Game Controllers for PC 2024

[limadelta26]

Hello fellow Carbies.

I want to find out from you peeps that use controllers on PC (for fighting games and side scrollers, etc) and in particular "It Takes Two" and "A Way Out" (been wanting to play those for a while with my wifie as it brings back some good old split screen gaming)

Simple set up, preferably wireless controllers that will give a good overall compatibility with games (she also will use it on her laptop for one or two racing games here and there - eg "Disney Speedstorm")

I honestly don't want to spend an arm and both legs for the controllers (speaking about the OG Xbox units) but from your experience which has been best for you. I have checked reviews on Logitech, Redragon, Turtlebeach and some other "Top Brand" units as well as a few "Generic" controllers. I'm not fussy with the layout, although myself and wifie have always preferred PS style controller layouts (back from when we both played on a PS2 & 3.... just realised how old I am getting)

My main thing is needing to get both controllers running on the same PC at the same time without issues (my hesitation with those generic controllers starts there)

Thanx all in advance.

 

[Word1995]

I use Ps4 controller Bluetooth and DS windows app, works lekker but not all games register it as PS and give prompts in Xbox button layout. The xbox controller are expensive and yoiu specifically would want the Bluetooth enabled ones(latest gen i believe). They work a treat and connect hassle free.

 

[Dr Evil]

Hello fellow Carbies.

I want to find out from you peeps that use controllers on PC (for fighting games and side scrollers, etc) and in particular "It Takes Two" and "A Way Out" (been wanting to play those for a while with my wifie as it brings back some good old split screen gaming)

Simple set up, preferably wireless controllers that will give a good overall compatibility with games (she also will use it on her laptop for one or two racing games here and there - eg "Disney Speedstorm")

I honestly don't want to spend an arm and both legs for the controllers (speaking about the OG Xbox units) but from your experience which has been best for you. I have checked reviews on Logitech, Redragon, Turtlebeach and some other "Top Brand" units as well as a few "Generic" controllers. I'm not fussy with the layout, although myself and wifie have always preferred PS style controller layouts (back from when we both played on a PS2 & 3.... just realised how old I am getting)

My main thing is needing to get both controllers running on the same PC at the same time without issues (my hesitation with those generic controllers starts there)

Thanx all in advance.

I've been using xbox 360 controllers for the longest time now without issue. My daughter and I completed It Takes Two using them both at the same time.

 

[animehero]

Weighing in on this, in terms of compatibility and ease of use, I would recommend some Xbox controllers.
A simple usb cable will get the job done. You can chuck some batteries in there, get those cheapy Bluetooth dongles and make them wireless at a later stage. They aren't cheap though

Takealot

Xbox Controllers Archives - Game 4U

game4u.co.za

 

[limadelta26]

I've been using xbox 360 controllers for the longest time now without issue. My daughter and I completed It Takes Two using them both at the same time.

@Dr Evil I've been thinking the same as well on the XB360 controllers but its a thing of getting the wireless adapters for them. I am one of those people that do prefer OE parts as well purely for compatibility.

Glad to hear your little one played It Takes Two without issues. Did you guys enjoy the game play on it?

Weighing in on this, in terms of compatibility and ease of use, I would recommend some Xbox controllers.
A simple usb cable will get the job done. You can cuck some batteries in there, get those cheapy Bluetooth dongles and make them wireless at a later stage. They aren't cheap though

Takealot

Xbox Controllers Archives - Game 4U

game4u.co.za

@animehero This is one of the ones I was looking at also as my overall go-to last stop. I do feel the XB controllers have always been more compatible with the PC (from years back until now) and in all honesty, even though I preference the PS style layout, learning the new layout isnt that difficult. I will definitely check out game4u

I use Ps4 controller Bluetooth and DS windows app, works lekker but not all games register it as PS and give prompts in Xbox button layout. The xbox controller are expensive and yoiu specifically would want the Bluetooth enabled ones(latest gen i believe). They work a treat and connect hassle free.

@Word1995 I was able to half bake this a few years ago with my PS3 controllers to get them to work but it was a pain, so on that front, that's where I would get "Generic" purely to match the layout but give more "compatibility". Overall, how do you find the PS4 controller build and layout in your experience with it? I've never used one.

