What controller to buy for racing games?

[GullyFoyle]

So, I bought the Codemasters Racing pack on this weekend's Steam deal.

I want to get an Xbox360 controller. Ideally, I was set on the wired version, for simplicity's sake.

I have a gift card from Gamestop for $40
I have a gift card from Best Buy for $25.

Gamestop does not seem to sell new original MS wired XBox controllers.

They have their own house brand for $28, with relatively poor reviews (vs MS).
They have MS wireless controllers for $40
They have REFURBED MS wired controllers for $30

Or, I can buy an original MS wired controller from Best Buy for $40, with $15 out of pocket.

What would your recommendation be?

Edit: Bought wired controller at Best Buy. Thanks to all that contributed!

 

[Schadenfroh]

Steering wheel
Pedals
Stick-Shift


The only way to race.

If you are on a budget, you can probably get an acceptable USB Logitech steering wheel with pedals for probably $30.

 

[Sureshot324]

Any dual analog game pad should be find. I use a logitech dual action.

 

[Lonyo]

Steering wheel
Pedals
Stick-Shift


The only way to race.

If you are on a budget, you can probably get an acceptable USB Logitech steering wheel with pedals for probably $30.

He bought Codemasters racing games.
A wheel is not the way to go. Gamepad++

 

[BassBomb]

I use my PS3 controller for Dirt2

 

[zerocool84]

I use a 360 controller. Best controller to use for PC games since most games have support built in.

 

[Skurge]

He bought Codemasters racing games.
A wheel is not the way to go. Gamepad++

+1
those are mostly arcade games, gamepad is the way to go. 360 pad that is.

 

[duragezic]

Well I haven't used the Gamestop 360 controller but a lot of third party controllers aren't as nice as the MS one.

I don't know how wireless support is. I thought when I got a wired in 2006, there wasn't even wireless support for PC. I don't care for wireless really anyway.

So I'd probably just get the MS brand new wired 360 controller from Best Buy, and use the Gamestop certificate on your next game.

 

[sandorski]

Steering wheel
Pedals
Stick-Shift


The only way to race.

If you are on a budget, you can probably get an acceptable USB Logitech steering wheel with pedals for probably $30.

this

 

[nitromullet]

Go for the wired Xbox controller for PC.

If you want wireless you need to buy the wireless USB adapter, which is sold in a combo with the controller. I have a wireless controller and USB adapter, and I still end up using my wired controller. Mostly because I only have one wireless controller, and it's in the living room with the Xbox... Wireless is way better if you're sitting on your couch in the living room, but is sort of irrelevant when you're sitting in front of your PC IMO.

edit: of course, a wheel is best for racing, but the controller is great for other games too. I played Batman Arkham Asylum, Gears of War, and Assassin's Creed on PC with the controller. The Xbox controller is nice like that because a lot of games support it out of the box and have good default configurations due to most controller friendly games being console ports anyway.

I actually have both. IMO, an Xbox controller is almost a must for any PC gamer these days, and a racing wheel is a must for anyone who really wants to enjoy driving games.

 

[Lonyo]

Wheel is best for more realistic racing games.
Generally it sucks for more arcade styled games, which Codemasters games typically are. Not as extreme as some (e.g. NFS: Most Wanted), but certainly not great for wheels.
NFS: Pro Street was better with a wheel IMO than Dirt/Grid.
Something like Race or GTR or other sim type games definitely benefit from a wheel, but not all racing games really do IMO.

 

[NoWhereM]

Wheel is best for more realistic racing games.
Generally it sucks for more arcade styled games, which Codemasters games typically are. Not as extreme as some (e.g. NFS: Most Wanted), but certainly not great for wheels.
NFS: Pro Street was better with a wheel IMO than Dirt/Grid.
Something like Race or GTR or other sim type games definitely benefit from a wheel, but not all racing games really do IMO.

I have a Logitech G25 that I use for the realistic simulation type racing games like the GTR series or RFactor but I also have a generic USB racing wheel that I got for $5 at a flea market that I use for arcade type racing games. I just think it's more fun to have a wheel and pedals for racing.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Definitely get an MS controller and not a Gamestop one. I'd go for the wired one since as others have mentioned, you still have to get a USB receiver to use a wireless MS controller on a PC. They used to sell those receivers separately for $15 or $20 (I got one a year or two ago), but now they only sell them packaged with a wireless controller. So there's no point in getting a regular wireless controller unless you get it bundled with the receiver or you can find a receiver separately. And actually, it's really hard to find one separately... since MS discontinued it as a standalone product, almost all of them are now either knock-off products or overpriced.

Just get the wired controller. You should ask to see the refurbished one at GameStop first and just feel how well the analog sticks move. They shouldn't be too loose.