Third-Party Controllers - The Good, the Bad, and the Stupid / MY LIFE IN GAMING 

"hey man toss me a controller" "i can't it keeps comin back"

I never thought I'd get excited about an hour long video about third party controllers but here I am.

"This controller's more of a novelty for fans of the Wu Tang Clan than anything else" is certainly not a sentence I expected to hear today.

Hyperkin: Confidently sends My Life in Gaming free controllers for review. Also Hyperkin: doesn't test said controllers first to be sure a rare, embarrassing dud doesn't slip through.

Wu Tang is how you say "no sugar" in Chinese, and boy do I hate sugar in my coffee. So Im part of the wu tang clan

The Mad Catz N64 controller sucked hard. I had 3 Nintento controllers, and 1 Mad Catz. Back when we were having 4 man GoldenEye marathons, the winner of each round had to use the Mad Catz in the next round, as a handicap.

The SNES ASCIIPAD is amazing. The buttons, d-pad and membranes are identical and directly replaceable with a real SNES controller. The ONLY difference is that it has slo-mo and turbo. Anyone who poo-poos the ASCIIPAD but glorifies the SNES pad doesn't know what they're talking about.

This video has such high production value I can hardly believe this is free content. This type of show is whats really pushing RU-vid forward. Good on you for making such high quality videos! Well done!

Personally I really liked the Duke controller. It felt great in my small hands and is to this day my most-liked controller.

You guys are so talented you managed to make an hour-long video on game controllers so fun to watch that it's even incredibly re-watchable, love you guys, wish I could afford to give more to your patreon.

*views new My life in gaming episode.* *Watches as the prices of some of the most coveted items of the episode skyrocket* Waiting for the day someone gets top8 on EVO with a Wu Tang W.

A whole hour on third party controllers? Hell yes

You guys deserve more subscribers. The overall quality and how much effort must be put into these videos are amazing! Keep it up!

"GCN had the only widely maligned d-pad Nintendo has ever created" *laughs in Switch*

a controller lives and dies by its d-pad

The top two buttons on the SNES controller always reminded me of Smarties candy.

Controllers are for suckers, just game with your mind.

D-pad is “directional” pad, not “digital” pad. I understand the confusion with it being the analog stick’s “digital” counterpart.

“...that has appeared to have begun in the 16-bit generation...” *shows PS1 on screen*

PlayStation Classic limited edition comes paired with the Wu-Tang controllers in place of the original 😂😂😂

I love you guys!! The best content on RU-vid. Keep up the amazing work you legends

At first I said to myself that I was going to watch this video in at least two sessions due to the length. But as usual, MLiG's videos are so good I couldn't stop and watched it all in one go. No regrets one bit. I think even if they made an 8 hour video I'd probably watch it all at once. This channel deserves a bajillion subs.

I have the 8bitdo SN30 Pro and it really is one of the best 3rd party controllers for the Switch and PC. It even works with the bluetooth dongle they make for the SNES and SNES Classic. I've had mine for almost a year and i use it for all my Switch games when playing in docked mode.

I love how your videos are so thorough. I'm looking for some retro pads and this was so very informative. These are honest reviews. Bunching them all together means you keep the same tone and context. Great job! Thanks!

55 minutes?! Thanks for the early Christmas present MLiG. 🤘

Quick tip to get a Sega Genesis controller to work with some of the few Master System games that don't like it. Get one of those cheap Genesis controller extension cables. On the male end, remove pin #7 (that's the second pin from the left on the bottom row.) Connect a Genesis controller to it, and voila, it works perfectly fine with Wonder Boy 2 and Alien Syndrome!

so when are the tiger handhelds getting its own RGB episode ?? hehe and dont forget the R-Zone too..

Slightly disappointed that you didn't review the Namco NeGCon, as well.. it's the *first* analog controller for the PlayStation.

50:39 "the soldier pad..." I didn't know that the soulja pad existed in the 90s😂

55 minutes? Is this going to be in theaters?!

Great episode guys. Personally, the Logitec PS2 controller is one of my favorites. It gave players a great wireless option for the PS2 when Sony had nothing to offer. I'll be picking up the Joyzz, somehow missed this coming to market. Really appreciate your hard work.

