For the past 15 years, the mouse and keyboard have ruled my heart with an iron fist. I found out this weekend that a good gamepad can enhance your gaming experience ten-fold, even if your thumbs may get a little raw. What? I haven’t built up a hard callus, like you console punks.
When a Xbox 360 controller is brought into conjunction with computer gaming, the tendency to clutch your own PC fanboyism is overwhelming. As soon as mine came in the mail, I had to fight back the urge to violently throw it back at the postal carrier. So, calmly place those feelings of rivalry in your pocket, just for a few minutes.
It’s Easy!
While the controller doesn’t work on a PC right out of the box, a small driver download from the Microsoft website fixes that issue fast. As long as you have a working internet connection, and a free USB port, you should be fumbling those analog sticks in no time.
Game developers have occasionally programmed gamepad buttons into the default settings in the past, but as of late, most games work right out of the box. If the title is under Microsoft’s Games for Windows spiel, it usually will come programmed with the exact same controls the console version had.
It makes some games 100 times better!
Trying to steer a helicopter or land on a 3D platform is next to impossible using the WASD schematic. The mouse and keyboard provide a great platform for shooters and strategy games, but if you ever need to move in more than four directions, the controller makes it all possible.
So once you get the hang of fondling your 360 controller, try all the games you once thought to be console dominant. Boot up Prince of Persia and let the platformer frustration sink in. Play a Need for Speed clone. Sports games may still suck, but they are no longer out of reach.
It’s heavily customizable!
Thanks to computers, and their ability to do whatever the f*ck you want with them (thanks, Techno-Jesus), an open-source driver for the controller has been developed. This can be used in collaboration with Xpadder, a program that allows you to bind keyboard and mouse buttons to controller buttons. Manipulate your mouse with the analog stick, control media functions to adjust the volume or change the song on your music player, or if you have a female companion (or you are in fact a woman), make it vibrate when you press R1.
It’s social!
Unless they have e-girlfriends, computer gamers usually play alone. Console tards have it right – the image of the geek hunched over his desk, pwning noobs at Counter Strike 1.6, is accurate to the T.
Once you bring in a controller or two to the mix, invite a friend over. Find a multiplayer PC game like Lego Star Wars or NHL ‘08, and go to town. Single player works too; even non-gamers can work a console controller. Less buttons for more feeble minds.
It’s a challenge!
This may not apply to everybody, but my journey into consoles was a bumpy path. It was nothing but ownage on a PC, but every time I hopped on something else, my ass would get handed to me. There’s no fun in not knowing how to properly handle one of those things.
So, not only can you challenge yourself to learn something new, your gaming skills across all platforms will improve. Force yourself to play a shooter with it, and learn the tricks of the trade. You’ll get obliterated in your first attempts, but it’s for a greater cause!
Every time someone buys a 360 controller for the PC, the gap between two worlds gets a little narrower. If we can come together as gamers and learn how to get along, then we can move forward in history, leaving bitter rivalries at the door.
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Yeh totally agree, on some games i can’t help but use a 360 controller – mostly on driving games
I agree completly, GFW’s all over compatiblity with the 360 controller open’s up a whole new set of doors.
I might get haterized, but I prefer the Dualshock. If I could hook on of them up to my PC, I would be a happy camper.
okay, I have a 360 and have used it quite a bit and I have a gaming pc that I’ve used quite a bit. The main reason I still prefer PC versions of shooters to console versions is BECAUSE of the mouse and keyboard. In fact I found a mouse and board adapter for the 360 and I’m seriously considering picking it up. To the skilled user the mouse and keys are superior to the game pad. But if you don’t mind losing, I don’t mind running in circles around you while you try and catch up on your right thumb stick.
Sven – agreed. Why would you put down the money for a PC if your just gonna plug a 360 controller into it? WASD pwns the controller in most games (except driving, flying games.) Just throwin in my 2 cents
I fail to see how the WASD keys are better than a thumbstick for games like GTA, Assassin’s Creed, or Psychonauts. I don’t think Mr. Volkov is saying the controller is better for shooters, he just mentions that you should try it to raise your skills a little bit for when you venture onto the 360.
I’m using my Dualshock (USB adapter) in almost every game that is not a FPS, in FPS Games nothing could replace my Mouse and Keyboard COMBO!
@ Sven
sensitivity 10. all i have to say.
i used my controller for games as well as emulators(not condoing them at all just ignore that)
WASD FTW!!!, 360 Controller has been used by me enough, the keyboard and mouse can offer so much more!…
So yeah…
Xpadder is probably the best piece of software ever. I use it mostly to play N with my 360 controller because my pc is too crappy to play any higher end games
@wackyiraqi77
Me and my WASD take it to 11
i have a hardcore pc gaming friend that refuses to get a console. mabey this will build a bridge for him
I have 5…FIVE…Wireless controllers ($that came with my first xbox, and one that came with my arcade) and I am disapointed that they are all wireless because i cant use them for the pc without buying a wirtless dongle thing for 30$ Apparently, a plug and play kit is only for charging, something i didnt know until i bought one…
Have been tempted to try Audiosurf with a controller, apart from that don’t have many PC games where a controller would really be suitable.
Do use my Sixaxis to play games on emulators though.
We do know that Lono is unable at the moment to test this, as his family is using the only controller he has for his 360!!!