Gaming Mouse or Controller?

vegal

Member
May 7, 2011
61
0
0
I am confused on which one to get. I am on a tight budget and i think I can get one out of 2 options.
The games I play are
  • COD Blackops
  • COD Mw2
  • Fifa 2011
  • Battlefield Bad Company 2
  • Need 4 Speed Hot Pursuit 2011
  • Hitman Blood Money
  • Bully
  • GTA SA
  • GTA Vice City

I also have a PS2 so I am used to playing the last 4 games on the list on a PS2.
I play GTA SA online with multi player and I have heard that the controller does not work good for it.

The problem is I play GTA SA online ALOT.
Should I get a cheap normal mouse and a controller or a good gaming mouse and no controller?
 

bart1975

Senior member
Apr 12, 2011
294
1
0
I prefer using a controller as it seems more natural to use. I use both a ps2 controller with a usb adapter and the ps3 controller for all my games.
 

Blain

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
23,643
3
81
For the 1st person shooters, a good mouse & keyboard are fine if you're on a budget.
The racing games should at least have a joy stick if not a racing wheel for control.

:D ~ YES ~ :cool:
 
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vegal

Member
May 7, 2011
61
0
0
I dont play many racing games. I play fifa occasionally. I use laptop for gaming.
 

SlitheryDee

Lifer
Feb 2, 2005
17,252
19
81
Looks like you have 3 games that I would say work best with a mouse and keyboard, and 5-6 games that would work better with a controller (not sure how bully plays). Generally racing games, 3rd person action games, and sports games work better with a controller, while strategy games and FPS games work better with a mouse and keyboard. It really depends on how much time you devote to each kind of game I guess.
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
2
81
Hello vegal, and welcome to AnandTech Forums.

My vote would be on a nice gaming mouse first. Then, maybe save up for a controller purchase later.

The reason is because you need a mouse anyways, and the shooters at least will benefit from a nicer mouse. Now, by "nicer" I don't mean a $100 mouse. There are plenty of inexpensive gaming mice on the market. No, they are not under $10, but you don't have to sell your soul either. For instance the mouse I use is the Logitech MX518. Newegg has it for $38, and a few weeks ago they had it with a rebate that put it under $20. That is a steal for such a nice gaming mouse. Is it laser? No. Does it have 10 extra buttons? No. Is it wireless? No. However, it is inexpensive, comfortable and tracks really well. What else do you need?

Oh yeah, and since you have a PS2, maybe bart1975 can help you with choosing a USB adapter so you can use the same controller. I'm sure a USB adapter would be cheaper than a whole new PC controller.
 

vegal

Member
May 7, 2011
61
0
0
Thank you Zap for the detailed reply :)
Is it a good idea to get cheap mouse and a cheap controller?
Or should I get a gaming mouse for now?
 

fffblackmage

Platinum Member
Dec 28, 2007
2,548
0
76
You don't have to get a gaming mouse. For the longest time, I just used a basic Microsoft Optical Mouse, before I finally got the MX518. The MX518 is definitely an excellent gaming mouse for a relatively cheap price though, especially when there's a good deal going.
 

bart1975

Senior member
Apr 12, 2011
294
1
0
I got my usb adapter from radio shack. I am sure you can find them other places also. The best thing to do when using a gamepad is to download a x360 controller emu. I use the one with motionjoy.
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
2
81
Is it a good idea to get cheap mouse and a cheap controller?
Or should I get a gaming mouse for now?

You want a good mouse. It may have nothing to do with cheap or expensive. If you have a crappy mouse, you will hate it every time you use it (you do use it for stuff other than gaming).
 

AdamantC

Senior member
Apr 19, 2011
478
0
76
For a good, solid mouse I'd go for a Logitech MX518. I've been using one for about the last six years and I love the thing to death.

As for a gamepad you might seriously want to look into getting a converter like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Playstation-PS...4870377&sr=1-9
Look around as you can pretty much get one for any type of controller. I've been using an old Soyo (which went Chapter 7) PS2 to PC converter for awhile now.
 

vegal

Member
May 7, 2011
61
0
0
I did consider a logitech mx 518 2 weeks ago. It was for £18 on amazon for limited time. I dont have paypal or anything like that so I had to let the offer slide. Now it is £22 and I still cant get it. I guess I will end up paying £35 for a mouse I could have gotten for a cheaper price.
Should I go for that mouse then?
 

thisjustin

Junior Member
Aug 16, 2010
16
0
0
I'll echo the others here and agree that the logitech mx 518 is a quality mouse, for a very reasonable price.

I have a 5 year old one that's still working great, although the logo has faded a bit. And I had the earlier mx 510 for years before that before that; believe it or not the mx 510 still works. It was handed down to the mother years ago and she still uses it everyday on her computer (just for basic web browsing). After a decade it's pretty scuffed up and the bottom pads have worn off but that's just cosmetic stuff.