Huh. A d-pad is essential, as are 2 analogue sticks. Any trackpads should be extra, but at least one should be there to make the controller more universal. A Sony DS4/5 has all that, though the touchpad is so awkwardly positioned it's no good for actually emulating mouse control.

In my personal experience, I never ever used a d-pad, except as additional buttons for macros or game-specific actions.

What I do use all the time is the right trackpad on the Steam Controller. I find it way superior for almost everything with a big exception of twin-stick shooters, where I really miss a second stick.

With Steam Deck they went all-inclusive, and I like being able to choose between a trackpad and an analog stick, although I wish the trackpad was a bit bigger.

The perfect controller for me would have 2 analog sticks, a single nice big trackpad on the right (I am right-handed), and a d-pad on the left.

Nyx controller looks pretty cool. I'd like to see the trackpad on the right, however, allowing me to have a mouse under my right thumb for "camera" controls in shooters. I've almost universally used the SC left pad as WASD or, as Linas said:

Quoting: LinasI never ever used a d-pad, except as additional buttons for macros or game-specific actions.

My dream controller looks a lot like my current SC, but has a second joystick on the right in addition to the existing right trackpad, more buttons available for mapping, more durable paddles on the bottom (perhaps four instead of two), a metal plate inside to add heft, like my old X360s, and nearly silent micro-switch clicks instead of the loud "pop" the SCs are understandably derided for.

Last edited by Nanobang on 6 January 2023 at 2:30 pm UTC