If you use a controller on PC do you prefer PS or XB style layout?

[porina]

This came up from a discussion elsewhere. While we might talk about console wars separately, the question is how does that balance apply to PC? Does Microsoft's influence give Xbox controllers the advantage, or does the higher popularity of PlayStation swing it to that side?

[RONOTHAN##]

I've never found Playstation controllers comfortable to use (haven't tried a dual sense though), so I stuck with Xbox controllers and I've just gotten used to the stick layout with them that trying to use a PS style one with the symmetrical joysticks, even if it's aftermarket and the rest of the controller is comfortable, just feels weird to me. 

 

I don't see me switching to a different style. I'll keep my Elite controller till it dies. 

[BondiBlue]

I've never been much of a gamer, but I've owned both PlayStation and Xbox consoles over the years. I never liked the PlayStation controller very much, but I do like using the Xbox controller, so that's why I use an Xbox controller with my PC. I did end up buying one of the newer versions that uses USB-C instead of Micro USB, and it's been perfect for the few things I use it for on a PC. 

[Guest]

Xbox 360 and newer controllers always had way better triggers (L2/R2).  Much better for racing games.

[porina]

Please keep the comments coming in. I find it interesting to get these viewpoints. I do own controllers from both sides but I do have a preference to one, which I wont say for now.

 

Also in case it wasn't clear, I'm leaving it open to controllers of any age.

[SorryBella]

25 minutes ago, porina said:

This came up from a discussion elsewhere. While we might talk about console wars separately, the question is how does that balance apply to PC? Does Microsoft's influence give Xbox controllers the advantage, or does the higher popularity of PlayStation swing it to that side?

I dont know how other large handed people hate it but on my 20x11 hand i prefer Dualshock everyday even when i need third party app for full support on it. Who knows? Maybe because PS2 and then later on a PS3 was my main gaming platform since i was 5?

[Vishera]

I already have a PlayStation so why not use the controller on my PC as well

I am used to the layout so no XBOX controllers for me

8 minutes ago, porina said:

Does Microsoft's influence give Xbox controllers the advantage

Absolutely, more games support XBOX controllers than PlayStation controllers,

Though i am starting to see a noticeable increase in games that support PlayStation controllers (partially due to Sony's decision to allow the release of PlayStation exclusives to the PC)

 

[Vishera]

4 minutes ago, SorryClaire said:

I dont know how other large handed people hate it but on my 20x11 hand i prefer Dualshock everyday even when i need third party app for full support on it.

I have small hands myself, my glove size is extra small and i prefer △OX□ as well.

[TVwazhere]

For context I have large hands, and I've always used Dualshock controllers, growing up with a Playstation. I've held Xbox controllers and they're find but I prefer the symmetry of the sticks in the same mirrored space. Though I dont use an actual PS3/4/5 contrller on my PC (racing gams) I do seek out layout specific controllers like the Logitech F310

[porina]

32 minutes ago, TVwazhere said:

Though I dont use an actual PS3/4/5 contrller on my PC (racing gams) I do seek out layout specific controllers like the Logitech F310

I didn't expect that! Correct me if I'm wrong, but it has Xbox style buttons with PS style layout?

[Alcarin]

I grew up on Xbox, so I use an Xbox One S controller for my PC. I only use it for certain games though.

 

 

[Vishera]

40 minutes ago, porina said:

I didn't expect that! Correct me if I'm wrong, but it has Xbox style buttons with PS style layout?

Yep, It looks like a controller from the DualShock 2 era.

[TVwazhere]

19 hours ago, porina said:

I didn't expect that! Correct me if I'm wrong, but it has Xbox style buttons with PS style layout?

Correct. It REALLY confuses me sometimes because in my brain, X = [] (square) but a lot of times I see "press X for (action)" and I hit A at some point

 

IDK if there are any actual PC dedicated controllers with PS layouts, with PS symbolled buttons. It's not a big deal truthfully, and I've thought about linking a Ps4 controller to my PC via bluetooth at one point since it's a bit more comfortable, but the plug and play of USB is just too good.

[Snail Jerky]

Never owned a Playstation or XBOX. Picked up a XB360 wired controller for my PC somewhere between 10-15 years ago.

 

Reason I choose it was back then it was no fuss, no mess works easily on PC. And the quality seemed to be there.

I owned controllers from Logitech and Thrustmaster previously. They lacked buttons, or something wasn't right with them quality wise.

 

 

360 Controller still working great, especially the past couple of years when I used it a lot.

 

A funny detail about it, it had sticky/stuck B button out of the box. Annoying as heck.. I didn't use it regularly at the start. But when I started to use it more, problem fixed itself. Everything working perfect.

 

I guess I have medium sized hands, they aren't tiny nor large.  The controller is comfortable for long sessions.

 

 

I don't think I'm really answering your question, people should buy based on features/buttons/compat/ and comfort. And that should dictate what is the go-to controller for PC. The old adage, "try it before you buy it" if possible.

 

(I sort of regret not getting a Steam controller when they were "discontinuing them" and dumping their stock at $5 bucks. I think I was in a bit of a financial bind at the time. Meaning I could pay for it no problem, but didn't make sense to me on buying something I didn't need right now. Even at that ridiculous price. -Already have several peripherals that I wasn't using much then,  the xb360 gamepad and also a G25 wheel)

[Guest]

When I play with controller on PC, I use my Steelseries Stratus Duo, which is most like an Xbox controller minus the fact that both joysticks are on the bottom of the controller face, much like a PS controller.

It's a great controller and all (seriously, the build quality is top-notch), but there are better options. I really want a Dualsense because the additional features like adaptive triggers, gyro, haptic feedback and RGB look really interesting to me.

 

 

(also sidenote: I hate that I bought a SmartGrip for the Stratus Duo, just to find out that basically zero native mobile FPS games work with it, minus Fortnite, and so it would've been better to just buy a used PS4/XB1 controller and a cheap phone clip from Amazon)

[itsthedude]

On pc I use an Xbox controller.

 

Personally, my favorite controller ever was the gamecube controller - but the Xbox is a close second place.

 

 

[Montana One-Six]

If I had to pick between PS and Xbox controller I would take the PS controller since I grew up playing PS2 and later PS3. But I haven't used a controller in over 10 years and play everything on keyboard and mouse.

[tikker]

GameCube is my favourite, but since that doesn't exist it's Xbox controller for me. There's something about the asymmetric sticks that feel more natural to me, though that might stem from the GC controller.

[AbsoluteWoo]

I use an Xbox controller on PC, wish I'd gone with a DualSense though in hindsight. Windows seems to report any random battery percentage for my Xbox controller which really frustrates me. I also much prefer the build quality, layout and extra features of the DualSense.