Thanks everyone for the responses! I guess it really all is personal preference! I ended up just switching to the analog stick like a few commenters and I’m getting used to it. Not sure why but I just can’t get used to the dpad.

People complain about the d-pad being slippery, but to me it helps me do inputs in fighting games more easily.

I’m not happy with the dpad, either. It’s ok in menus and such, but for actually playing anything it’s terrible. I end up mapping the left stick to dpad if the game needs it.

It's not ideal for 2D games, it's better suited as an item wheel or navigating menus. It is however a thousand times better than the dpad found on pretty much all models of Xbox controllers, from the 360 to Series.

In a portable device, nothing beats the Vita dpad as far as I'm concerned, insanely good. The GBA SP one is also good, if size-adjusted.

I find it very good, played hours of Rogue legacy and tons of Dead cells with them and have absolutely no complains. Sure the PSX d-pad is better, but it's still the same or better than an Xbox controller one which is what I was using before because my PSX controllers are connected to my PlayStation.

I was worried about it since 2d platformers and Metroidvanias are my bread-and-butter and reviews weren't good. I don't think it's that bad though. I got used to it quickly enough.

Pretty much any controller I put through the Tony Hawk test. THPS/THUG games I find require the most inputs and use of all but the analog sticks.

I find manualling the trickiest thing to do on the Site Deck Dpad. Not quite sure what it is but I think it has to do with how close my thumb is to my hand due to the pad being so close to the edge.

I do have a bit better luck playing THPS on an 8bitdo than the steam deck pad.

Fun tidbit: if you get the 8bitdo pro 2 controller, it has a switch on the back so you can alter it from Steam Deck (X) to a Windows PC (D) to Nintendo Switch (S) with the flick of a button. A universal remote

I don’t mind it and think its pretty ok, but the PSX dpad is still my favourite.

I don't mind the feel of it but I do find it to be too noisy. Personal preference, I suppose.

I got used to the analog stick for direction, even for retro games.

To the point that I only use the d-pad as 4 buttons (like most modern games use it) or sometimes to navigate in menus.