Thoughts on Current Controllers 

I still can't believe Nintendo won the JoyCon Drift lawsuit. That will never not be fucked up.

The XYAB button placements between the Switch Pro and Xbox controllers always mentally mess me up whenever I am playing different games that use them back to back.

Re: joycon drift - one of the things that really kills sticks is that for those playing Tears of the Kingdom, to disconnect a fused item, the game tells you to waggle the stick back and forth. What it _doesn't_ tell you is that this is also mapped to motion control and you can achieve the same result simply by waving the controller itself around without putting any pressure at all on the stick.

When I played Infamous: Second Son on the PS4, I liked the idea of the little mini game of spray painting by flipping the controller vertical and using the controller triggers to spray. It made you feel like using an actual spray can. I wish Playstation used the little gimmicks like that in their games that sets it a part from the other controllers

The Switch Pro controller would be nearly perfect if it just had analog triggers. It's bizarre to me that Nintendo's gone three generations without them by now.

3:12 I agree that the PS5 controller feels like a “treat it with respect” kinda of controller- it feels good and durable , yet I constantly feel like I have to be gentle with it

Fun Fact: If your not afraid to take apart the dualsense if you just remove the backshell you can actually unplug the Mic ribbon cable and the button will still work but you won't have to worry about being recorded and just use a headset mic in games like Astro's. Also the Touchpad is incredibly useful people always call it useless but if you play on PC it's SO GOOD it also counts as 3 extra buttons alongside the Mic button which I use on Steam a lot of the time.

You know what controller we need back? The Steam Controller. That controller was seriously underrated. It introduced gyro aim to PC and had programmable back paddles. It's only problem was the fact it lacked a second stick, a problem the Steam Deck addressed, so hopefully Valve can introduce a Steam Controller 2 with a second stick in the near future since they recently teased they want to introduce a Steam Controller 2

One small thing that I really appreciate about the Dualsense is the size of the L1 and R1 buttons. They're a lot thicker than they were on previous controllers, which is great if you have large hands.

No analog triggers on the Switch was a huge mistake. It definitely is for me as a huge racing sim fan.

When the Series X|S first came out, early adopters in the insider program were emailed surveys about things, and one of them was about specific DualSense features and whether Xbox players would be interested in seeing in a new Xbox Controller. I like how the Series and One controllers are cross compatible, but I would have liked something improved.

After owning a Switch since Christmas of 2018 and only finally getting the pro controller Christmas of 2023 I can't believe I've been missing out on this for so long. It's just a really solid controller and I don't have any issues with it that currently come to mind.

The eight direction d-pad on the Xbox is great for fighting games.

Y’all remember those original Xbox controllers? They were huge lol

Wish built in controller memory became a thing after the Wii mote experimented with storing your mii’s. I like the idea of bringing my controller over to a friend’s house with all my account info built in.

1:30 "I have so many PS4 controllers that just don't work now....I don't know why" That was the perfect time to insert a clip of Scott smashing a controller with a hammer or something lol XD

I just want analog triggers on a Nintendo console again.

The DualSense controller still blow my mind. I use it on PC plugged in with USB and all the features... oh man... Adaptive triggers and haptic feedback ? I can't live without it now seriously

If the next Nintendo controller has everything the Switch Pro has PLUS analog triggers, it'll be the best controller ever.

"2 years into the consoles life." Nobody tell him. Time is a cruel mistress.

I love the dualsense trigger effects, I think it's great and in Gran Turismo it really helps with brake feel.

As someone with all these controllers on my desk right now, that switch pro is godly. Literally 100 years till even a hint of a battery charge + it’s pretty strong! Not a single issue for the 6~ years owning it!!

With the Dualsense, I honestly have had my setting on where my PS5 already boots up with me muted. Also I'm pretty sure I disabled the recording from my mic when I get trophies. Never knew that was a thing. I only have videos for Platinum trophies though. All this I did ages ago. I've had my PS5 since 2021 but I know I've done this months ago, at least. But I get your points. Just wanted to be devil's advocate.

