360 controller.

I use a PS2 controller with a USB attachment and have no complaints.

Tick the "X Input Default" Xbox 360 controller emulator. Test that it work by clicking "Vibration testing", don't close the window but minimise it and launch the game. This seems to work for me when a game do not work properly.

I haven't tried a game yet, the PC won't even reckongize them.

edit: Got it now.

Did you install the driver with the driver manager and so on? The standard windows driver don't recognise PS3 controllers so you need to install the drivers built into MotionInJoy

edit - the process is explained here: http://www.motioninjoy.com/wiki/en/install/latest

Seriously, get the Xbox 360 controller. It's the best alternative out there. Every recent game out there uses it's control layout by default, which makes it much easier with a plug and play experience. No need to manually configure the controls, mess with emulators or anything, just plug the controller and you're set. It couldn't be any easier than that.

I used both the PS2/PS3 ccontrollers in the past, and while they do work, it requires too much messing around with configurations and emulators. All the games released in the last 6 years support the Xbox 360 controller by default. If you use a different controller, like the PS3 one, you'll have to use an emulator in most games to get it to work like the Xbox 360 controller. And to make things worse, when the game says "press A to shoot" or something like that, you'll have to search which button on the PS3 corresponds to the A button on the Xbox 360 layout. Not intuitive at all. Maybe things have changed with recent emulators, but i remember there was an issue with the emulator not emulating pressure, which could be a serious issue especially in racing games.

If you want a smooth and easy experience, you can't go wrong with the Xbox 360 controller. This an advice from someone who has already used PS2/PS3 controllers and a few others in the past.

In terms of form factor, the 360 controller is the best controller out there. I've been hoping and praying that a third-party PS3 controller modelled after the 360 pad would come out eventually, Unfortunately, adapters are prohibitively expensive and the one reasonable alternative - the Speedlink Xeox - turned out to be a bit shite.

For PC though, the 360 controller is utterly shit. Switching out the d-pad and stick axis is a nightmare, force feedback won't work with DirectInput games (accounting for around 99% of games on this site) and some games have serious compatibility problems with it.

My recommendation in terms of compatibility is to stick with the F510. That little switch on the back is the best invention in gamepaddery in recent years and I don't regret buying it at all. Only the analogue triggers really bug me on the 510, other than that, a top little pad.

^THIS^ ;)

You have to run the Ds3Tool application that is installed when Motioninjoy gets installed. Then choose DualShock 2 (Pov,joysticks) profile and click on enable. It's the most compatible option and supports vibration as well. You have to do this every time your pc restarts, but that's the only minor annoyance that you will have.

If you get anything other than an Xbox pad you're insane.

I personally use a Wireless Xbox360 controller without problem. Even on games like Rayman and Duke Nukem - Manhattan Project (using xpadder).
If I had to do it each time, I would have thrown it out long ago

Do they work with it without xpadder? Isn't xpadder a commercial program?

I Shouldn't post and watch Movies on TV at the Same time :P

It should have been: Rayman Forever & Duke Nukem 3D (Both Dos). (and yes Duke3D does take a while to get to use the gamepad, but once you learn how, it's easy)

And yes Xpadder is a commercial program