Ground Controller to Major Tom

I was reading an article debating which controller is/was the best, and while that’s obviously down to personal preference (I like the 360 controller for what it’s worth) it got me thinking about something else.

Does anybody actually play games with a finger on all four shoulder and trigger buttons at the same time? As in your index fingers are on the shoulder buttons and your middle fingers are on the triggers. Personally I play with just my index fingers on either the shoulder buttons or the triggers, depending on the game, and them move them back and forth as needed.

Seems like games where you're required to have a finger on all four buttons at all times are pretty rare, but I’m curious if that’s actually more common than I realize and I’m the oddball here??

I always have my fingers placed like that. 
Index on the shoulder buttons middle fingers on the triggers. Easy enough to do with big hands. 
 
Also I'm one of those rare people who have no preference when it comes to controllers. 360, PS3, PS2, PS1, Snes, whatever. All super easy to handle

I don't do the four finger thing. Which controller is/was best? I really liked gamecube's craziness. The 360 is probably my favorite. But I think that most people will argue the Dual Shock. The feel of that controller is really good. I just think the hand holders are a bit small and don't like the sensitivity of the sticks. But the build for Dual Shocks is still great.

The only thing I could think of would be in Halo 3 where default controls had you use RT to shoot and RB to commandeer vehicles. So I think I had both fingers on there at all times.

I change my grip depending on the game.

Dark souls for example, i have 4 fingers up top.

For most FPS i have 3 fingers. Index + Middle on the right and just index on the left but in such a way it rests across the shoulder as well as the trigger. Diagonal style.

I find with semi auto weapons i can fire much much faster with my middle finger.

I prefer the 360 controller to all other controllers ever made. Triggers are better than buttons plus there's no sharp edges or horrible mold lines like on the PS2/3.

I like the 360 controller. i always felt like i had to stretch with my thumbs to get full use out of the analogs on the dual shock.

This is Ground Control to Major Tom
You've really made the grade
And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear
Now it's time to leave the capsule if you dare

I play with four fingers mostly,

some games i have found myself with my thumbs on the sticks my index fingers on the D-Pad and face buttons and middle and ring fingers on the shoulder buttons.

I don't like the 360 controller because of the triggers and bumpers being difficult to have 4 fingers on. and the sticks not being symmetrical.

I rest my index fingers in the center, between both sets, and just move back and forth as needed. I like the the PS1/2/3 controllers the best but it really makes no difference when I'm playing.

I love the Dual Shock PS3/PS2 controller. For me size really doesn't matter, its just i like the way the PS controllers D-pad and buttons are. The only thing I like the 360 controller for is the trigger is more like a real trigger. Other than that the PS style D-pad and face buttons feel much better to me. Not big and round like the 360, also the 360's D-pad being one piece really fucking irritates me when I try to play Street Fighter. I also like the layout of PS, the sticks being in the same place on either side, and not being that weird offset like the 360.

I also only play with my index on the triggers, I don't see the need for four of my fingers to be actively sitting, and holding the thing with just the ring and pinky. I cannot think of any game I've play that has needed my fingers to do that anyway.

Novint Falcon

I'm good with just about anything, except for the PlayStation controllers. Nothing against Sony, but the sticks being so close doesn't feel comfortable to me.

360 is my favorite controller

Sega Saturn controller is probably my second favorite, tied with the SNES controller perhaps.

Nintendo Wavebird would be the third best for me.

No, I don't do take four-fingered approach with either the 360 controller or the Dual Shock.

Ps3 has buttons
360 has bumpers and triggers. 
I like buttons better

The PS3 controller is the reason it took so long for me to buy a PS3. The PS3 controller works OK but the 360 controller is much better.

I find putting my middle fingers on the triggers tends to lead to accidental bullet firing.

For my money the GCN controller is pretty high up there.

The 360 controller is alright because those triggers are crazy, but it does lack a good D-Pad. I tried playing half minute hero on it a few months back and it is really annoying.

I like the 360 controller better, but I also like my controller a lot.

I only keep two fingers in back. I find it uncomfortable if I have more.

I usually only have my two index fingers on the L1/R1 or LT/RT at the top and my middle fingers kind of on reserve at the back of the controller in case they are needed for button combinations that would require me to press both of the L*/R* buttons.

The total lack of David Bowie in here is a major disappointment.

I like the modern 360 controller with new d-pad.

I HATE what Sony did to my beloved dual-shock. Those triggers are awful.

@Winternet said:

The total lack of David Bowie in here is a major disappointment.

lol sorry about that. I know it was a terrible pun but it was the first thing that popped into my head. Also, I started playing Alan Wake's American Nightmare last night which reminded me of Space Oddity playing at the end of the original game and it's been going round and round my head ever since!!

I've always been a fan of the Playstation controllers, from PSX to PS3. I find the X-Box controller to be awkward, it feels like trying to steer a car with a bowling ball.

@Winternet said:

The total lack of David Bowie in here is a major disappointment.

I just use 2 index fingers. Infamous 2 is the only game where I ever needed all four fingers for the shoulder buttons.

The 360 controller is by far the most comfortable I have ever used, outstanding controller other than crappy d-pad. I really hope they don't change a thing for the next console. As a side note the gamecube controller was great, but a bit too small.