Gear buttons on controller

[Barareklam]

Hello everyone,

Which buttons on controller you use for gears and why, if you for some reasons changed from default ones?

 

[Samus]

I use square to downshift and circle to upshift. Just always have ever since moving from auto back in the PS2 days.

 

[hardvibes]

Square +
Circle -

I got used to this configuration since FM3 on X360 because the clutch went in the middle (X on the dualshock.... We still don't have a damn clutch button in GT and that p me off)

 

[NAXEHT]

Standard. X for upshift and square for downshift, it feels the most natural to me resting with the thumb just above these two buttons.

 

[Quakebass]

My go-to is using the bumpers as it’s the closest to simulating a paddle shift. It also keeps the shifting inputs near the throttle and brake inputs (assuming you use triggers), and leaves most of the face buttons for whatever you find convenient.

I used to use the right analogue stick (up for upshift down for down shift) back in GT6, a little counterintuitive, but it was immersive for me at the time. GT Sport forced me out of that scheme as it had locked presets that only permitted an inverted version of that right stick setup.

Another decent one is Circle/Up, X/Down, I used that on Forza 4 since I didn’t like the feel of the 360 bumpers for shifting. It’s quick for thumb placement, but it means I have to place my e-brake and boost/DRS buttons elsewhere (normally I have e-brake on circle and DRS on X).

 

[pedrocor]

Standard. X for upshift and square for downshift, it feels the most natural to me resting with the thumb just above these two buttons.

Yeah. X was gas when played on PS1 and PS2, square brake.
So made sense for the brain upshift being the previous gas e downshift brake, when transitioned to using R2-L2 to gas-brake in PS3, when they became real progressive triggers.

 

[mellofello9]

When I finally got tired of the computer picking wrong gears for me, I went with x = downshift, circle = upshift. 'Go' & 'whoa' pedals are bottom triggers. I prefer to not have to reach over buttons for something that important so keeping them on the outside edge of the controller works better for me. Race nerves still cause "money-shifts" as it stands...don't need the e-brake in the mix, too.

Was previously using right stick for gas/brake and top triggers for gears from my GT3 days (last one played before jumping into GTS). Works great but you lose the ability to use gas/brake simultaneously, which can cost you a TON of time on the track...feel I have better control over the vehicle in general.

I think a lot comes down to personal preference. As others stated, some choices may be driven by a desire for immersion over lap time.

 

[jonoholland29]

I used to use the right stick - as an up and down shifter. But now I use the default Square/X combo when racing with my son.

Still annoys me that I can't use my garage cars and him his

 

[GT3071-r]

Square - Downshift
Circle - Upshift

After years of playing Forza (all of them since the beginning), The X button on the PS5 pad is where the Clutch button is/was on my Forza config. I change the buttons to the same position on the controller in all Racing/Riding games.

 

[Tappajakoala]

Since PS3 and GT3 I have played these as accelerator and brake with right stick, steering with left stick. Always driving manual gears and R2 being upshift and L2 as downshift.

 

[Redneckchef]

When I decided to learn manual I tried a few combinations, ended up with O for upshift and X for downshift. No idea why, but instantly it clicked and I pretty much never went the wrong way after about 2 laps that way. My brain just says that's what it should be.

 

[Korza]

I've always used R1 for upshift and R2 for downshift. I first started using manual while playing NFS High Stakes and the default scheme used these buttons.

 

[PugDogRock]

I use
Right stick to shift
push up is down gear
push down is up gear
Left stick to steer
R2 gas
L2 brake

 

[Rising Sun41]

Square to shift up
X to shift down

Also switched NOS to L1 since you can use the right stick to cut to your rear bumper cam

Just seems more intuitive to me for some reason

 

[BloodRaven]

I'm the odd one out. I use R2 to shift up, and L2 to shift down. When I switched from auto to manual in GTS, that's what I chose so that's what I'm comfortable with.

 

[Johnnn]

Normal Forza layout without L1 as a clutch.

 

[Streeto]

Square for UP a gear, X for Down.

I'm the odd one out. I use R2 to shift up, and L2 to shift down. When I switched from auto to manual in GTS, that's what I chose so that's what I'm comfortable with.

I used to do this, but there's way more potential for throttle/brake control when you use the triggers, you should consider the change.

Side note: I've been using manual since GT5, auto is for kids and casuals. 😜

 

[Slender_Man]

😬 I’ve been using the same rough layout since the first Gran Turismo…
X - acceleration
Square - brakes
L2 - downshift
R2 - upshift

 

[gkgamer]

R1/L1 up/down
R2/L2 throttle/brake

 

[sh33p]

Interesting thread, I always figured I was an odd person when it came to using a controller for racing games but I can see one person who plays like me - nice.

It seems racing games have been making the default layout at R2/L2 for accelerate / brake and X + Square for gears... which never made any sense to my brain.

I use Right analogue stick for accelerate and brake, Circle for handbrake - in some games with less customization I used L1 as handbrake

And R2/L2 for gears.

This is what I picked up from GT2 onwards I think.


Wheel and pedal wins though

 

[Blayney]

I have an add on with little clicky paddles under the controller - so I sometimes use those for up/down. Otherwise just X and square. Unless I've brought the wheel out.

 

[Barareklam]

I have an add on with little clicky paddles under the controller - so I sometimes use those for up/down. Otherwise just X and square. Unless I've brought the wheel out.

Can you post a photo of paddles you are talking about, please.

 

[Spirit]

I've always used R1/L1 as shift up and down respectively. R2/L2 are my pedal inputs. I feel like it's pretty ergonomic as it allows easy differentiation (like most shift paddles in cars) while still allowing for the triggers to be used for pedal modulation.

 

[B80]

Square +
Circle -

I got used to this configuration since FM3 on X360 because the clutch went in the middle (X on the dualshock.... We still don't have a damn clutch button in GT and that p me off)

Same here guv, I used 'x' for clutch on xbox, so wanted to avoid using it for gears. Since bought a wheel.

 

[TwentyValve]

square up
X down
It's just more comfortable for me.

 

[timekiller001]

In the PS3 era I used the right stick to shift. I believe this was a default button layout in the NFS series and that's where I got it from.

But in the PS4 era that changed back to X for upshifts and square for downshifts.
I have the attachment for the PS4 controller as well, but I can't coordinate braking and downshifts with the same hand, I always messed that up.

 

[mellofello9]

Can you post a photo of paddles you are talking about, please.

Not sure which ones the poster is using, but here are a couple examples:

If you search "Dualshock Back Button" there's a bunch of options that pop up. This one looks like it might be a good solution, too:

Please Note: Have not used either

 

[Sn1per666]

Right stick up and down. I've used that since Forza 1 when I first started using manual.

 

[Granite_Lw]

Can you post a photo of paddles you are talking about, please.

Someone hasn't been slide-cancelling & drop-shotting enough!

 

[NamuGriff]

I use the back buttons you can buy for the PS4 controller and have them mapped to x and ⬜