So I'm trying to talk to my fellow SOR2 runners about controllers. This is the best place to do so as far as I can tell. If you don't know I'm a Max guy and I play on console. I learned the game on one of the smooth plastic dpad controllers (3 button). It's really loose, has a long throw and wears due to bad design, so my dpad is pretty much a floppy mess but aside from a few dropped inputs I play well enough with it. I ordered a few controllers from ebay and they are the matte black dpad (3 button as well). So the dpad is really tight and responsive, has a shorter throw, and doesn't wear due to a steel spherical pivot point in between the plastic parts. Seems like it would be the superior choice but after several hours of attempts it's like I have to re-learn the timing for all of the punch locks and boss strats and so forth. So my questions are:

What do you guys like?

Should I go back to the worn out dpad that works for me?

Will I be better off in the long run learning the game with the superior dpad?

Are there other controllers I should look into like the 6 button variations?

I've talked to Philly Joe who runs Skate and his take was stick with what works but if it would be better in the long run to get used to something different I'd rather do that.

I know I'm probably overthinking this but SOR2 is my hobby. Other than family and work it's pretty much my main focus lol.

You're not overthinking it. I'm the same way. I probably have a dozen different Genesis controllers. I prefer the Genesis 6-button (it has a loose d-pad that lets me input fast).

I grew up playing on a 6-button pad. You'll always play better on the pad you're used to. That doesn't mean you can't learn to play better on a new pad.

Here's the question: Does your current controller have a design flaw that would be fixed on a different controller? Like how sor3 uses 6-buttons, a 3-button controller would limit you.

Here's the next question: Would my current controller work fine if it was in better condition. I've opened a lot of controllers and had to replace a lot of d-pads and buttons. These things break. Sometimes they just need a cleaning, other times you have to throw it away and get a new one but often you need new rubber membranes which are inside the controller.

Oh what up Antho! I'm honestly not too fussy about A,B and C as long as they work reliably. The D-pad is what it all comes down to. I just got a box of 9 "broken" controllers off ebay and aside from some of the cables needing work most I've just cleaned and resurfaced the rubbers and they're fine. Here's the thing, no two are alike. Even within the categories of "shiny" and "matte" D-pads they vary wildly in construction and how they play. I'm still using the same crummy one with the super loosey goosey shiney D-pad and as long as I can keep working rubbers in it I'll just keep using it and looking for similar controllers. Thanks man I wish more people discussed the minute aspects of running this game.