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The original was posted on /r/misterfpga by /u/AimpointBRO on 2024-11-08 14:53:11+00:00.
For a while I have been trying to find a good, modern controller to use on these 2 cores. I understand some use original controllers and while I like that, I find that if I have a modern wireless controller to use across a couple cores it’s a lot easier to pick up and play on the Mister. The main reason for difficulties I see here is that typically analog sticks simply do not match the original sensitivity, deadzones, or gates. Games where I found the above to be finicky are Perfect Dark and Goldeneye on the N64, and Quake 2 (analog only) on the PSX. Note that for other games like platformers and the like the performance is nearly the same or negligible as they don’t quite require the fine accuracy of the mentioned FPS games. For some controllers I did try to configure deadzones but that does not fix the sensitivity of the sticks, it simply makes the area in which the sticks are activated smaller (and thus actually MORE sensitive in those areas).
The following are a few controllers I’ve used and my findings.
- Sony Dualshock 3: I tried to really get this one to work since it is an authentic Sony controller (and I already have a PS3) and this should be perfect for at least PSX games. Sadly, the sticks were way too sensitive for GE, PD, or Q2. On the plus side pairing was really easy (it’s a huge PITA on PC) but I had to connect with a wired cable every time I reset the Mister.
- 8BitDo Ultimate 2.4/BT: I had high hopes for this one due to the software being configurable. Sadly, while 8BitDo claims you can adjust sensitivity, it’s really just the deadzones you are able to set (inner and outer deadzones). This is essentially the same case as the PS3 except the pairing on reset is not an issue. Still a great controller and I have no regrets buying it as I use it a ton on PC and on the fly can switch to BT which is paired to my mister (2.4 is left for my PC).
- OEM N64 w/ 8BitDo BT mod: If you want accurate for the N64 this is it. 1-1 performance on that core. However, the big downside is you are limited to ONLY that core. The mod is easy and reversible which I like but the hall effect stick upgrade that was included I did not care for (too sensitive). The original stick is better in every way imo. For some reason on mine I could not get X-Input to work, but the other input type worked well.
- OEM Original Xbox controller: This does not fit the wireless criteria but I already have a bunch of these and a USB adapter so I figured why not. This controller had sticks that were less sensitive than the DS3 or the 8BitDo Ultimate, but still pretty sensitive overall. Usable but still not quite there.
- OEM Xbox 360 controller w/ PC adapter: I actually got this for use on my OG Xbox but decided to give it a spin on the Mister. For some reason the wireless adapter was finicky on which USB port I wanted to use, but when it worked it paired right up quickly even on Mister resets. Performance on this one is my favorite and while it is a touch more sensitive than OEM N64 or PSX sticks, it’s not by much. When setting up the N64 core for a more modern stick setup when playing PD or GE it worked really well and I actually forgot I was testing a controller and just played. I can pull off aimed shots in GE and PD fairly easily, it’s pretty great. I also found when using this I was not missing some jumps in Crash Bandicoot that I was missing when using the 8BitDo Ultimate. Only downside is that IME X360 controllers often have heavy use and can have worn sticks, which results in stick drift. Mine has it a little bit but it’s not really an issue. My recommendation is to really find a clean on of these. D-pad is ass so have another controller handy for 2D stuff.
- 8BitDo M30: Unrelated to the criteria above but I use this for every other console core that is for 2D games. Buy it.
TlDR: If you want a modern controller for N64/PSX cores/analog stuff my rec is an OEM Xbox 360 controller with a PC wireless adapter.