Best gaming controller / pad for Android?

[fuzzybabybunny]

I'd like to start playing games on my Android phone such as more complicated ones where touchscreen control simply sucks and emulator games.

Anyone have any recommendations for a good controller?

There are some issues with connectivity and compatibility, right? Not all games support an actual game pad, and also not all phones support external USB devices, so you would have to use Bluetooth, correct?

 

[poofyhairguy]

My personal favorite is a Ps3 remote, but you need root access and a pay-for app (Six Axis) to use one.

If you are on Android pre-4.2 you can use a Wiimote.

I have tried buying "Android" controllers (most recently a Phonejoy) and the quality has been crap compared to the PS3 remote.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

My personal favorite is a Ps3 remote, but you need root access and a pay-for app (Six Axis) to use one.

If you are on Android pre-4.2 you can use a Wiimote.

I have tried buying "Android" controllers (most recently a Phonejoy) and the quality has been crap compared to the PS3 remote.

I see. Is the PS3 remote basically compatible with just as many games as the dedicated Android controllers?

 

[poofyhairguy]

I see. Is the PS3 remote basically compatible with just as many games as the dedicated Android controllers?

Yup. Works as an input method.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I have the Moga pocket controller and it's pretty nice, I like it. It comes with a store app (basically a filter for Google Play) that lets you know what games are compatible with it and there is a fair number of games, but I've had success with other game not in it's list as well.

http://www.mogaanywhere.com/

 

[Yuriman]

I have the Moga pocket controller and it's pretty nice, I like it. It comes with a store app (basically a filter for Google Play) that lets you know what games are compatible with it and there is a fair number of games, but I've had success with other game not in it's list as well.

http://www.mogaanywhere.com/

I have one too - you can install the "moga universal driver" to make it work with other games too. Mostly I use it for emulators.

I think I'd like something with bigger joysticks, and I do have some rare problems with the controller going to sleep while I'm using it, but overall I like it.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Here is a master list of games that are compatible:

http://www.droidgamers.com/forums/t...ed-android-games-lets-create-the-master-list/

I mostly use it for GTA3 and emulators, but there are plenty of other great games that work. Its awesome using a dual-shock to play FF7 on my phone.

And I was wrong- you can use a dual shock with a non-rooted phone if you use a wire.

Also if you go the dual shock route, look into a Gameklip:

http://thegameklip.com/

I love mine.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Hey, so if I get the universal GameKlip, a PS3 controller, the app, and the micro USB cable, how do I keep my phone charged? The USB port on the phone is being taken up by the controller...

 

[poofyhairguy]

Hey, so if I get the universal GameKlip, a PS3 controller, the app, and the micro USB cable, how do I keep my phone charged? The USB port on the phone is being taken up by the controller...

That is part of the reason I root and use Bluetooth.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

That is part of the reason I root and use Bluetooth.

Oh I see. So I can use Bluetooth as well with the PS3 controller then? Is there any kind of lag?

I've never owned a console, so I guess PS3 controllers can be made to be wireless with a Bluetooth adapter or something?

 

[EvilYoda]

PS3 controllers are bluetooth out of the box, no changes necessary.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Oh I see. So I can use Bluetooth as well with the PS3 controller then?

Yup, as long as you are rooted and you have the Six Axis app.

Is there any kind of lag?

No, its how the PS3 controller is designed to work.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Well, I got a new PS3 Dual Shock controller for $40 today, and I wasn't prepared for how.
Utterly.
Retarded.
Sony.
Is.

It doesn't f*cking charge with anything. I don't have a PS3. It doesn't charge from:

My car inverter's USB port.
My USB wall chargers (I have 3 different ones).
My portable USB battery.
My USB port that stays on while my laptop is on standby.

Note that all four above have been able to charge any previous USB device I have ever had.

The only way for it to charge is to have my laptop turned fully ON and plugged into a port. The only option apparently is to charge from a special "PS3 controller charger" and an actual PS3 (which apparently has to be turned on).

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good 3rd party controller that works 100% with Bluetooth and Android but without the dipshit proprietary charging crap that Sony puts on their stuff?

 

[poofyhairguy]

Oh wow that sucks. I do charge my controller on my always on HTPC so I apologize for not warning you as I didn't know.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Oh wow that sucks. I do charge my controller on my always on HTPC so I apologize for not warning you as I didn't know.

