| Arlo said: I like the joystick on the Gamepad most. The sticks on both other controllers feel too small and springy--very uncomfortable. |
I literally just compared them stick on top of stick and both the DS4 and Gamepad's sticks are the same exact size...
@OP: That's a very difficult question to answer. Most controllers are great upgrades from what came before.
The XBox One controller is one of the most comfortable controllers ever made, and it feels really sturdy and has a great build quality all around, but I never liked the asymetrical placement of the analog sticks (that muscle memory goes way back to the original Dual Shock :/ ), and the D-Pad isn't quite "there" yet. Also the fact that it still uses AA batteries instead of a built-in one makes it a little behind its time. You have to spend extra money to have rechargeable AAs at the ready for it. Finally, those analog triggers are the best among the current controllers.
The PS4 controller is almost as comfortable as the XBox One's, and improved most everything from the DS3. The trackpad is kind of a gimmick that has yet to find a "logical" proper use in games, but it still adds two buttons. The share button comes in handy and is a nice modern feature. It's a controller that, despite the few corrections made to the ergonomics, still feels like the PS controller I'm so used to game with. The triggers, while improved from the DS3, still lack resistence compared to the XBox One. But that's a very small issue. Unlike its very low battery life (can't game a day without recharging). All in all, a great modern controller.
The Wii U Gamepad is awesome for its screen and the way it is used (especially remote-play and inventory/map access in games), but really bad when it comes to ergonomics. I can't for the life of me understand why Nintendo decided to drop the analog triggers for their controllers this gen. This controller is great to look at, but sadly not really comfortable. I still prefer it to the wii-mote, because I prefer analog sticks to motion controls (For standard games of course. VR is an entirely different story). It also suffers from ridiculously low battery life (5 to 6 hours at best).
The Wii U Pro Controller is, next to the XBox One's, one of the most comfortable controllers. It's only sad that they dropped both the analog triggers and the rumble. Overall, it's a good yet standard controller that doesn't push anything above what came before other than being one of the most comfortable to hold. Best battery life of the bunch, but that is expected for a controller that's as barebone as it is.
I would say the XBox One is the most comfortable and has the best build quality, while the DS4 is the one with the best features overall . Then comes Nintendo's, which are a mixed bag. The Gamepad's screen is an awesome idea that is sadly hampered by a rather bad form factor.
I think the best controller would be a mix of the XBO and PS4 controller. Unless they can come up with a design that has the qualities of both, and incorporates the Gamepad's screen while still managing to be as comfortable as the XBO controller.
