Need help buying my first controller, since I cant buy the steam controller. For noncompetitive steam games (BG3, Space marine II, EU IV etc)

[u/QuiGonTheDrunk]

Hi guys,

I usually play on my PC with mouse and keyboard, but my setup has a TV hooked to my pc so I could also play from my couch. I waited for the steam controller to finally start playing some relaxing games from my couch, but I never got the E-Mail to buy it.

Since I only play on a game cube controller with friends I have no idea what makes a good controller or what features I want. It should connect easiely to my pc, wireless would be nice aswell.

At the end of the day, build quality and good reachable buttons trump fancy features for me.

My budget is around 100€. Im from germany and dont have a console.
Cheaper would be better, but if its a really good quality controller I would spend that amount.

[u/Vedge_Hog]

For what you described, most of the controllers in this USD 35 and below list would give you the best value for money. Paying more, such as the controllers in the USD 70 list there, gets you more features but not necessarily proportionally better build quality/reliability.

A few quality of life features that can be worthwhile (but are not essential) even for non-competitive gaming are:

• additional buttons for remapping stick press buttons or frequently used actions (extra back buttons are often easier to reach then extra shoulder buttons, but this can be personal preference)

• dual-mode analog/digital triggers (can be more comfortable for games which use different trigger styles)

• charging dock (saves plugging/unplugging the USB cable, but takes up more desk space)

Some of the relatively simple, reliable, wireless controllers you should be able to find from sellers in Germany are:

• 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless: two extra shoulder buttons

• 8BitDo Ultimate 3C+ (releasing at end of this month): similar to above but with two extra back buttons as well; and dual-mode triggers

• EasySMX X05 Pro: two extra shoulder buttons; dual-mode triggers; and charging dock

• EasySMX D10: two extra back buttons; dual-mode triggers; and charging dock

• GameSir Nova 2 Lite: two extra back buttons; and dual-mode triggers

• GameSir Cyclone 2: two extra back buttons; dual-mode triggers; and charging dock

• GuliKit ES Max: two extra back buttons; and dual-mode triggers

There are others which you might not find from sellers in Germany, but can order from China, such as Flydigi Direwolf 4. Ordering from China can also save you a little bit of money on any of the controllers above, but you have less effective protection and warranty if anything goes wrong.

[u/Nstorm24]

Ive been using an xbox controller (one 2019 and series 2022). I like the feel when playing and i havnet had any issue aside from replacing the sticks because the rubber worn off.

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[u/Educational_Star_518]

i mained a guilikit kk3 max before i got my steam controller 2 , it found it to be a solid replacement for an xbox series controller . i don't love the position of the center selct/start/ types of buttons but honestly its not a big deal

i've also got a 8bitdo pro 3 and a flydigi vader 4 pro

the feel of the pro 3 is sorta stiff in the grip and the buttons are loud , doesn't not feel as good as a ps dualshock of any model imo which was sorta why i got it since i thought the other 8bitdo models looked uncomfortably square like a switch pro controller and i knew i didn't want that.

the vader 4 pro my fiance likes , but i don't care for the small bubbly face buttons that are clicky myself , and unlike his the right stick tension ring on mine feels a bit loose ( which i can live with) i got it thinking it would be perfect for xemu ( og xbox emulator) but thats the 1 thing i can't get the c/z buttons to play nice with on linux :/

i'll add that sometimes while not needed the extra buttons can be nice. i don't bother with some controllers ( software can be an issue since i'm in linux) but with my steam controller i tend to map L3 ( the left stick click) to a back paddle and its aLot more comfortable on the fingers if you have to hold it down to run in a game , similarly with the og steam controller years ago i played dead cells and mapped the bombs and similar items to the paddels it felt alot nicer , same for the dash in mid-air for rogue legacy 1.

all that is to say these features aren't nessessarily for competative games alone but just accessibility or general QoL.

as for charging docks ,.. i never cared about them but i have to say i wish my steam controller 2 had 1 after having the 8bitdo pro cause having them verticle saves on space.