One thing I really appreciate from xbox (I only have the controller, not the controller), they know that there is so little different between their generations that the controllers are cross gen compatible. You can use the new one on your xbox one, and the old one on the X/S which is great

I actually use the gamepad's TV remote function pretty often.

The lack of analog triggers on the switch controller directly limits what kinds of games you can play with it. Sure, for a lot of switch games analog triggers don't make too much sense, but I feel the lack of analog triggers directly effects the decision to port a racing game to the switch in the first place. If you wanted a "one controller for everything" for playing PC games, lacking analog triggers immediately puts a nail in what would otherwise be one of the best controllers out there.

I wouldn't mind hearing Scott's take on this new fangled Handheld PC craze sweeping the industry...

I feel like there is a solid use case for each of these controllers. The Xbox controller for its PC compatibility optimization, the switch pro for its incredible form factor and god like battery life, and the dual sense for believing you’re better than everybody

It bugs me that more games don't use the gyro in PlayStation 5 games. Maybe I'm just missing the option on the settings, but I feel it works wonders for shooters and aiming more precisely

For PC, the Dualsense is amazing with DS4W. Gyro changed my life, I use it on every games I can, even on emulators At 500hz usb OC, I get only 1ms of input lag too. I keep it wired though so the battery isn't a problem, and so is the mic.. And yeah lol gyros aren't a gimmick like the stupid triggers, guys. It gives controllers the ability to aim as well as a mouse.

Swapping between Nintendo and Xbox is hell

I'll be honest, of the three, I prefer the Xbox controller. It's simple and straight to the point. Plus, you don't even need to buy a current gen controller since last gen controllers work with the current gen console. Basically, Microsoft took a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach that I respect. A boring controller isn't necessarily a bad controller. In my opinion a controller should blend in to the background with the game being the main focus.

My philosophy with controller design is, that the more important thing should be at the top. Thats why I prefer the Xbox and Nintendo layout with the left stick at the top.

I use the touchpad all the time As a giant select button

I could not stop playing with separate joycons. Hands free. Sat on couch, left hand at my left, right hand at my right. I never ever felt this good to play. -And also accurate. -joystick drift: simply spray contact cleaner.

It took me 16 years of using yotube, but I've finally watched a "Scott" video.

As someone who plays retro and modern every day with og controllers I was shocked by the Dualsense.I also own the Switch Pro,great controller,but man the Dualsense if not for the battery is the best controller ever,you can really tell its the 5th iteration of the PlayStation controller,feels so good.

Wii U Gamepad master race

The adaptive triggers in the PS5 controller are really cool…if used correctly. The Xbox controller has become the standard for PC gaming in many ways, which is what MS was going for I think. I would have loved to hear your thoughts on the two edge/elite controllers by Sony/Microsoft. The Switch pro controllers are great. But they’re expensive. Between NFC, motion controls, and HD rumble, a lot of tech is packed into the Nintendo controllers. The only downside is the Dpad on some of them. I would love to see analogue triggers become the norm/standard. Adaptive triggers are a great option, and easy to turn off. Very immersive if done well. Motion controls if they’re optional are great for things like archery.

Personally I've had more use out of the Steam Deck controller over my other ones these days. Using my Switch Pro Controller on PC I get a little use of the gyro (via steam where you can bind it) but having the four back grip buttons, programable trackpads , gyro and the sticks not in a position where they stab my palms is pretty nice. Sadly no Steam Controller 2 as an option gotta stream a whole game from PC to my Deck but, I have a hard time going back.

worst part about the dualsense is how frequently the adaptive triggers will actually break the trigger springs. This generation is also plagued with joystick drift, so i really hope future revisions feature hall-effect technology

I agree with how the Dualsense gives a "Treat it with respect" mindset and actually take it as a positive. Gives me some restraint when I get pissed off with certain games like Dark Souls. It's probably saved it a handful of times and I'm grateful for it.

1. Duel Sense is the best highly recommend the edge. Love the haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. Easy to customize and change the triggers. Feels great in the hands. 2. Nintendo Switch pro is a good solid controller. Good battery life. Feels good in the hands. 3. Series X/S stock controller is too narrow and meant for small hands. Recommend buying a rechargeable battery for it. Gives me cramps after a short play session. Needs to be more ergonomic. I play with my Duel Sense Edge on my series X.

