A Discussion on how you use your Dual Shock 2 Controller

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Axe_Gaijin
Using pad and buttons, kinda have to.
My controler has er... ehm... dropped a few to many times, and the sticks are a bit... sticky.
They often don't completly autocenter if I leave em alone and the last thing I want is speeding down the straight at a gazillion miles an hour and have the car suddendly pull to the right :scared:
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Heh :guilty:

I uh "dropped" mine a couple times too. I'm now using my old DS1 controller.

I used to use analog and buttons but I had to relearn so I could get gold on coffee break #4 - now I use both sticks. It was hard to change but worth it. Also I put the brake on the R1 shoulder button so I could hit it quicker and sometimes use brake and throttle at once. Every once in awhile I upshift when I meant to brake and vice versa but not as bad as when I first switched. Remapping your fingers is a rough process for an old guy!
 
I used to be a D-Pad man, but my fingers pleaded for the left analog, and since I switched, I've grown used to it. Both are easy for me. I can't stand using the right analog, though.
 
I've tried and tried to use the analog sticks (well not that hard) but I just can't get used to them. I don't know how you folks that do manage. It just doesn't feel right to me, steering a car with a stick. I think it's just mainly because I grew up on NES and logged so many hours with D pads that I'm just so comfortable with it now (16 years of practice). I went through the painful thumb period in grade 4.

As a bit more specific to the DS2 I also like to have my shifting buttons all on the right shoulder buttons. R1 up and R2 down. Don't like using my steering hand for anything but steering so I can be as precise as I can. That and it just feels so natural to have both shifting buttons so close together.
 
Gil
I'm a bit miffed that you can't set the shifter to the right stick. I was gonna go back to manual trans with GT4. But PD messed up my ability to use the easiest (for me) method.
If I was a lefty, I would just reverse the buttons, and use the left stick for the shifter.
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What an interesting thread! If you've been paying attention, it definitively proves that you can be fast using just about any conceivable (and supported) button and/or stick configuration.

I am always amused at some of the more unusual preferences, like Gil there. Wanting to use right stick for the shift-knob. :lol: But... but when you consider it, it makes sense!

Hey--one for sure--and this much I've learned. If you're just a slow driver who can't get all those Missions (for example) to save his life, X and square, dual-sticks, or DFP wheel either one won't substitute for hours of practice and just wanting it badly enough. Oh, yeah:
Velocity
As a bit more specific to the DS2 I also like to have my shifting buttons all on the right shoulder buttons. R1 up and R2 down. Don't like using my steering hand for anything but steering so I can be as precise as I can. That and it just feels so natural to have both shifting buttons so close together.
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Me, too! :)

-GNJ-
 
I use analogue steering, the buttons for gas/brake (got the pressure sensitive buttons down a fine art now), and L2/R2 for gears. Debating switching to automatic though as changing gears manually doesn't really add/take away from the fun. Going to give automatic a try, see if it makes it more fun.

Will try the D-Pad too. Used that all the time in GT2. (No DS at the time.)

I have a Logitech Wingman Formula Force GP wheel, but have yet to get it working in GT4.
 
I use analog and the buttons. I've tried both analog stick, but I find it hard to get used to. If the wheels were cheaper I'd buy one.
 
D-pad and buttons. R2 upshift, R1 downshift so my left hand only has to worry about steering.

I can't use the sticks very well if I had use of 'em, but I don't as I've dropped (read: thrown) my controller a few times.
 
Left stick and buttons.
L1/L2 for shifting, R1 for throttle and X for nitrous.
Same as my GT3 config, only X was change views.

I tried using both sticks for a while, I just couldn't get used to it. My brother gave me his old Blue Thunder wheel, but that was even worse.
 
the buttons and left stick. i use the right stick on straights to give my hand a rest. i can drive pretty well this way :)
 
D-pad and buttons for life with manual tranny, until i have enough room for a DS2 and since GT5 will probably be out when that happens, i'll just have to wait and get the new wheel that comes out for that
 
analog stick for direction, brake and acceleration.
arrow button down for rear view, bottom l and r buttons for gears
r1 for handbrake, l1 for nos

and reset button for sedation when needed. instead of throwing the pad.
 
hitman146
sry but this is getting better and better

in the forum even the tiniest things are diskust next is probely do you pick your nose during game play or whatdo you drink during the game
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I pick my nose while I play, but only if I'm up a few laps!

I have a wireless Logitech Forefeedback that I use, but the pressure sensitive buttons aren't as pressure sensitive, makes for some interesting driving...
 
I use the left Analog stick for steering and R1 Gas, L1 Brake, R2 down shift, L2 up shift. This worked for me in GT3 and now GT4.

