Wired Controllers for PC

So I am a long time console gamer, and I have recently made the move to playing a fair amount of PC games after building my own rig about a year ago. However, not having been bred and raised on PC games, I'm not as accustomed to playing FPS and 3rd Person action-type games with the keyboard and mouse. I feel as if games like Batman: Arham Asylum, Super Meat Boy, and ME2 would play a little more comfortably (for me at least) with an actual controller. I have been browsing Amazon today for some options, and I was wondering what any of your experiences have been with playing PC games with a controller, and what controllers or controller facsimiles work best for the PC. (I'm running a 64-bit version of Windows 7 if there is a compatible issue with any peripherals, just for reference)

Just buy a 360 controller.

The easiest answer would be to buy a wired Xbox 360 controller. It's automatically recognized by a lot of games. It's also plug-and-play with Windows 7, just plug it in and you're good to go. Windows will install everything you need. 
 
I use the wired 360 controller for just about every single player game I play on PC. Never had any problems with it.

Just get a 360 controller that has the PC compatible sticker on it, or a Dual Shock 3 and this program. Both work fine, but the PS3 controller requires a little frigging around to get working right, but nothing more complex then installing said program and clicking a few check boxes. So pick whatever one is cheapest and/or you prefer the feel of.
 
Also, if you plan to play shooters you are going to get your ass handed to you if you use a controller online. You could probably get away with it in single player, but learn the KBM if you plan to play online.

"  Also, if you plan to play shooters you are going to get your ass handed to you if you use a controller online. You could probably get away with it in single player, but learn the KBM if you plan to play online. "

" Just buy a 360 controller. "

If you look in the computer section of walmart they sell the wireless 360 controller with the adapter for $5 more than a regular wireless controller. The controller will work with your PC and 360.

Wired 360 controller works very easily.  Just plug it in and it works.

Awesome, thanks y'all. Mods can close this shit down. 

" @Portis: Yeah, that's what I was planning on. But on Amazon, they list two separate controllers. THIS one specifically states it is "for Windows", and THIS one does not, but it costs less and comes in black. There isn't a discernible difference, as far as I can tell... "

You can use a regular wired 360 controller.  The only difference compared to the 'PC version' is you can't use the dashboard button for anything iirc.  Ain't no thang.

I bought the wireless receiver for 360 controllers, Its cheaper than a wired controller and means you have one less controller in your house. Works a charm and I recommend it. Unless you specifically wanted a wired controller.  
 
Definitely worth playing third person games with it, Just Cause 2, Dead Space and Gears of War were much better to me with a controller than m+k.

" @BigLemon said:

" @Portis: Yeah, that's what I was planning on. But on Amazon, they list two separate controllers. THIS one specifically states it is "for Windows", and THIS one does not, but it costs less and comes in black. There isn't a discernible difference, as far as I can tell... "

There is no difference whatsoever. Its just different packaging.  Playing an FPS on a PC with a controller is... redundant. Even with me being a console gamer I can see that. I suggest you learn how to use a keyboard plus mouse. I fully support console versions of FPS games, but at the end of the day even I must admit they're better with a mouse. "

There is one big disadvantage to the PS3 controller. You need to press the PS button to turn it on, which in turn (if your PS3 is on standby) turns on your PS3 and sets it to the console instead of the PC. 

"
 I've been playing Batman AA with my ps3 remote using the motionjoy program and it's great, and better still it was free.  I used a tested article to help set it up, if you have a ps3 that's really the route you should go. 
 
Linky here: 

 
http://www.tested.com/news/how-to-make-console-gamepads-play-nice-with-pc-and-mac/203/     "

" The easiest answer would be to buy a wired Xbox 360 controller. It's automatically recognized by a lot of games. It's also plug-and-play with Windows 7, just plug it in and you're good to go. Windows will install everything you need.  I use the wired 360 controller for just about every single player game I play on PC. Never had any problems with it. "

" There is one big disadvantage to the PS3 controller. You need to press the PS button to turn it on, which in turn (if your PS3 is on standby) turns on your PS3 and sets it to the console instead of the PC.  "

" You can use a regular wired 360 controller.  The only difference compared to the 'PC version' is you can't use the dashboard button for anything iirc.  Ain't no thang. "

A good ol' wired 360 controller.

