I prefer the SFAC pads to the Saturn pad for PS2 for some reason. That said, the standard pad for PS2 isn’t far behind.
I’m surprised how not-as-bad-as-I-thought the 360 controller is. I’ve still been getting Vega’s super off in STHD with that gawd-awful stick fairly consistently - didn’t see that happening.
I have this set up:
L1-mp
L2-all punches
R1-mk
R2-all kicks
My pad of choice depends on the generation of console…
Back in the day of the SNES, I started out using the asciiware asciipad for Street Fighter: almost exactly the same “feel” as the standard SNES controller, and with all the turbo features:
For some reason, I moved over to the Performance Gamepad6 (still for the SNES): most people hated the controller because the buttons were huge, and the D-pad was large and clunky. But the six face buttons worked well for me in SSF2.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e18/tidalwav/joysticks/gamepad6.jpg
When the PSX came around, I got myself their original analog controller. Differs from the DualShock in the sense that the grips were longer, rounder and fatter, the analog sticks were concave and without the rubber surface, and no rumble motors (lighter controller overall). This became my #1 controller of choice throughout the PS2 (can’t stand the DualShock2’s analog D-pad and buttons) and GameCube days (via a PS2->GC adaptor).
Nowadays, I just use whatever pad that comes with the console (Xbox360 wireless controller, SixAxis, Classic Controller). Not very picky these days. 
I seem to notice that a ton of people like the SNES controller. I personally missed out of that gaming era, but I’m guessing the controller preference was from SFII on the SNES?
ya i played a lot of sf2 on snes. doing an srk with fierce punch with one hand was a serious task.
I never was able to get used to having Fierce Punch on the L Button. It always made Fei-Long’s Rekka-Kens so hard to combo. I always used to set Fierce Punch to R or X.
I personally love using gamepads on everything. Especially MAME since that’s how I always wanted to control some arcade games.
My favorites are the stock SNES pad, the revised U.S. Saturn pad, and the PS2 Dualshock 2.
I usually end up using a Dualshock 2 to play most games since it has the most buttons and control options and there is usually an adapter to play it on just about everything. When I’m not using a DS2 for console games I stick with the SNES pad and for most fighters (that I can play on a PC) I use the Saturn pad.
Recently, when I went over to a friend’s house, I tried out his USB Saturn pad just for kicks. Somehow, I was under the impression that it’s a tad larger than the US Revision 2 pads or the original Japanese pads. pablumatic, did you experience anything of the sort with your USB Saturn pads or are you using a converter? If it’s the latter, what make and model are you using and does it lag?
I have been a pad player 4life, and the pads i have liked the most is the SNES (USA) Pad and the Dual Shock 2.
The Snes pad, D-Pad fells so confortable on my dumb finger, it’s great, the only thing are the L and R buttons usage on fighting games, it was hard as hell do a Srk with L button (not as easy as it sounds) but was great for adventure games.
The ps2 pad… i have been since the NES era, and the ps2 pad feels more resistant to bad treatment, the D-Pad at first is kind of hard and keeps hurting ur dumb, but as you play day after day, the d-pad get’s used to your dumb after 1-2 weeks of fighting game usage seriously!
The R1 and R2 buttons for Fierce and Roundhouse are very confortable using the other fingers you have, and the L1 and L2 buttons i always use them as PPP and KKK, so i use the full potential of all buttons on a fighting game.
It has so many buttons, that is also perfect for Emulator usage, Square>Y, Triangle>X, Circle>A and Cross>B for SNES, for NES Square>B and Cross>A
The Analogs are great for N64 Emulators and some racing games on PSX, i personally like to play RPG’s on analog because the dumb finger feels less stress while navigating the menus.
The Gamecube, Wii, Xbox pads are horrible for me, diagonals are hard to do on the D-Pad. I don’t know about 360 pad because im stuck on the PS2/GC/Xbox generation.
I have a SFAC pad for ps2 and i didn’t like it, the 6 button layout is so weird for me in a Pad! i just can’t get used to 6 buttons on a single finger, i couldn’t get used to it, im surprised some people find it as the best pad.
I’m using a U.S. Saturn pad model MK-80116 with a 3 in 1 PC Joy Box converter (by Mayflash I assume). No lag as far as I can tell. I’m not a super hardcore fighter player so your experience may vary from mine.
This controller was awesome. I still have two.
Where did you got the 3 in 1 PC Joy Box converter? i searched on play-asia but they are discontinued
Longtime pad player.
Saturn for the win. I even own a pair of Magic Boxes simply to allow me to use my saturn pads on xbox with no issues
Just a heads up to you folks. If you’re looking for the 3in1 PC Joy Box Converter for a Saturn pad, VGC still sells them here. The thing is, their price is HORRIBLY inflated due to rarity and their shipping prices are kinda through the roof as well. Nevertheless, if you’re really desperate, I’d say go for it.
that doesnt happen to work for ps3 ?
No clue. I personally never tried (because I don’t have one) but I remember seeing some reports on SRK that it won’t work on the PS3. I could be wrong though and I hope I am.
They have to be kidding for that price… $44.99 is BS
it is pricey, but its also a rare product that works quite well. i have one and im pretty sure its lagless.
Yeah, I have a pair of those that I paid $25 each for. They’re lagless as best I can tell. I’d be a little more hesitant at $45. I’ve seen the Xbox Magic Boxes go as high as $80 on eBay.
These are my favorite pads. If I had to use a pad, I’d use this one.