Computer, mobile, and console gaming accessories are important to gamers. These are headphones, microphones, webcams, keyboards, and gaming manipulators. In this list, the first place is occupied by gamepads. After all, without this device, the user’s game is doomed to failure. Of course, you don’t need such gadgets while playing simple online casino live games or Sims 4. In other cases, they are life-changing, especially if you want to make gaming your source of income. Let’s learn about the standard features and what to look for when choosing gaming manipulators.
Types of Gaming Manipulators
Manufacturers produce different types of gamepads, and they can be conditionally divided into several separate categories:
- Universal ones can be connected to almost any device, regardless of its type and manufacturer.
- Console gaming manipulators for different types and versions of game consoles.
- Computer models are designed for use in tandem with desktop and laptop personal computers.
- Mobile ones are a new step in the gaming industry. They are designed for use in tandem with modern smartphones.
Differences Between Gaming Manipulators
The market is full of different variations of joysticks and gamepads. These two devices differ in appearance, the way of entering information, and control. Gamepads look similar to remote control, with one side having motion buttons to control characters and the other side having action buttons. To control them, you use your thumbs and index fingers of both hands. The joystick differs from gamepads in design. It’s a small handle on a platform with a set of different keys, triggers and buttons. You can control it with one hand, and it’s mainly designed for “aviation-genre” games, while the gamepad is universal and suitable for games of different genres.
Main Characteristics of Gamepads
When choosing gaming manipulators, you should pay attention to the material, shape, additional buttons, similar sticks, vibration response, and compatibility.
The material of the case determines the durability of the accessory. The better the quality of the plastic, the device will last you for a long time. Chipping and scratches will not appear on this material. An anti-slip coating prevents the slipping of the hands on the remote, especially if they sweat. The design and color of the accessory are also important. With a bright and unusual manipulator, you will stand out among the crowd.
Gamepads come in different sizes. Compact manipulators are designed for small and average palms. XBOX and similar devices are designed for medium to large hands. Both are different in the layout of the analog sticks and crosses. There is also a separate group of models that combine the features of these two types of manipulators. So every user can choose the appropriate option for themselves.
With the help of additional and programmable buttons, the user can adjust the joystick to himself. The main function of additional buttons is to change the number of keys and duplicate some controls. Programmable gamepads can be configured on the computer using a special program. With this functionality, you can set macros, dubbing and other actions.
Protruding on the body of the gadget devices are analog sticks. Fixing them in a certain position affects the result. There can be from one to a couple of sticks on a single game manipulator. There are also models without sticks. It all depends on the games you want to play, so focus on your preferences.
The vibration response helps the player respond to his actions. A vibration motor built into the arm is responsible for the vibration response. Almost all gadgets have this feature, and you can turn it off if necessary.
It’s also important to choose software compatibility. It will determine whether your gadget will work with the program that is installed in your console or computer.
When buying a wired joystick, you need to consider the length of the cable. The minimum recommended size is 1 meter. A shorter wire will be inconvenient because of the limited range of use.
On average, joysticks have from 15 to 20 buttons, and in most games, the minimum value is enough. But if you buy a gamepad for a particular game, consider how many buttons you need. The same goes for the stick. Models with them are more expensive, so if they are definitely not useful, it isn’t worth overpaying.
Manufacturers often equip joysticks with various add-ons: vibration, accelerometer, touchpad, and others. These features improve the gaming experience but always affect the cost.
Connection Features
Like other gaming accessories, gamepads can be wired or wireless. The first kind uses a USB connector to connect to personal computers, while the Nintendo Switch game console uses proprietary connectors. This kind of connection is cheaper than wireless. It can be used where other types of connection are not available. The second type includes Bluetooth devices, which are suitable for PCs as well as iOS and Android devices. Such devices open up more possibilities than the previous option; with a wireless device, you can sit at a remote distance from the screen and play in a comfortable position. Only such gamepads will need to be periodically charged. There are a number of combined models that support both connectivity options. They are the most universal: they don’t depend on being attached to a particular location and don’t require frequent recharging.
Summary
To conclude, we would like to say that despite all the main and additional features of gamepads, the tactile sensation of a player is also important. A player should feel comfortable with a gadget; it should lie comfortably in his hand. You have to remember that no matter how fashionable and cool the gaming device is, you won’t use it if it’s not comfortable. Once you have chosen a gadget according to its technical characteristics, try to go somewhere where you can touch it in person: with your friends or in a store. And if the gamepad you like lies comfortably in your hand, you are sure to have many hours of fun playing your favorite games.
