Xbox 360 Controller Reviews for Pad Players in the FGC

I know it's already bad enough for pad players like myself to enjoy fighting games on the Xbox 360 with their horrid default controller for the console, so to aid in the search for the perfect controller of choice. I'm going to post up some short reviews of the MANY controllers I have come across in last 3-4 years.

Batman: Arkham City Batarang Controller (Xbox 360/PS3)

Pros: 

- This controller features a neat LED effect while playing and the color is customizable with a push of the button above the Guide button.

- Vibration support included as well, and the face buttons are firm and sturdy.

- The controller is a decent weight. It's not too light nor too heavy.

Cons: 

- Shortly after a few uses, it develops a "ghosting" effect as the analog sticks start moving on their own from the sensitivity and faulty engineering.

- The shoulder buttons are bit too sensitive then the triggers take a bit more effort to register during gameplay.

- Voice chat support is hit or miss as most of the time I had to switch over to my wireless headset while using this controller for fighters.

The Verdict? 

Unless you can find this for less than $10 don't waste your time. I used this for Asura's Wrath, Assassin's Creed, ACII, AC: Brotherhood, Batman: Arkham City, Tekken Tag Tournament 2 (for one week), and finally AC: Revelations before getting the ghosting effect that hindered my gameplay.

Nonetheless, if you're a Batman fan, it does look cool among the rest of your gaming collection...

HORI EX 2 Fightpad for Xbox 360 (w/ Turbo feature)

Pros: 

- This controller doubles as an excellent pad for first-person shooters as well as for fighting games.

- Turbo feature built into the controller along with sensitivity switches as well.

- A directional pad that is similar to the one found on the PS2 and SNES.

- A six button layout that is highly preferred for fighting games, such as Street Fighter IV and Mortal Kombat.

Cons:

- The dreaded ghosting effect is destined for any gamer who expects to use this controller for long-term use.

- The sensitivity switches don't really have any effect on gameplay unless you play off the analog sticks, namely in first-person shooters.

- The face buttons are VERY small, except for the RB and LB ones on the right side.

The Verdict?

It's sad to see that HORI has one bad egg in their line-up of normally stellar products. $15 is a bit fair for this, but you can really do better than this whether you're into fighting games or shooters.

MadCatz Xbox 360 Wired Controller

Pros:

- VERY cheap now. Toys R Us were selling these for roughly $15 around the holidays, possibly even less now in select stores.

- Standard 360 controller, nothing really special here, save for the arched triggers that are especially useful for first-person shooters.

Cons: 

- I personally experienced the controller ghosting inputs literally two days after buying. The only reason I haven't taken it back is because I'm literally using it to get my adapter recognized by my console (see below).

- The analog sticks are far too loose for my liking, but that being said, you are getting exactly what you paid for - a CHEAP controller.

- The face buttons are VERY small on this controller.

The Verdict?

Pass on this. You are better off finding something better than this for your fighters in Wal-Mart than this. Definitely up there as one of MadCatz' worst products.

PDP Fightpad (also available for PS3)

Pros: 

- This controller comes in two flavors. The plain Jane version, as pictured to the left and the Street Fighter X Tekken branded one (see below), made by MadCatz. The versions that are decorated with the Marvel vs. Capcom 3 artwork are from this initial release of the controller. 

- Instead of a traditional d-pad, this controller features a joystick-like node where your thumb rests to assist the player in more accurately performing inputs in fighting games. 

- This controller features the preferred six button layout with large arcade stick-like buttons on the face of the controller. 

- The controller is lightweight and easy to grip. 

Cons: 

- The d-pad makes a LOUD clicking sound for every input registered. Long-term play is taxing on your thumb from this unorthodox means of play. 

- The large size of the buttons make it very easy to hit the wrong button during the heat of battle. 

- The shoulder buttons take a bit of effort to press and register. 

The Verdict?

I REALLY wanted to like this pad, but over the long haul it was more brutal on my thumbs than the fruits of being able to do some techniques in fighters easily. Don't take my word for it. This is one of those products that you have to test for yourself and see if it's up your alley or not. Overall, I say don't pay anymore than $20 for this. 

MadCatz Street Fighter X Tekken Fightpad (also available for PS3)

Pros: 

- These fightpads were modeled after the typical Street Fighter IV fightpads that were made by MadCatz. 

- The directional pad has the retro feel of older consoles, such as the Sega Saturn and Sega Genesis. 

- Controller features the preferred six button layout as seen in Street Fighter IV and Street Fighter X Tekken. 

- The controller is lightweight and easy to grip. 

Cons:

- Since these are recycles of MadCatz' previous work then there is nothing new to be found here.

- The d-pad is VERY loose and slides around during inputs. 

- The light weight of the controller makes it feel as if you could break it by dropping it once. 

- This controller suffers from most if not all of the issues plaguing the PDP controller. 

The Verdict?

If given a choice between this or the PDP one, I rather prefer the PDP pad, it's just that loud clicking annoyed me to no end. 

So What Do YOU Use?

The PS2 to Xbox 360/PS3 Controller Adapter

Pros: 

- Turn any PS2 controller or peripheral into a next-gen controller!

- Easy to setup. 

- VERY cheap online.

- No known input delay in fighting games. 

Cons: 

- Most sellers online will send this to you in the box with NO instructions on how to set it up properly. Luckily, there's a TON of easy to follow instructional videos on YouTube.

- This adapter REQUIRES you have both a wired PlayStation 2 controller and wired Xbox 360 (or PS3) controller that is compatible with the adapter. Most third party wired controllers will work with it but it's up to you to find out which ones work or not. 

- I personally use this with EVERY 360 game I own now from the ease of using a PS2 controller on the 360, but have had NO issues with the adapter in gaming, save for with Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 where if I configure custom controller layout while having this plugged in, my R2 and L2 buttons are disabled. I have NO idea why it does that for this game and nothing else I play. 

The Verdict?

I freakin' LOVE this thing. I got hardcore into fighters back during the PlayStation 2 era of gaming so being able to use a PS2 pad on next-gen really makes me feel at home, especially on Tekken Tag Tournament 2. Until I find something else that tickles my fancy much like this, I shall continue to keep this as my weapon of choice on the battlefield.