PC Controllers
84What do you plan to use your PC controller for?
See results without votingPC Game Controller
Personal computers are not typically known for their game controllers, but the number of PC gamers who use PC controllers is rapidly increasing. That's because using a controller on your PC is really easy and can drastically increase your gaming capabilities and your overall ease of use for your PC.
But there's a problem. There are way too many pc controllers on the market. It's hard to know which ones work well and which ones are a waste of money. That's why I wanted to write this hub. I'll cut right to the chase and show you some of the best PC controllers on the market today, complete with a full review, specs and details.
Read on to find the PC controller that will make you the better PC gamer you've always wanted to be.
XBOX 360 PC Controller
The Xbox 360 PC Controller is compatible with both the Xbox and the PC. It comes in wired and wireless flavors and is one of the most popular PC Controllers.
Features (of the wireless controller):
- Includes wireless receiver
- Wireless 2.4 GHz technology - up to 30 foot range
- Enhanced PC gaming and Xbox Live play
- Integrated headset jack for PC headsets
- For PC and Xbox 360
- Vibration feedback
- Ergonomic
- Very easy to install (plug and play if you have Windows Vista)
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Xbox 360 Wireless Controller Black
Price: $29.99
List Price: $49.99 |
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Xbox 360 Controller for Windows
Price: $29.07
List Price: $39.99 |
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Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows
Price: $42.49
List Price: $59.99 |
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Xbox 360 Quick Charge Kit
Price: $21.77
List Price: $29.99 |
Logitech Cordless PC Controller
The Logitech Cordless controller is another hot seller on Amazon and elsewhere. It's PC and Mac compatible and features wireless capabilities up to 30 feet as well as the standard rumble pack/vibration feature.
With this PC controller you can also customize specific profiles and program buttons so it is quite versatile for gaming, web surfing and other PC functions.
Features:
- 2.4 GHz cordless performance with 30-foot range: High-speed data transfer for precise control with no lag
- 100 hours of battery life: Proprietary power management for longer battery life
- Dual vibration feedback motors: Feel all the hits, crashes, explosions, and many more effects
- Familiar button layout: 10 programmable action buttons, plus Mode and Vibration selectors and 8-way D-pad
- Analog control: Two analog sticks give you a performance edge with smooth 360-degree control
- Software included: Customize buttons, download game profiles, assign shift-button, and more
- Quality construction: As if you'd expect anything else from Logitech
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Universal Quick Charger with 4 AA Rechargable Batteries
Price: $23.99
List Price: $34.99 |
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Logitech Cordless Rumblepad 2 with Vibration Feedback (Black)
Price: $27.00
List Price: $39.99 |
Thrustmaster PC Controller Gamepad
The Thrustmaster Run 'N Drive Rumble Force Gamepad is a fantastic PC controller and comes with my high recommendations. This controller can work on your PS3, PS2 and PC so it's very versatile. Probably the only downside to this PC controller is that it is not wireless. Other than that, it has quite a few bells and whistles.
Features:
- First 7-axis gamepad for PC, PS2®, PS3® with optical wheel control
- Only controller with 7 progressive axes and optical wheel with automatic centering
- 2 progressive and programmable triggers
- Fully programmable: the buttons, mini-sticks, directional buttons, optical wheel and triggers can be swapped
- The internal memory stores configurations even when disconnected
- Vibration feedback on PC and PS2®
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Thrustmaster Run 'N Drive Rumble Force Gamepad With Optical Wheel Control For PS3 And PS2 - Model 2960686 PS3 Controllers
Price: $32.95
List Price: $32.95 |
Airflow Ex PC Game Controller
The Airflow PC Controller is a solid PC controller if you're on a budget. It's gotten solid reviews at Amazon and it does games really well. It's created specifically for the PC only, it's wired and doesn't have the vibration function, but that is to be expected in this price range.
Features:
- Multiple programmable button configurations
- Low cost
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NYKO TECHNOLOGIES 80650 Airflow Ex Pc Game Controller
Price: $12.99
List Price: $14.99 |
Standard Logitech PC Controller
The final PC controller I would consider "quality" is the standard Logitech PC controller. Again, this is more of a budget controller but it will do the trick and will be faithful for a long time. One key feature of this particular PC Controller is that it uses a USB plug to plug into your computer.
Features:
- Play any kind of game with this versatile controller
- Feel the precision of two analog joysticks with digital buttons that have smooth 360-degree action
- Take full control with the familiar design and layout of 12 programmable buttons
- Be prepared for whatever comes your way with the trusty 8-way d-pad
- Start playing right away with plug-and-play convenience
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Logitech Dual Action Game Pad USB
Price: $11.99
List Price: $19.99 |
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Comments
Ruth, since some who read this article might benefit from the answer, I'll address it here. Let me ask some clarifying questions:
Does your computer recognize the hardware (controller) when it's plugged in?
How did you install your controller? Did you simply plug it in and play or did you use any installation cd (if it came with one)?
Which Mario games are you having trouble with? And how are they played? (Do you play them with a game emulator, do they pop up in a DOS window, do they take up the whole screen?) I'm just trying to get a feel for the setup here...
I have a standerd logitec gaming controller got if for 20 ucks at target. I use to play halo 2 on my laptop. But it seems to be really touchy and moves kind of laggy. Any suggestions?
Bob, that's a good question. The first response I always have is this- did you install the driver software that came with the controller? That can often lead to lag, compatibility issues, etc. Also, with the software installed, you should be able to tweak the sensitivity settings to make it less touchy.
Secondly, there are a number of other things that can lead to lag in a game, so you want to find out if it's the gamepad causing it or not. Try playing with the gamepad and then without it. Is it laggy regardless? If so, I'd suggest a defrag, disk cleanup, etc. to help your computer out.
If the game is only laggy with the pad and you've installed the drivers and tweaked the settings, you might want to invest in a new gamepad.
Good luck.











Ruth has a question says:
4 months ago
I have a Logitec PC controller that plus into the USB on my laptop. The problem is that the controller does not work with the mario games I've downloaded.
I tried changing the setup options in Mario but got zero result. Yet with Icy Towers, I didn't have to do a thing...it just worked.
Any idea? I'd appreciate some guidance.
I'm merkner@comcast.net - if you care to lend a hand and some direction. Thanks!