 

[Word1995]

@Dr Evil I've been thinking the same as well on the XB360 controllers but its a thing of getting the wireless adapters for them. I am one of those people that do prefer OE parts as well purely for compatibility.

Glad to hear your little one played It Takes Two without issues. Did you guys enjoy the game play on it?




@animehero This is one of the ones I was looking at also as my overall go-to last stop. I do feel the XB controllers have always been more compatible with the PC (from years back until now) and in all honesty, even though I preference the PS style layout, learning the new layout isnt that difficult. I will definitely check out game4u




@Word1995 I was able to half bake this a few years ago with my PS3 controllers to get them to work but it was a pain, so on that front, that's where I would get "Generic" purely to match the layout but give more "compatibility". Overall, how do you find the PS4 controller build and layout in your experience with it? I've never used one.

Those ps4 controllers are very good! No problem with them, DS windows works well once you get it working. WOuld recommend if you already have a controller, wont recommend to buy one. My reason was i already had a controller and i wanted bluetooth

 

[goldfritter]

Does it have to be wireless? If yes, if I'm not mistaken, on Windows the Xbox controller with wireless adapter is your only option to have two separate controllers running at the same time (or X360 controller with X360 dongle).

You can't run two Xbox controllers at the same time with Bluetooth. Not sure about 3rd party controllers.

Open to correction on this though.

I've been using this setup for years and it's pretty much painless. Also finished It Takes Two this way.

Check Nexus Hub, their prices for controllers are often the lowest.

 

[bunnypants]

My suggestion - Save yourself a headache and just bite the bullet on some Xbox One V2 or Xbox Series controllers.

They have built in bluetooth and their compatibility is top tier, their build quality is acceptable and if they do break/wear over time there are plenty of repair shops with parts for them, that alone is a huge advantage as finding spares or repair shops that support third party or generic controllers will be difficult.

I often use them to play 2 player games on my PC with no issues.

All my experiences with generic and third party controllers have been horrible, especially so when it comes to using a PlayStation controller on PC.

 

[animehero]

You can't run two Xbox controllers at the same time with Bluetooth. Not sure about 3rd party controllers.

A really clanky workaround for this is to use multiple Bluetooth Dongles, or built-in Bluetooth and a dongle. It might be a hit or miss with this though so the preferred method would be to use an Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows (up to 8 controllers)

 

[limadelta26]

Those ps4 controllers are very good! No problem with them, DS windows works well once you get it working. WOuld recommend if you already have a controller, wont recommend to buy one. My reason was i already had a controller and i wanted bluetooth

@Word1995

Yea I had the controllers when I still had the PS3 and was trying it out and such.

Does it have to be wireless? If yes, if I'm not mistaken, on Windows the Xbox controller with wireless adapter is your only option to have two separate controllers running at the same time (or X360 controller with X360 dongle).

You can't run two Xbox controllers at the same time with Bluetooth. Not sure about 3rd party controllers.

Open to correction on this though.

I've been using this setup for years and it's pretty much painless. Also finished It Takes Two this way.

Check Nexus Hub, their prices for controllers are often the lowest.

@goldfritter

Preferably yes on wireless purely for lounge gaming comfort. The layout where I'll put my pc is just off to the side at an awkward location for cable controllers (and running USB extensions is a hassle - done it before and latency went through the roof, although what was on USB2.0 many, many.... many years ago)

I'm also concerned about the bluetooth multi connect not on the PC side (I have an Intel 8260 combo card in it with BT4.2 and I have had multiple devices connected at once). Again this is where the "generic" units come into play with their own wireless receivers or of course the XB360 with the USB wireless receivers for them (also preferred OE on the controller and receiver.) I'll check out Nexus Hub as well on pricing.

My suggestion - Save yourself a headache and just bite the bullet on some Xbox One V2 or Xbox Series controllers.

They have built in bluetooth and their compatibility is top tier, their build quality is acceptable and if they do break/wear over time there are plenty of repair shops with parts for them, that alone is a huge advantage as finding spares or repair shops that support third party or generic controllers will be difficult.

I often use them to play 2 player games on my PC with no issues.

All my experiences with generic and third party controllers have been horrible, especially so when it comes to using a PlayStation controller on PC.

@bunnypants

My thinking as well with the generic controllers and from the issues I had in the past with the PS3 controllers. It does seem more now to go for the XB controllers. From what you are saying you had 2 XB controllers running at the same time correct?

 

[goldfritter]

A really clanky workaround for this is to use multiple Bluetooth Dongles, or built-in Bluetooth and a dongle. It might be a hit or miss with this though so the preferred method would be to use an Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows (up to 8 controllers)

I've had nightmares when trying to run both built-in Bluetooth and a dongle. This was with a keyboard though, not a controller. But I won't try it again with anything.

 

[limadelta26]

A really clanky workaround for this is to use multiple Bluetooth Dongles, or built-in Bluetooth and a dongle. It might be a hit or miss with this though so the preferred method would be to use an Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows (up to 8 controllers)

@animehero

Multiple BT devices do run fine on my PC so at least I don't need to get another adpater for that

I've never run an XB controller on PC before with the wireless adapter (I have friends who did) and this is good news if they do in fact run 8 controllers at once. Makes life a lot easier (in my brain, gears are working, take the OE adapter and mount it directly to one of the USB headers inside the PC case so its "built in" XD - yes i do dumb sh1t like that)

 

[limadelta26]

Just in general, thank you all so much so far for you input. Really do appreciate it.

 

[animehero]

@animehero

Multiple BT devices do run fine on my PC so at least I don't need to get another adpater for that

I've never run an XB controller on PC before with the wireless adapter (I have friends who did) and this is good news if they do in fact run 8 controllers at once. Makes life a lot easier (in my brain, gears are working, take the OE adapter and mount it directly to one of the USB headers inside the PC case so its "built in" XD - yes i do dumb sh1t like that)

That's a good thing atleast.
Well if you going for a hassle free experience xD complicate your life by building it in lol

XBOX ONE Controller Adapter for Windows 10 V2

XBOX ONE Controller Adapter for Windows 10 PC NEW VERSION

xmods.co.za

 

[limadelta26]

I've had nightmares when trying to run both built-in Bluetooth and a dongle. This was with a keyboard though, not a controller. But I won't try it again with anything.

@goldfritter

Was this for a keyboard that supported both Wireless & BT connections? Interested in this as I am also busy sorting out my desktop set as well. Again, it will be wireless. I know this is a pain for most, but I do have reasoning for it.

On my end, my little HP only has 180w of PSU (please don't laugh XD )support and with the current set up its running like a dream. I also am not prepared to pay 3k for a 310w HP replacement PSU for the pc (OEM proprietary nonsense) and thus I'm keeping my USB power draw as minimum as possible (I know they don't use much overall) and kept it as a challenge to get the highest performance as possible out of this little machine of mine.

 

[limadelta26]

That's a good thing atleast.
Well if you going for a hassle free experience xD complicate your life by building it in lol

XBOX ONE Controller Adapter for Windows 10 V2

XBOX ONE Controller Adapter for Windows 10 PC NEW VERSION

xmods.co.za

@animehero

This is why I love Carbonite. People on here with more knowledge than myself willing to share info to others. Thank you

 

[bunnypants]

From what you are saying you had 2 XB controllers running at the same time correct?

Yes, although one was connected by Bluetooth and the other was connected by a USB cable, I have yet to try both on Bluetooth at the same time.

If I recall correctly, windows only supports one Bluetooth controller at a time unless you have a separate Bluetooth dongle to connect the second controller to while the first controller is connected to your built in card.

 

[goldfritter]

@goldfritter

Was this for a keyboard that supported both Wireless & BT connections? Interested in this as I am also busy sorting out my desktop set as well. Again, it will be wireless. I know this is a pain for most, but I do have reasoning for it.

On my end, my little HP only has 180w of PSU (please don't laugh XD )support and with the current set up its running like a dream. I also am not prepared to pay 3k for a 310w HP replacement PSU for the pc (OEM proprietary nonsense) and thus I'm keeping my USB power draw as minimum as possible (I know they don't use much overall) and kept it as a challenge to get the highest performance as possible out of this little machine of mine.

No, the KB was Bluetooth or wired only.

The issue came when the KB was previously connected to the PC using the built-in BT but then later I added a BT dongle. The PC then wouldn't add the KB as a new device on the dongle because it was already paired - but then refused to connect to the KB. I had to uninstall and reinstall the drivers for the built-in BT to fix it.

