PC games that take advantage of a controller
 

The reason I love the PC platform is because I prefer the mouse/keyboard interface, but I also have a nice Logitech Wireless Rumblepad. The problem is, I haven't really found anything to use it on (I'm not a big fan of racing games). I just downloaded Geometry Wars on Steam, and it uses the controller quite nicely. What other games (casual or otherwise) do you think are worth kicking back with the controller?

I'd presume any console port would work fine, as most of them are made for the console controller use-friendly. Once that pops up on my minds are NFL series and DMC3. Also, Sega rally Revo seems to be more of controller-friendly, as it doesn't even require the usage of mouse at all.

I also heard you could play Gears of War with the controller, too.

I dunno if you're big on emulation or not, but a good PC control is a HUGE help in playing some good arcade fighting games online. Of course, you can also just get one of those PS2 USB converters.

I find the Tony Hawk games much nicer when playing them with a nice gamepad.
A good gamepad is also killer for NES/SNES/GBA-emulation. I have a cheap Logitech which looks like a DualShock, it sure as hell rocks when emulating.

I use a wired 360 controller which I like because developers can plan their games to have buttond mapped properly. I don't care if it's a console controller, it's awesome.

Therefore I can't say if your pad will work or not. It probably will but maybe not as good as a 360 pad.

All games in my list I own so they DO work.

Gears of War
Crysis
Unreal Tournament 2004
Call of Duty 4 & 2
Quake 4
Resident Evil 4

Back when I played ROMS on the PC, I used my control pad. I don't play much PC games with it, since most of my games are pretty much point and click. That said, Indiana Jones and The Emperor's Tomb works really well with a pad, and it's an awesome game to boot.

You may also want to try Star Wars Episode 1 Racer. It's quite doable with a control pad.

A majority of the games that have the Games for Windows logo will natively support the Xbox 360 controller, surprisingly even games like Crysis (they went as far as combining multiple functions to single buttons so that they could fit every feature onto the pad, nightvision is activated by holding down Start for a second, for example). However, I'm not sure if other game controllers will be as compatible since it seems they're specifically designed for the Xbox 360 controllers.

Most console ports feel very nice on a controller, but other games can be a bit of a mixed bag. The Prince of Persia games (or pretty much any other action/platformers and adventure games) work pretty well on them, as well as sidescrollers and the like. Indigo Prophecy/Fahrenheit is actually much better on a controller, but unfortunately I never managed to get my Xbox 360 controller working properly with it since the game can't seem to detect the second analog stick. You might have better luck on your Logitech controller.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I do use my controller for emulation (N64, Snes, etc) which works perfectly. However, I hate using controllers for FPSs, because moving a reticule is way more accurate and fast-paced than a thumbstick.

Luckily, Indy and Emperor's Tomb isn't a FPS, so you don't have to worry. I hate using a gamepad for FPSes too.

All of the obvious titles are going to be 3rd person action or adventure (and most will be ports). Allow me to suggest:

Psychonauts
The Suffering
Fable: Lost Chapters
Resident Evil 4
Tomb Raider Legend or Anniversary
Splinter Cell series

Also, I think your Logitech will work fine with these games. In fact, it will probably work better than the 360 controller, which does not currently support rumble, and I have a hard time finding any games that support the use of the trigger buttons. Apparently they're mapped to the controller as a 5th and 6th axis, which sometimes confuses the games I've played into thinking that the trigger buttons are a joystick. If Microsoft's history is any indication, they won't be adding support for these features until, oh, never. Obvious exceptions being "Games for Windows" line and 360 ports.

I use a Logitech controller, too, and it's fantastic for stuff like ROMs, which I end up playing more than my consoles :eagletear:. I usually don't use it for any game that doesn't natively support it, but it seems to be supported by a lot of software.

As a rule of thumb, nearly every game that started on a console before being ported to PC already has a controller function mapped out. Phantasy Star Online, Final Fantasy XI, Grandia II, Breath of Fire IV, Guilty Gear XX #Reload, Sonic Adventure/Heroes, Resident Evil 2 Platinum, stuff like that. I like to see the "PC take" on a lot of these games, too, since they usually come with stuff like enhanced sound, reduced load times, and tons more save slots.