It's cool. I'm just glad that I bought this from a local Best Buy instead of on Amazon or something.

I didn't think that something like this would ever be an issue. I mean, it's expected that USB devices charge... from USB ports... because they're, you know, USB... WTF SONY???

So... I'd still like a PS3 controller alternative. I'm just afraid to get a knock-off and not have it be 100% compatible like an OEM Sony controller. But I seriously doubt I can deal with this controller's stupid charging requirements, especially if I'm traveling a lot and have nowhere to leave my laptop always turned on.

 

[Roland00Address]

Bought a moga pro yesterday have not played extensively with it but it works without configuring (no button mapping required) with Supergnes (Super Nintendo), Fpse (PlayStation), and mupen64 (n64)

Charges via micro USB, it requires no rooting

 

[Trombe]

Well, I got a new PS3 Dual Shock controller for $40 today, and I wasn't prepared for how.
Utterly.
Retarded.
Sony.
Is.

It doesn't f*cking charge with anything. I don't have a PS3. It doesn't charge from:

My car inverter's USB port.
My USB wall chargers (I have 3 different ones).
My portable USB battery.
My USB port that stays on while my laptop is on standby.

Note that all four above have been able to charge any previous USB device I have ever had.

The only way for it to charge is to have my laptop turned fully ON and plugged into a port. The only option apparently is to charge from a special "PS3 controller charger" and an actual PS3 (which apparently has to be turned on).

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good 3rd party controller that works 100% with Bluetooth and Android but without the dipshit proprietary charging crap that Sony puts on their stuff?

IIRC it's still charging from car adapter/wall plug/etc. but the controller port lights don't turn on unless it gets a live signal from whatever it's plugged into (IE a PC or PS3). Drain battery, plug it in overnight, check the next day and see what happens. Either that or it needs said signal to start charging, I can't remember exactly, but it's worth a shot while you still have it.

 

[Trombe]

double post

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

IIRC it's still charging from car adapter/wall plug/etc. but the controller port lights don't turn on unless it gets a live signal from whatever it's plugged into (IE a PC or PS3). Drain battery, plug it in overnight, check the next day and see what happens. Either that or it needs said signal to start charging, I can't remember exactly, but it's worth a shot while you still have it.

Really? So in other words, it may be charging but there is absolutely no way to tell if it is charging other than it works the next morning?

 

[DefDC]

I'm using a Gameklip and PS3 controller. You are correct on using knockoff controllers. I've bought a handful of cheap ones, and they all have issues.

I just bought a genuine controller, since my buddy wanted his real PS3 controller back.

 

[Trombe]

Really? So in other words, it may be charging but there is absolutely no way to tell if it is charging other than it works the next morning?

Yeah, it has something to do with the circuitry Sony decided to use in the controller so the led basically doesn't respond to "dumb" power only connections despite the battery drawing power. Similar thing happened with the nook tablet using a standard USB cable instead of their provided fast charging cable.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Yeah, it has something to do with the circuitry Sony decided to use in the controller so the led basically doesn't respond to "dumb" power only connections despite the battery drawing power. Similar thing happened with the nook tablet using a standard USB cable instead of their provided fast charging cable.

*sigh*

Ok, I guess I'll keep this and see what happens. I've heard people say that it charges for some "dumb" chargers but not for others. The only way to find out if a particular charger charges is to just plug it in when it is dead and see if it is charged in a couple hours. No LED indicator.

Speaking of dumb...

BTW is it possible for the joysticks to be out of calibration? As in, if I cock it to the 3 o'clock position it actually reads as 5 o'clock while if I cock it to 9 o'clock it truly reads as 9 o'clock? I'm noticing this in one of my games (Virtua Tennis).

 

[ChronoReverse]

On the consoles themselves, you just roll the stick in a full circle while the system is on if the sticks are miscalibrated.

Just don't hold the stick in a direction on connection.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Again sorry I didn't know the dual shock is such a pain. If only 4.2 didn't lose Wiimote compatibility I would recommend that.

In fact my 4.1 tablet might never be upgraded despite me pitching a fit on this very forum about that subject. A Wiimote is just too perfect of a NES/SNES remote.