Awesome surprise seeing the Thrill Kill reference here 😁

Sorry, but no third party controller that can live up to my personal favorite, the *SINGLE JOYCON*

"The target market is people whose hands have grown since 1992"

Where is the Resident Evil 4 Chainsaw Controller?

A note for European SNES users. The Hyperkin SNES Mouse is built to match the US controller so won't work with the PAL console. To get around this you need to use a multi tap adapter set in 2 player mode which then makes it work fine. Also I find the Power A controllers to have a terrible dpad. They just can't match anything from Nintendo or 8bitdo

WU-TANG CLAN COMIN' AT YA! (Watch ya step, kid. Watch ya step, kid. Watch ya step, kid. Watch ya step, kid. Watch ya step, kid.) THE INSPEKTAH DECK!

if you really wanted that flight stick to work with star fox, you may be able to swap the wiring and or contacts of a and z.

When he talked about the Logitech PS2 controller i looked over to my right at the one sitting on my heater vent to stop it from rattling lmao. Has no receiver or bottom.

I've acquired a good amount of ps1/ps2 controllers from a friend who had a ridiculous amount of chinese knockoff ps2 controllers. One of them is so cheap I was able to twist the plastic and break it in half.

Another high quality production from you guys. I bought the same Power A BotW Switch controller, but for 2D games on PC, and I really like it (granted I was using a X360 controller previously). The buttons, especially the triggers just feel amazing to me, like a perfect mix of membrane and mechanical. I used the sticks for playing some Ocarina of Time randomizers and Mario Kart 8, and you were right about them. The stick boxes, while metal and giving the appearance of being sturdy, have now loosened (just the left control actually) and make some games a real pain to play, but again the D-pad is great and is a lot better than the Switch Pro Controller due to an added nub on the bottom that prevents accidental inputs. Funnily enough, the controller actually has two weights inside the handles to... do what you'd expect, but if you're a fan of lightweight controllers like myself you can remove them and it hardly feels like you're holding anything at all. It's actually crazy how light that thing is without the weights, and overall for $25 I got pretty much exactly what I wanted for 2D games, and of course it looks beautiful, even if the gold paint on the D-pad is starting to wear off a bit after several months of fairly extensive use.

55 minutes!? My effin' heroes.

My favorite wireless controller for the ps2 back in the golden age was a nyko airflo controller.. Loved the bulkier size and the built in fans to keep my palms dry

Worst part was when the video ended. This is EXACTLY the kind of video I’ve been looking for. The idea of showcasing tons of third party controllers is my dream, I want to start a channel for it.

So could that N64 Boomerang controller had been the inspiration for the ps3 Boomerang controller? Also which did it better lo

Man, this channel is the reason I've finally changed to SmartTV, just to have YT APP for watching MLiG on big screen effortless!

Picked up the Hori Mini PS4 Controller a while back for Project Diva: Future Tone and next week's Persona Dancing releases, and while the D-pad takes a little time to get used to, it's been otherwise perfect for the former and is officially my go-to for traditional-controller-based rhythm games.

R.I.P Mad Catz....Thanks for the ruined friendships and hand tumors.

I exclusively use a Hyperkin Duke for PC gaming when I’m not playing shooters or Dwarf Fortress.

You can use 8Bitdo Pro controllers on PS3, Android and PC too, you didn't say that on the video.

$20 for an optical SNES mouse sounds like a steal to me! It's awesome that even exists, let alone isn't being gouged in price up to $30-40.

I love the Power Glove. It’s sooo bad.

I bought the hori pad here in the US when I worked at a game store called "GameCrazy." The backside of the controller made it feel super awkward in comparison to a standard SNES pad, and I absolutely disagree with the "more button combinations" available compared to the diamond layout. The SNES/PSX/DC/XB diamond layout affords you the ability to easily press up to three buttons with one mash of your thumb pad. The GCN layout does NOT easily allow you to press B + Y + X simultaneously, and pressing B + A + X means you have to crane your wrist forward and lay at least half the length of your thumb across them. Not that it's -really- a dealbreaker, but I do not think it deserve higher praise than its predecessor lol

After a lot of thought. This is my favorite episode that you guys have made so far. I watch it a lot, it's so relaxing and makes me very happy.

