Choosing a Game Controller For Gaming

Vortor · Mar 13, 2012, 10:53 AM

Hi all,

I'm thinking of buying a game controller to play some old school games on emulators. Thing is, I would like some recommendations. Wireless controllers would be great, especially if I don't need to install/mess with drivers.

Some additional information might be useful. The computer is a iMac 27" (late 2009 model) with 10.6.8 Mac OS X.

I'm more interested in playing NES, SNES and Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games.

I was thinking getting one of the SNES controllers. If you have one, how does it behave?

Thanks.

kylera · Mar 15, 2012, 02:10 AM

You'd have to mod the cable of any of those console controllers, and that's something a bit out of my league.

I've seen word of how the wireless Xbox 360 controllers can play well with OS X. Try a search for that.

Vortor · Mar 15, 2012, 12:50 PM

Hi, thanks for the reply.

After a quick search, I noticed the wireless Xbox 360 controller seems a good bet. But I didn't read any good reviews from actual buyers. Do I just need to buy the controller or do I need to spend more in additional hardware? What about drivers/programs?

I would rather have the wireless controller version, but if the wired version is just "plug-and-play" (without the need to mess with settings/install drivers) I would probably buy it instead of the wireless controller.

Thanks.

Dagless · Mar 15, 2012, 04:08 PM

The wired one is plug-and-play, and it's the best controller you can go with for PC gaming. It's pretty much the standard controller now. Some other controllers might have different button and axis placements which might mess things up a little.

ndonnine · Mar 16, 2012, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vortor

Hi, thanks for the reply.

After a quick search, I noticed the wireless Xbox 360 controller seems a good bet. But I didn't read any good reviews from actual buyers. Do I just need to buy the controller or do I need to spend more in additional hardware? What about drivers/programs?

I would rather have the wireless controller version, but if the wired version is just "plug-and-play" (without the need to mess with settings/install drivers) I would probably buy it instead of the wireless controller.

Thanks.

If you get a wireless, you have to buy a DONGLE! You can't plug in with the cord and play. If you buy a wired you can plug it in and the drivers are on www.windows.com

Vortor · Mar 16, 2012, 07:42 AM

I see. Wired seems to be the best bet.

Thanks for the responses.

Vorsos · Mar 25, 2012, 05:19 PM

I would not ever recommend the 360 gamepad for emulators, since its d-pad is more suited for games that never use it.
Your Mac has Bluetooth, so you can use a PS3 DualShock 3 without dongles.

ash.peas · Jan 4, 2013, 01:54 PM

Hey guys!

I received the Tomee SNES USB controller for Christmas, and I'm having some difficulty setting it up on my MBA. I'm running 10.8.2. The emulator I was initially using was on www.virtualsupernes.com, but then I read how much everyone liked ZSNES. I'm pretty sure the controller I received is defective, because the characters will walk left without prompt. So, before exchanging the controller, should I look into another USB controller, or would it be wiser to purchase an adapter for an old SNES controller I already have? Thanks!

blesscheese · Jan 4, 2013, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ash.peas

Hey guys!

I received the Tomee SNES USB controller for Christmas, and I'm having some difficulty setting it up on my MBA. I'm running 10.8.2. The emulator I was initially using was on www.virtualsupernes.com, but then I read how much everyone liked ZSNES. I'm pretty sure the controller I received is defective, because the characters will walk left without prompt. So, before exchanging the controller, should I look into another USB controller, or would it be wiser to purchase an adapter for an old SNES controller I already have? Thanks!

If you already have an SNES controller you like, why not get a Mayflash adaptor

I have one for my N64 controller, and another for my Wii Classic, and they work great! YMMV...read the Amazon reviews and see if it is for you.

AndiS. · Jan 4, 2013, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vorsos

I would not ever recommend the 360 gamepad for emulators, since its d-pad is more suited for games that never use it.
Your Mac has Bluetooth, so you can use a PS3 DualShock 3 without dongles.

Can I use the PS 3 controller in Bootcamp and Osx that way? Wish I had known that before I bought the wireless dongle for my 360 controller

lightz39 · Jan 5, 2013, 02:51 PM

xbox 360 controller, don't look at anything else. It will be a waste of time.

Mar 13, 2012, 10:53 AM	#1
Vortor macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2010	Choosing a Game Controller For Gaming Hi all, I'm thinking of buying a game controller to play some old school games on emulators. Thing is, I would like some recommendations. Wireless controllers would be great, especially if I don't need to install/mess with drivers. Some additional information might be useful. The computer is a iMac 27" (late 2009 model) with 10.6.8 Mac OS X. I'm more interested in playing NES, SNES and Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games. I was thinking getting one of the SNES controllers. If you have one, how does it behave? Thanks.
	0

Mar 15, 2012, 02:10 AM	#2
kylera macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Seoul	You'd have to mod the cable of any of those console controllers, and that's something a bit out of my league. I've seen word of how the wireless Xbox 360 controllers can play well with OS X. Try a search for that. __________________ Current Macs: 2012 13" MBA \| 2011 27" iMac \| PowerBook G4 12" \| eMac 700Mhz Current iOS: iPad 4 3G 64GB \| iPhone 4S 16GB
	0

Mar 15, 2012, 04:08 PM	#4
Dagless macrumors Core Join Date: Jan 2005	The wired one is plug-and-play, and it's the best controller you can go with for PC gaming. It's pretty much the standard controller now. Some other controllers might have different button and axis placements which might mess things up a little. __________________ Maybe if everyone who'd ever been close to you had died, you'd be sarcastic, too. Also come join us Steam users!
	1

Jan 4, 2013, 01:54 PM	#8
ash.peas macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2013	Tomee USB controller Hey guys! I received the Tomee SNES USB controller for Christmas, and I'm having some difficulty setting it up on my MBA. I'm running 10.8.2. The emulator I was initially using was on www.virtualsupernes.com, but then I read how much everyone liked ZSNES. I'm pretty sure the controller I received is defective, because the characters will walk left without prompt. So, before exchanging the controller, should I look into another USB controller, or would it be wiser to purchase an adapter for an old SNES controller I already have? Thanks!
	0

Jan 5, 2013, 02:51 PM	#11
lightz39 macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2012	xbox 360 controller, don't look at anything else. It will be a waste of time. __________________ 15" Retina Macbook Pro 2.7/16/768 \| Black 32GB iPhone 5 \| Apple TV \| 160GB iPod Classic
	0

Mar 15, 2012, 12:50 PM	#3
Vortor Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2010	Hi, thanks for the reply. After a quick search, I noticed the wireless Xbox 360 controller seems a good bet. But I didn't read any good reviews from actual buyers. Do I just need to buy the controller or do I need to spend more in additional hardware? What about drivers/programs? I would rather have the wireless controller version, but if the wired version is just "plug-and-play" (without the need to mess with settings/install drivers) I would probably buy it instead of the wireless controller. Thanks.
	0

Mar 16, 2012, 07:42 AM	#6
Vortor Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2010	I see. Wired seems to be the best bet. Thanks for the responses.
	0

Mar 25, 2012, 05:19 PM	#7
Vorsos macrumors newbie Join Date: Mar 2012	I would not ever recommend the 360 gamepad for emulators, since its d-pad is more suited for games that never use it. Your Mac has Bluetooth, so you can use a PS3 DualShock 3 without dongles.
	0

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