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What’s the Best Gamepad Game Controller?

20 Responses (Add) | Friday, January 16th, 2009 at 8:00pm

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Here’s a question for you all: what kind of game controller do you use on your computer, if any? Is it wireless, wired or even a USB-connected controller? Mac OS X really doesn’t have a lot of options for game controllers, sadly. Believe me, I’ve looked for them! I really wanted something that would work with both Microsoft and Mac operating systems. That, until recently, was just something you couldn’t find.

I’ve been used to the way game controllers work in Windows. You plug it in, and it works with pretty much every game you want to play. This isn’t true of OS X. I’ve tried third party software to no avail. I’ve tried different hardware, including the drivers for the unofficial Xbox 360 controllers for the Mac. So, for about $20.00 I picked up Logitech Dual Action Gamepad. I can even get you a coupon if you want one.

The Dual Action Gamepad is all about control, comfort and convenience:

  • Versatile controls – Take charge with 12 programmable action buttons (including four shoulder buttons), analog joysticks with digital buttons, and a precise eight-way D-pad.
  • Analog performance – Expect precision from two analog sticks with digital buttons and smooth, precise action.
  • Logitech Profiler software (PC) – Get serious about your game with advanced button customization, multiple controller configurations, and printable gaming profiles.
  • Comfort grip – Play longer with less effort.
  • Plug-and-play setup – Simply plug it in and start playing.

It’s supposed to work for both Windows and Mac OS X. However, I maybe had one or two game that kind of worked in OS X. The reviews for this controller were really bad. Why did I buy it? There are literally no other options available. So, I decided to give it a shot. On Windows, I love the Xbox 360 game controller. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work seamlessly for a Mac. I know you feel there are no games for OS X. That’s just not true. Ask people who were watching me play earlier. They were asking me where I got that game, because it looked cool. So see? There ARE games for the Mac!

I have no other options for OS X. This is a call for help. If you know of a USB game controller that actually works for a Mac, let me know. The Logitech isn’t cutting it. If I could just get it to work, I’d really like this SO MUCH. I can just tell, by the way it is laid out. Sadly, I’ll never get a chance to know now.

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20 Comments

James Dyllan Miller (Technodes)

January 16th, 2009
at 8:24pm

Well, I use a Wired usb Logitech Dual action controller, it works awesome i use it for the Grand theft auto game that i have for the computer i haven’t had any problems with it i use it allot i would recommend it to a gamer on the pc/mac

Conner

January 16th, 2009
at 8:31pm

I have been looking for a controller to use on mac os 10 and Windows, but like you said the specs are horrible for this controller but i went ahead and bought it a few weeks ago (funny that you blogged about this). So hopefully someone does know of a controller that is better and is compatible. If someone does please contact me!
Thanks

Jason

January 16th, 2009
at 8:35pm

I love the Xbox360 controller. Someday I will use it with my computer.

Silivrenion

January 16th, 2009
at 8:58pm

I have had plenty of success with the regular Logitech Dual Action controllers, although I’ve had an issue with one after dropping it where the electronics seem stuck in one position that won’t change.

I’ve never really tried any super-nice controllers — they’ve always been prohibitively expensive.

Ghostrider5666

January 16th, 2009
at 8:59pm

the best game controller I have used is a Xbox one for my computer

joe

January 16th, 2009
at 9:03pm

i watch alot of ur videos
and tha xbox controller is by far my favorite
and im tryin to find a mac osx controller

Ashryne

January 16th, 2009
at 9:31pm

I really enjoy gaming with a good controller as well, and soon I am jumping over to Macs. I would really like to know the results of this post. Gaming with a controller gives it so much better of a feel.

igmuska

January 16th, 2009
at 9:46pm

I have one of those but chose instead to use a Saitek P990 gamepad as it has two more buttons above the four on the Logitech. Oh shill mode. Seriously though, I like the Saitek because the buttons closely resemble the N64 controller for MAME games.

Austin trzepacz

January 16th, 2009
at 9:53pm

I still use an old 6- button retro gamepad with one of those old parallel port-type ports

Jojospaghettio

January 16th, 2009
at 9:58pm

Sadly, I really don’t play any games on my computer. I think I might start getting into a game like crysis now that I know about this game controller. Thank god it works for the Mac too!

Great video as always Chris!

~ Joe
http://joe.spaghettio.com

Paul

January 16th, 2009
at 10:11pm

I use the Xbox 360 corded controller right now…that said I’m using Windows so there really isn’t any compatibility issues with it. I actually had that logitech dual action controller for awhile…the left analog stick kinda crapped out of me about a month after I got it (it started only sticking in the down direction despite treating the thing like a baby) so I can agree with there at least being some sort of issues about it.

I’ll actually be getting the Street Fighter IV Tournament Edition arcade stick when I get it in (I have the thing pre-ordered right now). It’s for the PS3 but it’ll work on the PC and I’m big on arcade style games.

As for the mac there’s a program called GamePad Companion which is supposed to work with any usb pad but I don’t know how well it works. You might want to give that a shot if you hadn’t already tried it.

Andrew

January 16th, 2009
at 11:16pm

well chris i like using my xbox controller for some games and i use a joystick on games like flight sim but the xbox one is the best

Trent

January 17th, 2009
at 5:26am

Has anyone ever considered the game controller N50 or N52 from Belkin?

I use one of these for RPGs but these are very programmable with the available software for both Windows and Mac OS X users.

These are not your conventional hand held controller but once you get use to them they perform very nicely.

sbushfan11

January 18th, 2009
at 1:47am

I like the Microsoft SideWinder. Even though I haven’t been doing much game playing on the computer lately the sidewinder has always been my favorite.

scubadiver1

March 13th, 2009
at 7:19pm

I like to Use the joystick for flight sim but for some other games like some action games like frontlines, i love to use the xbox controller it is the best thing to use

Jack Yi

April 12th, 2009
at 12:26am

The xbox 360 controller works for mac using these drivers.

http://tattiebogle.net/index.php/ProjectRoot/Xbox360Controller/OsxDriver

kevin

May 23rd, 2009
at 7:16am

macally ishock2, usb overdrive x if you need it.

Andrew Grantham

September 8th, 2009
at 12:21pm

So true, so true. Logitech’s hardware always seems to be great, but the software drivers for OS X have ALWAYS been CRAP! It’s been that way for over a decade.

Ross

September 21st, 2009
at 2:41pm

http://tattiebogle.net/index.php/ProjectRoot/Xbox360Controller/OsxDriver

go to this site and download the drive the 360controller works now! i have MAC OS 10.5

Daniel

October 1st, 2009
at 6:07pm

I never understood why finding a gamepad for mac was such a big deal at all. I got my mac in 2004 and I have been using a NYKO AIR FLO Ex since back then and its absolutely fine. never had any problems in fact i’ve grown to like it more than any other controller. All you have to do is download the mac driver from their website

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