I'm still waiting for the episode of how to adjust your screen geometry on a CRT TV, what can I do for you guys?

When I bought my SNES (second-hand), it came with an asciiPad. I love it!

Awesome video! One thing that Mad Catz used to make really well is fight sticks. Not sure if you really use those, but check out any of the Mad Catz TE sticks if you get a chance.. they are seriously nice.

Wow this was way more interesting than I expected. The detail you all go into is amazing. Got yourself a new subscriber.

im with ya, i love the n64 controller, i was in high school when n64 came out, and as a disabled person, the n64 controller was easy to hold fit right in my hands the buttons are big and defined, and was very easy for me to use with out any sorta adaptive attachments and such

Great video guys! Sheds a lot of light on many options here. Bummer that you guys didn't have access to a Hori mini pad for the N64, would have loved to hear your thoughts on it but figured I would share mine for people wanting to know about it. I love mine, paid $85 for it and haven't regretted it once, I've had it for a couple years. As a fan of the original controller for my whole life, I was afraid I wouldn't like it but I soon realized the controller is amazing. The feel of the controller is perfect, definitely better than the original. Z triggers on both shoulders work really well and the stick is far superior to the original (for everything I've tried with the exception of Mario Party, not good for spinning fast), after years of consistent use the stick still glides perfectly and shows no sign of wear (stick is gamecube style but the rubber head is notably just a bit larger). The controller redefines my N64 experience overall but especially for Mario Kart 64, drifting has never been so easy. One great thing about this controller is that it's officially licensed by Nintendo so the A, B, and C buttons are all original and operate as such, the plastic of the controller and the specific contours of certain parts of the controller are original feel/quality as well. The D pad is a bit tight in terms of space but it's the same size as a GBA D-pad and does work. Strongly recommend pairing with a Pelican branded 6ft controller extension (tried a lot of brands, that's the only one I like in terms of reliability). I've tried every controller you guys used for N64 in this video (except the flight/arcade stick) and had very similar thoughts on all of them. Hori mini Pad for N64 though, 100% worth buying. As hardcore game people, I'm betting you guys would love it. Easily the best 3rd party controller I've ever used for any console. I'd also highly recommend the Microcon MadCatz controller for Gamecube (not to be confused with the total crap full size MadCatz controller). They're pretty inexpensive but really good. The controller is slightly smaller than the original overall but fits my larger than average hands a bit better due to the way it's designed. The buttons do feel different from the original but they're very good in their own right. Controller also supports macro if you want and has an 8ft cord (original had 6ft). I really like the original gamecube controller too.

I actually own and use a PowerA XBox One wired controller. It works just fine (even the d-pad) and since it's wired, I can use a headset with it without having to worry about running out of batteries/charge. It has actually replaced my standard XBox One controller at this point. I even bought another one to hook up to my computer.

The PowerA wireless controller for the Switch has a great D-Pad, and has motion controls. At $45 it's a good alternative to the official Pro controller

The Hori Pad has a new clone "Old Skool Digital Controller for GameCube & Game Boy Player"

"Enter the SN30 Pro" 37:33 *plays Genesis music*

"I try to keep my middle finger out of video games" while Conker's Bad Fur Day is on screen. Nice. 👍

Twice in a row Valis has gotten attention in MLIG. I didn't think anyone but me remembered that.

It sucks that ASCII aren't making controllers anymore. I love the Dpad on their Playstation controllers.

I bought the turbo touch 360 as a second controller for a friend, and we were both pleasantly surprise by the d pad. We felt it had faster response times during sudden directional in games. We preferring it during most sports, fighting games,and beatem up games. The ABC WERE TERRIBLE and the C occasionally got stuck depressed. That stuck moving forward was easily remedied by restarting the system and I rarely remember it happening.

You know that you are a completely hopeless die hard gamer when you not only watch hour long videos about third party controllers but you also read every comment on those videos thoroughly. I think that I may need to see a shrink. I swear I am never, ever doing that again, but this has been kinda insightful.

Some controllers just look like someone only had 3 hands in one? Aka: original - N64 controller

Logitech always good brand to pick up especially those ps2 controllers

Man, if that Wireless Mega Drive Controller wasn’t so extortionately priced I’d totally buy one as currently I have to move my Mega Drive down from its shelf and closer to my sofa otherwise the controller cables are too short and the console gets pulled off the wall.

