Variants, iOS, Android	The most recent Xbox controller should be the controller of choice for your more bog standard gaming sessions if the price is right. When compared to the Dualsense it has the following distinct advantages: Longer Lasting Thumbsitck toppers. A better, clicky, D-Pad A AA Battery compartment, Yes this is an advantage. You can use this wired without batteries and If the DualSense's battery gets fried, you have to open it up, as that controller won't work at all without a battery installed. User Replaceable batteries will always be superior. The one negative thing going against this controller is that the plastic mold used for the bumper buttons is extremely fragile.
	Xbox Elite Series 2	Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, Windows, MacOS, Most Linux Variants, iOS, Android	Xbox's Premium Controller, Key differences from the standard Xbox Series controller are: Built in battery Rubberized Grips and outer shell Replaceable toppers Replaceable D-Pad topper Grip macro buttons Customizable input profiles Hair trigger controls Thumbstick tension controls This is all to say that it's a slight marginal improvement over the stock controller. The non-removable batteries, and rubberized coating are big downsides in the long term. Don't bother with this unless you can get it for under 100 Freedom bucks. Don't bother with the Elite Series 1, or any stock 8th Generation Controller for that matter. Nearly all of them use Micro-USB, which is the worst connector type known to man, and is known for breaking just by looking at it funny. PRO TIP: If for whatever reason you want another one of these, accessories and all, registering and marking your original as defective on Microsoft's registered product page, will give you the option of ordering a brand new "replacement" for 80 bucks.
	DualSense Controller	PS5, PS4, PS3 (4.92 or higher System Firmware), Windows, MacOS, Most Linux Variants, iOS, Android	Sony's stock PS5 Controller is a great option as well. When compared to the Xbox's offerings, the build quality of the controller overall is far superior. It also supports gyro aiming, and is likely the best controller on the market as far as Gyro is concerned.
	Gulikit Zen Pro Wireless Controller (Pictured) / Gulikit KingKong 2 Pro Wireless Controller	Nintendo Switch, Windows, MacOS, Most Linux Variants, iOS, Android	Nintendo's First Party controllers for Switch are not on here for a good reason. Controllers such as this just blow Nintendo's out of the water in terms of build quality and design. Importantly this controller uses Hall Effect sensors on the triggers and joysticks. Forgoing the plastic wear and tear issues of potentiometers that ultimately lead to stick drift and broken plastic. All while doing just about everything a stock Switch Pro Controller can, minus HD Rumble. Gulikit even offers replacement Hall Effect sticks for Joy-Cons if you're terminally a Nintendo fan.
	8Bitdo Ultimate Controller	Nintendo Switch, Windows, MacOS, Most Linux Variants, iOS, Android	Similar to the above controller, but the molding more closely resembles Nintendo's Pro Controller and it can be remapped on Switch using 8bitdo's app. Lacks NFC on Switch, and more importantly lacks Gyro on non Nintendo Platforms.
	Sega Saturn Control Pad (Slim Version)	Sega Saturn	God's gift to 2D. Has the best D-Pad and ergonomic design ever grafted onto a control board. Get it, get an adapter, and don't look back. Be warned, opinions are fairly mixed on RetroBit's Sega controllers.
	Sega Saturn 3D Control Pad	Sega Saturn	Analog Controller for the Sega Saturn. More useful and impactful than it seems, as in addition to its own games, it will work in any game that supported the Steering Wheel and Mission Stick, and can be switched to digital only inputs. It was also the first controller with support for Analog triggers and features Hall Effect sensors on both the Stick and Triggers. Compared to this, the Dreamcast's stock controller is an objective downgrade.
	8BitDo M30	Windows, Nintendo Switch, Android, MacOS, Most Linux Variants, Sega Genesis/Mega Drive (Via 2.4G Wireless Adapter)	Modeled after the Saturn's controller, but with the smoother contour of the Mega Drive's 6-button one. So it's another excellent and affordable option for 2D gaming / emulation. Can be used via Bluetooth or USB.
	8BitDo NEOGEO Wireless Controller	Neo Geo Mini, Windows, Android, MacOS, Most Linux Variants, Nintendo Switch	"clicky thumbsticks is very hard to make" And so 8BitDo set out to do Gods work, finally, 5 years later giving us the controller that should've shipped with SNK's cheap little mini console. It even fixes the button layout, making it truly faithful to the Neo Geo CD. Requires a firmware update to work with Nintendo Switch, MacOS and Linux. NOTE: This controller is incompatible with the NEO GEO Arcade Stick Pro.
	Hori Mini	Nintendo 64	Tired of that shitty N64 analog stick? Well problem solved! Imagine if the Gamecube controller had a baby with the N64 controller. The only problem is they're a bit cramped for space if you want to play 2D games. (Shit for 2D, great for 3D) If you'd prefer to have the normal style N64 controller you could buy some Lodgenet N64 controllers with the improved GCN style stick (about $25 on ebay) and mod them to work on an actual N64/swap the analog to a standard controller. Don't bother with 3rd party replacement analogs they work horribly with some games (like Smash Bros).
	Hori Digital Pad	Nintendo GameCube	The GCN controller was also having an affair with the SNES controller.. Feels almost the same as a SNES controller but with GCN button layout and contoured bottom for extra comfort. This thing is pretty pricey too, but it's perfect for GBA games and whatever 2D games you have. (Standard GCN is shit for 2D)
	Paddle Controller	Atari 2600	Theres a lot of controllers for Atari, this and the standard joystick and the only two you'll need. Your only option for great games like Kaboom, Super Breakout, and Warlords. Don't mix it up with the driving controller!

