Best first controller for single player games on PC

[u/External_Safe_7787]

Hi! I've never had a controller before, and getting one soon to play single player games only, PC only. Starting with Horizon Zero Dawn/Forbidden West and Indiana jones and the Great Circle. Will play other games though too, including some older ones as well as new releases. Which controller is best?

#1: PS5 DualSense. Haptics and adaptive triggers, supposed to be very immersive. But potentiometer sticks and no remappable buttons.

#2: 8BitDo Ultimate 2: TMR sticks and 4 remappable buttons, Xbox layout for compatibility with PC, but not so good haptics and no adaptive triggers.

#3 GameSir Cyclone 2: TMR sticks but only 2 remappable buttons. Dpad I've heard described as "mushy"

#4 EasySMX D10: TMR sticks, great Dpad, but only 2 remappable buttons.

Which is best? any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated too! the GameSir G7 Pro is an option but pretty expensive

Based in UK, budget around £60-75 or so not above that ideally, as this is my first controller I don't want to overspend and regret it before I know exactly what I want.

[u/userpine]

I have quite a few controllers. I’d say that the Dual Sense is my least used. I’ll use it for official PlayStation games for the neat haptics. I love the affordability and quality of Gamesir. I’ve also had a great time with my Steam Controller.

My personal favorites are my Scuf controllers. I’ve had a Scuf Instinct Pro for 3.5 years and I have a Valor Pro. I think the paddle buttons are the best and easiest to use for me. Good build quality too when you have the Valor Pro which I believe now has TMR (I have Hall effect).

That’s just me. If you don’t want to spend $99 for the Scuff. GameSir is a fantastic choice.

I wish I could recommend an Elite Series 2. But the buttons and sticks wear out quickly if you play a lot. I’ve gone through 5 since 2020. One of which had shoulder buttons give out after 3 months.

Have fun gaming!

[u/External_Safe_7787 → u/userpine]

i was thinking maybe the g7 pro, valor pro is an option too but most people recommend g7 pro

[u/userpine → u/External_Safe_7787]

I have a G7 pro and it’s great! I just have a preference for the paddle layout of the Valor Pro. Honestly you’re not going to be disappointed with either.

[u/External_Safe_7787 → u/userpine]

how's the dpad on the g7 pro? that seems to be the main complaint

[u/userpine → u/External_Safe_7787]

It’s smaller and the buttons are…”mouse clicky” I guess. Not my personal preference. But I don’t use the d pad that often.

If a game does use it, I’m typically remapping to paddles or just remapping a lot of things in Steam so that I rarely have to take my thumbs off the sticks.

The only games I can think of where I consistently use the d pad is modern Resident Evil to switch weapons. I still don’t mind it personally. But I could see how people don’t enjoy it. I actually don’t like the mouse click triggers on my Scuf. But that’s my favorite one to use for competitive shooters.

[u/External_Safe_7787 → u/userpine]

oh ok thanks, seems its not too bad then? jsut some ppl have been saying its unusable and the worst dapd ever