(lol!Why should it be a lot easier to press X on a 360 controller than on a ps3 controller.?)

when you are a beginner, you may be right(and 1/2/3/4 is a lot easier than abxy to get used to)because casual gamers are more used to ab than circle,square,but after 30minutes of gaming you will get used to it and it will become an automatism,you will press these buttons without thinking,without being aware of it.Than these are just geometrical symbols which button you should ptess and the simpler the shape the faster we can read the symbol

proof: it doesn't matter whether you call it left trigger or l1,l2,r1,r2

you can't see the shoulder buttons or their symbols anyway but you will press them(maybe l1 is a little bit easier than left trigger because l1 can be faster read than the words 'left trigger')

I really liked the GameCube controller configuration with the offset control stick and c-stick. The X360 controller is the closest thing to that configuration. When it came to PS dual analog, I always felt they were too close together. Same with the Wii's classic controller pro. I feel the control stick should be the main button in the upper left. I am glad that the Wii U gamepad has it back in the upper left and surprisingly the symmetrical analog sticks feel great.

I think either way, the main control stick needs to be in the upper right of the controller!

I prefer offset. I feel like I have a little more leverage. The GCN controller and Xbox controllers pulled off the offset layout very well. I think the offset particularly shines with shooters.

Although I must say the symmetrical layout of the Wii U Gamepad and Pro Controller is really nice.

My fav two controllers are the cube and the 360 controllers, so I'd have to say asymmetrical.

Mouse + keyboard :p

But really, offset. I prefer the 360 controller over the Dualshock and the GC controller is probably one of my favorites.

Definitely offset. With symmetric sticks, my thumbs start bumping into each other and it is very uncomfortable. With offset sticks, all my fingers have plenty of space. Obviously the control type you are used to will feel more comfortable at first, but once you get used to offset analog sticks, it's very hard to go back to the uncomfortable symmetric ones.