I think for PC use the wired controller makes sense. Wireless would be nice but cord length is really not an issue on the desktop.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. For $29, I can have a dedicated PC controller and use it as a fourth for the 360 in an "emergency".

Plus, how do you sync the same controller with the 360 and a desktop? Do you have to resync every time you switch? That's a minor hassle I wouldn't want to deal with.

The Wireless 360 Controller just dropped to $39.99 at Amazon, so I bought that today. Seems like a really good deal, since I'd happily spend $20 for the reciever and I guess an extra wireless controller is always a good idea.

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I'm copying my Video Game Deal Post since this is PC Gaming related and a really good (if slightly convoluted) deal :
edit: Looks like it might be dead now. People aren't getting it to go through even with Paypal anymore. Just a word of caution.

how many pc games actually support the 360 controller?
i read that bioshock 2 does not support it??

A lot. I'd say that the 360 controller is now the de facto standard for PC gamepads. To the point where during the Steam sale, I bought Oddworld: Abe's Oddsee, which came out in 1997. Just out of curiosity, I plugged in my 360 controller and sure enough, it was recognized right away and I was able to use it for the game.

I'd be surprised if Bioshock 2 didn't support gamepads, but then again, I can't remember if the first one did, as I used mouse/keyboard (I'm in the "Why the hell would you want to play a FPS with a controller?" camp).

BioShock 2 actually doesn't support it for some odd reason.

I personally prefer FPS single player games on a controller, more relaxing, but in competitive mode it's kb+m all the way.

Just a general question for PC games : Do you sometimes buy multiplatform games on the PC when you mostly game on a console? I'm thinking about getting Just Cause 2 for PC rather than for the 360. It's a tough call --

Pros:
$10 less list price
Game pad compatible
Steam convenience
Potentially better graphics
Ability to play while wife watches crap on family TV

Cons:
No ability to sell game if I don't like it or finish it.
No nerd points or avatar awards (if applicable).
Smaller screen, no surround sound in study
Less comfortable for long play sessions than living room sofa.
Probably nearly unplayable without a gamepad.
Prefer Live for multiplayer games (though not applicable here).

Still don't know which way I'd go on this if I end up buying the game. I was wondering if the PC gamers here also play 360 or PS3 and which platform they mostly use for multiplatform games.

Have you tried the demo of JC2 on your PC? It played like crap on mine

No, I haven't. Good point. I should remember to always check that first.

Depends on the game, genre, and quality of the PC version. I played Fallout 3 and Orange Box on PC, just because the keyboard and mouse offer superior control (especially for something like Portal) and because I can play something like Team Fortress 2 at other places like at work or home.

Most of my gaming is on the 360 these days though, so things like Mass Effect and Dragon Age I ended up playing on the 360 (Dragon Age I would have bought the PC version but console versions were cheap during Black Friday).

I was curious about that -- anyone know if Achievement Points gained on GFWL add on to your overall score? I know it displays my Live points I got from the 360 when I log in...

Yeah they did, but few games actually support it. My Fallout 3 points counted.

Yeah I just noticed my Arkham Asylum pts do too.

I just tried the JC2 demo, played really well with most everything maxed out ... though I am using a GTX260 I bought last March.

With third person action games I always have a tough time deciding which platform. For a game that's more about shooting and aiming, I'll pick it up for the Pc for more precise aiming controls. For a game that's more about movement I'll usually go with the console version. All the other stuff doesn't usually factor in, except for the better graphics on the PC version.

What about resale/ trade-in? Isn't that potentially a factor for the console version?

I'm horrible about reselling, which is why I tend to wait til they're on sale for PC -- which usually happens far quicker.

I usually don't resell games, so that doesn't become a big deal for me. It helps that PC games are better about being able to run years later, some Windows compatibility issues aside.

I don't resell games, so that's not a factor. PC games become very cheap very fast anyways, and that usually outweighs any resell value by far.

I just tried the JC2 demo as well. It looked AMAZING, far better than the 360 version and played just the same thanks to the 360 controller. I'm thinking about buying it off Amazon for $49.99 with a $15 game credit. Not sure yet, but wow. I'll see if the price drops on Steam as part of this week's Edios sale, but I doubt it will.

Yeah, considering how "cheap" the first one looked, even when it was new, I was amazed by just how good JC2 looked in motion.

You really should have gotten Dragon Age for the PC. It was actually designed for PCs, and the console version was an afterthought that wouldn't have even happened if EA hadn't acquired Bioware. The PC version has the option of an overhead isometric viewpoint and the gameplay is much more tactical like the old school Baldur's Gate games. Enemy hordes are bigger, stronger, and smarter. Area of effect spells aren't party-friendly so you can't just easily sit back and spam fireballs all over.

I know

Now's a good time to go back and play one of the great PC games, Deus Ex. $2.50 on Steam.

http://store.steampowered.com/sub/296/

And I guess play the lesser sequel Invisible War if you're bored too.