Guide

Guide: The right gaming controller for consoles and tablets

17.10.2019

Translation: machine translated

Whether for virtual reality or arcade games, certain games require the right controller for your console, tablet or smartphone. Find out here how the right gamepad can improve your gaming experience.

If you buy a game with your new console, you can start playing right after setting it up. After all, every current console comes with a controller. In some cases, however, it's worth investing in an additional gamepad. Some controllers are particularly suitable for certain games and may give you an advantage. What's more, it's now even worth buying one for smartphones and tablets. Games are becoming increasingly complex for mobile devices. With the right gamepad, you can master virtual challenges more easily.

Controllers for retro fans

If you like playing retro games, bullet hell or beat 'em up games, there's really no way around a classic arcade stick. It brings the arcade feeling from your childhood into your living room and ensures that even newer games feel like the slot machine hits of yesteryear. However, if you want to take your game to the next level and really show your friends how it's done in "Street Fighter" and "Tekken", you should practise a little with the controller first. Not all joysticks are the same analogue stick. The first step is to get a feel for the new controls. You also need to get used to the large buttons first if you want it to be more than just entertaining fun. You should also make sure that the arcade controller of your choice is also supported by your console. Some controllers of this type work with Playstation, Xbox and PC, but not all of them.

Game controllers

EUR23,05

Speedlink Competition Pro Extra

Game controllers

Subsonic Arcade Fighting Stick

PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox One X, Xbox Series X, Xbox One S, Xbox Series S

Game controllers

EUR69,82

Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS Stick

Game controllers

EUR23,05

Speedlink Competition Pro Extra

Game controllers

Subsonic Arcade Fighting Stick

PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox One X, Xbox Series X, Xbox One S, Xbox Series S

Game controllers

EUR69,82

Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS Stick

Customised to your preferences

If you prefer to play heated multiplayer battles on the console, you need a controller that you can customise to your preferences to give you a small advantage. Such models are available for the Playstation 4 and Xbox One from Razer, for example. With the Razer Wolverine Ultimate Gaming, you can swap the directional pad and the analogue stick and also adjust the height of the latter. In the "Razer Synapse" app for the Xbox, you can also assign a total of six additional buttons according to your wishes. There are also four additional buttons: one allows you to quickly remap buttons without opening the app, one allows you to switch back and forth between two set assignments and the other two allow you to mute your microphone and adjust the volume. Ideal for shooters: you can also adjust the triggers on the back. This shortens the distance and allows you to fire faster.

The Razer Raiju Tournament Edition is ideal for Playstation gamers. Here, too, there are freely assignable buttons. However, there are only four on board instead of six. You can customise these to your liking via a smartphone app. As with the Wolverine, you can swap the directional pad and analogue sticks on the Raiju and shorten the path for the triggers. You can also light up both controllers. The Wolverine can react to what's happening on the screen, for example, and create more atmosphere and an immersive experience. You can also use both controllers on your PC.

Game controllers

Razer Wolverine Ultimate Gaming

Xbox One X, PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox One S, Xbox Series S

Game controllers

Razer Raiju Tournament Edition

PS4

For adventures in virtual reality

If you are a fan of virtual reality games and own the Playstation VR glasses in addition to your Playstation, it is advisable to take a look at the Sony Move controllers. You don't necessarily need these to play games in virtual reality, but they do provide an immersive experience. In "Skyrim VR", for example, it is possible to transfer your movement directly to your character's shield and sword. This makes battles more realistic. Shooting with a bow and arrow is also much closer to reality with the help of the two controllers. In "Star Trek Bridge Commander", the controllers become your hands with which you, ideally together with friends, take command of a Starfleet starship. If you own an Xbox, you can only immerse yourself in virtual reality via a PC and with the help of an Oculus Rift. Even then, it won't be truly immersive, as the Xbox controller is the only controller that supports this solution, according to Microsoft Support. Your PC must also fulfil Microsoft's system requirements.

Game controllers

Razer Wolverine Ultimate Gaming

Xbox One X, PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox One S, Xbox Series S

Game controllers

Razer Raiju Tournament Edition

PS4

For mobile games

If you don't have a console but mainly play on your smartphone or tablet, you can also use a controller. Inputs are often more precise with a controller than on a touchscreen. You also have a clear view of what's happening on the screen with a controller and don't block your own view while playing. In games like "Fortnite", which now also supports gamepads, this is a huge advantage.

You can choose between two options for the controller itself: normal Bluetooth gamepads and controllers with a smartphone holder. The latter are particularly useful if you want to play on the go. After all, you won't need a smartphone case with a kickstand, which would require you to have a seat with a table.

VR headsets

Sony PlayStation VR Set

Game controllers

Sony Move Controller - Twin Pack

PS4

VR headsets

Meta Rift S

VR headsets

Sony PlayStation VR Set

Game controllers

Sony Move Controller - Twin Pack

PS4

VR headsets

Meta Rift S

Product test
Apple Arcade: makes even an Android user like myself jealous
by Philipp Rüegg

If you already have a console at home, you don't necessarily need a new controller. Apple devices from iOS 13 and iPadOS also work with Xbox and Playstation controllers. This is particularly useful if you want to try out the new Apple Arcade gaming service or use it permanently.

Sony PS4 Dualshock 4 Wireless Controller (PS4)

Game controllers

EUR80,94

Sony PS4 Dualshock 4 Wireless Controller

PS4

Game controllers

Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller - Black

PC, Xbox One X, Xbox Series X, Xbox One S, Xbox Series S

With the Playstation Remote app for iOS and Android, you can even turn your smartphone or tablet into a mobile Playstation and continue playing in bed at night, for example, where you left off on the console. This solution also works with other controllers. However, you don't have to get used to the Sony model. If you want to use this solution more often, it's also worth buying a second controller. Then you don't have to constantly re-pair your gamepad with the console or smartphone.

If you missed any accessories for the Nintendo Switch in this article: no problem! We've summarised everything you need to know about controllers, memory cards and power banks in our buying advice for the Nintendo Switch.

Guide
Buying advice: The right accessories for the Nintendo Switch
by Marco Engelien

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Marco Engelien

mobil.engelien@gmail.com

After finishing my dust-dry teaching degree early, I actually wanted to work in radio. Along the way, I just wanted to get a brief taste of the tech field. That was over seven years ago.

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