 

[limadelta26]

Yes, although one was connected by Bluetooth and the other was connected by a USB cable, I have yet to try both on Bluetooth at the same time.

If I recall correctly, windows only supports one Bluetooth controller at a time unless you have a separate Bluetooth dongle to connect the second controller to while the first controller is connected to your built in card.

@bunnypants

This does make sense. I will most likely then get a hold of the controllers and the wireless adapter that @animehero linked. From what I can see they will work together as well no problem.

 

[limadelta26]

No, the KB was Bluetooth or wired only.

The issue came when the KB was previously connected to the PC using the built-in BT but then later I added a BT dongle. The PC then wouldn't add the KB as a new device on the dongle because it was already paired - but then refused to connect to the KB. I had to uninstall and reinstall the drivers for the built-in BT to fix it.

@goldfritter

Yea windows is a pain with drivers with this kind of thing. I've had similar issues with multiple WLAN adapters on an old Dell laptop of mine running 2 different WLAN cards but still could not get them to work properly at the same time. Changed the OS to any linux distro and it worked 100% out the box.

 

[Dr Evil]

@Dr Evil I've been thinking the same as well on the XB360 controllers but its a thing of getting the wireless adapters for them. I am one of those people that do prefer OE parts as well purely for compatibility.

Glad to hear your little one played It Takes Two without issues. Did you guys enjoy the game play on it?

Yes sir, fantastic game. I was lucky enough to have bought a x360 controller with the wireless adaptor when I still had my console. You could try xmods, they have a website and they usually have spares etc. so you might be lucky enough to pick up the adaptor from there.

 

[limadelta26]

Yes sir, fantastic game. I was lucky enough to have bought a x360 controller with the wireless adaptor when I still had my console. You could try xmods, they have a website and they usually have spares etc. so you might be lucky enough to pick up the adaptor from there.

@Dr Evil

Awesomeness thank you for your input. I'm looking at a few places for the units as overall this is going to be a pricey set up.

Glad to hear you enjoyed the game

 

[animehero]

@Dr Evil

Awesomeness thank you for your input. I'm looking at a few places for the units as overall this is going to be a pricey set up.

Glad to hear you enjoyed the game

About R3.5k (give or take some rands)

 

[BlueCrayon]

If you buy cheap you buy twice.

Try find some good xbox controllers on special.

 

[ReFresHZA]

Hey man. Just my input. I play rocket league on pc. Got myself one of those: Takealot

It works like a dream connecting to your machines bluetooth. If you dont have built in bluetooth just buy any dongle. I bought the TP link one and it works amazing without any issues.

 

[animehero]

Well this is Carb after all, leverage the CUD! xD
No affiliation regarding the sale, just found it in the Xbox section

[For Sale] - 2 x Xbox Series Wireless Controllers + 2TB Xbox Seagate Game drive + Games | Xbox

Item: 2 x Xbox Series Wireless Controllers - Robot white. Great Condition! 1 x Xbox Seagate Game Drive 2TB 3 x Physical games for Series X. Fifa 22, Forza Motorsport 5, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Age: 1.5 years Price: R 2200 Payment Method Accepted: Instant EFT/GeoPay...

carbonite.co.za

 

[limadelta26]

About R3.5k (give or take some rands)

@animehero

Correct lol, good with quick math XD

From what I can see at least is I'll only need 1 of the wireless adapters which makes life easier (wife will use the controller on her laptop as well for some games)

 

[limadelta26]

Hey man. Just my input. I play rocket league on pc. Got myself one of those: Takealot

It works like a dream connecting to your machines bluetooth. If you dont have built in bluetooth just buy any dongle. I bought the TP link one and it works amazing without any issues.

@ReFresHZA

This is also one of the ones I'm looking at for compatibility and colour. Thank you for the link.

I'll check it out as well as it does make a good option for my wife to be able to use directly without the adapter on her laptop.

 

[limadelta26]

If you buy cheap you buy twice.

Try find some good xbox controllers on special.

@BlueCrayon

I absolutely agree with you on this. Why I always to try get OE parts at the start.

 

[ReFresHZA]

@God Gamer

This is also one of the ones I'm looking at for compatibility and colour. Thank you for the link.

I'll check it out as well as it does make a good option for my wife to be able to use directly without the adapter on her laptop.

If she is using it on a laptop. It will for sure work. All laptops have bluetooth connectivity.