doady: Xbox 360 controller I've heard too many problem with its control pad. Since I mostly need gamepad for 2D platformers, the 360's controller is probably out of the question.
The D-pad is perhaps the only downside to what is otherwise a really well designed controller. Of course, if you're used to the size of a Playstation controller, you're also not going to like the 360 controller, but I personally find the 360 controller fits like a glove.
From a games perspective, most games with controller support are built with the 360 controller in mind, so you really can't go wrong with picking one up compatibility-wise. You can pick it up relatively cheap these days on Amazon.
