Just curious how you all hold the DS2 controller when playing Tourist Trophy.

Since I'm a somewhat older gamer having been exposed to lots of coin ops in my day, I use mine in an arcade style manner -- that is, I rest the controller on my right thigh and operate the buttons with my index and middle fingers as opposed to using the thumb.

Attached for reference is a pic of the DS2. Briefly explain your button layout and how you hold the controller. Also if you wish, explain why you think your particular layout makes it easier for you to play the game.

For me, throttle is square. Look back is triangle, front and rear brake are X and O respectively. I manipulate my brake buttons simultaneously with my index and middle finger. When I am not actively braking, I also use my middle finger to shift up through the gears (upshift is R1). Downshift is L1 while tuck is L2, as such it is impossible for me to downshift and remain tucked. No complaints there. I, of course, manipulate the left analog stick with my thumb.

For me, my method is convenient because having the main buttons placed on the face of the controller, I can be very precise with my input pressure during braking and throttling.

Let's hear yours.

Uncreated

wow!! i could never play like that, i am a more tradtional "modern" gamer. i hold the controller in my hand, with the right stick as analog throttle (up), and front brake (down). the left stick is steering. rear brake is r1, tuck is L1and up shift is r2, downshift...L2. thats all i need. i never could get a hang of the pressure sensitive buttons, so i went right to the analog stuff. (actually, there is a lot of stuff i like better in analog, like music, tube amps...but that is OT.) i use my index and middle fingers for R1, L1, R2, L2. and thumbs for the rest. to look back i use the triangle, but i rarely use it, and to back up, the circle.

wow!! i could never play like that

That's exactly why I decided to start this thread -- to hear how mindbendingly crazy other people's layouts are when compared to our own.

Yours is an interesting layout no doubt. Oddest part to me is how you manage your brakes together considering your front is on the right analog stick and rear is on R1. I couldn't imagine even trying that. I depend on anchoring my index and middle fingers half on my buttons, so my precision comes from "rolling on" my finger tip pressure, making maximum use of the pressure sensitivity on the front buttons.

When I think about controller layouts, I put the most critical buttons on the face first and the lesser used/lesser important functions on the shoulder buttons.

I think the odd part is that despite everyone's layouts being all over the map, we're still able to put out laptimes so maddeningly fast and similar.

Uncreated

I just hold it like everyone else I've seen on a PS2 and use the default controls, with the D-pad to steer.

..with the D-pad to steer.

No analog stick for steering?

Uncreated

No analog stick for steering?

Uncreated
Nope. Guess it goes back to what you first played on, like yourself. Being a Megadrive kid I started using it, and it's stuck with me regardless of game type. Does help now though that the pads are pressure sensitive.

The only exception's been San Andreas, where you don't have a choice but to use the analogue.

hi all :) traditional/normal for me, ie: thumbs on the face buttons, index fingers for the rear buttons. steer with d-pad, x for throttle, square for front brake, R2 for rear brake. L2 for tucking, R1 for looking behind, L1 for changing viewpoint

i let the game change gears for me :D

I use analog stick for steering, R1 for gas, L1 for front brake, R2 for tuck, L2 for rear brake. Triangle for view change, Square for upshift, X for downshift, circle for looking back, and select for reverse I think. I hold the controller normally, and my setup relieves congestion and puts all my fingers at ease. You may wonder how I manage throttle control for pro mode, simply it's just pressure sensitive (R1 button). My left thumb for the left stick never moves.

i let the game change gears for me :D

Damn, seriously? Going by some of the times I've seen you put out, I'd have never imagined. Guess that about demonstrates auto is as good as manual shifting, in this game anyway.

Uncreated

You may wonder how I manage throttle control for pro mode, simply it's just pressure sensitive (R1 button).

When I think about pressure sensitivity and the shoulder buttons, I get sudden and woeful psychological pangs of pain of the carpal tunnel variety, so I reserve them only for such digital actions of shifting or tucking. Only two states for those, either up or down or shifted and unshifted.

Uncreated

Automatic transmission for me also. I've never riden a bike or driven a car and have tried it on a game now and again, but it's just confused me and slowed me down. Especially downshifting.

Automatic transmission for me also.

Yet another surprise.

The argument for manual shifting would be one is better able to manage a bike's powerband depending on the circumstances, whether going uphill, coasting through a particularly long sweeper, etc. I suppose the TT automatic shifting "algorithm" is completely optimized for each bike to allow for maximum pull, given the times you and 750 put out.

I've always used manual transmission, from Pole Position for the Atari 2600 onward. Something I'm used to. I insist on manual because for me, there's nothing like wanting to take a slow hairpin in second (I almost never use first gear) and have it downshift to first. Messes up my flow.

Uncreated

I don't have a DS2 :eek:


If I did though, I imagine in TT I would hold it much the same as my DS1. I hold it like a standard controller, and since I can't play it like MotoGP the buttons are as close to my GT3 configuration as possible.

Left stick for "weight shift" and steering. Square for gas, R1 for brake, X for rear brake, L1 for ducking, triangle for rear view, circle for reverse, I think select is view change.

Using the default setup here, right analogue up/down for throttle/front brake, R2 for rear brake, R1/L1 change up/down, L2 crouch, left analogue for lean.

It would be perfect if only I could get some decent sensitivity out of the R2 button to keep from locking the rear brake all the time lol :lol:

Tried a bunch of other setups but still couldn't get it as sensitive as I would like...oh well, at least it doesn't prevent me from setting decent lap times.

ive found that for me personally, i dont use a lot of rear brake, and on some tracks (like lagua seca and infineon) i rarely even use the rear brake, or have it set to 1.

i tried some of you's guys different controller configuration, and i couldnt get anywhere my current lap times. to each their own...

Using the default setup here..

With the exception of your brake placement, your setup is identical to mine. Cool.

Uncreated

With the exception of your brake placement, your setup is identical to mine. Cool.

hehe yeah I'm quite happy with the controls now (even though I did have a pretty big whinge about it on that other forum) :)


ive found that for me personally, i dont use a lot of rear brake, and on some tracks (like lagua seca and infineon) i rarely even use the rear brake, or have it set to 1.

Well that's the first thing I tried to settle the rear end but I found that using rear brakes was still necessary on most tracks to slow the bike down REALLY quickly, even tho it was set at 1.

I now have the rear brakes at 10 and find it really makes the bike dive into corners with almost no understeer and improves my lap times by heaps!

i can sometimes use just the front brake, but, you realy have to be sharp with the downshifts. i find that it works well on road bikes, so, theyre good for the practice specially since you really need to be in the right gear to make the turn in.