Personally I like the clicky bumpers on the X box controller & I think the new D-pad is underrated & should become a standard for offset thumb stick controllers. However the X box controller does hold back the industry by not having a gyro or haptic feedback so I’m torn between the Dualsense & X box controller with Switch in last, mostly because of the bumpers & triggers.

Prior to buying a DualSense, the DS4 was my all time favorite controller. After buying a DualSense... I still haven't decided which I prefer between them. I think the DS4's d-pad and face buttons are significantly better, they have a much better tactile response to them versus the DualSense where they feel a little mushy. The default analog stick caps are my biggest complaint for both. I find them to be noticeably shorter than Xbox stick caps, which makes it feel very awkward to aim with precision in third person shooters (you couldn't pay me to play first person games on a controller), and the new rubber texture on the DualSense's caps feels weirdly abrasive and uncomfortable compared to the DS4's rubber. That can all be solved if you're willing to disassemble them and put on new caps, but with caveats for the DualSense. I've had stick caps from an Xbone controller on my DS4 for years without issue, but when I tried putting a brand new set on my DualSense, they were seemingly too thick to travel without friction in the sockets. I even tried using the old, worn in Xbone sticks from my DS4, and they were better, but still had significant friction. I ended up using a third party set that are designed to mimic the convex sticks from the DS1/2/3 (the only thing I actually liked about them), but the weird thing is they're a set that I originally bought for my DS4 before the DualSense even existed, so I find it very strange that they're compatible with both but other sticks are not. Another caveat is, holy shit the DualSense is so much harder to disassemble. I can have my DS4 apart in seconds without damaging anything, but I had to break the clips next to R2/L2 on the DualSense to get it apart the first time and even after having done it several times now it's still extremely stubborn about coming apart. I know for someone as picky as I am about the analog sticks, the obvious solution is to buy a DS Edge, but I simply refuse to spend $200 on a controller. Give me a cheaper option that only has the swappable analog sticks without the other features and I'd happily pay for that. Sorry for the wall of text if anyone actually bothered to read all of this. If you want a tl;dr, I would say be prepared for a lot of frustration if you're interested in the standard DualSense but are prone to tweaking and customizing your controllers to fit your preferences.

14:00 I have experienced the controller stick "grind" on a ton of controllers. The N64 controller had a ton of it. The grind is more noticeable after playing a game requires a lot of stick rotating. Like, if you play Mario 64 and have to swing Bowser by the tail. I have had the "stick grind" to a degree on Dual Shock 1s, Dual Shock 2s, Game Cube Controllers, and X Box controllers too.

Controllers do not need a creepy microphone.

The stress on the joysticks is universal. it just depends on how much action that controller sees. i've had it happen to basically every controller I own at one time or another. it's purely there from love.

XBOX is literally: "If ain't broke don't fix it"

I love the haptic feedback of the Dualsense at every step I take in-game, the triggers as well help with the immersion, gives games a premium feeling. I would like to see Gyro aiming more commonly and better implemented on PS5 though, Breath of the Wild is the prime example of how to do it right, for micro adjustments. RE4 Remake has it but it is horrendous. The trackpad is extremely underutilised and that is a pity, because it offers so many possibilities of gestures for inputs, navigation or simply presses on either side separately or simultaneously, as shown in inFAMOUS Second Son on the PS4. it could offer tons of shortcuts for specific menus in game that you might need to access somewhat often. If all console makers adopt these things, developers would have more incentive to implement them

I thought you would talk more about the left analog stick which seems to be the major difference among them. Also, I don't get the massive touch-pad on the PS5 controller; is it used for the on-screen keyboard? What games use it? Also, I like the shapes for the buttons on the PS5, but the ❌ is affirmative, and ⭕ is negative, which is backwards.

