Any opinions on Joypads?

My PSX gamepad adaptor recently failed so I need a new joypad of some sort. I could get a new adaptor, but my PSX controllers are getting old and I'm noticing they're not performing quite well as they used to, so I think I should get something completely new.

My bigest use of the gamepad is playing touhou games (bullet hell vertical scrolling shooters), so my main priority is a comfortable reliable D-Pad. Overall ergonomic comfort comes next, then having good buttons. It's hard to explain what I mean by good buttons, mostly that they're not overly clicky and have the right amount of resistance, so I really feel like I'm pressing the button, but they're not stiff either (pretty much every official console controller I've ever used has "good buttons".)

Just looking at overall design, I'm thinking one of these two available on newegg:

Logitec Cordless Rumble Pad: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826127209
360 Common Controller: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826105082

I am open to other suggestions as well. I do prefer normal shoulder buttons to squishy analog triggers, but that's not a huge priority, I can probably get used to it if needed.

Use the ps3 controllers with sixaxis drivers. While expensive, they come with the usb cable too.

I've had my Nyko Airflo EX for like 5 years and its still one of the best out there if you can find it. Basically its a PS2 controller with an extra button under start and select and also has a switch to control a fan for cooling your hands through it. It works perfect with all my emulators and also works perfect with modern games. Ported games seem to work the best because they were designed to be used with a controller, like Assassin's Creed, Dynasty Warriors, or The Last Remnant. You can also assign keyboard buttons to it and save profiles for different games if you have to.

Here ya go.

I personally don't like logitech D-Pads but they are very cheap.
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-963335-0403-Precision-Gamepad/dp/B00030AX3Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=pc&qid=1260752153&sr=1-1

I'd recommend this.
http://www.amazon.com/Classic-USB-Super-Nintendo-Controller-PC/dp/B002JAU20W/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&s=pc&qid=1260752186&sr=1-22

You really should invest in a joystick though, they're amazing for touhou.

Gamepads huh?

Well I use these
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826127204&cm_re=gamepad-_-26-127-204-_-Product
and they're [size=10]pretty[/h] comfortable.

maybe try using a joystick
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826102203&cm_re=joystick-_-26-102-203-_-Product
just a thought tho, I've never really used one, so I don't know if its good for the games you play.

Good luck buying one!

Well, thanks for the thought... I bought one, just got here today, and the dpad is terrible. It looks good and feels alright, but it's way way too prone to input diagonally. I can have my thumb on the very end of the crosspad and the slightest bit of transverse force makes it go diagonally rather than the way I want it to. Not the worst thing in the world, as I can now pawn it off on a nephew as a christmas present who plays mostly rpgs and he'll never notice as you can't even most diagnoally in most snes RPG.




Hmm... are you suggesting a flightstick or an arcade clone setup? I don't think I'd get used to the former, but I'd defintely consider a joystick + 4x2 arcade setup if you know of one that's available for under $100.