Gamepad with best D-pad?

[krille]

The other thread was a little much.

The 360 controller is supposed to be the best gamepad for newer games, but alas it suffers from a significant flaw: Horrendous D-pad!

So I'm on the hunt for a PC gamepad with a good D-pad to complement the 360 controller (for playing older games, emulators, 2D and other D-pad reliant things). I have these to choose from:
1) Saitek P990 / P2600 Img1, Img2
2) Saitek P380 / P480 Img1, Img2
3) Logitech Rumblepad 2 Img1
4) Speed-Link Strike 2 (6535) Img1
5) Thrustmaster Dual Trigger 3 in 1 Rumble Force Img1

So which gamepad has the better D-pad, letting you do those fancy Street Fighter moves?

[SP1]

You can use a Playstation2 gamepad with an adaptor.

[krille]

You can use a Playstation2 gamepad with an adaptor.

That would probably have been the best solution, yes, but alas I'm limited to the choices above.

[AngryArtichoke]

I'd go with #4 simply for the fact that the D-pad isn't one solid piece of plastic. I think SP1 has the best suggestion of the PS2 controller if you can somehow manage it though.

[Jazz_Data]

you can use a ps3 controller without any adapter at all. Its already usb, you just need to download the xp driver on the web. I use it all the time...

[strange|ife]

I use the Xbox pad for emu games, works great in contra once you get it down.

for other modern games it can't be beat

[clayton]

I love how simple the PS2/3 D-PAD designs are. Basic Up-down-left-right layout without that multi-directional crap.

[krille]

Again, the DualShock 2 controller is not really an option as for the price of the converter alone I could already buy one or two of the gamepads in the above list (the reason being that my distributors don't carry these converters anymore). And since I don't have a PSX/PS2 anyway I'd have to buy the actual DualShock 2 controller too (I can get this one just as cheap as the rest of the gamepads though, as my do distributors carry it).

Dual Shock 3 has trigger-like buttons?
My distributors do carry the Dual Shock 3 and Sixaxis controllers though, so that one (although the most expensive controller by far) I can get. I'm a bit worried, though that the two trigger-like shoulder buttons [ L2/L3 ] of the PS3 will suck for older games and emulators (on the PSX and PS2 they were quick-fire buttons).

[ Why I'm asking is because 1) my current Microsoft SideWinder uses a gameport (and I need a USB gamepad) and 2) even on the SideWinder, the D-pad keeps killing me (I'm pressing right, but it registers top right or bottom right or something like that). ]

edit: Would Dual Shock 3 rumble work on the PC? Or would getting a cheaper Sixaxis be a better idea?

[EniGmA1987]

Can you use this one?
http://www.amazon.com/Playstation-PC..._ob_vg_title_1
http://www.amazon.com/Playstation-PC.../dp/B000HEV7QK

I own it and it works great. I dont really see why your limited to the things you listed, you can get anything online if you really want to...

http://www.shopping.com/xPO-Atari-At...ame-Pad-Silver
http://www.amazon.com/Playstation-PC...D75KPZ06MZZBM4


Or as other people have said, a Playstation 2 controller and adapter, both for $30...
http://www.amazon.com/PlayStation-Du...g_ai_857_3_tit
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-PS2-Contr...0783705&sr=1-4
http://www.amazon.com/Playstation-2-...0783705&sr=1-2

[Dragy2k]

you can use a ps3 controller without any adapter at all. Its already usb, you just need to download the xp driver on the web. I use it all the time...

i tryed the xp driver a while ago and i couldnt get it to even find the ps3 controller.....i gave up and went back to the ps2 + adapter..

[Bradan]

I use the Xbox pad for emu games, works great in contra once you get it down.

for other modern games it can't be beat

<3 contraiii

i use the dual shock 2, its fine... its a d-pad. they feel really similar. Ive used ps3, xbox, ps2, xbox360 and logitech.

id pick the 360 for instant compatability with most all console ports.

the logitech dual action was like 15$ on sale

[Fungus]

I like the logitech myself, but I like to play fighting games like street fighter II... so the PS2 style pads don't work very well for such games. The logitech one is very responsive and has a nice high center rocker for smooth movements without making your thumb hurt.

[r4st4m4n]

I'm using the logitech and I'm very happy with it.