@Rolstoppable - I realize you could change the controls in options. But the one I was refering to was the default and the one that most people I know used. They'd always say "The goldeneye control scheme is way better than the turok one" and I'd say "gack! you only think that because you don't aim!" and they'd say "talk to the hand" (ok, now I'm just making this stuff up)

Stof, it wasn't just the pure size of the original Xbox controller, it was its bulk.  The Dreamcast controller was about as large, but fit more comfortably in your hands.  Similarly, the grips on the N64 controller made it easier to hold, even if its total dimensions were similar.

Honestly though, the size of the original Xbox controller wasn't a big deal for me.  The completely awful buttons are what ruined it.

Aiming with the Wii Remote is a snap, as anyone who has played the shooting gallery in Wii Play can tell you. 

I strongly disagree. I have pretty large hands and the DC controller would kill my hands and wrists after an hour. The Xbox controller fit me fine but the button layout was terrible. Between the bean buttons and the stupid layout of the white/black buttons, it was pretty difficult to use at times.

I'd just like to add to my rant about the DualShock and its predecessors/successors:

Sony, if you were going to blatantly copy the SNES gamepad, why couldn't you at least keep the button names the same?  What a tremendous disservice to gamers, making them learn a retarded button naming scheme involving shapes, especially when you pick "X" as one of the shapes and place it opposite from where the "X" was on the SNES gamepad.  To this day, when I'm teaching my friends how to play a PS2 game, I refer to the buttons by their SNES names, and they understand me perfectly.  I've owned a PS2 for years now, and I couldn't tell you where "triangle" is without going and looking.

N64 best controller by far.

onyl downside to it was the crappy joystick how it wear out easily. Needed a bigger ball like the gamecube controller has.

Wow -- I couldn't agree more. Phrased in almost the exact manner I phrased this to a friend 5 years ago.

I can't even name all the buttons now. Triangle, Circle, Square... and what's the other one? Ugh. Seriously, someone remind me.

It's as if they figured people wouldn't notice the blatant copy-catting if they just renamed the buttons. Honestly, Sony, it's fine! Copying can be a good thing, and the SNES pad was great!

But no, they had to change at least one thing about the controller -- one thing -- and they messed it up.

As far as shape/design go, however, I still really like the dual shock. It was my favorite controller last generation (even though I didn't own any consoles).  

Let's see if I can identify everything in your picture...

I see a blue blanket, dark blue blanket, five pillows, a love sac, two couches, an envelope, a silver watch, a foot stool... Oh crap, I'm guessing that white box, in the brown box, is a cell phone box, with bubble wrap inside, a Nintendo 64 box (which is between a pillow, and the love sac), an xbox 360 controller, a laptop, and a black cat.

How did I do?

 Wow. Kinda sad I put hundreds of hours on my PS2, and never had a single problem with my controller(s). That's crappy reliaility.

Ok. In order from best to least.

Logitech PS2 Wireless, Six Axis, WaveBird, PS2 Dual Shock, X-box (original big one), GameCube Controller, X-box controller (the small one), N64, SNES, Wii, NES.

I'm sorry, but there's parts on the Wiimote that dig into my hand, and it leaves marks. It really pisses me off, that they couldnt design them to be more... hand-friendly. Maybe I'm holding them wrong or something... But any-other way, I cant do the buttons right, so Idunno.

I have logged at least 50 hours on each of those controllers, except the x-box small, and Wii.

(And yes, I like the big x-box controller... it was well... kinda overly big... but damn it just felt right) 

and for those of you who want a cheat-sheet for my PS3 controller.

R1 (right back button)
R2 (right trigger)
R3 (press right thumbstick in)

L1 (left back button)
L2 (left trigger)
L3 (press left thumbstick in)

D-pad (far left of the controller)

Left analog stick (duh)

Right analog stick (duh)

Triangle (right side topmost button)
O (rightside Rightmost button)
X (rightside Bottom-most button)
Square (Rightside, left button)

There you have it the layout of the PS3 SixAxis controller. You also have your tilt features and accelerometer features as well.

-Kwaad 

My favorit is the GameCube, has never used any xbox controller so I can't say anything about it.

I actualy hate the PS2 controller, mostly because I think the d-pad should be moved so I get the analog stick on that place instead. I think D-pad on 3D games is useless. Another problem I have with the controll is that it is to small.