" @Jimbo said:

" You can use a regular wired 360 controller.  The only difference compared to the 'PC version' is you can't use the dashboard button for anything iirc.  Ain't no thang. "

Nope.  I use the wired controller I got with my launch Core console, and on GFWL games (the only ones that have a "dashboard" as such) the button works no worries at all.  Or maybe I misunderstood what you said. "

" @Nictel said:

" There is one big disadvantage to the PS3 controller. You need to press the PS button to turn it on, which in turn (if your PS3 is on standby) turns on your PS3 and sets it to the console instead of the PC.  "

Nonsense.  I use the PS3 controller on the PC (with motionjoy) without having to press the PS button to turn it on. "

PC works fine with a wired xbox 360 controller.  Drivers are already built in Vista and windows 7 so it's plug n play.

" @Portis: Yeah, that's what I was planning on. But on Amazon, they list two separate controllers. THIS one specifically states it is "for Windows", and THIS one does not, but it costs less and comes in black. There isn't a discernible difference, as far as I can tell... 
 
@crusader8463 said:

"  Also, if you plan to play shooters you are going to get your ass handed to you if you use a controller online. You could probably get away with it in single player, but learn the KBM if you plan to play online. "

Yeah I definitely wouldn't attempt to play Modern Warfare or BC2 in on-line multi-player with a controller. There is no way i could compete with a mouse haha. "

"

" Just buy a 360 controller. "

This!  And also, I belive that a Dual Shcok 3 will do the trick aswell "

I use the motion joy drivers with my PS3 controller. Works like a charm.

Yeah I use a regular 360 controller. it's pretty universal with today's games and some old games (pre-2005 of the 360 controller) and does well.

The 360 will be by far the best controller you could use for the PC. They have all the buttons you'll need, they are of the highest quality, and work natively with windows. I'm pretty sure Windows 7 already has the drivers.

I definitely use my wired 360 controller for Batman: AA, Assassin's Creed 2, Super Meat Boy, and such. It works very well. Lots of games recognize it immediately. I wouldn't for something like Mass Effect 2 or Bad Company 2 though. The precision from the mouse is more important in those games. I always feel like I'm fighting the controls in console shooters. Even when I know that everyone else has the same limitations, I feel like I should be doing better.

360 cONTROLLERXxx Zz 
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I recently bought my wife Recettear off of Steam and although you can play the game using the keyboard, the game plays a lot better in the dungeons using a gamepad. I do have a Wireless Receiver for my 360 controllers which works out great but the receiver can be finicky sometimes. That and the only way to turn off the controller is by removing the battery pack. 
 
Small annoyances but if you can find one, it is a lot cheaper then buying a new controller, especially if you already own a 360. 
 
That being said.... with my wife now using the Wireless Receiver and I with no means to play my computer games that worked better with a gamepad, I now plan to look at the market and see what is out there. Might just be another Wireless Receiver in my future.

xbox 360 controller and ps3 controllers work. for the ps3 you would have to find a program that you have to download. there are other controllers out there that you can find at department stores.

I bought a wired 360 controller for my PC about 2 months ago -- I use it every day.  
 
Awesome investment.   Meat Boy wouldn't be the same without it.

360 controller is definitely the way to go. I played Batman with a controller on PC and am currently playing New Vegas with a controller because it just felt janky with a mouse and keyboard to me. I played ME2 mouse and keyboard though. The only games in my opinion that usually benefit from having a mouse and keyboard are first person shooters, with the exception of some games (like New Vegas IMO).

I actually got a wireless Xbox360 controller which works fine, and its interchangable with the xbox360!
 
And it feels alot better then the keyboard for stuff like Super Meat boy, and Assassin's Creed 2