So, I'm guessing that the PS3 default controller is NOT a good pad?

[Mugen Tux]

The D-Pad is just way too soft for me...

It's really hard to do even 236 on a regular basis.

I'm guessing I should either get a stick or a better pad.

Recommendations?

[ELC1837]

The D-Pad is just way too soft for me...

It's really hard to do even 236 on a regular basis.

I'm guessing I should either get a stick or a better pad.

Recommendations?

Oh boy . . . where to begin?

First, as strange as it may sound, I recommend any stick with an MK-style button layout. I dunno why, but the X-shape seems to work ergonomically well with only 5-6 buttons (6th being taunt for taunt-cancels). For the stick, I recommend ball-top if you need more precise control (a la DPs), or bat top for fast movement (a la circles).

If cost is an issue however, I recommend either the PDP Fightpad or Hori FC3 Pro. Both are really good pads, the only difference is one uses a 8-direction nub and the other uses a cross D-Pad. The PDP will take a lot of getting used to, especially if you're used to sliding your thumb for 2 3 6 instead of rolling it, but it's good for the price.

A few more words, then I'm done: you have to get the right amount of wiggle room for the D-Pad. Too tight, and you won't be able to react. Too loose, and you'll do random jumps.

[Celerity]

Well, aside from recommending stick/hitbox, the PS3 and PS2 D-Pad are as good as it gets. If you can't do a consistent 236 on that pad, there is something wrong with you, not the controller. The only faults of that particular pad are the possible difficulty hitting clean diagonals, and the L2/R2 buttons. PS2 pad is better with the latter, but no other pad really delivers a better D-Pad other than the Saturn Pad which is difficult to find.

[Rhiya]

Well, pretty much every aftermarket fightpad is a variant on the Saturn D-Pad, so there's that. Lots of them also have adjustable diagonals (i.e., you can adjust the threshold for when the pad registers a diagonal). That being said, PS3 pad is pretty reasonable, but yours may just be worn out/slightly less awesome than everyone is used to.

[Mugen Tux]

Yeah, my controllers are really old...Like, release date old.

Thanks for all the info, guys.

[Effenhoog]

Back when I played on pad, I just could not get anything to work on ps2/ps3 pad. I used the original xbox pad (s-type) and then a sega saturn pad for PS2, so if you do not like the ps3 pad maybe try something with a disc-based dpad rather than sony's cross design.

Learning stick is probably the best solution as it is universal and does not leave you at the whims of console control designers or hinder you in cross-platform play. It is, however, a bit of an investment (mostly financial, plus a slight learning curve). If you do choose to learn stick it is best to do it as soon as possible, so that you will have less habits and muscle memory to unlearn before relearning it on stick. Personally I found the process of finding a pad that was compatible with me very frustrating and in hindsight it was kind of a huge waste of time and money, but that was 5+ years ago and pad options seem much more plentiful today, although I cannot vouch for their quality.

[Star-Demon]

They aren't all created equal!

Different pads seem to end up starting out different and/or breaking in different.

If you have carpel tunnel or arthritis playing stick may be very painful. If you don't learn to use your fingertips the right way you can bruise your knuckles or fingers, and that hurts way, WAY more than any Pad callus will, and it hurts for about a week.

[Linear04]

if you have trouple presing buttons on a stick then you probably shouldnt be using a keyboard

like its the same hand position and the buttons are bigger than actual keyboard buttons and you have a button for you thumbs too,,,

[MattyD315]

Im kind of suprised to hear this. But like someone else said. if you cant do 236 then it might just be you. not in an insulting way or anything, its just a motion that takes a bit of practice, like anything else. ive been using an xb pad for a while and that, my friend, is laammeeee for a dpad. just aweful. 4 to 6 or vise versa motion with one of those is balls. youll get 9 and 3s all day. between a sony or microsoft controller i would normally say the sony pad is far superior. but hey thats just this 1 mans opinion. but if you plan on being pretty into fighters, i would suggest a stick. its straight forward, and a stick, modded, can be your best friend on ps or xb or pc. i mean a ps3/360 pad is like 60 bucks anyways. and if you hate it, its just wasted money. might aswel throw that money into a stick fund. and youll never feel hesitant to play at someone elses house or at an event again worring about it being on the "wrong" system ya know.

But like with all opinions, take it with a grain of salt. and good luck.

[Mugen Tux]

Well, if it is me, it's probably me just not being used to the pad.

I can do all the motions in both GG and BB without too many issues on the PSP D-pad, but not on the PS3.

I dunno, I'll just get a different pad, I guess.

[1minHero]

I use a PS1 non dualshock, with generic ps2>ps3/ps2>360 adapters. I had no problem with the ps3 pad but needed a controller that worked on both consoles and had a ps1 controller laying around.