Best $30-40 Gamepad?

[mmnatas]

My MS USB gamepad ($15 4 button) just died on me and I can't find my old original MS Gamepad (midi port connector).

I'm looking to get a new one, but I see there are several models out by both MS and Logitech, and possibly others. Can you guys give me some suggestions on a gamepad for under $40?

 

[Killbat]

Logitech Rumblepad

 

[Barrak]

I dig my Thrustmaster Firestorm, real comfortable.

 

[Sugadaddy]

MS Sidewinder gamepad pro works well.

 

[mmnatas]

So far the Thrustmaster looks the most promising. Seems a lot like a PS2 controller.

 

[poopaskoopa]

Tie between Logitech's Rumblepad and Hammerhead. Logitech's doesn't require batteries tho. 😱😀:|🙁

 

[sohcrates]

i like the MS sidewinder as well

 

[Imported]

I like the regular Sidewinder.. too bad it's no longer in production or I'd pick up a couple more.. 🙁

 

[knsaber]

i love my rumblepad, the dual analogue sticks are super accurate and the gamepad looks squarish, but very comfortable

 

[RanDum72]

Another vote for the Logitech Wingman Rumblepad. Force feedback, dual analog joysticks + digital pad, throttle slider (ala joystick), tons of customizable buttons. Its got the most features for $29.

 

[Redwingsguy]

depends on what you're useing it for. But I find the Gravis USB(like psx) for $20 works for me

 

[InFecTed]

Just bought a Logitech Wingman gamepad. Love it. 11 butons, USB, and last but not least only 15$. Works flawlessly, very precise.

 

[JackBurton]

The MS Sidewinder Gamepad is REALLY nice! I love that thing but I got tired of the damn wire. So I bought an Intel wireless gamepad and this things rocks!! You gotta love the freedom of a wireless gamepad. 😉 It is about $55 and you have to get a base station for about $30, but Intel has a rebate that makes it pretty much free. The cool thing about the setup is that you can buy other peripherals (Keyboard and mouse) to connect to your base station and you can also add another gamepad and each gamepad will display the gamepad number (#1, #2, #3 and so on). I don't know how many you can connect but playing 2 player games (Madden 2001) is REALLY cool! I've got the keyboard and mouse and the keyboard rocks too (I don't use the mouse though because I like my Logitech optical trackball better)!

Check it out! Intel Gamepad

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

yup another vote for the origonal sidewinder.

 

[mmnatas]

One more question about these gamepads...I see some of them have rumble capability...is this only useful if a game is written to take advantage of such feature, or is 3rd party software included (like MS's profiling system) to program when to rumble? And which of these rumbling controllers require batteries and which are powered off USB?

 

[drewski]

for the ignorant (read: ME), what is "rumble"? is that like force feedback?

 

[mmnatas]

yes, rumble = force feedback (maybe force feedback is more precise, but essentially the same)