Arcade Sticks

For controllers that aim to recreate those seedy as fuck dumps known as "Arcades".

Image	Name	Platform	Description
	Agetec Arcade Stick	Dreamcast	The "official" arcade stick for the Dreamcast (Not made by SEGA). Since the Dreamcast has an amazing library of fighting games and the standard DC isn't the best for those you might want to pick one up. Might want to mod for best results, Sanwa stick and buttons are good The stock buttons and stick are not Sanwa, but rather Sega's own proprietary design. In order to use Sanwa buttons on this you're gonna need to use a dremel to widen the holes for Sanwa's wider buttons.
	Battlestation II	Atari 2600, Famicom, NES, Master System, Mega Drive/Genesis, SNES, Commodore 64, Amiga, Various Atari Home Computers	The closest thing to a Swiss army knife of controllers at the time it was made. This 2 player behemoth features near arcade quality parts and micro switches. Also the perfect controller for twin stick shooters.
	Namco Arcade Stick	PS1	One of the better arcade sticks of its time. Was one of, if not the first stick to utilize Hori's arcade buttons.
	MAS Systems Arcade Stick	Various Versions exist, supporting a various number of consoles	These are the sticks you will see grey hairs such as Alex Valle, John Choi, and other older American Fighting Game Players pull out when its time to play sets at EVO. Typically comes with Older HAPP/Industrias Lorenzo buttons and sticks, and has the same straight button layout typical of classic western arcade machines. Famous for being ungoldly heavy. You are not going to play anything with this on your lap, but that also means the stick isn't gonna shake or move around on a sturdy surface. Newer versions of the MAS are back in production again. With both the classic layout and buttons, and a more modern vewlix layout with Japanese sized buttons, and sticks.
	Sega Virtua Stick High Grade	PS3	Near exact replica of Virtua Fighter 5's arcade controls, even down to the minor VF layout alterations to the standard vewlix layout.
	Mad Catz FightStick Tournament Edition	Xbox 360, PS3, Windows, Most Linux Variants	The 09ers Arcade Stick of choice. Uses all Sanwa parts in its construction and was partially design the replicate the layout of Street Fighter IV's arcade cab. This is probably one of the best arcade sticks ever made. Due to being extremely common, there exist many face plate options for this stick by comparison to most of its contemporaries.
	Hori RAP V.3 VLX	Xbox 360, PS3, Windows, Most Linux Variants	See above but slightly more faithful to the arcade cabinet. Later versions use Hori's Hayabusa switches which might be a turn off.
	Razer Panthera	PS4, PS3, Windows	Probably the best traditional arcade stick released since the Mad Catz TE. Just like that stick, the faceplate options are extremely varied due to a high adoption rate. Unlike that stick however, this is a DIYers wet dream, with a push button being the only thing between you, and the insides. The original version is preferred over the EVO Variant but be warned, the original stick uses a unique connector only made for this one controller.
	Hitbox	Various Versions exist, supporting a various number of consoles	The controller that sparked a number of debates about leverless control legality, despite stock console controllers being just as easy to cheese with in fighting game tournaments. Regardless, these controllers are widely known for typically being far more ergonomic than their competition. It should be noted that various companies make this type of controller and offer various various switch types. Traditional arcade switches, cherry mx switches, and even low profile keyboard switches can be found on these things. If hand pain is a concern then this, and the next controller, should be higher on your considerations.
	The B0XX	Nintendo 64, Nintendo GameCube (And any system or game that supports that controller), Windows, MacOS, Most Linux Variants, iOS, Android	Hitbox designed with Smash Bros players in mind. Designed and programed to be capable of hitting every relevant corresponding joystick input in Melee. As with other Hitbox variants, there's a wide variety of micro switch options to choose from. There is even a port for the Wii Nunchuck if one wishes to still play using analog inputs.