As someone that really dislikes controllers but hadn't really branched out much from the Xbox design for non-Nintendo games, the Dualsense is pretty good. Super comfy, the buttons and sticks and triggers feel great, though it did need some minor modding to be truly great. First thing I did was open it up and remove the microphone modules lol. Also replaced the sticks with domed ones and installed a split d-pad. Wish I could remove the battery to use it wired without it disabling vibration, but oh well, nothing is perfect.

Hey Scott, love the video! That said a normal black or white Xbox controller can be gotten for $59.99, basic colors at $64.99, and Special Edition colors at $69.99. Additionally base Dualsense controllers are $69.99 and special editions are $74.99.

I have all three controllers, and my favorite by far is the Switch Pro Controller due to overall weight and feel, plus the battery life. The Dualsense is a close second. I like the Series X controller, specially the concave d-pad that I personally find to be more precise, but the lack of an internal rechargeable battery, and the absence of haptic feedback (or "HD Rumble") really put it behind the other two.

Which of these do you use on PC? The platform where you can use all of them.

actually i recently got a ps4 controller and its very satisfying. long battery life, insanely comfortable to use ive had this for a year i think, i had 2 old ps4 controllers that came with ps4 they stopped functioning well in like 2 years but before that they always had issues

For me it’s easily the Switch Pro Controller, it’s the perfect in between with no compromises. They are all great, but Xbox is missing the extra oomf, and the dualsense is overly gimmicky to the point where it’s HEAVILY impacting the battery. It also feels a little large imo.

That 'share' button isn't really a share button as much as it is a screenshot/video capture button Press it to screenshot, hold it to record the last 30 seconds It's a useful thing, but it's missing on both versions of the pro controller cuz the preset button is there instead

I recently had some thumb joint problems, and it made me realise the sticks are to inwards and since then I’ve increasingly hated their position.

6:16 that line made me immediately realize this was a card video from 2022

Dualsense is by far my favorite this gen. The buttons feel good, its probably the most comfortable I've been holding a controller, the haptic feedback is really nice. (I turned of the trigger effects so I can still get that immersive feedback with hindering gameplay) Best shoulder buttons, fast and smooth buttons, its perfect. I like the switch pro controller at first, but it didn't take long for me to start hating pressing buttons on it, the shoulder and trigger buttons are the worst among the three controllers, the sticks feel slippery, and the face buttons aren't great for fast button presses, they're not sticky necessarily but they deffinitely feel slow and as a result I don't really feel as though I can do much high-skill gaming with it. Not anywhere close to what I can do with a Duelsense of x box controller. X-box is still pretty close to the dualsense, with only a few lesser aspects to it. I think the triggers are the best of the three, but the clicky shoulders really kill me, its so strange having these very cheap shoulder buttons right above the really smooth and comfortable triggers, its a weird mismatch of button presses, and the face buttons still don't feel as responsive as a PS controller, still better than Nintendo's pro by far imo though. The loud clicky d-pad is also kind of annoying, but it still works well so I don't hate it. X-box's controller build quality feels the cheapest, but I'd still pick it up anyday over the Switch pro's.

I must CONTROL myself as Scott is talking about Controllers again... 10:20

My Pro Controller became an instant favourite. Switch, PC, and I'm even getting a Bluetooth adapter to use it on my modded Wii.

My favorite video, scott talks about controllers for a while

two-hand joy-con are the best controllers! Also, the X button got to be in a different spot with each controller, if there was a team yellow console maker then their X button will by on the right side...

Comparing these 3 companies' controllers makes me think, Nintendo, if they really changed their focus onto developing a higher powered console this next time around, they could literally dominate the entire world of gaming. Because when you compare the first party IP's of the 3, Nintendo wins hands down, especially in this current gaming landscape. It's not even close. I've had an Xbox series X and switch, and I always go to the switch when I want to play a game, except for more graphically demanding games. But anyways, i mean Nintendo has been really pumping out the best games they have ever made all on the Switch, and they cover literally every genre and have some of the best games in a lot of different categories. Comparatively, I really have no desire to play any Xbox or PS5 IP's, because they've been severely lacking this generation. Sony has Spiderman as their killer app, but I mean Xbox has nothing of note really. They've been focusing on the Game Pass instead because it makes them so much more profit because it's all digital. And I feel like now that Nintendo has recaptured their family audience that fell off after the Wii, why not go all in on actually kind of trying to compete graphically with the other 2? Anyone who's not interested in a more powerful Nintendo console can just stay on the Switch and pretty much never run out of new games to play.

I've found the Dualsense's battery life more than adequate, but I also use it exclusively wireless on my Steam Deck, so I'm not using the full deck (har) of features available for it anyways (which I would guess are the main culprits for power drain)

My experiences with a Nintendo switch pro controller is that the thumb sticks get completely off centered but that happens at hours of play time.

All these controllers pale in comparison to The Duke.

Actually, Xbox One controllers had triggers with haptic feedback, so they beat Sony to the punch. Nintendo never did it with the triggers, and it doesn't feel particularly different from regular rumble any time I've used them. But I never knew Xbox One controllers had it until I felt it while playing Streets of Rage 4 on PC Game Pass. It was awesome and revelatory. The Steam version doesn't seem to have it, or any other game that I know of. It's weird how the tech is there, yet they never bothered marketing it or making games use it. I don't know if the trigger rumble was there since the Xbox One launch in 2013 or if it was added in revised controllers later, but for real, somehow it exists and has this whole time... Also, you are right that the DualSense mic should be OFF by default, and the light should be on to indicate it's a hot mic and you're being recorded. You don't need to be visually notified that you're NOT being recorded, there's no urgency to that, that's what you would want and expect from the normal state of a controller since forever. You should press it yourself when you want to use it. More than a fair thing to ask, to ward off the idea that you're constantly being recorded. Remember that was one of the biggest reasons why people didn't like the mandatory Kinect of the Xbox One? Well, Sony just went ahead and did that, without much of a shitstorm. My problem with the Switch controller is that the D-pad seems to be split in two halves for each of the 4 directions, so it registers you hitting up if you hit left or right and tilt it up a bit. So it's not as precise and reliable a D-pad as the others. The triggers also feel flat when you push them. What is criminally missing from all these controllers, is back paddles like the Steam controller. Those are even better than Xbox Elite controllers' paddles because you don't have to change how you grasp the controller. And now the Steam Deck upped the ante with 4 of them, and they are comfy as hell with no accidental pressing whatsoever. Once you have all those extra buttons without having to get your thumbs off the sticks, you never want to go back. When Sony made an addon to the Dualshock 4 that added paddles (and an OLED screen for some reason) at the ass end of the PS4 generation, it was CRIMINAL that they opted to not put paddles on the DualSense. It's as egregious as the PSP having only one analog stick in my opinion. They had the power, they had the knowledge, but they still chose not to... Unbelievable. How long must we wait? This should be a standard feature so that more games design for them, not a feature barred off to the $200 controllers that can only mimic other buttons. And the Steam controller was not $200. In fact, it was a humble $50, and still is the most feature-packed controller ever made.

Scott’s stash videos are the perfect thing to listen to on the drive back from the club

I used to abhor the mic on the Playstation 5 controller but after playing some crossplay games with my friends online and I use discord the controller mic serves pretty okay when I don't feel like using my headset lol

6:18 actually, we're over 3 years into the PS5's life. though i can't blame scott for not knowing that because the damn thing still has NO GAMES

The Xbox dpad is a legit downgrade from the Xbox One.

I just recently got a ps5 and two different DualShock controllers for Christmas but man, they currently last around 8 hours each, and I hope that doesn’t lower going forward cause I keep hearing between 4-8 hours. That being said 8 hours is MUCH more than enough for me. I usually game for about 3 hours at most on a workday. And if I really want to I can just swap to my 2nd controller while the first charges.

Which controller is the best? It's simple really it's the one for whatever console you're using, the other ones don't work as well I find.

I hate the PS4 controller so much. The dualsense however is perfection.