Pete
 
Old school; D-pad and buttons. My view is on the front bumper, as close to the ground as I can get. That's the way I have played in all of the games in the series. It just feels right. Otherwise I end up staring at the car, not the road.

The game has actually evolved quicker than I have. It seems like yesterday that I just figured out how to tap the brakes in MR cars in GT2 kinda like ABS instead of button mashing all the time. Now GT4 has me actually playing around with the right stick for smooth, low/mid rev launches off the line (but switching back to button mashing/tapping for the actual race) and looking at the roof-cam view since I like to hear more of the ambient sounds and see all the pretty hoods. I always switch back to bumper view/buttons when things get squirrelly. Habit I guess. But I am learning to change things up a bit.
 
Speedster 2 wheel for me - automatic transmission, nos on R2, ghost on L2, shift up on down, shift down on up (with the stick) for when I do feel like using manual 👍
 
i use the d-pad and the buttons but... i dont use my thumbs at all! i have a goofy style where i use my fingers - two on the d-pad with my left hand, and three on the buttons with my right. i drive manuals and use my right little finger to operate R1 to shift up and R2 to shift down. i use L1 for rear view (operated by my left little finger), and L2 is change view. all the face-up buttons are as standard. there are advantages to this unusual style, mainly the number of fingers i have available to press buttons, thus improving my reaction times. i can have a finger on the left direction button, a finger on the right direction button, a finger on the brake, a finger on the accelerator, a finger hovering over the emergency brake or reverse, a finger on the rear view, and a finger on either the shift-up, or shift down button. can anyone beat that configuration and style! :cool:
 
i used to use stick and buttons with GT3 (and manual)
but i used to find doing some longer race's my finger pressure would wander and the car would start slowing.
now with GT4 i use dual sticks and auto haha
i cant do sticks nos and gear's all at once, to unco for that..
 
i always use the two sticks too drive a game if its posible :sly:
i find it very usefull if you want too give half throutle through a corner or something like that 👍
 
d-pad and buttons, manual tranny always, shifting up and down with R2 and L2, i dont think i've ever tried using the sticks once. but i also have a DFP so i alternate.
 
Could never get used to the DS2 with manual gearbox ... was just too much of a mission for me ... but with DFP I only play on manual gears now ... can't belive I played GT1, 2 and 3 on auto. ... same as my granny ...
 
hitman146
sry but this is getting better and better

in the forum even the tiniest things are diskust next is probely do you pick your nose during game play or whatdo you drink during the game
Click to expand...

Interesting...

hitman146
wtf dumpvalve that was one word misspelt go back to england and like the queens feet
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Try this:
Sorry but this is getting better and better.

In the forum even the tiniest things are discussed. Next is probably do you pick your nose during gameplay or what do you drink during the game.

Asside from your grammar sucking.

Since I'm bored I'm going to rewrite it for you.

In this forum even the tiniest things are discussed. Next will probably be do you pick your nose during gameplay or what do your drink whilst playing the game.
 
Analogue sticks and buttons only for me. I tried 2 anologue sticks in GT2, but after a week, I found I was no good at it. In GT1, I used d-pad, buttons in 3rd person for all my races. Now I'll hit a wall if I change it 3rd person on anything other than a straightway. lol

I've gotten very good with the anologue buttons on the DS2. Though in Metal Gear Solid 3 when I'm holding an enemy hostage, every once in a while I'll accidentally press the Circle button in just a bit too much. The result: an enemy soldier minus a neck. :D But I have very little practice with the Circle button in GT3 or 4 anyway. You don't need an "analogue" emergency brake! It's either on or off.

As far as the X and Square buttons, I hold my thumb across both at the same time 90% of the time. When I need really light pressure on the X button, I'll use only the tip of my tumb for anything around 10% to 25% use and slide my thumb back into position. When I talk about it, it seems freaky, but it's just instinct when I'm playing.
 
All analog for me. Left stick for steering, right stick for throttle/brake. I just can even comprehend how you guys using d-pad and buttons can manage not to spin the tires exiting a turn in a high power car where you need to ease onto the throttle. Also, how do you get through constant radius turns like on Autumn Ring, for example?
 
punkrkr27
All analog for me. Left stick for steering, right stick for throttle/brake. I just can even comprehend how you guys using d-pad and buttons can manage not to spin the tires exiting a turn in a high power car where you need to ease onto the throttle. Also, how do you get through constant radius turns like on Autumn Ring, for example?
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Like anything, it takes practice and time to maintain such control. Sometimes, I admit, I do oversteer with high-power cars, more so as I don't use TCS or ASM.

With constant radius turns, I take the "wide" approach instead of the hug the corner approach. I will stay on the outside of the corner and gradually turn into while maintaining my speed/revs. Then about half-way through or 3/4s of the way though, I'll ease into the gas and accelerate out. :)
 

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