Opinion

Control pad or analogue stick? Choosing the best control scheme for 2D games

16/9/2025

Translation: Patrik Stainbrook

A gaming bomb dropped last week in Hollow Knight: Silksong – a 2D Metroidvania, to be precise. In doing so, it’s triggered a controls discussion around here: D-pad or analogue stick?

In platformers, fighting games or Metroidvanias such as current hit Hollow Knight: Silksong – practically all 2D games – I ask myself the same question: analogue stick or directional pad? The cross or D-pad existed long before the stick, which was only introduced in 1996 with the Nintendo 64. One year later, the world’s first controller with two analogue sticks as we know them today came out for the PlayStation 1. But since the aforementioned genres were popular long before either console, there was only one option – the directional pad.

I play almost exclusively using analogue sticks, no matter what genre. Including in Hollow Knight: Silksong. Mentioning this to fellow editor and Metroidvania aficionado Kevin Hofer, he lets out a loud: «What? Are you crazy? It’s D-pads all the way!» Excuse me? I can do as I please. It appears Kevin’s knowledge on the topic is about as cohesive as his hairline – barely. D-pads just aren’t it, now really.

Debate time: which is the ultimate control system for Metroidvanias and company?

Philipp: one analogue stick to rule them all

The D-Pad is a relic of times gone by. Even though I’m a bit older than Kevin and grew up with the NES as well as similar consoles, the D-Pad and I have become estranged. I only use it in games when selecting potions, equipment and the like. Controlling my character exclusively happens with the analogue stick. For most console games, this is the standard scheme anyway. 3D games usually can’t be played with the D-pad at all, so I’ve internalised the analogue stick.

I also prefer the analogue stick for hectic battles against several enemies.
Source: Team Cherry

When the occasional 2D title like Hollow Knight: Silksong comes along, I don’t even think twice. My hands grip the controller same as they do in all other games – with my left thumb on the analogue stick. «Outrageous!», I hear the purists shout. But I don’t just play this way out of habit – it’s better, simple as that. My thumb sits firmly on the analogue stick, and I never have to move it from one button to another. This gives me full control to react as quickly as possible to any situation. I never noticed any lack of precision. On the contrary, I can move diagonally much more easily too. This is trickier with four-way pads or separate buttons like on the Switch.

I see no reason to change my habit. What do you say to that, Kevin?

Kevin: the D-Pad is God

I love 2D Metroidvanias. Like so many others, I’ve been mainlining Hollow Knight: Silksong for a few days now. It goes without saying that I use the D-Pad. And yes, even if my skills could certainly do with some improvement, my thumb and the control pad on my Steam Deck are a solid team. With pixel-perfect jumps and lightning-fast changes in direction, the good old cross simply feels right.

Pressing in one direction on the D-pad, I immediately get that feedback: clear input. For games where one frame decides between life and death, I need this certainty. In Silksong, the D-pad regularly saved my bacon as I pogo jumped over spikes – no room for wishy-washy controls here.

Bounding over those red flowers requires a lot of precision.
Source: Team Cherry

The tactile feedback of the D-pad also helps me with this. Each click confirms that I pressed correctly. I miss that direct response with analogue sticks. The controls feel too soft, too noncommittal.

But that’s not all: the directional pad simply offers better grip. I always slip off analogue sticks during heated boss battles. With a D-Pad, my thumb holds its position even after minutes of virtual hacking and slashing.

The fact I still use D-Pads today may also have something to do with my gaming history: I grew up with the NES, which only had a directional pad. It exudes a touch of nostalgia for me. But modern titles such as Silksong are designed for the cross too. There’s no technological faffery, translating analogue movement into digital inputs. To me, the D-pad is like an extended thumb, and will remain my preferred control scheme in 2D games.

Analogue stick or directional pad?

Which is the best control system for 2D games like Hollow Knight: Silksong?

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Philipp Rüegg

Senior Editor

Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.ch

As a child, I wasn't allowed to have any consoles. It was only with the arrival of the family's 486 PC that the magical world of gaming opened up to me. Today, I'm overcompensating accordingly. Only a lack of time and money prevents me from trying out every game there is and decorating my shelf with rare retro consoles.

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