15
votes

I have an Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows and I know that it's very good and one of the most or even the only, sometimes, PC controller supported by recent games.

A friend of mine would like to know if there is an alternative product, possibly cheaper, that behaves exactly like the Microsoft one, so that even the games cannot understand the difference.

5
  • 4
    It's very annoying when the new pc game You bought works with the xbox controller exclusively =S - I'm looking forward to the answers!
    – Dave
    Jul 7, 2010 at 19:50
  • 1
    Sometimes you can hack the config files to use any old controller. I did it for bioshock.
    – MGOwen
    Jul 19, 2010 at 7:41
  • 2
    A small note: i wouldn't recommend doing this, due to the fact that the reason these controllers are cheaper is usually because they use inferior parts, and will likely break in some way quickly.
    – RCIX
    Jul 26, 2010 at 2:01
  • 2
    @RCIX cheap not always mean low quality, and viceversa
    – Drake
    Jul 26, 2010 at 8:36
  • 3
    This question appears to be off-topic because it is asking about Shopping Recommendations, which we do not support as per the FAQ.
    – FAE
    Jun 25, 2013 at 22:10

7 Answers 7

Reset to default
14
votes
+50

So, do you specifically not want a Microsoft controller?

Other companies make an xbox 360 compatible controller. They use the same drivers, so it works well for the PC

But if you do want Microsoft-brand controls that work for the PC, there are wired

and wireless

solutions for the PC.

Any of those should behave identically to the XBox controller.

If you can manage to get your hands on a

Any wireless Xbox 360 compatible controllers (even those made by third parties) should work fine and behave identically to the original controller.

1
  • I just found the Chillstream at a ridiculous price (14.90 euro) on a shop. My friend bought one and another me too! Thank you for the suggestion.
    – Drake
    Jul 22, 2010 at 15:04
23
votes

I take it that your friend is aware that there is also a wired version of the PC 360 controller, which is much cheaper than the wireless version?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/dp/B000BK4C80?tag=invihand-21

EDIT: For those in the U.S. that want a link: http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Controller/dp/B000B6MLTQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1279527631&sr=8-2

7
votes

http://www.jayceooi.com/2009/01/19/download-xbox-360-controller-emulator-for-pc-games/

This is an emulator that allows any controller to function as and appear as a 360 controller. I've had success with it, but make sure it works for you before you go out and buy 4 usb controllers.

2
  • Nice! This could be useful to reuse my old PS2 controllers.
    – Drake
    Jul 22, 2010 at 14:56
  • This worked really good with Bastion and my "MDC" generic controller, thanks!
    – ràmäyác
    Nov 7, 2011 at 2:38
3
votes

I'd recommend picking up the MadCatz Xbox360 wired controller. All the xbox wired controllers are Windows compatible, and the MadCatz controller is at least a good 15 bucks cheaper than the Microsoft version. I use a Madcatz for pc gaming all the time, and it works pretty well.

Prices: http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=madcatz+wired+xbox+360+controller&hl=en&cid=3875636771555494077&ei=K3lATI3lLqiEjQSM8P3TCA&sa=title&ved=0CAcQ8wIwADgA#p

Lowest listed is only 17 bucks new.

1
vote

I know that Microsoft used to make a wireless usb dongle for xbox 360 wireless controllers. I tried to find one recently bud had no luck.

But the wired controllers have always been plug and play, for me.

1
vote

As long as it's only about playing PC games that require an xbox controller, you can use any gamepad together with x360ce, which emulates one.

1
1
vote

If your friend has a PS3, he can use a PS3 controller as an XBox controller using Motionjoy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .