I actually started early with gamepads, dating all the way back to the Gravis and the original Logitech Wingman, but it might be relevant that I still primarily use a mouse and keyboard, and especially for anything that requires precise aiming.

I use a gamepad for emulated console games, since they’re designed for a pad, and for things that require free and flowing movement, so respond well to a stick or a d-pad - racing games primarily, and many platformers and similar action games. But for things that combine separate movement and aiming - first person shooters and RPGs and the like - I just think a mouse and keyboard is better than dual sticks ever could be.

I can’t play anything that requires precision aiming with a controller.

A Steam Controller though? I’m way better. Especially with the gyro aiming or micro adjustments on the touchpads.

I know they are discontinued but as someone like you who had a rough time with those types of games without a mouse, I’d see if you can find a steam controller on ebay or something.

But I don’t play FPSes at all any more really. And with games like cyberpunk, I’m always more stealth than action oriented so it hasn’t been a problem. And when I have to use a normal controller and am forced to aim, I heavily rely on aim assist settings. I don’t care 😂

I started really gaming on xbox 360 with elder scrolls but then around 2019 I focused on getting good with mouse and keyboard and switching to pc.

I used to do those aim training games and got pretty good at it but then when I had my baby I tried going back to controller to game on the TV but it was tough.

I ended up getting a lap desk and an azeron keypad with a hand held ball mouse thing to play like rts games.

I think I’d need to sit down and just practice with an aim trainer like I did going to mouse and keyboard to get back to using a controller to play games that require decent aim

The only console I ever spent a lot of time with was the NES, so I’m not at all native to the modern XBox / Play Station controller with its 166 buttons. But I know that some games are best with a controller, so I bought a Steam Controller and an XBox controller. I made it most of the way through Nier Automata with the Steam Controller, but I put the game down for some reason or another. I also gave Hades (what I think was) a good effort, but I never made it out and I stopped caring.
The only game I’ve completed with a controller is Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, which you really shouldn’t play with m+k, if it’s even possible. I’d never try to play an FPS with a controller.

I’m actually pretty opinionated on gamepads.

For most arcade games, fighting games, and most 2D PC games I tend to go with a 6 button Sega style gamepad. The D-pad really lends itself to fluid, rapid movements. I honestly like them so much that I’ve picked up 6 button ASCII pads for my PS2/PS1 and Dreamcast.

For PC games, Retro-bit makes good ones that are officially licensed by Sega. Their original wireless Saturn pad was my go to for years. They also made an updated version with dual analog sticks and four triggers instead of two, which I quite like. They also make a larger pad based on the original Sega Genesis pad, but it lacks triggers and only has one start button. 8bitdo, which is a fantastic company, also makes a 6 button pad.

For everything else I use a DualShock 5 as long as I’m not using the D-pad much, and an 8bitdo Pro2 if the D-pad matters.

thanks steve! https://lemmy.zip/post/23518695

started with NES games in late 80’s, so in theory I should be fine with game pads? Platformers and driving games I can generally do fine, anything else? … heh, it’s like watching parents use computers. I just can’t do first/third person aiming with analog sticks or use bumpers/triggers at the same time with anything else.

Mouse and keyboard are my weapons of choice, at least with those I’m not embarrassingly bad.

edit: though, Nintendo Game Cube controller is kinda my thing, not that I’ve played much of NGC games or anything, but I did finish Eternal Darkness just fine (emulated, used savestates, but still), the controller just feels way more natural than modern xbox/ps controllers

Gamepad for everything except shooters

I certainly started late with gamepads. Through most of my gaming years it was a combination of keyboard and joystick (and later mouse). I didn’t have consoles until the Wii, but I did get the Pro Controller after a while and got on ok with it.

Late? I was early in the PC game controller community, around 2003 or so. Not only did I master game controllers, I heavily modified them as well.

Edit: Try playing Descent, then you might see why I modded my game controllers.