I would recommend Nyko's AirFlo controller for PC. It's shaped a bit like a chubby PS2 controller, but is far more comfortable to hold. I own one myself, and the d-pad is of outstanding quality.
Not only that, as an added bonus the controller is well ventilated and has a built in fan with two speed settings for keeping your hands nice and cool. Oh, and although it isn't wireless, the controller cable is a quite impressive 3 or so metres.

I just use these with my PS2 controllers.

Alternatively you could get the Madcatz Street Fighter pads, I'd assume they work as they're USB based, plus they're modelled off of Saturn pads.

But PS2 controllers have that 4-button D-Pad. Doesn't that suck? I want something as good as or better than SNES D-Pad.

Nyko's AirFlo may work, though I would definitely prefer wireless. The Saitek grooved setup intrigues me too, so I'd like to hear if anybody's used a D-Pad like that.

The Street Fighter d-pads work wonders, though I haven't tried plugging them into my PC yet.

Also you may be able to find adapters for SNES pads. I know the made them, but they might be hard to find these days.

Also you may be able to find adapters for SNES pads. I know the made them, but they might be hard to find these days.

RetroZone sells them, along with adapters for a bunch of other controllers. But they're a bit pricey and, of course, aren't wireless and have no analogue sticks.

As far as programmability goes, you could always use a program like JoyToKey (aka Joy2Key) to assign certain keyboard keys to certain controller buttons if that's what you're talking about.

Oooh, very nice find, and thank you!

That site will come in handy, the SNES port/Gamecube port adapter will make the Megaman X and Sonic collections much better, also CVS2.

I'm looking for a PC gamepad with the following priorities:

1. Must have a good D-Pad. This is the main reason I don't just get an X-Box controller. Without having used them in person, it's hard to tell how good the D-Pads are online.

2. Wireless. Not required but it would be preferred.

3. Analog sticks for compatibility or programmed extra options.

4. Programmability.

There are 3 types of D-Pads, in general:

1. Circle. I'm suspicious that these won't work well.

http://www.amazon.com/Log...-Feedback/dp/B0002XJBGE/

i got a logitech controller for my mom's laptop  it doesnt need installation or anything complicated just hook it on the USB port and that's it.
it works nicely, the simplest one costs 10 dollars, there's other logitech ones that resemble the ps2 controller with more buttons on them, they're a bit more expensive.
although from my experiance with the xbox wireless controller, its better to get a controller with a cable.