good control pads for playing old emulators?

any recommendations on controllers that work well with emulators for

snes, nes, genisis, turbo gfx, mame, n64, etc...


i dont mind buying two, one for older systems like nes..and then maybe one for n64/play station

any advice would be appreciated ...thnx

 

The most logical and by far most recommended choice is probably going to be a Xbox 360 controller.



The wired version is plug & play on PC, the Wireless version also works if you buy the wireless PC adapter (supports multiple controllers)

I have one and it does work well, however I have an alternate solution that is not going to be nearly as well known and has a much more "authentic" feel similar to that of a SNES controller.

The Wii Classic Controller.



The problem with this is that its not plug & play, but there is a nice adapter out there available rather cheap, and the classic controller itself is a lot cheaper than a 360 controller can usually be found for.

The adapter works for 2 controllers at once, so that is another plus.

I got mine off ebay for like $15 - Wii Classic Controller to PC USB Dual Ports Adapter New - eBay (item 180519434161 end time Jun-14-10 20:33:14 PDT)

Looks like you can get them for $10 now.

This is what I recommend, it has just as many buttons as the 360 controller and its smaller and feels better in the hand, also has settings with the drivers included that the 360 controller does not have to do things like change the dpad to analog or digital to help make it compatible with more programs.

Adapter works with the classic controller pro also (I need to get one of those)

If your an advanced user and want to go above plug & play you can use the wimote and the nunchuck via bluetooth connection. The wiimote itself is really great for nintendo games that only use a few buttons, its super light and wireless giving great freedom.

Here is a guide I wrote on using the wiimote on a EEE 1000H but the same guide can be used to get it working on other computers.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/303559-guide-use-wiimote-bluesoleil-eee-1000h.html

Video:

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the Wii Classic Controller looks like it would be perfect for retro games..along w/ more modern games too

thanks for the recommendation!

edit:
i see this controller going for very cheap on ebay? are these legit:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Nintendo-Wii-Classic-Controller-Video-Game-Control-/140397348675?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item20b0558743

 

Dunno, I dont trust most things from China, unless it says on the auction "Authentic Nintendo" there is no guarantee.

Chances are its a knockoff.

Id just go pay the $20 at walmart or kmart or something and get one in person if you cant find a good deal online that you know is for a real one.

I did not take a lot of time to look but this looks authentic: http://cgi.ebay.com/Official-Ninten...t=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item3cae1e2377

Atleast its a US seller and says "official" so if you got a knockoff you have means to get a refund. Though nowhere does it say "new" so I wonder if its a used product. I would ask the seller first.

 

good advice, i'll spend a lil extra to get the real thing @ wal mart

thanks again..the Wii controller is exactly what i was looking for

 

I'll tell you what is exactly what you were looking for

I want one I should have gotten one when they were only $30-$40 on ebay but now they are like $80++ due to the limited production.

Club Nintendo Wii SNES Controller NEW FACTORY SEALED! - eBay (item 260614158262 end time Jul-03-10 17:15:41 PDT)

But the classic controller is the about same thing, who knows this special version may not work with the adapter.

Im quite versed in hacking stuff, I just hacked my Street Fighter 4 TE stick to work on SNES, Gamecube, Wii, PS3, and a bunch of other systems the other day. Im willing to bet I could hack a SNES controller with a new PCB to make it work on PC. I think I have some SNES controllers tucked away somewhere as well.

There is a new very small PCB called the PeeWii that I know I could fit in there, it would make it work as a normal wii classic controller, so that means it would work with the Wii and the PC via the adapter.

My Wii has a SNES emulator on it as well.