I love the clicky D pad of the series x controller. My fave old school joystick is the zip stick.

the biggest problem i have with the switch pro controller might be specific to mine, but i hadn't used it for about a year and then when i needed it, all the face buttons were stuck. it was like they had melted and fused together with the surrounding plastic. eventually all of them were loosened except for the Y button. i probably need to open it up some day

The pro controller stick looking like it’s getting scratched can be cleaned off and it seems like it’s just a visual thing, I’ve noticed it as well but I’ve been playing a ton of Splatoon since Splatoon 2’s release and I haven’t noticed anything wrong with the stick covers themselves (I started getting drift so I replaced the actual sticks)

Tbh, I use the Xbox share button a lot on my controller, as I love to record my attempts at bosses in challenge runs, it's also amazing that you can change what pressing/holding the button does.

This is hilarious, informative, and just so GOOD! Love it! Awesome job, as usual! My bro loves the Switch Pro Controller mom and I got him for Christmas a little over a year ago! He doesn't use anything else anymore unless he's playing handheld! It was too big for me to use comfortably (I have tiny baby hands as a grown woman, lol), but my bro has really big hands, so it's perfect for him! Thanks for another kickass vid! You're the best, Scott!

I’m a lifelong Nintendo fan, but the PS5 DualSense is probably my favorite controller of all time. It’s so comfortable to hold, all of the buttons and sticks are in just the right places, the rumble feels way better than anything any other controller has including the Joy-Cons, the triggers especially feel amazing, and everything about it is so intuitive. The battery life isn’t all that great, but I’m not playing this thing far away from the charging cable much anyway.

"Who's your favourite Scott the Wox character?" "Scott's carpet"

I have the charging do for the ps5 controller and I've literally never had to worry about running out of battery.

one big minus for the switch pro controller is that the hd rumble is just not hd at all. on any switch game designed for the joycons (which is most 1st party titles) you just get the sense that you're missing out on the rumble if you're using a pro controller.

The Switch pro controller I got at the Switch’s launch lasted up until Mother’s Day last year… The left stick started to loosen up and it drifted a bit. Though, It lasted a good 6-7 years! I’m honestly impressed it survived that long. Especially from the hundreds of hours of Smash Ultimate I played with it.

One minor issue I've noticed with my Switch Pro remote is the top shiny section where you connect the charger - it scraches and obviously shows all the marks from where you've tried to connect the charger and missed lol

14:01 ive had this issue on both of mine and finally someone else is talking about it, yeah it is worrying especially since im worried the dust could get under the stick and cause drift issues...

What do you mean "continue to not use it" for the touch pad on the ps5 joystick, I really miss it whenever I'm playing something on my switch or series s

I have my switch pro controller since december 2020 and it really does feel like some of the parts started to degrade. the thumb stick feel ways less rubbery than they used to and the bumpers only register if you press them slightly harder than usual.

I went into PS5 settings to set it to automute the mic. Saves me remembering it. Helps a bit with battery. That LED won't take much. I like the share button on Xbox and PS5 as I can use their inbuilt record functions to record an hour of footage per file. Saves me buying a capture card to get footage for content creation on the rare occasion I bother to do it. I also like that the triggers on Xbox controllers have their own rumble motors. Switch is my least favourite controller for lacking analog triggers. It's not bad though. Also Nintendo don't make much use of HD rumble anymore.

I broke the springs on my Ps5 R 2 button. There’s a point in Rachet and Clank where you’re not allowed to fire your gun so the button gets locked in place. I didn’t know it was supposed to be locked and thought something was wrong and pressed down on it hard, and it’s loose now😅

i play on PC, so i like that i can use all these controllers, however i personally don't use any of these "official" controllers, so much more variety out there in 3rd party controller scene, where you can find option tailored to your specific liking, and for me the Good ol Logitech F series controllers and Xbox 360 controllers are perfect.

They are similar in the same way shoes and gloves are similar. It's not fashion, it's evolution to the most efficient and ergonomic form.

The series controller’s share button is a feature similar to the square button on the switch pro

i still use an old pink dualshock3 on my pc. its been through hell and back and still works flawlessly. ive worn completely through the shiny coating on the grips.

I actually use that remote button all the time it’s incredibly useful

I like my track pad in the Dual sense & really miss it when I need to bring up a map or type on other controllers

As a PC Gamer who switches between these based on what emulator I’m running… This video is so spot on in so many ways. Great work, Scott.