I remember as a kid, both our SNES controllers broke at the same time….we were dumb kids and probably did something to them, and our mom got us two asciipads. Works to this day, I just need to change the contact pads.

I have that Logitech wireless controller for the Original Xbox and I can't ever imagine going back to any of the official Microsoft controllers for that console. It just melts in your hands and the battery last for a year and a day. It's truly a thing of beauty especially when you consider that the Original Xbox is the best way to play that era of multi-platform games on a modern TV.

Now that the Retro-Bit SEGA licensed Mega Drive and Saturn controllers are out are you going to review them?

Is it possible to combine the Boomerang’s built in Rumble with a stock Rumble pack to create double Rumble?

I’d love to see a video about some good Sega Mega Drive/Genesis 3rd Party replacement pads as I’m gonna wanna buy some new ones someday. I don’t want a wireless pad, nor can I afford the expensive Joyzz, so some more better priced wireless ones would be great for me.

I started watching this video because why not. then when I finished I realized it was a whole HOUR long video. Very entertaining to say the least!

Honestly I have no clue why everyone is so obsessed with modern wireless controllers. Sure, I don’t have any modern consoles post-Wii, but I still use wired controllers for everything, aside from my wiimotes. Even on my PC, I use a wired 360-pad from years ago.

I'm planning to buy that Mad Catz controller for the N64 cuz I love flight stick example of arcade sticks mean I don't have to buy two separate controllers

No Hyperkin GN6 controller?? It's the best Genesis 6-button clone. I bought half a dozen of them when they were on sale.

growing up as "player 2" i have a 3rd party controller fetish as adult

On a more serious note, with companies like 8Bitdo on the rise for making Wireless versions of old controllers, it's weird that we havent had the technology to work on the 6th generation, as mods for it to become HDMI are on the rise, they were the last Wired generation but controllers for them are either too expensive to find "Like Wavebirds" Or just not readily available. I would love to see 8bitdo develop a Wireless Gamecube Controller, because I finally got an HDMI Adapter for my Gamecube, but my Gamecube is just too far for me to use a wired controller.

the SN30 Pro controller is my main driver controller. I use it all the time with Dark souls and my switch. One of my favorite controllers. My platformer PC are always played with it too

The Hyperkin GN-6 controller is indistinguishable from the six-button Genesis controller and I have been using it as my primary controller for the last several months. It only costs about $15-20.

12:02 omfg, it's gamexplain's logo lmao

Edit: actually not Hori but a company called Hosiden. One thing you neglected to mention about Hori - who have been around since the introduction of the Famicom - is that they actually make controllers for the main console manufacturers. So, not just licensed but actually pack in. I first noticed this when opening up two PS1 DualShock controllers for repair: they were both totally different inside, one made by Hori and the other one made by either Alps or Mitsumi. The Hori controller was the better controller in terms of feel and build quality. assemblergames.com/threads/playstation-1-controller-revisions.34072/#post-514167

Lol, you can see a prototype PS3-esque N64 pad.

12:40 THANK you for giving the Asciipad some love! When I found 1 around '92ish, I boxed the real controllers and never looked back! (Mine are now dead...) 33:42 yeah, any time I slo-moed UN Squad, I had to play with volume off. That Pause music was really annoying.

A lot of people don't realize that MadCatz spun off into Saitek, who made all the Rat mice, which I think were overall some of the most comfy gaming mice I've ever used, as well as many racing wheels and flight sim sticks.

mans playing sonic music while showing a nintendo controller SAVAGE

brawler64 + GoldenEye = Happy Happy Happy

The only valid purpose for 3rd party controllers is to establish the social hierarchy among friends.

20:55 Bailing an uber move over the finish line. You guys are gamers after my own heart

What a fantastic video! I really appreciate great long-form content like this on RU-vid!

My power a Nintendo switch wired controller broke the analog stick on moving it a lot broke and it doesn’t move back

It is pronounced "8-bit Doo". The weird cube speakers they make power on saying the company's name.

"Scott Wozniak wants to know you're location"

The 3rd party controller will always be remembered by all those that played as player 2.

The Only RU-vid Channel I Know That Can Make A 1 Hour Video On A Controller