What is the difference between a gamepad and a joystick?

Many people believe that a gamepad and a joystick are the same device. But they should not be confused. Both products have different shapes and functional purposes. The genre of games they are used for also differs.

Differences between a gamepad and a joystick

For different types of games, different control devices are invented. For example, there is a steering wheel for racing. For aviation games - a joystick. The second is intended for all genres, including:

1. Race.
2. Shooters.
3. Simulators.

The differences concern not only functionality, but also appearance. The gamepad is shaped a bit like a butterfly and requires both hands to use (the left hand controls the character, the right one performs actions).

The joystick is similar to the gear shift lever in a car. And it really needs to be controlled like a lever, because the handle moves in different directions. In addition, the device has a set of buttons, the number of which may exceed those on another device.

Appearance

A gamepad is a game controller with a large number of buttons that requires the use of both hands. On the left side there is a large button - a cross, which is responsible for controlling the character. On the right side there are 4 buttons that are responsible for actions (jump, shoot, hit). There are also trigger-shaped buttons located in dual shocks.

The second one looks like a small handle with a set of triggers and buttons.Each button has a different functional meaning, and their number can be large (more than 12 keys).

Reference! The lever is designed to control the movement of the character, like a cross on a gamepad.

Functional differences

To determine the differences, let's compare the functionality of both devices:

1. The joystick is controlled with one hand. For the second, both hands are needed. And all the main functions will be performed by the thumbs and index fingers.
2. The first one is more suitable for playing a flight simulator. The gamepad is suitable for most genres.
3. If we compare the price, the joystick is higher than the second one.
4. The gamepad is more popular because it is convenient to use. It connects via USB to any device. The joystick is only suitable for flight simulators and space games.

What is more convenient: joystick or gamepad?

When choosing a device, pay attention to the following criteria:

1. Convenience. It is believed that the gamepad is a little more difficult to get used to, since it requires the use of muscles that have not previously been used for the game. But if you get used to it, playing will become more convenient than on the second device.
2. Functions. Both devices have enough buttons to perform various operations. But the gamepad is intended for most types of games, and the joystick is mainly for flight simulators.

Reference! You can buy an expensive joystick model and set the functions for all buttons at your discretion. Then the functionality of the device will increase significantly and may exceed that of the gamepad. But such joysticks are expensive.

From all of the above, we can conclude that the main thing is to get used to using the device. But a lot depends on the user himself. What to choose depends on the user's preferences. It is also important what games a person plays.