Cheap controllers for the PC, with emphasis on cheap + Steam Questions

Forums › Gaming › Cheap controllers for the PC, with emphasis on cheap + Steam Questions

Morgenmuffel

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#190871 14-Jan-2016 21:22

Ok my kids ( 7 & 9)have discovered Lego games (indiana jones, harry potter etc) but trying to control the games via two player on my keyboard is heading towards a homicide

I was thinking of getting a cheap controller or two, but i can't make head nor tail of what the deal is with using them, will a cheap/generic controller work with Steam games that support controllers, or do they have to be a specific type of controller.

Note cheap for me is under $20- $30max for both, mainly because my kids will probably lose interest.

I have looked at the cheapies like these (and yes i realise they won't last forever)

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1010076975

or this

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1010207804

although these look like overkill

https://www.bidbud.co.nz/1013080098

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reven

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#1471364 14-Jan-2016 21:34

my concerns with those are the buttons numbering.

a xbox 360/one contoller (what all windows games basically expect) are
- a = 1
- b = 2
- x = 3
- y = 4

they basically have
- a = 3
- b = 2
- x = 4
- y = 1

you might be able to change it, but that would get really annoying really fast.

macuser

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#1471377 14-Jan-2016 21:43

Get xbox 360 wireless controllers and a dongle...It's worth it

reven

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#1471380 14-Jan-2016 21:46

macuser: Get xbox 360 wireless controllers and a dongle...It's worth it

i would say get the xbox one controller and dongle, much better than 360 controllers (much lighter and better for kids, my 6 year old is playing with one right now).

richms

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#1471383 14-Jan-2016 21:48

Or the logitech wired ones F310 - no batteries and no RF issues.

Richard rich.ms

reven

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#1471387 14-Jan-2016 21:51

richms: Or the logitech wired ones F310 - no batteries and no RF issues.

thats really the best "cheap" controller you're going to get. the knock off ones will have issues, the logitech one is cheap and good. xbox one will cost $70ish per controller, and another $30 for the wifi dongle if you dont want them playing with usb cables (and you dont want them playing with those usb cables, i would be afraid they would snap).

richms

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#1471395 14-Jan-2016 21:57

At least the xbone controllers are a standard cable, the 360 needs the play and charge ones which are either expensive for a cable, or badly made clone junk.

For cheap controllers they run the molds well past when they should be retired so the quality is all over the place, will have flash along the edges that will grate your hands unless you sand it off, buttons will be poor fitting sloppy crap. Think $2 shop toy quality plastics.

Richard rich.ms

lurker

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#1471396 14-Jan-2016 21:58

Definitely recommend the wireless controllers. I use the Xbox 360 ones. My kids are very mobile while playing.
Also this works great when running Steam's in-home streaming through my HTPC.
My gaming PC is doing the work and hosting the controllers while they are sat in front of the TV with the wireless controllers.

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Blanch

254 posts

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#1471449 14-Jan-2016 23:11

Don't go wired with kids, I plugged in the n64 with the kids over Christmas (Wires are a PITA)

I'm looking at getting 2 more controllers and will probably go xboxone, we already have a few xbox360 controllers we have had for years and they are still going strong.

Good luck with getting the kids too lose interest in gaming.

xpd

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#1471586 15-Jan-2016 08:50

I picked up a $20 PS3 style controller for my PC before Xmas, and its worked fine in everything Ive tried via Steam. But with kids, cordless is the better way to go, less chance of them ripping out cable during heated "discussions" with one another :)

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

LinkTree

BTR

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#1473828 18-Jan-2016 14:13

I love my Wireless xBox controller that I use on my PC rig, much easier than using the arrow keys for FPS and games like GTA

richms

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#1473855 18-Jan-2016 14:41

I dont think I have ever used the arrow keys for gaming? WASD is the default and I find it is fine on the keyboard, but better on my razer little keyboardy thingie.

Only use the controller for driving games, and then its back to the mouse in GTA for the shooting parts.

Richard rich.ms